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By Robert Schnab

ASFINAG is responsible for the construction and operation of the Austrian highway system. It is approx. 2,400 km of highways and 65 tunnels with a total length of 200 km including the Tauern Tunnel. In order to improve the documentation of the tunnel construction, ASFINAG chose to use a state of the art tunnel scanning system to record the various stages of construction: excavation, initial shotcrete lining, smoothing layer and final cast in place concrete lining. The geometric and photogrammetric documentation is provided on a daily basis to all par-ties involved. This innovative concept provides accurate & complete information in real time. The tunnel scanner documentation of the 2nd tube at the 6.4 km long Tauern Tunnel will be presented in this paper as a part of the survey contract.

By Maurice A. Ponti

The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority is implementing the Anacostia River Projects component of its Long-Term CSO Control Plan, including 21 kilometers of 3.7- to 7-meter-diameter CSO near-surface diversion storage/conveyance structures and flood relief, pressurized-face, soft ground tunnels at a maximum depth of 65 meters. This paper describes a project-specific soil grouping system that is primarily based on soil characteristics for tunneling derived from tests including Atterberg limits, grain size, swelling, mineralogy, triaxial, pressure meter, and consolidation, which differentiates the project from past area tunnel projects using descriptive systems based primarily on area geology.

By Gary Jackson

Preliminary engineering for the Waller Creek Tunnel was completed in 2001, but the project was held in abeyance until the summer of 2007. This paper describes several features of the revised design, which required significant changes from the original concept. Most notable is the expected replacement of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) by conventional tunneling. The considerable influence of geological conditions on the tunnel vertical alignment is discussed, in particular the impact of the zones of Eagle Ford Shale with swelling potential. Other features which are described include the wide span tunnels and large diameter shaft requirements.

By Serge Moalli

The Ashlu Creek Hydro-electric project, located north of Squamish, BC, at the confluence of Ashlu Creek and the Squamish River, comprises a 49 MW run-of-river project and features a 4.08 m diameter, 4.4 km power tunnel and a 128 m deep drop shaft. The Ashlu Creek Hydro-electric project is being developed by Innergex under Ashlu Creek Investments Limited. Site civil works are being completed by Ledcor CMI of Vancouver with tunnel construction by Frontier Kemper Constructors ULC under a lump sum design-build contract. Site works got underway in September 2006 with the construction of the tunnel portal and laydown area. These site works required rock slope stabilization over a 50 m rock slope to secure the laydown area as well as the construction of a tail track muck tipping station and structural wall to facilitate TBM excavation and spoil removal. Starter tunnel construction commenced in early 2007 and TBM tunneling started in the late spring of 2007 and is planned to continue until early 2009. The power tunnel is being excavated using a 1,200 kW Wirth open-type hard rock TBM dressed with 31?17' cutters. The TBM featured two fixed mounted rock bolt drills behind the finger shield: these were removed and replaced with jacklegs to improve access. A probe drill at the end of the main beam is also present. The geology along the 4.4 km power tunnel comprises very strong and generally massive granitic bedrock with rock strength greater than 225 MPa. A unique feature of the project is that no subsurface investigations have been completed for the tunnel however extensive bedrock outcrops are present along the Ashlu Creek valley. A historical quarry exists approximately mid-way along the tunnel alignment that has exposed good quality granitic bedrock. TBM tunneling to date has achieved advance rates of 10?20 m/day with a maximum of 23 m and has encountered all of the anticipated six major fault zones where the installation of various standard high capacity tunnel support was successful to facilitate TBM advance through these sections.

