MODULE 1: UNDER GROUND CONSTRUCTION

Underground construction refers to the building of structures beneath the

Earth's surface. This can include various types of facilities like tunnels, subways,
basements, mines, parking lots, utility networks (e.g., water, sewer, and
electrical lines), and even underground buildings or storage facilities.
Key Aspects of Underground Construction:
1. Purpose and Applications:
o Transportation: Subways, tunnels for highways, and pedestrian
passageways are essential for efficient urban mobility.
o Utility Systems: Sewers, water mains, gas lines, electrical cables,
and telecommunications networks are often buried to ensure
protection from the elements and minimize interference with
surface activities.
o Storage and Defense: Some underground facilities serve as storage
for hazardous materials (e.g., fuel, radioactive waste) or are used
for military purposes, such as bunkers and shelters.
2. Techniques:
o Tunneling: One of the most common methods of underground
construction. This can be done using methods like boring (with
Tunnel Boring Machines, TBMs), drilling, or using the cut-and-cover
approach, where a trench is dug, and after construction, the surface
is restored.
o Cut and Cover: A trench is dug from the surface, and after the
construction, the site is covered over again. This method is often
used for shallow tunnels.
o Mining Methods: For deep underground projects like subway
systems or large caverns, mining techniques such as drill and blast
or roadheader use may be employed.
o Support Systems: Underground construction often requires
specialized supports, such as shotcrete, steel reinforcements, or
tunnel linings to prevent collapse during and after construction.
3. Challenges:
 o Geotechnical Considerations: The type of soil and rock,
groundwater levels, and other geological factors play a significant
role in planning underground construction. Different types of soil or
rock require different construction techniques and machinery.
o Water Ingress: Managing groundwater or nearby bodies of water is
crucial, as it can seep into the construction site, causing flooding or
instability.
o Ventilation: For larger spaces like subway systems or underground
factories, managing air quality and ensuring proper ventilation is
critical to maintain worker safety and operational viability.
o Safety: Underground construction can involve risks like cave-ins, gas
leaks, or even underground explosions, which need to be managed
carefully through engineering and safety protocols.
4. Environmental and Social Impact:
o Surface Impact: While underground structures minimize above-
ground disruption, their construction can still affect surface traffic,
buildings, and utilities.
o Sustainability: Many cities are increasingly looking at underground
construction as a sustainable solution to urban expansion by
reducing the footprint above ground, protecting green spaces, and
promoting energy-efficient designs.
5. Modern Innovations:
o Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs): These machines have
revolutionized tunneling by making it faster, more efficient, and
safer. They can excavate and install tunnel linings simultaneously.
o New Materials: Advances in materials like high-strength concrete,
geosynthetics, and fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are improving
the durability and efficiency of underground structures.

