(1990). Proc.

ISRM International Symposium on Static and Dynamic Considerations in Rock Engineering,

Mbabane, Swaziland, pp. 91-101.

Use of Forward Probe Coring Methods and Rexote Sensing

for Investigation of Geological Conditions ahead of
Drill and Blast and TBM Tunnel Drivages

T.G. Carter
Colder Associates, Toronto, Canada

ABSTRACT Design of tunnels and mine openings through areas of fractured and faulted
ground demands attention to detail in unravelling the geology of the area through which
the tunnel is to be excavated. For pressure tunnels in particular, where high static and
dynamic water pressure conditions can exist, detailed attention to local site geology is
imperative to ensuring that design requirements of minimal leakage and resistance to
hydrofracture are maintained.

Forward probe drilling and long angled underground diamond core drilling methods provide
useful tools that can aid prediction of major fracture intersections ahead of tunnel
drivages. These methods, coupled with effective pre-design use of remote sensing and
geophysical techniques provide a rational means by which the tunnel engineer can gain
information necessary for design of both temporary and permanent support elements.

INTRODU~TI0N

Compiling adequate investigation data on mainly by prediction or avoidance of mixed-

ground conditions ahead of an advancing
excavation face poses a commonplace problem
in tunnelling. Collection of accurate pre-
design and pre-excavation information is
especially critical where significant
natural (static) or induced (dynamic) water
pressure problems are anticipated.
face conditions. Secondly, it would allow
prediction of any offsets in the strata
which could indicate zones of faulting or
disturbance where grouting or localized
extra rock support might be required to
suit encountered ground conditions.

For the TBM drivage of the twin submarine

access tunnels for the new Donkin-Morien
Coal Mine off Cape Breton Island, Nova S

Scotia, Canada, (Figure 1), it was NOAS 0 A

recognized that detailed prediction ahead

of the drivages would help early
recognition of problem ground conditions
that could give rise to inflows of seawater
at static heads in excess of 180 psi. The
acquisition of reliable stratigraphic data
ahead of the tunnelling advance was also
ATL ANTIC
seen as a useful means for optimizing
OCEA N
tunnel drivage lengths to within horizons
of better quality rock.
0 0 00 30 •0 5O~

As a full face TBM drivage was envisaged NOVA

SCOTIA
for the tunnels, such optimization was seen
to serve two purposes. Firstly, it would Figure 1 Location Plan
likely help in minimizing cutter changes Donkin-Morien Mine Access Tunnels
and excavation problems during drivage,
For the waterways for the Drakensberg Hydro
Power Scheme, on the borders between Natal,
South Africa and Lesotho, (Figure 2),
acquisition of geological data on rock
conditions ahead of the various drill and
blast tunnels was deemed critical not only
for rock support design but also from the
hydraulic design viewpoint. Accurate,
detailed geological information was sought
specifically for optimizing the locations
of the necessary transition zones between
the concrete-lined pressure tunnels and the
steel-lined penstocks in order to resist
hydrofracture under the high dynamic water
5~ALA 0 400 800 k,~
pressure heads imposed on the tunnels
during operation. Figure 2 Site Location of the
Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme
DRAKENSBERG SCHEME
of the overall scheme, the maximum internal
hydraulic pressure head at the downstream
The Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme, end of the pressure tunnels was envisaged
comprises an upper reservoir, twin headrace to vary from 500m.(static) to more than
and pressure tunnels and a single tailrace 600m. (static plus water-hammer). Thus, as
tunnel connecting the main cavern complex rock cover in the vicinity of the main
to a lower reservoir; (Pyzikowski, 1982). caverns was only 180m. at the proposed
The works have been constructed within elevation of the scroll casings of the
essentially horizontally bedded sedimentary turbines, part of the original layout of
rocks comprising mudstones, siltstones and the scheme envisaged that a section of the
sandstones which in places are transected pressure tunnels would be steel-lined to
by dolerite infilled faults and dykes and obviate hydrofracture problems (De \Jitt,
by steep angle shear and normal faults. 1983; Sharp and Gonano, 1982).

