Present Status and Technology of Shield Tunneling Method in Japan
Present Status and Technology of Shield Tunneling Method in Japan
Abstract
Recently in Japan, it has often been necessary to construct tunnels under more severe conditions and to develop new techniques.
However, present design techniques cannot appropriately reflect the construction techniques; and thus, traditional methods are still
often used. On account of the well-balanced progress between construction and design in the shield tunneling method, an
innovation of the design technique is required. This paper shows an outline of the shield tunnel technique at present, behavior of
shield tunnels in-site, and improvements required for design.
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Keywords: Shield tunneling; Segmental lining; Design; Earth pressure; Water pressure; Field measurement
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146 Y. Koyama / Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 18 (2003) 145–159
tunneling method in Japan are needed, and many new 2.2.1. Multi-circular face shield method (MF shield)
techniques have been developed. The main technical The MF shield, utilizing the advantages of the slurry
topics are as follows: type shield, was developed to construct flat-shaped
1. long distance excavation; tunnels. To avoid the interference between cutter faces
2. large overburden excavation; when they rotate, they are set at different positions in
3. large face excavation; the longitudinal direction (Fig. 3).
4. automatic excavation; A double-circular face type was developed first. Then,
5. special cross-section shield; triple-circular face type shields have been developed to
6. expansion and reduction of shield; construct train stations in complicated underground spac-
7. branching and confluent; and es. In addition to the above, a four-circular-face type
8. construction with a sharp curve. was developed to construct subway stations, whose
shape is more complicated than that of triple-circular
2.2. Present status of the shield tunneling method in face type tunnels.
Japan
2.2.2. Double O-tube shield (DOT shield)
In order to understand the progress of the shield The DOT shield is an earth pressure balanced type
tunneling technique, it is useful to grasp the degree of shield with the same purpose as the MF shield. Two
accomplishment for the topics. Figs. 1 and 2 present spoke cutter wheels of the shield rotate in the opposite
overviews of the tunnel diameter, the water pressure, directions on the same plane, and so as not to come in
the depth and the curve radius. The maximum earth
contact, the rotation control is done separately.
pressure that has been achieved for the shield tunnel is
0.9 MPa. The smallest curve radius of the tunnel is 20
m, under high water pressure. 2.2.3. Developing parallel link excavation shield
Fig. 1 shows that the construction of special-shaped (DPLEX Shield)
tunnels, in which all cross-sections are excavated at the The DPLEX shield is quite a new method, which is
same time with a closed-type shield machine, has been modified to a large extent from the conventional earth
increasing. pressure balanced type shield.
Moreover, as discussed below, special-shaped shields The shield employs multiple rotating shafts to which
have been developed. It is possible to excavate a specific cranks are fit at the right angle (Fig. 4). A cutter frame
shape simultaneously for the entire cross-section by equipped with a number of rotating shafts turn, the
means of these type shields. cutter frame starts a parallel link motion, which makes
Y. Koyama / Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 18 (2003) 145–159 147
it possible to cut a tunnel with a cross-section analogous 3. Present status and topics related to shield tunnel
to the shape formed by the cutter bits. linings
The advantages of this shield are not only a reduction
of cutter torque due to short shafts, but also the appli- 3.1. Conventional segmental lining
cability of unusual shapes.
The segments of tunnel linings in Japan are usually
made of reinforced concrete (RC), steel, cast iron, or a
composite structure of steel and concrete. RC is the
most popular material, followed by steel, and then cast
iron. Bolts are used at the main joints of those segments.
As for RC segments, box segments, which are jointed
with long bolts, were used in early times (Fig. 5).
However, plane type segments have been used recently
in order to reduce the deficient area (Fig. 6). If partic-
3.2.1. New segmental lining In designing segments, the stress in each part of a
The size of shield tunnels is presently growing larger. segment is usually calculated with a design model, by
Thus, the diameter of the joint bolts has become larger taking account of the structural property of segmental
as well as the tool for bolting. Under these conditions, lining and interaction between the ground and lining, so
an automatic erection of segments is required for a safe that the stress does not exceed the allowable limit.
working environment and in order to maintains the good Hence, to design a segment, we need to reasonably
quality of the erection. However, the equipment for the model the segment structure and assume its interaction
erection has had a tendency to be complex and the time with the ground. There are a number of design models
it takes for the erection has a tendency to be long. This proposed so far (ITA, 2000).
is because a segment with bolt joints is disadvantageous
to an automatic erection. An innovation in segment 4.2. Structural model
joints is needed, because the cost to produce segments
makes up a high percentage of the total construction The structural models for the segment ring are shown
cost of a shield tunnel. In particular, the cost of joint in Fig. 8. The segments are assembled in a staggered
metal is expensive. Under such conditions, many types pattern to compensate for the decrease in the bending
Table 2
Coefficient (k) of ground reaction=tunnel diameter (D) in full-circumferential spring model (RTRI, 1997)
Fig. 16. Changes in the ratio of effective earth pressure to total earth Fig. 18. Changes in the ratio of effective earth pressure to total earth
pressure over time (in an alluvium) (Ariizumi et al., 1998). pressure over time (in a diluvium) (Ariizumi et al., 1998).