Underground– Tunnel-Shaft, Sinking and construction, Micro Tunnelling,

Tunnel driving in hard and soft strata, bedding of conduits, Soil excavation and
Compaction Technology.
Underground construction, particularly tunneling, involves several critical
techniques and processes. Let's dive into some of the key components:
1. Tunnel-Shaft Sinking and Construction:
A shaft is a vertical or inclined opening that provides access to underground
tunnel construction. It serves as an entry point for workers, materials, and
equipment.
Shaft Sinking Process:
• Surveying and Planning: Before digging, the site is carefully surveyed, and
geological conditions are analyzed to choose the right location for the
shaft.
• Excavation: Shaft sinking involves digging vertically through soil and rock
layers to reach the depth of the intended tunnel. The excavation process
is carried out in cycles, and the method depends on the type of ground.
o Drill and Blast: Used in hard rock, where explosives are used to
break the rock, and the material is removed.
o Mechanized Shaft Boring: TBMs or shaft boring machines are used
to bore through softer soils or rock, making the process faster and
safer.
• Ground Support: As the shaft is deepened, support systems such as steel
liners, shotcrete, and rock bolts are installed to stabilize the surrounding
ground.
• Water Control: If groundwater is encountered, dewatering pumps or
grouting techniques are used to manage water ingress and prevent
flooding.
2. Micro Tunneling:
Microtunneling is a trenchless construction method used to install small-
diameter tunnels and pipes underground with minimal surface disruption.
Micro Tunneling Process:
• Remote-Controlled Machine: A microtunneling boring machine (MTBM) is
used, which is operated remotely from the surface. The machine
excavates the soil and simultaneously installs the pipe or tunnel lining
behind it.
 • Slurry System: In soft soils, a slurry system is often used to carry the
excavated material out of the tunnel. The slurry is pumped back to the
surface and separated from the debris.
• Laser Guidance: Microtunneling systems are highly precise and use laser
guidance to ensure the alignment and grade of the pipe.
• Applications: Microtunneling is commonly used for installing underground
utilities (e.g., sewage, water, gas lines) in urban areas where surface
disruption must be minimized.
3. Tunnel Driving in Hard and Soft Strata:
Tunneling in hard strata (rock) and soft strata (soil) requires different methods
and equipment:
Tunneling in Hard Strata (Rock):
• Drill and Blast Method: Explosives are used to break hard rock, after which
the debris (muck) is removed. This is typically followed by reinforcing the
tunnel walls with shotcrete, steel arches, or rock bolts.
• Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM): In modern projects, TBMs are used for
driving tunnels through hard rock. These machines have rotating cutter
heads that grind the rock while simultaneously installing tunnel linings.
• Ground Stability: Hard strata generally provide good natural stability but
may require localized reinforcement if fractures or faults are encountered.
Tunneling in Soft Strata (Soil):
• Shield Tunneling: In soft soils, shield tunneling or cut-and-cover methods
are used. A shield (protective frame) is driven forward while excavation
takes place inside the shield to prevent collapse.
• Slurry or EPB TBM: Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) or slurry TBMs are used
in soft ground. These machines maintain balance between external soil
pressure and internal tunnel pressure, reducing the risk of cave-ins.
• Ground Support: Immediate support, such as tunnel linings or segmental
rings, is necessary in soft soils to prevent collapse.
4. Bedding of Conduits:
Bedding refers to the preparation of the trench or tunnel floor to support the
installation of underground pipes or conduits.
Bedding Process:
• Excavation of Trench: The trench or tunnel base is excavated to a specified
depth and width.
• Placement of Bedding Material: A layer of bedding material (such as
gravel, crushed stone, or sand) is spread and compacted to provide a
stable, even surface for the pipe or conduit.
• Conduit Placement: The conduit is carefully placed on the bedding to
ensure proper alignment and support.
• Backfilling: After the conduit is installed, backfill material is placed and
compacted around it to provide support and protection from external
forces.
Importance:
• Proper bedding ensures the pipe or conduit is uniformly supported,
preventing settlement or misalignment over time.
• It also protects the pipe from damage due to external loads and soil
movement.
5. Soil Excavation:
Soil excavation involves removing earth to create space for underground
construction. The method used depends on the type of soil, depth, and scale of
the project.
Methods:
• Manual Excavation: Used for small or shallow excavations where
machinery is not feasible.
• Mechanical Excavation: Excavators, backhoes, and bulldozers are used to
remove large volumes of soil quickly and efficiently.
• Trenchless Excavation: Methods like microtunneling or horizontal
directional drilling (HDD) are used when surface disruption must be
minimized.
6. Compaction Technology:
Compaction is the process of densifying soil to increase its load-bearing capacity
and reduce the risk of settlement.
Compaction Methods:
• Vibratory Rollers: Heavy rollers equipped with vibration mechanisms
compress soil to increase density, typically used for granular soils.
• Tampers: Handheld or machine-powered tampers compact soil in small
areas or around utilities.
• Static Rollers: These heavy machines apply downward pressure to
compact soil, useful in clay-rich soils.
• Dynamic Compaction: Involves dropping heavy weights onto the soil
surface to increase compaction at deeper levels, often used in large-scale
projects.
• Soil Grouting: For areas where traditional compaction is difficult, grouting
involves injecting cement or chemical solutions into the soil to stabilize
and densify it.
Importance of Compaction:
• Prevents Settlement: Compaction ensures the ground remains stable
under the weight of structures, reducing future settlement.
• Improves Soil Strength: Well-compacted soil has a higher load-bearing
capacity, which is crucial for supporting tunnels, shafts, or underground
utilities.
• Reduces Water Penetration: Compacted soil resists water infiltration,
reducing the risk of erosion or water-related issues.

Each of these techniques plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, stability, and
effectiveness of underground construction projects. They vary based on the
environment (hard rock or soft soil) and the project requirements (like tunneling
for utilities versus large transportation tunnels). Proper planning, execution, and
support systems are essential to minimize risks and maintain the integrity of the
structures.