An Approach to Safe and Stable Excavation in the Himalayas
Sanjay Aeron, Geo Constech Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India
India has been trying to spread its railway network to reach the remote and difficult border areas. A considerable portion of the railway tracks are to be placed inside tunnels and steep cut slopes in the treacherous mountainous regions, viz. J&K, India. Tunneling in Himalayas is often challenging due to various geological aspects. As the tunnel passes through young Himalayas thrust and shear zones, so it is a challenging job to excavate a tunnel. Shear zones, heavy water ingress and collapses have added woes to both management and contractors by risking man & machinery and subsequent economic damages. Effective tunneling solutions and their timely implementation is one of the ways to make the excavation stable and economic.
India has been trying to spread its railway network to reach the remote and difficult border areas. A considerable portion of the railway tracks are to be placed inside tunnels and steep cut slopes in the treacherous mountainous regions, viz. J&K, India. Tunneling in Himalayas is often challenging due to various geological aspects. As the tunnel passes through young Himalayas thrust and shear zones, so it is a challenging job to excavate a tunnel. Shear zones, heavy water ingress and collapses have added woes to both management and contractors by risking man & machinery and subsequent economic damages. Effective tunneling solutions and their timely implementation is one of the ways to make the excavation stable and economic.
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NBM&CW July 2016