Tunnels Construction Planning and Suggestions to Speed up Tunnel Excavation Progress

Abstract

Main aim of this study is to explain some suggestions which can be adopt during tunnels construction by drill and blast. These suggestions are supportive to increase tunnel construction progress. These suggestions basically reduce tunnel excavation cycle by skipping temporarily some activities. Skipped activities can be carries out later on by combining for two to three cycles. All of these suggestions are dependent upon rock class, water inflow rate and rock stand up time. At one hydro power project these suggestions were practically applied to tunnels construction and reduction in time cycle time was more than 4 hours.