At the design stage, the locations of the
tunnels, and the elevations of the crowns
and intersections for the main caverns were
optimized on the basis of an evaluation of
the available site investigation geological
data within the constraints imposed by
hydraulic and construction requirements.
Hydraulic considerations were of extreme
importance for the layout of the pressure
tunnels and penstocks. Due to the geometry
In order to achieve the maximum possible
cover immediately upstream of the power
station and hence minimise hydrofracture
potential within the concrete-lined part of
the tunnel while also limiting the required
length of steel lining, a ruling minimum
grade of 1 in 20 was adopted from the main
cavern complex, as far upstream as the
initially proposed end of the steel-lined
penstocks (Figure 3). Upstream of this
transition, a maximum grade of 1 in 10 was

HEADRACE TUNNELS
-SURGE SHAFTS
~800-
7m. TO HEADRACE INTAKE 163L+m. TO TAILRACE OUTFALL
290

MACHINE HALL
bOO-
A

z
0
400-
-j
w

200 —

P ENS TO C K S HALL

000 i LOCATION OF FAULTS

A AND B
SCALED ZOO 40Dm.

Figure 3 Arrangement of Waterways adjacent to the Main Cavern Complex at Drakensberg

selected to ensure efficient tunnelling and
concrete lining operations (Eastwood and de
Witt, 1982).
Elimination of areal hydrofracture of the
tunnel lining and rock mass by the elevated
pressures in the concrete lined pressure
tunnels was central to the design concept.
Accordingly, considerable effort was
expended during the project design phase in
determining the onset of hydrofracture
under different stress regimes and for
different rock materials, (Bowcock et
al.,1976; Gonano and Sharp, 1983). To this
end, a full scale test chamber was
constructed in an area of weak rock and
tested in order to refine pertinent design
parameters, (Sharp and Gonano, 1982).
In parallel with this work, all available
geological site investigation data was
evaluated to optimize the location for the
transition from the steel-lined penstocks
to the concrete lined pressure tunnels.
Considerable emphasis was placed in this
evaluation on ensuring that the transition
section would be located in the most
massively bedded, highest modulus, least
hydrofracture prone rock a thickly bedded
- maintained to ensure minimal damage to the
sandstone unit if possible. At the tender
stage, therefore, the transition zone was
laid out to fall within one of the thickest
MHTE
Figure 4 Isometric Diagram showing Summary Geology of Power Station Complex
sandstone units recognized from detailed
stratigraphic correlation of the deep
surface diamond drillhole core log data;
(ie. in the Delta Sandstone horizon, refer
to Figure 3).
Similar geological optimization was carried
out to position the cavern crowns. In order
to assist crown excavation and avoid shear
overstress problems at the haunches, the
crowns were selected to follow thin, but
distinct sandstone units, (Sharp et al.,
1979, Mellors and Sharp, 1982). The machine
and valve pits were also carefully laid out
to maximize excavation within sandstone.
Detailed design layout of the total complex
was also optimized to avoid intersecting
dykes or unfavourably oriented structural
discontinuities. As a further design aid,
summary 3D geological compilation diagrams
were prepared for critical intersection
areas and for the overall main cavern
complex (Figure 4). These diagrams, and
detailed longitudinal and cross-section
geological compilation drawings were used
throughout construction to check excavation
compliance with design crown elevations.
Stringent blasting control was also
thin sandstone or interbedded sandstone-
siltstone units selected to constitute the
cavern crowns. (Hallier et al., 1982.)
UN 43
~UN 45
UN 48
TRANSFORMER HALL
GROUP
NTERSEOOEO SAI~STDNE AND SILTSTDNE GROUP I
GROUP III
GROUP V
Within the main caverns and access tunnels,
detailed mapping disclosed no major
discrepancies between as-predicted and
as-encountered geology. This was not the
case upstream of the main cavern complex,
however. Here, over several discrete
stretches of the twin Pressure Tunnels, the
strata was disrupted by two major faults,
the attitude and disposition of which were
only fully established as a result of a
comprehensive programme of underground
probe drilling and exploratory excavations.
Unlike the tailrace and main cavern section
of the scheme, where exploratory headings
