Engineering quality assurance for construction ground freezing

Controlled ground freezing for mining and construction applications has been in use for over a century. Despite the great technological evolution which has occurred during this period, it still remains more of an art than a science. Both the ground freezing system and related frozen earth structure are, as a practical matter, indeterminate from the standpoint of accurate engineering computations. Because of this, the successful execution of a ground freezing project depends to a large extent on the personal experience of the individuals involved in its design and execution. The purpose of this paper is to present information on proven methods for accomplishing and verifying some of the most important construction operations used during installation and maintenance of a ground freezing system and related frozen earth structure. The data on which this paper is based are derived from records of numerous completed projects for which ground freezing was employed to provide temporary ground suppport groundwater control, and/or structural underpinning. Applications included shafts, tunnels, deep open excavations, underpinning, and emergency or remedial repair of other types of construction used in the same applications.

Based on the data studied, the paper concludes with some fundamental recommendations for applied research topics.     

Optimization of artificial ground freezing in tunneling in the presence of seepage flow

Artificial ground freezing is an environmentally friendly technique to provide temporary excavation support and groundwater control during tunnel construction under difficult geological and hydrological ground conditions. Evidently, groundwater flow has a considerable influence on the freezing process. Large seepage flow may lead to large freezing times or even may prevent the formation of a closed frozen soil body. For safe and economic design of freezing operations, this paper presents a coupled thermo-hydraulic finite element model for freezing soils integrated within an optimization algorithm using the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) technique to optimize ground freezing in tunneling by finding the optimal positions of the freeze pipe, considering seepage flow. The simulation model considers solid particles, liquid water and crystal ice as separate phases, and the mixture temperature and liquid pressure as primary field variables. Through two fundamental physical laws and corresponding state equations, the model captures the most relevant couplings between the phase transition associated with latent heat effect, and the liquid transport within the pores. The numerical model is validated by means of laboratory results considering different scenarios for seepage flow. As demonstrated in numerical simulations of ground freezing in tunneling in the presence of seepage flow connected with the ACO optimization algorithm, the optimized arrangement of the freeze pipes may lead to a substantial reduction of the freezing time and of energy costs.     

Performance of a multi-face tunnel excavated in loess ground based on field monitoring and numerical modeling

In large-span tunneling projects, the mechanical behavior of the rock changes in response to different sequential excavation methods (SEMs) of advancing the tunnel face. The double side drift method (DSDM), which is a development of SEM, was widely used in loess tunnels with large cross sections in China for its ability to limit ground displacement. This paper presents the deformation characteristics of large-span loess tunnels of the high-speed railway line in China. Field monitoring and numerical simulations were conducted to determine the optimal construction approach and reveal the deformation properties of large-span loess tunnels in China. The construction approaches, support measures, ground surface, and subsurface deformation characteristics associated with DSDM are demonstrated. The ground surrounding the loess tunnel underwent vertical settlement at the arch part and at the ground surface because of the metastable structure of the loess. This study provides an in-depth illustration of the influence of face-advancing sequences on ground displacement induced by tunneling, which helps us implement the most effective SEMs.     

北京地铁工程中复合降水技术的开发应用

地铁工程施工不论是明挖、还是暗挖,从开挖的安全性及防水措施等方面,对地质均提出了非常严格的要求,地铁工程一般埋深较大,尤其在水文地质、工程地质条件较复杂的条件下,单一、简单的降水方法很难较好的满足地铁工程施工对地下水控制的要求。因此,需要考虑将不同种的单一降水方法中的优势技术进行合理叠加,尝试复合降水技术,能使地铁工程降水效果达到疏干充分、消除或有效控制含水层底界滞留水渗漏,避免拱顶因地下水渗漏造成冒顶、侧壁地下水渗漏造成坍塌,保障正常施工。     

Studies on Construction Pre-control of a Connection Aisle Between Two Neighbouring Tunnels in Shanghai by Means of 3D FEM,Neural Networks and Fuzzy Logic