By Bob Rautenberg

The Construction of Tunnel and Edison Force Mains contract involves the installation of two new force mains to provide a redundant means for sewage conveyance from Middlesex County Utility Authority?s (MCUA) Edison Pump Station on the northern shore of the Raritan River to the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant on the southern shore. The force mains will be installed in a 1,192 m (3,910 lineal foot) long tunnel with a 4.09 m (13'-5') inside diameter, fully gasketed precast concrete segmental lining, which is to be tunneled underneath the Raritan River utilizing an Earth Pressure Balance TBM. The tunnel is anticipated to encounter flowing soils near and beneath the river. Two new 60-inch diameter Centrifugal Cast Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer Mortar force mains will be installed within the tunnel leaving an open utility corridor above the force mains for future consideration. The project also includes the design and construction of two slurry wall shafts with associated piping. The paper will provide an overview of design and provide a case history of the construction of the tunnel and highlights of the construction methods implemented to date.

By Jeffrey Mitsopoulos

King County?s (KC) Brightwater Conveyance Project in Seattle, Washington involves the construction of approximately 21 kilometers (13 miles) of bored tunnel, in three contracts, with four TBM?s which produce large amounts of real-time digital mining data. To facilitate the management of TBM data with a single interface and assist in project Quality Assurance, KC?s Construction Manager (Jacobs Engineering) recommended the use of the software TPC (Tunneling Process Control), developed by Babendererde Engineers GmbH. The paper demonstrates how TPC was used for oversight, analysis and QA on a complex tunneling project and how contemporaneous review and management of data results in a better understanding of TBM performance than can be obtained by retrospective analysis of data.

By Timothy P. Smirnoff

Sustaining the region?s mobility needs, achieving projected economic growth, and maintain Midtown Manhattan as a center of regional, national and global importance has led to continued investment in commuter rail and transit infrastructure in New York City and resulted in design and construction of large underground caverns. The current plans for stations in Manhattan include New York Penn Station Expansion (NYPSE) caverns for Trans Hudson Express (THE) Tunnel Project for New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Construction Long Island Railroad (MTACC/LIRR) twin caverns for East Side Access (ESA) Project, and station caverns of the No. 7 Line Subway Extension Project and Second Avenue Subway Project for Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Construction/New York City Transit (MTACC/NYCT). This paper provides a general overview of these large caverns now in design or construction in Manhattan, the area?s geologic setting, the geotechnical factors considered and approaches commonly applied for cavern design.

By Thomas M. Barczak, Ron Smith

Steel liner plates, which are bolted together to form a shell, are commonly used to provide temporary protective linings in the tunneling industry to ensure the stability of the tunnel and safety of the workers until more permanent ground reinforcement can be installed. As the ground deforms to try and close the opening, the liner plate is radially stressed, and by deforming redistributes these loads back to the surrounding insitu earth. Grouting behind the plates is done to fill any voids and ensure uniform contact to the strata around the back of the plates. Another function of the liner plate in some applications is to act as a platform or structure for the mining machine to react against in order to develop the necessary forward thrust to be able to excavate the face. In this case, the liner plates are loaded axially as a horizontal column of bolted liner plate rings, creating a jacking force against the liner plate assembly. In general, the buckling strength of the plate sections determines the jacking force capacity. Historically, the jacking force capacity of tunnel liner plates has been theoretically determined by some simplistic equations developed from tests of single liner plates. Recently, full-scale tests on a complete circular section of bolted liner plate ring segments have been conducted in the NIOSH Safety Structures Testing Laboratory using the unique Mine Roof Simulator to apply controlled loading in a manner that simulates the real world environment. Due to the unique size and capacity of the Mine Roof Simulator, these are believed to be the first full-scale tests conducted on the jacking force capability of tunnel liner plate rings. These tests indicate that the previously used theoretical equations tend to over predict the jacking force capacity of these tunnel liner plates. Unanticipated deformations in the field have been observed at loads below these theoretical design loads, therefore, a more accurate determination of the jacking force capability was needed. This report summarizes the full-scale test results, examines design parameters that impact the jacking force capability, and develops new mathematical models to improve the prediction of design loads.