had been driven as part of the pre-design
phase investigations; prior to driving the
Penstock tunnels, no pre-construction
exploratory works had been advanced
upstream of the Power Station Complex. The
tunnel alignment geology for the Pressure
Tunnels was therefore entirely based on
correlation between surface drillholes,
with structural geological interpretation
based on terrain evaluation and remote
sensing data from:
o Low and high level aerial photographs
and Landsat satellite mosaics;
Figure 5 General arrangement of Pressure Tunnels and Penstocks showing locations
of Exploratory Pilot Headings and Diamond Cored Probe Hole Fans.
o Surface geological maps and traverse
information; and,
o Detailed geophysical data, (from
surface seismic and magnetometer
traversing, down-hole logging and
cross-hole seismic work).
Originally, the layout, in plan, of the
twin pressure tunnels and four penstocks,
were symmetrical with the centre-line of
the Power Station Complex (as shown on
Figure 2 in Bowcock et al., 1976). However,
because of faulting, this needed some
modification in plan (refer to Figure 5).
Alterations were also required in vertical
alignment to ensure that the critical
steel- to concrete-lined transition zones
would remain in high modulus sandstone as
a precaution against areal hydrofracture
under high operating water pressure heads.
o CONSTRUCTION STAGE INVESTIGATIONS
The requirement for additional geological
investigations of the Penstock/Pressure
Tunnel transition area only really became
apparent when excavation of the Drainage
Access Tunnel (DAT.) was well advanced. At
this stage, slight discrepancies were
becoming evident between actual mapped
elevations of discrete stratigraphic marker
horizons compared with those predicted from
the original site investigation data.
Stratigraphic dips were a few degrees
steeper than the surface holes would have
suggested. This suggested that either a
significant roll or fault existed or
something was wrong with the original core
logging or borehole survey data. With over
3000m. of diamond drilling and in excess of
iSOOm. of seismic and magnetometer
traversing having been carried out over the
Pressure Tunnel alignment, checking all of
the base data proved time consuming.
Nevertheless, checks were made of all
obvious correlation inconsistencies in an
attempt to sort out the geology.
Stratigraphic Correlation
As the basis for evaluating the likelihood
of some major geological anomaly (fault or
fold structure) affecting the strata in
the area immediately upstream of the main
cavern complex, the detailed stratigraphic
correlation diagrams prepared for the whole
scheme alignment were re-assessed. Although
CURBONACEOUS MUDDY
SIUTTOONE MYLONITE
- CALCITE t GREY CLAY
-~
& NODULES (~ / ---‘
SMALL SCULE ODEURS
S / V WITHIN FAULT ZONE
~,
~ ,~ooLn5
DETAIL OF FAULT A
Figure 6 Drainage Access Tunnel and Extension showing mapped geology and drillholes
these drawings had been found remarkably
accurate throughout the entire Power
Station Complex, when detailed correlation
was attempted with some of the deep surface
holes to the north of the caverns several
stratigraphic correlation discrepancies
were identified.
In particular, in the area of the proposed
Pressure Tunnel/Penstock Transition Zone,
the comparison suggested that either there
was an error in the data or some form of
structural disturbance existed in the
vicinity of one of the original surface
boreholes ( hole GP22 see Figures 3 and
-
5 for location). All of the other data in
the immediate area, including that from the
excavation of the Main Cavern Complex and
from some 2 km of tunnelling, supported the
hypothesis of undisturbed horizontally
bedded sedimentary rocks. In consequence,
the collar location, elevation and attitude
(from Sperry Sun multishot surveys) of hole
GP22 were rechecked and the core relogged.
Sedimentary analysis techniques and pain-
staking refitting of core fragments were
employed to check right-way-up structures
and verify the correctness of the core
within the boxes. Despite detailed re-
logging of the core and thorough survey re-
levelling of the collar elevation of the
INEILL ON FAULT PLANE
FAULT ZONE COnSINtIOg Of
200mm -300mm thick brecc,a
dipping ~O49R towards
32Oo~36Oo magnetic
hole, the data still suggested a vertical
offset of 26 metres in the stratigraphy
when compared with the Main Cavern area.