The ground freezing construction technique is one of the most effective and widely applied site construction methods in soft soil areas, like Shanghai. Some elevation-inclined refrigeration pipes are arranged for the artificial freezing excavation of the Pudong-side first-storey connection aisle, which is designed to connect two adjacent tunnel lanes of Shanghai East-Fuxing-Road tunnel project. No advanced research results could be found for computing the temperature field of tunnels and aisles frozen with inclined refrigeration pipes. Anyhow the computation of the relevant temperature field is of high importance for the safe and economical excavation of the above-mentioned aisle. In this paper, a method for computing the aisle temperature field using 3D FEM is given, and the computation accuracy is verified by contrasting the computed and site measured results. The back propagation neural networks are also applied to the temperature prediction using self-developed Neural Network-Expert System software, the predicted results are also very satisfactory. The mechanism during freezing and aisle excavation will be discussed on the basis of 3D FEM simulation. The authors believe that studying the parameter-sensitivity of temperature field is very important for the optimum selection of parameter values. So, in this paper, the parameter-sensitivity of temperature field is also discussed. In order to obtain the optimum frozen wall thickness, the relation between the frozen wall thickness and the initial freezing brine temperature is studied. At the end, an excavation pre-control plan is proposed by means of fuzzy logic theory for improving the excavation safety. The research result of the current paper is very helpful for projects that will be excavated by freezing construction technique.     

Groundwater control for construction purposes: a case study from Kuwait

One of the major rehabilitation projects in Kuwait during the 1990s was improvement of the wastewater treatment plant at Jahra, a town 30 km north of Kuwait City. The project incorporates construction of a pumping station to collect the sewage via a network of sewer lines throughout the city. Groundwater occurs 4 m below the ground surface and construction specifications required lowering the groundwater table by 16 m to the foundation grade, 20 m below the ground surface. Open excavation with four stage well point system of dewatering was selected to ensure dry foundation conditions; but the system failed to lower the groundwater table down to the desired depth. Review of site investigation records and recalculation of field hydraulic conductivity resulted in design changes, augmenting the well point system with a number of deep wells and sumps to lower the water table down to the foundation grade. The paper discusses subsurface conditions and presents an analysis of the cause of failure of the well point system. The actual hydraulic conductivity proved to be several folds higher than the calculated one that was determined using Hazen’s formula. It was found that use of Hazen’s formula led to serious underestimation of field hydraulic conductivity. It is advised not to use such formulas without thorough investigation and proper interpretation of borehole data.     

Thermal and rheological computations for artificially frozen ground construction

Design considerations for frozen retaining structures are summarized including geology and groundwater conditions; ground deformations due to freezing; the strength and deformation of the frozen earth retaining structures; the thermal assumption and methods of computation; and the refrigeration system. Brief case histories of typical construction projects that illustrate the use of mechanical refrigeration and liquid nitrogen for freezing are presented. Emphasis is placed on the constitutive equation for creep deformation of frozen earth structures and the thermal calculations for predicting times to freeze a structure as well as estimating the energy and power required for different stages of freezing.     

偏心受压厚壁圆筒支护结构的应力分析

厚壁圆筒由于能充分发挥材料的抗压特性而越来越多地应用到基坑支护结构工程之中,传统的设计计算主要是在均布压力作用下厚壁圆筒的拉梅解。为了解决实际工程中经常遇到的偏心受压问题,给出了一个偏心荷载作用下厚壁圆筒的应力解析解,并结合工程实例对圆筒支护结构受力进行简化处理后,将解析解应用于计算偏心受压厚壁圆筒支护结构中的拉应力,特别是讨论了地下水位不均匀变化、地面不均匀堆载和土层不均衡开挖等可能会引起较大的圆筒环向拉应力和在圆筒内、外表面产生竖向裂缝,从而对圆筒支护结构产生不利影响。有利于指导对圆筒截面的配筋和控制基坑的开挖施工。     

基于实时更新数值模型的高陡边坡动态仿真分析方法及应用

在水电工程中,河谷两遍的工程边坡具有尺度大、高而陡的特点。同时这些边坡服务年限长,稳定性要求高。对于耦合考虑施工进度和工程安全的动态分析还较少涉及。由于地质参数、边坡结构和开挖支护的实时变化,对边坡工程安全的实时评价已成为制约水利水电工程建设安全的关键技术问题。考虑边坡施工过程中开挖进度的调整、新地质信息的揭露、支护方案的修改及计算参数的修正等信息实时变化的客观实际,重点针对目前较少涉及的施工期高边坡工程安全的实时分析和控制问题,提出了基于数值模拟技术的边坡实时安全仿真方法;基于数据库技术和ABAQUS二次开发技术实现施工进度信息、地质信息及支护信息到数值计算模型的动态映射,开发了边坡安全实时分析系统,最终实现了与施工进程相适应的边坡安全状态实时仿真分析和预测。     

