An Assessment of Rock Pillar Behavior in Very Near Parallel Tunnel

Abstract

Focusing on the load tunnel, this study assessed the behavior of rock pillars with less than 0.5D of the minimized distance between the two horizontal tunnels by using a three dimensional numerical analysis. Based on a parameter affecting the behavior of rock pillars, this study evaluated different safety factors according to pillar width, depth and rock conditions. It turned out that as the pillar width increases, the current curve of safety factors in accordance with depth and rock conditions shows more of the nonlinear behavior. Judging from the minimum safety factor, the study suggested a design chart, working on the minimized distance between the two horizontal tunnels. Key words