Investigation Rationale
As it was deemed critical that the steel-
concrete transition zone be located within
high modulus ‘unfractured’ sandstone away
from faulting, a decision was reached to
evaluate further the hypothesis that
unanticipated geological structural
controls were responsible for the lack of
stratigraphic correlation between the Power
Station Complex and the borehole CP22 area.
Accordingly, with much of the upstream
tunnelling close to the caverns already
completed, it was decided that the DAT.
should be continued as a pilot heading
(Figure 5) as thiswould provide additional
geological data while not significantly
compromising construction schedules.
Remote Sensing Evaluation
In parallel with the re-evaluation of the
GP22 data, the available Landsat imagery
and air-photos were re-assessed and the
surface geophysical traverse information
re-interpreted.
- Air-photo Interpretation : Although the
aerial photographs had been critically
examined prior to the start of the original
surface investigations, it was considered
worthwhile to completely re-examine them to
specifically check for structural features
crossing the alignment in the area between
borehole CP22 and the Main Cavern Complex.
In general, most of the geological features
evident on the photographs crossed the
scheme almost at right angles. Some
dolerite dykes however obliquely traversed
the tunnel alignment (Figure 5). These had
all been identified during the initial site
investigations, Bowcock et al, 1976; Golder
Associates, 1977).
When the photographs were re-examined but
with specific focus on the area around
hole GP22, no definitive correlation could
be established that could explain the
anomaly within the stratigraphy. It was
noted, however, that topographically, the
scheme alignment in the area of the hole
passed adjacent to a re-entrant valley
where the escarpment ridge formed something
of a promontory. In consequence, attention
was addressed to checking whether the
overall face of the escarpment as well as
the re-entrant valleys were structurally
controlled.
- Satellite Imagery Assessment : Field
mapping of the major sandstone horizons on
the escarpment hillslope yielded little
additional information because of the lack
of continuity of good outcrop. However,
some of the jointing trends mapped in the
sandstones did suggest parallelism of major
elements of the structural fabric with the
escarpment face and with the axis of the
re-entrant valleys.
The black and white Landsat image scans
were therefore critically re-examined to
assess whether any further light could be
shed on possible regional scale features
paralleling the scheme alignment.
Although one north-south Landsat lineation
paralleling the scheme alignment had been
recognized at Pre-Tender stage, it had
never been found possible to confirm this
on the ground from detailed trenching or
outcrop mapping, or from magnetometer or
seismic traversing. Nevertheless, it was
because of this possible lineation that
borehole CP22 had originally been drilled.
Thus, the conundrum remained that, based on
the recovered core, the lithological
sequence at the hole was inconsistent in
elevation with that now proven at the Main
Cavern Complex. The decision was therefore
made to temporarily stop Pressure Tunnel
construction and embark on a comprehensive
programme of underground probe drilling and
pilot heading development aimed at:
a) verifying the extent of the geological
problem at the Transitions,
b) resolving the stratigraphy along the
Pressure Tunnels sufficient that design
decisions could be made, and,
c) using this data, establishing viable
geological conditions for locating the
steel/concrete Pressure Tunnel Tran-
sition Zones in non-hydrofracture prone
stratigraphy.
Strata Control Drilling
Immediately that full face excavation of
the DAT. and Penstocks were stopped,
drilling cubbies were slashed into the
sidewalls at critical locations along the
DAT. so that excavation of 2m square pilot
headings could be continued while core
drilling was initiated. This drilling
programme was laid out to rapidly establish
the stratigraphy above the twin Pressure
Tunnels. The initial holes were therefore
drilled as fans of upward inclined cross-
strata holes radiating outwards from
several locations following the advancing
face of the DAT Pilot Heading, (Figures 5
and 6).
Drilling was started on a 24-hour shift
