Nepal Tunnelling Conference 2018 – Kathmandu 14 December 2018

“Multipurpose Use of Underground Spaces”

Large and Deep Underground Caverns

Dr François LAIGLE
EDF Hydro Engineering Center

Francois.laigle@edf.fr
Some few examples of Large and/or Deep underground caverns

Rock mass behaviour mechanisms

Support and Lining for Underground Caverns

Sequences of Excavation

Nepal Tunnelling Conference 2018 – Kathmandu 14 December 2018

Large and Deep Underground Caverns

Large ? Deep ?

Several tens of meters Several hundreds of meters

From F. Laigle From E.Garin & G. Seingre & N. Nilipour

General considerations regarding the behaviour and Design of Des travaux à une échelle hors norme
Large Underground Caverns. Tunnels et Espace Souterrain – Revue TRACES 16/09/2015
n°251 – Septembre/Octobre 2015
Large and Deep Underground Caverns

Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

Cave La Verna : 230 m width E. Gilli: Thèse de 3eme cycle

Recherche sur le creusement et la Stabilité des grands volumes karstiques souterrains
3.6 hm3 Laboratoire de Géologie Appliquée
Université de Provence Aix Marseille
1984
Large and Deep Underground Caverns

Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

Sarawak underground chamber (Malaysia): 700 x 400 m

100 m height
12 hm3
Large and Deep Underground Caverns

Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

Mining chambers
Hydroelectric power plants
Hydrocarbon underground storages
Water storages
Underground waste repositories
Underground nuclear laboratories
Military underground chambers
Transportation infrastructures
Underground stations
Temporary caverns From A. Glazer et al – Revival of Burial tunnels: Underground Cemetery Construction in
Cross over stations Jerusalem – Congrès International de l’AFTES – Paris 13-15 Novembre 2017
Underground cemeteries
Car parks
Leisure facilities
Museum
Sporting infrastructures
Artistic creations
…
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns

Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

Hydroelectric power plants

More than 800 hydroelectric

Underground Powerplants worldwide

Average span :  20 m

Highest span:  35 m

Average depth:  230 m

Deepest: 1 600 m

Most of these caverns are located in

«average» to « good » rockmasses

•Q: 0.7 to 5

• RMR: 40 to 60

Gavet Underground Powerhouse under construction - EDF

Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

Kops II Powerhouse (http://www.jaegerbau.com)

Elongated Shape !
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”
Permanent thick concrete vault

Longwalls supported
with shotcrete, bolts
and anchors

Sisteron underground Powerhouse built in the 70’

Permanent thin shotcrete support

Permanent
grouted bars
support

Gilboa underground Powerhouse built in the 2015

Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

Hydrocarbon underground storage

Several types of storage concepts

• Unlined underground rock caverns

• Unlined underground salt caverns
• Pore space storage concept
• Lined rock caverns

Good rock

Low support system

Adapt excavation shape to the geological context

From P. Briand – Geostock – Stockage d’hydrocarbures en Souterrain.

Mai 2017 - AFTES
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

Section de la caverne de Kops II (http://www.jaegerbau.com) From P. Briand – Geostock –. Mai 2017 - AFTES

Significant participation of the Rock mass to its own support and stability
“Good” knowledge of the geological/geotechnical context
“Good” Understanding and anticipation of the rock mass behaviour
Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

Underground laboratories

Super Kamiokande
laboratory (1996)

Hyper Kamiokande laboratory (under studying)

Depth: 500 to 600 m
From S. Nakayam Biotite Gneiss and Migmatite rock mass
Super-K upgrade and Hyper-Kamiokande.
9th International Workshop on Ring Imaging Cherenkov Deteectors (RICH2016) – Bled, Slovania
 UX 15 under construction
Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”
Underground laboratories
CERN -LHC

UX 15
USA 15 under construction
32 m span

• Heterogeneous ground with local clay layers

• Anisotropic initial state of stress (k0>1) and Shape
• Interaction between few excavations
…
Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”
Transportation infrastructures

- Underground stations
- Connection chambers and galleries
- Temporary chamber (TBM erection…)
- …