By William Reininger

Microtunneling provides a necessary solution for multiple utility crossings associated with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Construction Company?s (MTACC) Eastside Access Project for the Long Island Rail Road. Construction of four TBM tunnels and their approach structures at the eastern end of the project in Sunnyside, Queens required significant modification and expansion of the railroad infrastructure at this location. Maintenance of railroad traffic during project construction is a principal requirement. As a consequence fourteen (14) utility crossing segments are being installed under active traffic by microtunneling methods. Microtunnels were installed in a variety of conditions including depths, types of soils and construction restraints.

By William Brundan

INTRODUCTION The Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) Tunnel Scheme is part of the Alimineti Madhava Reddy Project in Andhra Pradesh, South India. This scheme has been planned since 1983 and will provide irrigation facilities to drought-ridden areas in Andhra Pradesh. Water will be transferred from the Srisailam Reservoir during the monsoon months to 0.3 million acres of farmland and will also provide drinking water to villages en-route. The paper will address the design and onsite assembly of the Robbins Double Shield TBMs for Tunnel-1 of the SLBC tunnel scheme from planning to start-up of the machines. Also, it will provide a current status of the project and describe the advantages of a site assembly. Problems encountered to date and the solutions adopted will also be described. The project comprises over 50 km of tunnels and involves construction of the world?s longest tunnel without intermediate access. The TBM tunnels at 43.9 km in length and 10.0 m diameter will cross the Amrabad plateau, containing a wild life sanctuary and India?s largest tiger reserve, the Rajiv Gandhi. Jaiprakash elected to excavate the tunnel using two tunnel boring machines, rather than by drill and blast, in order to alleviate surface disturbances to environment and the tiger reserve, wild life sanctuary, and protected forestry areas. The Project was awarded to the Main Contractor Jaiprakash Associates Ltd with The Robbins Company as the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) supplier in August 2005. The Robbins Company supplied the TBMs along with two continuous conveyor systems and all spares and consumables to complete the tunnel excavation.

YOUR mom was right …count to 10. Most workers today report that they find their jobs stressful. Miners, in particular, are faced with hazardous and changing environments. Every shift provides different conditions and challenges. Coping with stress is an important tool to maintain your physical and mental health. Now, back to mom. Studies on stress tell us that shifting your focus away from what is causing your stress increases your ability to cope. Counting to 10 is one method. Science proves mom right. The stress response We are born with the stress response, which is a survival instinct, sometimes called the "fight or flight" response. When approached by a tiger in the jungle, our ancestors would perceive danger and prepare to fight or run. The body prepares for the fight or flight response in a number of ways. The bloodstream brings extra glucose and oxygen (fuel) to the heart, the sense of pain is dulled, and memory and thinking improve. The pupils dilate for better vision and the lungs take in more oxygen, while heart rate and blood pressure increase. Body hairs become erect, as puffed-out hair makes an animal look bigger and more dangerous. Once the perceived danger is gone - we have run fast enough to get away from the tiger or won the fight - the body returns to normal functions. Unfortunately, civilization gives us too many opportunities to experience this response. If activated too often, it can create wear and tear on the body, which may lead to injury and illness. Chronic and traumatic stress There are two key types of stress: chronic stress and traumatic stress. Both types can cause both physical and psychological symptoms. Chronic stress builds up from the day-to-day hassles. Traumatic stress results from a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a mine disaster, or the sudden death of a loved one. Chronic stress is associated with an increased risk of a number of health problems including heart disease, depression, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Traumatic stress may lead to post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Miners may experience both chronic and traumatic stress in their work.

By Michael Jatczak

The San Vicente Tunnel Project is an 11-mile water tunnel constructed for the San Diego County Water Authority. One of the many challenges of the project included tunneling a 22,000-foot single-heading tunnel on the western half of the job in varying geology using a 3.66m (12ft) diameter open shield excavator or ?digger shield.? This paper will discuss the design considerations for the temporary liner, the tunneling, and ancillary equipment. It will also highlight the challenges faced while mining this geology, explain the methods implemented to drive this section of tunnel, and discuss the experiences while performing mechanized tunneling in an extensive and varied San Diego geology.