operation using one air-powered screw-feed
underground rig and one skid-mounted
converted surface rig. The results obtained
from the holes were analysed and plotted on
site during each day shift. Once data began
to be acquired and it was realized that the
geology was fairly complex and involved
multiple fault intersections, additional
rigs were mobilized. It was found that the
demands of long uphole drilling could only
be met using conventional skid mounted
high-torque surface rigs. The small bar-
and-arm mounted air-powered underground
rigs were soon proved incapable of coring
the 100 - 150 m. long upwards inclined
holes required in order to explore outwards
from the pilot excavations. These long
holes were drilled at 250 upwards in order
to optimize the cross-cutting of sufficient
strata to allow stratigraphic correlation
from one hole to the next. Although the
larger, skid mounted, rigs were found well
capable of drilling these raker holes, they
were found to be of limited capability when
drilling vertical up-holes in excess of
about 60m. However, by careful planning of
hole layouts, this limitation did not
unduly compromise the investigation data.
From start to completion of the two month,
24 hour per day, fast track programme of
drilling, which resulted in the discovery
and delineation of two major, previously
unidentified faults, over 40 underground
drillholes varying in length to 160m., were
drilled and logged. Some 250m. of explor-
atory adits were also developed and all of
the tunnel sidewalls were mapped to assist
in correlation of the drillholes.
Excavation of first the Pilot Tunnels and
then the full-face Penstock drivages,
confirmed the core-drilling data that two
major faults and several minor cross-shears
existed all within a 60m wide band crossing
the scheme alignment (Figure 5). The
detailed mapping also confirmed the
stratigraphic offsets suggested by the hole
GP22 data.
Because of the stratigraphic disruption
created by these two major fault zones,
which are shown in detail on Figures 6 and
7, several design changes were necessary to
the locations of the Pressure Tunnels and
the steel-concrete transition zones. These
changes were made to minimize risk of
hydrofracture induced cracking by
optimizing the tunnel alignments to ensure
that the transition zones:
a) avoided the low-modulus fractured rock
conditions associated with the faults,
and,
b) if possible, could be preferentially
located within high-modulus sandstone.
The detailed configuration of Fault A,
which dips at 450 to the north and trends
east-west across the scheme alignment about
430m. upstream of the Machine Hall, is
shown on Figure 6. The fault, is actually
comprised of two main shear planes separ-
ated by 2 m. to 4 m. of downwarped strata.
It is bounded on either side by a zone of
disturbance up to 30 metres wide. Based on
stratigraphic correlation a combined down-
throw of some 9m to the north occurs across
the two planes.
Fault B, which trends sub-parallel to
penstock 1/2 and intersects Pressure Tunnel
1/2 at an oblique angle some 680 m upstream
of the Machine Hall, was found to be much
more complex than Fault A. It was found to
vary in character along the scheme
alignment, comprising two well developed
parallel shear planes approximately 1 metre
apart bounding a brecciated and mylonitized
zone in the Pilot Heading driven east of
Penstock 1/2, (refer Figure 5) but changing
to series of discrete planes and thin
brecciated zones where it crosses the re-
aligned Pressure Tunnel, (Figure 7). Based
SANDSTONE 25 % SOISTONEI
V NVSBEODEO SANDSTONE 555 5575 XLV
S57S~ONE 25%SANOSrONE,
5555550
V 050<5 BEDDED
Figure 7 Composite Isometric Drawing
of Face Happing Records for Pressure
Tunnel 1/2 through Fault B
on sidewall mapping and the results of the
diamond core drilling, it was found that
overall, the fault dips to the east at
between 55 and 7Q0 and down throws the
strata approximately 20m. also to the east.
Furthermore, complete correlation was found dipping sedimentary rocks into ground
between this area and the core logging of within which, based on offshore geophysical
the old surface hole CP22, thus confirming surveying there was some possibility of
the anomalous stratigraphic interpretation structural disturbance. As only limited
that originally led to the probe drilling offshore drilling had been feasible, for -