Channel tunnel Crossover

Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

TBM Erection chamber TELT Saint-Martin la Porte 23 m width

24 m height
45 m long
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

Leisure facilities

Gjovik Olympic Hall (Norway)

Depth: 100 m
From P. Duffaut
Cavernes Artificielles pour l’énergie – Pourquoi et
From P. Duffaut comment?
NNN05 Techniques de l’Ingénieur. 2014.
Engineering of Large & Deep Rock Caverns for Physics Research – Aussois 7-9 April 2005
Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Some few examples of “Deep and/or Large Caverns”

Nuclear facilities

Nuclear Reactor Chooz A

Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Stress Driven Mechanism

Brittle failure - Continuous rock mass

Structurally
Driven Mechanism
Block Instability

Discontinuous rock mass

“Plastic” shear mechanism

Squeezing – “Continuous” rock mass
Large and Deep Underground Caverns Influence of the Rock mass fracturation and structuration
Rockmass behavior mechanisms

The mechanism triggering depends mainly on

2 factors:

1. Initial Stresses versus UCS rock

Influence of the state of stresses

« Compentency » factor
c
Nc 
0
2. Dimension of the Excavation versus the
fracturation pattern and structuration of
the rock mass

« Continuity » Factor

Average “block” size

Dt
CF 
Db
Main Tunnel Size
 “Stress” Factor
Large and Deep Underground Caverns “Competency Factor”
Rockmass behavior mechanisms
Compression Strength in comparison to the existing
State of Stresses

�
�

𝑡
“Continuity Factor”
Geometrical Factor

From AFTES WG 30 “Design and Dimensioning of a Radial Bolting Support System in Tunnels”
Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Rockmass behavior mechanisms

CONTINU
Roche fortement fracturée

50 à 100

DISCONTINU
Massif fracturé

D D D

CONTINU
Roche massive

Evolution of the failure mechanism with the main opening dimension

(For the same rock mass)
Large and Deep Underground Caverns Stress Driven Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

From ITA Report n°19 May 2017

ITA Working group – TBM excavation of Long and Deep Tunnels
Large and Deep Underground Caverns Stress Driven Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Diederichs 2007
Mechanistic interpretation and practical application of damage
and spalling prediction criteria for deep tunnelling. Canadian
Geotechnical journal . 44(9): PP 1082-1116
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns Stress Driven Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Rockburst mechanism
Buckling mechanism in case of anisotropic
rockmass

Hospitalet Waterway gallery (EDF)

From W.D Ortlepp

Rock Fractures and Rockbursts
South African Institute of Mining and
From ITA Report n°19 May 2017 Metallurgy. Johannesburg. 1997.
ITA Working group – TBM excavation of Long and Deep Tunnels
Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Rockmass behavior mechanisms

From S. Shengwu et al
Measures for controlling large deformations of underground
caverns under high in-situ condition – A case study of Jinping I
Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering – 8 2016

Linear Elastic Calculation (Examin2D)

Large and Deep Underground Caverns Shear Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

« Shear » mechanicm mobilizing a

large volue of rock

Rockmass behaving in its post-pic

domain

Delayed behaviour as « creep »

Large and Deep Underground Caverns Shear Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Maillage déformée
(échelle=1 / ouvrage)

Delayed behavior – Need of a relevant constitutive model taking into consideration both the post-peak behavior and the
coupled delayed behaviour
EDF-L&K Constitutive model
Constitutive model taking into account
the viscous behavior of the rockmass:
• Creep
• Relaxation
• Influence of the loading rate
• Post-peak behavior and induced
damage of the rock in time 
Tertiary creep EDF-L&K Constitutive model – Development of a damaged/plastic zone in time in front of the tunnel
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns Shear Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Need of a specific support/lining

Need of a relevant and adapted shape of the cross

section: “circular”…

From E. Hoek – Practical Rock Engineering.