By Steven J. Page, John A. Organiscak

The amount of airborne respirable dust generated from break- age of different coals varies widely. This research was conducted to identify the facets of airborne respirable dust liberation from the coal product. Laboratory crushing experiments were conducted on a range of low to high volatile bituminous coals to investigate the various factors influencing airborne respirable dust generation. Bituminous coal samples from 8 mines (5 U.S. and 3 Polish) were uniformly prepared and processed through a double roll crusher located in a low air velocity wind tunnel. Experimental factors studied included inherent coal seam constituents, specific energy of crushing, product size characteristics, dust cloud electrostatic field, and specific quantity of airborne respirable dust generated. The results of this investigation build upon previously published results, which indicated that a combination of several factors are associated with the generation of airborne respirable dust. One factor involved is the effect of coal rank, described by the inherent moist fuel ratio, on the product size characteristics, defined by Schuhmann size function parameters. However, since coals of high moist fuel ratio (high rank) are generally more extensively cleated, it is suggested in the present work that the degree of cleating is directly responsible for the quantity of respirable-sized particles produced in the crushed product material for eastern U.S. coals. This is implied by the relationship of ash content and at least one mineral constituent (pyrite, determined from pyritic sulfur analysis) to the percentage of airborne respirable dust. To validate this hypothesis, a description is offered that is based on known coal petrography. Another key factor is the effect of air dry loss moisture in the coal seam on the breakage-induced electrostatic field of airborne dust. The air dry loss moisture factor appears to control the amount of airborne respirable dust that is liberated from the product. The resultant effect of these factors is that different percentages of coal particles smaller than 10 µm are dispersed as airborne respirable dust with a well-defined peak in the normalized airborne respirable dust for a narrow range of air dry loss moisture - ash ratios. A clear delineation of coals, based on well-known proximate analysis characteristics, that generate the most respirable dust appears to be possible. It was also shown that the dust-generating characteristics of coals could be reasonably described by both the moist fuel ratio

By Margaret R. Egan

The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated the product-of-combustion (POC) characteristics of combustible materials used in typical coal mining operations in a series of experiments conducted in an intermediate-scale fire tunnel. The materials examined include wood cribs, transformer fluid, coal, conveyor belting, brattice cloth, and ventilation ducting. Smoke and toxic gases evolved from burning materials contribute to panic conditions and hinder escape. Smoke irritates and obscures vision, while toxic gases physically debilitate and disorient the victims. However, POC emissions may be used for early warning fire detection. POC levels will vary not only between materials but also between stages of combustion and the conditions in which they are burning. This report summarizes the POC characteristics of each material and evaluates their effectiveness for early warning mine fire detection. Results show that smoke was the POC most readily detected from the smoldering materials tested.

By Don Hickey

The MTA in conjunction with LIRR, are in the process of expanding one of the largest commuter railroads in the country, with over 260,000 passengers a day. The LIRR, which provides 700 passenger trains every 24 hours, can?t continue on the present growth course as a joint tenant in Penn Station with Amtrak and NJT. For this reason, in conjunction with the fact that over 53% of LIRR?s current riders into Penn Station are ultimately bound for the East Side of Manhattan opening, have created the need for the expansion of the LIRR. The complete expansion will cost approximately 6.3 billion dollars and all of the contracts are to be completed by 2013.

By Antonio Raschillà

On the 2nd of June 2007 SELI S.p.A. started the excavation of Beles Tailrace Tunnel (Ethiopia). The new 8,07 m diameter DS Universal TBM utilized for the tunnel excavation was manufactured by SELI S.p.A. and allowed the installation of 30 cm thick concrete lining, contemporaneously with the excavation of 7,200 m of tunnel. The greatest part of the tunnel alignment was excavated in hard and sound basal-tic rocks. The paper describes the main steps of the tunnelling operations which led to a remarkably rapid excavation, with a peak production of 36 m / day and a final break-through achieved 46 days ahead of the contractual deadline. Furthermore the paper describes the work and logistic organization that was set up to efficiently perform the mechanized excavation in the very remote area of the project.