programme. submarine coal reserves a 1km. exclusion

barrier is required around each exploration
Although the details of the geometry of the hole the decision was reached to conduct
-

faults was only fully appreciated once they underground core drilling ahead of the
were exposed in the Pilot Headings, without tunnel drivages to provide information for
the data from the inclined core drilling it stratigraphic control and grade prediction
would have been impossible to complete the purposes as well as data on possible gas or
stratigraphic and structural correlations water problems.
necessary for revising the Pressure Tunnel
layouts to those shown on Figure 5. In Onshore portalling was completed for the
fact, to avoid intersection with Fault B in two required drivages (#2 and #3 Slopes) by
the critical area of the steel to concrete drill and blast methods and tunnelling was
transition section, the alignment of both initiated also using drill and blast
the Penstock and Pressure Tunnel 1/2 were methods on Slope #3, with upward inclined
adjusted and the steel to concrete tran- forward strata control holes, similar to
sition section was moved further upstream those laid out for the Drakensberg tunnels,
to an area away from the direct influence being drilled from the tunnel face at
of the faults (Figures 5 and 6). weekends. This, #3 tunnel, was driven drill
and blast to ch. 1027m. during which tine,
TBM trials were carried Out on Slope #2
DONKIN-MORIRN TEN DRIVAGES using a 4m. diameter prototype hard rock
TBM. The success of this trial led to
design and construction of a full face
The sub-seabed tunnels required for access 7.6m. diameter TBM (Hunter and Lovat, 1984,
to the productive coal horizon to be mined Marsh et al., 1986). As both probe hole
at Donkin (Cillman, 1982), necessitated an drilling for gas and water prediction was
initial pair of parallel tunnels to be a requirement, and contingency schemes for
driven for 3km offshore at a decline of up grout-hole drilling and rock-bolt
to 20% (Figure 8). The twin tunnels were to installation needed to be developed for the
be excavated through a sequence of gently full-face TBM design, it was decided to

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T2 - I STRATA CONTROL AND
- 2~ EXTENSOMETER HOLES

STRATA CONTROL HOLE STRATA CONTROL HOLE

BH ~T 142D6-02m r ELEV2T
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DETAIL IN OH. 1000 AREA SHOWING . POF?TAI SAND

CONFIGURATION OF VERTICAL UP HOLE - -‘-‘‘ONE
- . . ... - . - -.

~35 FORWARD STRATA CONTROL . - - -

HOLES

Figure 8 General Arrangement of Donkin-Horien Mine Access Slopes and Summary Geology
mount a full capability coring rig onto
the machine so that strata control holes
could be executed directly from the TBM.

a TBM - mounted drill-rig

The rig position on the TBN, as shown on

Figures 9 and 10, was optimized to allow:

- forward on-axis probe drilling,

- radial holes, including vertical holes
up and down, for bolts or instruments,
- 350 raked upward and forward holes for

cross-strata geological coring, and Figure 9 Modified Longyear EHS 38 Rig

- fan pattern radial holes for grouting Rod Aligmment Arrangement for drilling
350 upwards Strata Control Holes

UPWARDS CROSS STRATA HOLE

RIC;

~UTFR
HFAD 0.48 m

MACHINE

~—F-
I.42m

Figure 10 Access Port Arrangements for Use of the Coring Rig for Drilling Strata
Control, Instrumentation and Probe Holes through the TEN Head and Shield Assembly

Prior to selection of the rig for use on

the TBM, several underground trials of
different types of rigs were carried out.
These were aimed at establishing both the
suitability and efficiency of various rigs
for achieving good core recovery in typical
coal measures strata. The trials were also
directed towards checking whether it was
possible to achieve the desired setup, rod
handling and coring rates necessary to
guarantee drilling an upwards raked strata
control hole to at least 30 metres ahead of
and above the face within the limited four
hour daily TBM maintenance period.