 Large and Deep Underground Caverns Shear Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

• A shear behavior is not necessarily a “squeezing” behavior

• Case of a rockmass which may be assimilated to a “continuous” medium

60 0,16
50 0,14
10 MPa
1 MPa 0,12
displacement (m)
40
deviator (MPa)

0,1
30
Theri Powerhouse
0,08
20
3D simulation Flac3D
0,06
10
0,04
0 With support
0 5 10 15 20 0,02 Without support
axial strain (%)
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
excavation phases
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns Shear Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Squeezing behavior is often prohibitive for Large Underground
Caverns

• Except if the shape can be adapted

• Or adaptation of the opening orientation in case of anisotropic

ground
Theri Powerplant (India)

Penstock assembly Chamber

Powerhouse
Dip of phyllite
foliation
Large and Deep Underground Caverns Shear Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Calculation criteria for a continuous approach, depending on the constitutive model

From AFTES WG 30 “Design and Dimensioning of a Radial Bolting Support System in Tunnels”
Large and Deep Underground Caverns Structurally Driven Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Block Instability Mechanism
Structurally Controlled instability

Stability of potential free rock wedges because of the structural

features: Bedding planes and Joints

Neutrinos experimental chamber

 Large and Deep Underground Caverns Structurally Driven Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

From AFTES WG 30 “Design and Dimensioning of a Radial Bolting

Support System in Tunnels”
Large and Deep Underground Caverns Structurally Driven Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Risk of Mega Block

See also « Retours d’expérience pendant la construction de cavités pour

le stockage d’hydrocarbures: le Cas des « Mega Blocs ». N. Gatelier & P.
Vaskou & T. You. Geostock. CFMR. 04/06/2015
Large and Deep Underground Caverns Structurally Driven Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Design approaches and tools Rex

Empirical approaches

Analytical limit instability analyses

Discrete (discontinuous)
numerical simulations in 2D or 3D

From Novegian Geological Institute

Using the Q-System
Rock mass classification and support design - Handbook
From E. Garin – Nant de Drance – CFMR – 4 juin 2015
Large and Deep Underground Caverns Structurally Driven Mechanism

Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Gavet Powerhouse

UDEC

3DEC
(simulations Vinci-DITS & Itasca)
Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Rockmass behavior mechanisms

Shear mechanism
Continuous and Plastic behaviour

Rock wedges instabilities

Discontinuous rockmass

Brittle failure of the rock matrix

Continuous and brittle behaviour
Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Rockmass behavior mechanisms
Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Feasibility Criterion and the Most Likely Mechanism versus
Rockmass behavior mechanisms • the depth
• Q-NGI index,
• UCS of intact Rock Sample

mi>8
Stress Driven UCSi> 60 Mpa
Mechanism

Shear Strain
Mechanism
Structurally
Driven Cf Hoek et al
Mechanism 2000

Cf Barton
Proof Q
From F. Laigle
Rockbolts Characteristics General considerations regarding the behaviour and Design of
Large Underground Caverns. Tunnels et Espace Souterrain –
n°251 – Septembre/Octobre 2015
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Support and linings
Support mainly composed of:

- Bolting support (grouted rebars,…)

L(m)=2+0.2xD(m)
- A reinforced shotcrete “Skin” (type 2 AFTES)
FIBERED
About 20 to 25 cm SHOTCRETE

PHYLLLITIC
ROCK
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Support and linings

THE MAIN REINFORCEMENT AND THE GENERAL

STABILITY ARE ENSURED BY THE BOLTING SYSTEM

Shotcrete is only for the ground protection and

local stability between bolts

- Shotcrete mustn’t be considered as a

MONOLITHIC and CONTINUOUS STRUCTURAL
SHELL but like a Surface SKIN (“membrane”).

- Shotcrete shall be deformed with the

rockmass (Fiber reinforcement for the ductily)

SHOTCRETE MAY CRACK

Is it a issue ?

