Tunneling in Difficult Ground
Engineers like to work with materials having defined characteristics that do not change from one location or application to another. However, in many cases special approaches or arrangements must be made to safely and efficiently drive and stabilize the tunnel as it passes through this “Difficult Ground”. The factors that make tunneling difficult are generally related to instability, which inhibits timely placement or maintenance of adequate support at or behind the working face; heavy loading from the ground which creates problems of design as well as installation and maintenance of a suitable support system; natural and man-made obstacles or constraints; and physical conditions which make the work place untenable unless they can be modified.
This course addresses the investigation, design, construction and instrumentation concerns and issues for mining and boring in difficult ground conditions. It addresses mixed face tunneling, high groundwater pressure and inflow, unstable ground, squeezing ground, swelling ground, and gassy ground.
Once you complete your course review, you need to take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of ten (10) questions to earn 2 PDH credits.
Learning Objectives
This course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- An understanding of heavy loading, obstacles and constraints encountered during tunneling
- Causes of instability such as non-cohesive sand and gravel, soft clay, blocky rock, adverse combinations of joints and shears, faults and alteration zones, water, and mixed face tunneling
- Design and monitoring techniques used when difficult ground is encountered
Download the Course to review and begin earning your PDH credits.
We provide technical courses for PDH credits that meet Board requirements for Professional Engineers, Geologists and Land Surveyors. This courses is guaranteed to be accepted in AK, AL, AR, GA, IA, IL, ID, IN, KS, KY, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, and WY. Before purchasing this course, please confirm that your state Board is listed above.
