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Hashiba, Kimihiro*; Fukui, Katsunori*; Sugita, Yutaka; Aoyagi, Kazuhei
Proceedings of ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2017 (WTC 2017) (USB Flash Drive), 8 Pages, 2017/06
It is essential to understand the mechanical and rheological characteristics of diatomaceous and siliceous mudstones for the construction of underground structures and for the assessment of their long-term stability. In this study, the siliceous mudstone of the Wakkanai Formation was applied to various laboratory tests: compression test, creep test, relaxation test, drying shrinkage test, and slaking test. The test results showed that water has a major impact on the mechanical and rheological properties of the siliceous mudstone. In addition, water content at a tunnel wall was measured in the Horonobe URL. Comparing the results of the laboratory tests and the in situ measurement, the effect of water on the tunnel stability was discussed.
Nago, Makito*; Motoshima, Takayuki*; Miyakawa, Kazuya; Kanie, Shunji*; Sanoki, Satoru*
Proceedings of ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2017 (WTC 2017) (USB Flash Drive), 10 Pages, 2017/06
This study presents a new approach to increase construction safety under methane inflow conditions by providing the three-dimensional concentration distribution of methane in underground structures. The study was conducted at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, which is located in Neogene sedimentary rock where groundwater contains dissolved methane. As conventional gas sensors are confined to measurement at a single point in time and space, a new system was developed combining a laser methane detector and a laser range finder to effectively obtain the spatial concentration distribution of methane. This system was tested in tunnel galleries located at a depth of 350 m. The results show that this system is effective for identifying unpredicted methane emissions as well as predicted emission hotspots and for examining the validity of the ventilation scheme, which ensures construction safety.
Aoyagi, Kazuhei; Kamemura, Katsumi*; Nago, Makito*; Sugawara, Kentaro*; Matsubara, Makoto*
Proceedings of ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2017 (WTC 2017) (USB Flash Drive), 10 Pages, 2017/06
An in situ stress state is one of the important factors in the design of deep underground facility of high-level radioactive waste disposal repository. This study establishes a practical and effective method for estimating in situ stress state on the basis of the measured convergence during gallery excavation. The convergence was measured in various directions of the loop gallery at 350m depth of the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory; this allows determination of the stress state corresponding to the rock mass deformation behavior in an approximately 120 m* 200 m area. To estimate in situ stress state around that area, a back analysis method considering the existence of faults and fractures around the gallery was developed. The analyzed results showed a good agreement with the trend of in situ stress state estimated from hydraulic fracturing method.