Yes and No
Tartaiguille Railway tunnel
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Support and linings
If crack appears on vault
&
If no any anticipation
Yes

- Safety issues
- Need to be protected by a steel mesh
- Difficulties to access in case of high caverns
- Stoppage of excavation works
- Loose of confidence if phenomenon not expected,
anticipated and understood
- …

CERN LHC USA 15 cavern

 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Support and linings If crack appears on vault
NO
Should be anticipated during design phase

- General stability not impacted and reduced

- Adaptation of the support with some longitudinal
kerfs through the shotcrete
- …
30

Bar
13/01/00 12h00 USA15-45-TPC1
25
Contraintes dans le béton projeté USA15-45-EX1-15
USA15-45-EX1-10
(plaque de pression totale) USA15-45-EX1-05
20
USA15-45-EX1-02

15

10

0
25/09/99 23/10/99 20/11/99 18/12/99 15/01/00 12/02/00 11/03/00 08/04/00 06/05/00

-5

-10

Déplacements en clé de voûte

-15 (extensomètre multi-points)
mm

-20
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Potential
Failure
Support and linings without
support
Inclusion of the support into
the continuous numerical
simulations

Rockbolts

Theri Powerhouse – DEF Numerical simulations with a specific constitutive model

taking into account the post-peak behaviour of the rockmass

Shotcrete
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Support and linings

What about lining ?

Lining is not always necessary for

structural and geotechnical reasons

Notion of PERMANENT Support

(Shotcrete and Bolts)

Need of a permanent lining depends on:

- Technical specifications and purpose of the

facility (internal equipments, control of
water ingresses, …)

- Delayed phenomena such as creep,

swelling, rock weathering,…

- General stability considerations in case of a

weak rock mass (adaptation of the shape)
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Support and linings

Risk of high bending

moments in case of
horizontal displacement
(depending on the initial
state of stresses and rock
mass characteristics)
CERN –LHC 1 USA 15 Cavern
From E. Hoek – Practical Rock Engineering.

From E. Garin – Nant de Drance – CFMR – 4 juin 2015

Sisteron underground powerhouse - EDF
 “Pseudo Circular shape:
Large and Deep Underground Caverns
• Reduction of stress
Support and linings concentrations
General stability considerations in case of a weak rock mass • Reduction of the decompressed
zone along the longwalls
Adaptation of the shape … and dimensions
From E. Hoek – Practical Rock Engineering.
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Support and linings
General stability considerations in case of a weak rock mass

The optimal shape stays the “Circular” one in case of weak rocks

Limitation of stress concentrations

Possibility to implement some

“rigid” structures
(with limited bending moments and
mainly in compression)

From www.chantier.smp4.eu
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Sequences of Excavation

Excavation sequence is often defined in relation

with method statements and construction
considerations (Schedule, rates, ventilation,
mucking, …)

Excavation sequence depends sometimes about

some geotechnical considerations such as:
• Anisotropy
• State of stresses
• Impact on existing structures
• Stability conditions La Bathie Powerplant (France)
• …
 Sequences of Excavation

Gavet Powerhouse
 soutènement
Large and Deep Underground Caverns Sequences of Excavation

CERN-LHC UX15 Cavern

 

 

Zone to be reinforced rapidly

 Large and Deep Underground Caverns
Sequences of Excavation

In case of difficult grounds

Sequential excavation method
or
Full section excavation?

To obtain as soon as possible the optimal

“circular” shape in difficult grounds
 Large and Deep Underground Caverns Conclusions

Underground caverns are specific because of:

- Their dimensions and induced issues regarding mainly Construction process (sequence,
potential repairs, …)

- Their shape often elongated far away from a circular tunnel and thus consequences on the
support design philosophy

- The design concept: The general stability is relied on the ground contribution itself, allowing
to withstand additional stresses induced by the excavation (NATM)

- The need to identify and understand early the ground behaviour and potential failure
mechanisms: Observational method and anticipation.