154 Y. Koyama / Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 18 (2003) 145–159
Fig. 19. Distribution of earth pressure into the circumferential direc- Fig. 22. Distribution of earth pressure into the circumferential direc-
tion (in an alluvium) (Itoh and Saito, 1991). tion (in a diluvium) (Fujii et al., 2000).
Fig. 24. Underground vertical displacement wjust above the shield (0.5 m)x (after Hirata, 1989).
4. In case the effective earth pressure is small, the There are no examples of detailed measurement
distribution of the total earth pressure is uniform. around tunnels. The strain of ground near the tunnel can
However, if the effective earth pressure is dominant, be considered to vary widely, depending on the opera-
the distribution of the total earth pressure is uneven tional control of shield, the way of backfill grouting and
to some extent. other conditions. It is speculated that the scattered strain
would cause the heterogeneity of distribution of earth
5.3. Factors influencing loads acting on tunnels pressure affecting tunnels.
5.3.1. Relationship between ground displacement and 5.3.2. Influence of backfill grouting
earth pressure The influence of backfill grouting on shield tunnels
The earth pressure acting on a tunnel for a long period has been confirmed by laboratory and other tests, but
is considered to depend on the strain of soil near the an interesting test has been carried out to confirm it by
surface of tunnel. Actual strain conditions of soil near using an actual shield tunnel. The test was carried out
the tunnels are estimated from ground displacement near at an earth pressure balanced shield tunnel whose exter-
the tunnel in this section. Fig. 24 shows the measurement nal diameter is 5.30 m. The test was carried out in two
results during the construction of subway shield tunnels cases (Table 3).
in Osaka. In all cases, the values of measurement vary The backfill grout was injected with usual method in
widely although the ground conditions are similar (in one case, and in another case, the grouting pressure was
clayey alluvia). The results of measurement generally lower and the volume was smaller. The earth pressure
show a tendency of settlement, but there are some cases and water pressure affecting the tunnel are measured in
where they show a tendency of rise. This suggests that the test. The tests were carried out at two sections of
the strain of soil just above the tunnel can either extend the tunnel in the clayey diluvia and sandy diluvia to
or shrink and that the earth pressure acting on the tunnel grasp the influence of soil condition. These results are
crown can also either increase or decrease when com- shown in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26.
pared with the situation before the excavation of the The following was obtained from these results.
tunnel.
Table 3
Design of backfill grouting (Nishizawa et al., 1996)
Case1 Case2
Design grouting 150 kPa 50 kPa
pressure
Design grout 139% 100%
ratio
Backfilling Standard Lean mixture
material mixture
Grouting method Usual method Stop grouting when grouting pressure
becomes bigger than design pressure
156 Y. Koyama / Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 18 (2003) 145–159
1. Tunnel deformation calculated in designing a tunnel, 2. Tunnel deformation before the tunnel reaches the
is subject to the earth pressure (including the soil long-term stable condition is smaller than that under
reaction) and water pressure acting on the tunnel. the stable condition.
Fig. 28. Influence of tail brushes on the segments (Ariizumi et al., 1999).
158 Y. Koyama / Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 18 (2003) 145–159
7. Concluding remarks
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Segments for Shield-driven Tunnels (in Japanese) RTRI Report: Nagaya, J., 1995. The field measurement of the earth pressure on
Special No. 33. RTRI p. 114. the segments in the diluvium sand (in Japanese). Proceedings of
Koyama, Y., 2000b. Study on the Improvement of Design Method of the 50th Annual Conference of the JSCE, Vol. 3. JSCE, pp.
Segments for Shield-driven Tunnels (in Japanese). RTRI Report: 1318–1319.
Special No. 33. RTRI p. 131. Nishizawa, K., Shiotani, T., Tsutiya, K., Mima, K., Hashimoto, T.,
Koyama, Y., 2000c. Study on the Improvement of Design Method of Nagaya, J., 1996. The field measurement of the earth pressure on
Segments for Shield-driven Tunnels (in Japanese). RTRI Report: the segments in the stiff clay (in Japanese). Proceedings of the
Special No. 33. RTRI, pp. 156–163. 31st Japan National Conference on Geotechnical Engineering. The
Koyama, Y., 2000d. Study on the Improvement of Design Method of Japan Geotechnical Society, pp. 2289–2290.
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Special No. 33. RTRI, pp. 80–83. A study on behavior of shield tunnel lining with large section and
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Segments for Shield-driven Tunnels (in Japanese). RTRI Report: Engineering 6, 399–404.
Special No. 33. RTRI, pp. 47–55. Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI), 1997. Design Standard
Koyama, Y., Okano, N., Shimizu, M., Fujiki, I., Yoneshima, K., 1995. for Railway Structures (Shield-Driven Tunnel) (in Japanese).
In-situ measurement and consideration on shield tunnel in diluvium Maruzen, pp. 47–61.
deposit (in Japanese). Proc. Tunnel Engineering 5, 385–390. Sakai, K., Tazaki, K. (2003). Development and applications of
Matsumoto, Y., 1994a. The Most Novel Shield Tunnel Technologies diaphragm walling with special section steel—NS-Box, Tunnelling
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