By Jaidev Sankar

The dream of constructing the new Second Avenue Subway in New York has finally become reality as the first construction contract package is currently underway. This first contract requires the construction a TBM Launch Box in the middle of Second Avenue from which a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) will bore two tunnels south to 63rd Street. This paper will discuss the design of this contract and how construction has progressed including preparation, site constraints, utility construction and com-munity impacts while highlighting the challenges of working in an urban environment. It will also discuss moving forward on this major project outlining the remaining contract packages including their scope and status.

By R. L. Virta

Four companies ? H.C. Spinks Clay Co., Inc., Imerys, Old Hickory Clay Co., and Unimin Corp. ? mined ball clay in four states in 2013. On the basis of preliminary data, production was 1 Mt (1.1 million st) with an estimated value of $47 million. Production increased by 3 percent in tonnage from 973 kt (1.1 million st) with a value of $45.1 million in 2012. Tennessee was the leading producer accounting for 64 percent of domestic production, followed by Texas, Mississippi and Kentucky. About 67 percent of total ball clay production was airfloat, 22 percent was crude or shredded and 11 percent was water-slurried.

By Ronald S. Conti

This paper describes technology and training that has been identified for underground emergency responders. Historically, underground mine rescue teams have only received training in the course of actual emergencies, or in simulated mine environments, usually on the surface, with placards to identify objects and hazards. Also, while U.S. Federal Regulations require all underground miners to walk escapeways and conduct fie drills every 90 days in a smoke-free environment, this does not fully prepare them for the conditions that will be encountered in real escape situations. Therefore, it is extremely important that miners are provided with adequate technology and that training simulations are conducted in a realistic manner. A series of mine rescue training and mine emergency response development (MERD) exercises, and in-mine smoke training was developed, conducted, and evaluated by state and company teams, and by National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) personnel. The training exercises were held at NIOSH's Lake Lynn Laboratory (LLL) and operating mines during the past several years. This training resulted in improved technology and training for mine rescue teams, fire brigades, first responders, and miners in general. For example, existing technologies were identified to help responders during exploration and recovery operations. These included various chemical light shapes, strobe lights, light vests, and laser pointers to identify team members. Most of these devices may be used to mark underground areas and certain mine materials. Strobe lights were used for mapping out escapeways and lasers were used to negotiate travel through smoke. Thermal imaging systems allow rescue personnel to see in darkness and through dense smoke, and allows the user to easily locate missing or trapped personnel and heated areas. A hands-free communication system showed potential for enhanced communications between team members, the fresh air base, and command center. A new team lighted-lifeline allows for flexibility in movements of team members during routine tasks and allows them to easily find their fixed position on the lifeline. Of all the technology evaluated by underground personnel, laser lights and lifelines were most beneficial in leading personnel to safety and out of the mine in smoke-filled passageways. A positive-pressure inflatable escape device (IED)/airlock, was used to isolate the "hazardous" environment from fresh air and allow rescue team members to traverse through. An inflatable feed- tube partition that can rapidly block large openings such as underground passageways or tunnels and simultaneously provide a feed-tube for high-expansion foam generators was also deployed during the simulations. These technological advancements have improved the state of readiness for rescue personnel and have increased the chances of survival for all personnel escaping from underground emergencies.

By Andrew Scogings

The current edition of The Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code was published in 2012 and, after a transition period, the 2012 edition came into mandatory operation on Dec. 1, 2013. There is a significant change between JORC 2004 (Clause 44) and JORC 2012 (Clause 49) for the reporting of industrial mineral resources and reserves, which should be addressed by ASX-listed players in the industrial minerals space.