- The shape, support, lining and construction process may be adapted in case of very bad rock
mass: circular shape and adaptive support accompanying ground displacements

- More than any other underground works, Large caverns are really some GEOTECHNICAL
STRUTURES because we must adapt to the GROUND (or “play” with)
 Useful papers/books on this topic:
• ITA Report n°19 / May 2017.
TBM Excavation of Long and Deep Tunnels Under Difficult Rock Conditions
• AFTES WG 30.
Design and Dimensioning of a Radial Bolting Support System in Tunnels” –Guideline to be published
• F. Laigle for the WG30 (2018)
AFTES Guideline related to the « Design and Dimensioning of Radial Bolting Support Systems in Tunnels »
World Tunnelling Congress – Dubai - 2018
• E. Gilli (1984)
Recherche sur le creusement et la Stabilité des grands volumes karstiques souterrains
Thèse de 3eme cycle - Laboratoire de Géologie Appliquée - Université de Provence Aix Marseille - 1984
• A. Glazer et al (2017)
Revival of Burial tunnels: Underground Cemetery Construction in Jerusalem
Congrès International de l’AFTES – Paris 13-15 Novembre 2017
• F. Laigle (2015)
General considerations regarding the behaviour and Design of Large Underground Caverns.
Tunnels et Espace Souterrain – n°251 – Septembre/Octobre 2015
• P. Duffaut (2014)
Cavernes Artificielles pour l’énergie – Pourquoi et comment?
Techniques de l’Ingénieur.

• Comité Français de Mécanique des Roches

(2015) Conception des cavernes souterraines
Séance Technique du 4 juin 2015 - https://www.cfmr-roches.org/
• P. Duffaut
(2005)
NNN05
Engineering of Large & Deep Rock Caverns for Physics Research – Aussois 7-9 April 2005
 Useful papers/books on this topic:
• O.Balmer (2013).
Nant de Drance – pumped storage plant in the heart of the Alps.
World Tunnel Congress 2013 Geneva. Underground-The way to the future. G. Anagnostou & H. Ehrbar (eds).
• A. Kleine (2008).
Modélisation numérique du comportement des ouvrages souterrains par une approche viscoplastique, thèse de doctorat. INPL
Nancy.
• F. Laigle et al(2001)
CERN-LHC Project – Design and excavation of Large-Span Caverns at Point 1.
ISRM Regional Symposium – Eurock 2001 – Espoo – Finland – 3-7/06/2001
• F. Laigle. F & B. Boymond & C. Guitton & F.Saive (2000)
CERN LHC1. Les études et débuts des excavations du lot 1.
Tunnels et Ouvrages Souterrains. N° 157. Janvier-Février 2000.
Conception des grandes cavernes souterraines. Apport des modélisations numériques pour le projet CERN-LHC1
• F. Laigle (2004).
Modèle conceptuel pour le développement de lois de comportement adaptées à la conception des ouvrages souterrains.
Thèse de doctorat, Ecole Centrale de Lyon.
• G. Seingre et al (2011)
Centrale de pompage-turbinage Nant de Drance. Un grand projet hydroélectrique souterrain dans les Alpes.
Congrès International de l’AFTES – Espaces Souterrains de demain – Lyon 2011
• J.Yamatomi et al. (1999).
The Super-KAMIOKANDE and subsurface space utilization at Kamioka mine.
Proceedings of 9th International Congress on Rock Mechanics, Paris.
• P. Briand (2017)
Geostock – Stockage d’hydrocarbures en Souterrain.
Mai 2017 – AFTES
 Useful papers/books on this topic:
• N. Gatelier et al(2105)
Retours d’expérience pendant la construction de cavités pour le stockage d’hydrocarbures: le Cas des « Mega Blocs
Geostock. CFMR. 04/06/201
• S. Nakayam (2016)
Super-K upgrade and Hyper-Kamiokande.
9th International Workshop on Ring Imaging Cherenkov Deteectors (RICH2016) – Bled, Slovania
• Novegian Geological Institute
Using the Q-System - Rock mass classification and support design – Handbook
• T. You et al (2002)
Les Stockages Souterrains en milieu difficile
JNGG 2012 – 8-9 Octobre Nancy.
• From E. Hoek –
Practical Rock Engineering. https://www.rocscience.com/
• From E.Garin & G. Seingre & N.
Nilipour Des travaux à une échelle
hors norme Revue TRACES
16/09/2015