基于武汉某基坑施工出现险情的分析

该基坑工程支护结构主要采用钻孔灌注桩+预应力锚索的支护体系,地下水处理采用中型井点降水。结合安全监测资料,对基坑施工中出现的险情以及施工降水对周边环境的影响进行分析。基坑施工过程中出现一些险情,通过工程参建各方的努力工作,施工中出现的险情得以化解,保证了基坑工程及周边环境的安全。     

Shield Tunneling in Rock–Soil Interface Composite Formations

With increased demand for the tunnel construction in rock–soil interface composite formations, the influence on surrounding environment especially the excavation face instability during construction and ground settlement in the long term has gained great attention. The researches about environmental disturbance by shield tunneling construction in single ground as the soil or rock conditions have been developed continuously. However, due to the complexity and uncertainty of the interaction between rock–soil interface composite formations and shield machines, works on these special conditions have not been carried out sufficiently. In this paper the theoretical, experimental and numerical researches on the excavation face stability and ground settlement are discussed while the in situ datum are used to support them. First, the typical projects in rock–soil interface composite formations are listed and the difficulties met are summarized. Second, the failure model of excavation face and support pressure from the tunneling shield in rock–soil interface composite formations are discussed. Then, a comprehensive survey of the factors of ground settlement during and after construction and some effective prediction models are made. Finally, the existing problems and directions for future research are introduced.     

筐家Ⅰ号隧道洞口偏压段处理技术

筐家I号隧道是六安至岳西（黄尾）高速公路霍山县境内的一座左、右分离式单向行车隧道。从设计、施工方面对隧道洞口段Ⅴ级围岩偏压复合式衬砌、明洞暗进、半明半暗等方案的应用进行了探讨,重点讨论了隧道明洞暗进、半明半暗方案穿越洞口浅埋偏压段的工程经验,为类似隧道的建设提供技术参考。     

Numerical simulation of frost heave with coupled water freezing,temperature and stress fields in tunnel excavation

Artificial ground freezing is an effective ground improvement technique to deal with diverse geotechnical construction problems as it serves to cut off the water and also improves the ground soil strength. However, ground freezing may produce frost heave and thaw settlement at the ground surface. Predicting and controlling the frost heave is a challenge to engineering construction in a heavily populated city. This paper proposes an analysis model that couples the water freezing, temperature and stress fields. This model is first applied to an underground excavation problem of a corridor where ground freezing is used. The numerical predictions are compared with field measurements. It is then applied for a model tunnel problem to study the effect of the overlying soil thickness, frozen soil wall thickness, excavation radius and brine temperature on the frost heave. It is found that the vertical component of the frost heave follows a normal distribution with a maximum at the tunnel axis, while the horizontal component reaches a maximum at a distance from the tunnel axis. This distance is directly proportional to the thickness of the overlying soil. A critical brine temperature is also found at which the frost heave at the ground surface reaches a maximum.     

南京市地面塌陷发育特征及影响因素

南京市地面塌陷发生率逐年上升,已成为主要的地质灾害。南京市地面塌陷主要有岩溶塌陷、采空塌陷和工程塌陷3大类型,上世纪主要以岩溶塌陷和采空塌陷为主,近年来,随着城市基础设施建设的扩建,工程塌陷的发生率和破坏性逐渐增加。     

A three‐phase thermo‐hydro‐mechanical finite element model for freezing soils

Artificial ground freezing (AGF) is a commonly used technique in geotechnical engineering for ground improvement such as ground water control and temporary excavation support during tunnel construction in soft soils. The main potential problem connected with this technique is that it may produce heave and settlement at the ground surface, which may cause damage to the surface infrastructure. Additionally, the freezing process and the energy needed to obtain a stable frozen ground may be significantly influenced by seepage flow. Evidently, safe design and execution of AGF require a reliable prediction of the coupled thermo‐hydro‐mechanical behavior of freezing soils. With the theory of poromechanics, a three‐phase finite element soil model is proposed, considering solid particles, liquid water, and crystal ice as separate phases and mixture temperature, liquid pressure, and solid displacement as the primary field variables. In addition to the volume expansion of water transforming into ice, the contribution of the micro‐cryo‐suction mechanism to the frost heave phenomenon is described in the model using the theory of premelting dynamics. Through fundamental physical laws and corresponding state relations, the model captures various couplings among the phase transition, the liquid transport within the pore space, and the accompanying mechanical deformation. The verification and validation of the model are accomplished by means of selected analyses. An application example is related to AGF during tunnel excavation, investigating the influence of seepage flow on the freezing process and the time required to establish a closed supporting frozen arch. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

压入式沉井施工对环境影响的现场监测研究

结合工程实例,介绍软土中压入式沉井的施工技术并研究其对周边环境的影响。对沉井压沉过程中周边土体及管线的监测数据进行分析,结果表明：压沉施工能有效控制沉井的几何姿态,保持下沉速度稳定,但具有一定的挤土效应;沉井下沉初期挤土效应占主导地位,开挖效应随下沉深度的增加逐渐显著;土体水平位移和地表沉降均随沉井下沉深度H的增加而增大;地表沉降呈三角形分布,影响范围约为1.7H;土体分层沉降中,淤泥质粉质黏土的单位沉降量最大;管线沉降可控制在毫米级。基于对无量纲化地表沉降数据的拟合分析,提出了分别采用指数函数和二折线表示的压入式沉井周边地表沉降经验公式,并用工程实例验证了其合理性。     

Percolation pond as a method of managed aquifer recharge in a coastal saline aquifer: A case study on the criteria for site selection and its impacts

Percolation ponds have become very popular methods of managed aquifer recharge due to their low cost, ease of construction and the participation and assistance of community. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of a percolation pond in a saline aquifer, north of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, to improve the storage and quality of groundwater. Electrical resistivity and ground penetrating radar methods were used to understand the subsurface conditions of the area. From these investigations, a suitable location was chosen and a percolation pond was constructed. The quality and quantity of groundwater of the nearby area has improved due to the recharge from the pond. This study indicated that a simple excavation without providing support for the slope and paving of the bunds helped to improve the groundwater quality. This method can be easily adoptable by farmers who can have a small pond within their farm to collect and store the rainwater. The cost of water recharged from this pond works out to be about 0.225 Re/l. Cleaning the pond by scrapping the accumulated sediments needs to be done once a year. Due to the small dimension and high saline groundwater, considerable improvement in quality at greater depths could not be achieved. However, ponds of larger size with recharge shafts can directly recharge the aquifer and help to improve the quality of water at greater depths.     

BBA办公楼基坑支护及降水工程安全监测技术

BBA铁西新工厂办公楼基坑支护及降水工程规模较大,地质条件较复杂,采用了多种施工工艺及施工方法,对施工质量有着很高的要求。且该地区地下水含量非常丰富,水位较高,对基坑开挖的安全性影响很大。通过对该工程的安全监测项目进行深入研究,制定了严格的基坑安全监测方案,保证了施工的安全。     

福州轨道交通建设中的岩土工程问题

由于福州盆地工程地质条件的复杂性以及隧道工程的特殊性,在福州轨道交通建设过程中将遇到大量环境岩土工程问题。主要的环境岩土工程问题有:(1)隧道掘进范围内的承压含水层。承压含水层富水性、透水性强,由于开挖深度大,必须考虑下部承压水的影响,避免产生基坑突涌问题。砂砾卵石层直接覆盖于基岩裂隙热水上,受热水构造带高温热水的直接补给以及热传导,地下轨道交通建设对地热场是否存在影响以及地热对轨道交通的影响需要深入研究。(2)软土的大变形与低强度。导致地基失稳与土体结构强度破坏。(3)深大基坑开挖施工引发的可能灾变。基坑开挖易产生滑塌、流泥、突水(涌)、地表沉陷等问题,必须采取有效的支护措施,避免基坑失稳而影响工程安全及周边环境。对这些环境岩土工程问题,应加强勘察新技术的应用,查明建设场地岩土工程地质条件;采用人工地层冻结法、桩基托换技术进行施工;开发和利用适合本地区岩土条件的新技术、新工艺,如新型桩、新的止水、降水措施等基坑支护新技术,以及采用信息化施工新技术。     

环形单圈管冻结稳态温度场解析解

人工地层冻结技术被广泛应用于地下工程施工中。冻结温度场的计算是人工冻结法理论研究的基础,也是冻结施工设计的重要依据。人工地层冻结施工常使用环形单圈冻结管冻结,而至今尚无关于其温度场的解析解。基于水-热异类相似原理,根据传热过程与地下水流动相似的特点,利用保角映射、汇源反映和势函数叠加原理,类比推导了环形单圈冻结管稳态温度场解析解,并用热学数值模拟方法加以验证,同时提出了简化的解析公式。结果表明,解析解计算结果与数值模拟结果较吻合,其简化公式得到的结果与原解析公式基本一致。在解析公式的基础上,经过简化,反推得到外部冻结壁厚度公式。解析解、简化公式以及厚度公式可为环形单圈冻结施工与设计提供理论的依据与指导。