Rod-tripping was seen generally as the most

time consuming operation, however coring
speeds in different materials also affected
rig performance, especially for the lower
torque types tested. Conventional top-head
chuck machines were compared to flat-bed
Figure 11 View of trailing edge of TEN
shield showing Modified Longyear ERS 38
mounted for Strata Control Drilling
feed rigs in order to check maximum coring
and rod-handling speeds in a forward and
upward mode. Various thin kerf and non-
coring bits were also tested to evaluate
maximum penetration rates. After some
initial evaluations, and following
comparative field trials of a Diamec 251
(flat-bed feed) and a Longyear EHS 38, the
decision was made to use a modified Long-
year rig incorporated onto the tail section
of the TBM. (Figure 9). The decision was
based not only on the performance of the
rig, but also on the availability of
service/backup to the tunnel location and
on the compatibility of the drillrig’s
hydraulics with the power-pack components
of the Lovat M-300 TBM.
The primary purpose for building the drill-
rig right onto the TBM was for forward
geological prediction. However, in addition
to the requirements of drilling for core
retovery and strata prediction, the rig was
equipped for rapid probe drilling using
non-coring synthetic diamond “Chrisset”
bits, penetration rates for which are
comparable to normal air-rotary percussion.
This allowed the rig to be also used for
on-axis drilling of forward probe holes for
gas or water intersection control purposes.
Further, because of the rig’s placement at
the rear of the main shielded section of
the TEN, (Figure 11) it was suitably
placed, if the need arose, for drilling
radial, forward-raked grout-holes, or for
drilling rockbolt holes for placing support
behind the shield section, or for drilling
instrumentation holes as required.
After some initial trials of the Longyear
EHS 38 rig mounted on the TBM, a schedule
of weekend core drilling was developed to
allow forward geological prediction without
interference to normal TBM operating shift
requirements. In general, one 45m. long 350
upwards inclined diamond BQ cored strata
control hole was drilled over the tunnel
crown every two weeks and one lOOm. long
uncored probe hole was drilled every week
directly along the tunnel axis ahead of the
face for gas and water control.
Other holes which were drilled with the
rig, including those for extensometers and
vertical upwards strata investigation holes
were also drilled at weekends or within
scheduled maintenance breaks or other
programmed shutdowns so as not to interfere
with tunnelling advance, which peaked at
about 30m/day (Marsh et al.,1985). The
data obtained from the drilling was timely
and like the Drakensberg probe drilling,
helpful in optimizing tunnel grades to
maximize excavation within good sandstone.
It also helped significantly by providing
excellent forewarning of coal and muds tone
intersections that tended to affect the
cutter performance of the Lovat TBM.
Conclusions
Probe hole drilling ahead of tunnelling
need not be considered only as a percussion
drilled hole advanced the regulatory 3m. or
other required distance to check for water
and gas occurrences. With modern equipment,
cored hole drilling is both practical and
quick and can provide vital information on
ground conditions unattainable by open hole
techniques even with recourse to use of
down-hole geophysical tools.
25~35o upward inclined diamond cored probe
holes ahead of sub-horizontal tunnels in
bedded sedimentary rock can be of immense
value for predicting geological conditions
ahead of the face. For such probe holes to
be both drillable and analyzable within the
tight time frames required to keep up with
modern TBM drivage rates, careful choice of
drills and coring equipment is vital. With
the increasing availability of small, but
high torque flat feed rigs for underground
use and improved thin kerf coring
equipment, such probe holes can be viably
executed and evaluated within limited tine
windows in a tunnelling schedule (such as
weekends or maintenance shifts). This makes
their use feasible and attractive for both
TEN and drill and blast drivages where
geological conditions are not entirely
certain or where potential geological or
water inflow problems may be disruptive.
Geophysical and remote sensing techniques
including satellite imagery can aid
understanding of structural geological
conditions, but must be correlated to hard
drillhole data in order to be of value to
the tunnelling engineer. It is suggested
that integration of surface remote sensing
techniques with well planned strata control
and forward cored probe drilling layouts
constitutes possibly the best approach for
investigating long tunnel alignments.
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank the Electricity
Supply Commission of South Africa and the
Cape Breton Development Corporation of
Canada for their permission to publish the
material presented in this paper. The
contribution of the author’s colleagues
from within Golder Associates and other
organizations who were involved with the
projects is also acknowledged. Specific

recognition is due to Dr.T.W.Mellors and
Mr.P.J.Terbrugge for their contributions to
the successful completion of the drilling
studies for the Drakensberg Pressure Tunnel
Transition Design and to Mr.R.C.F.King for
his contribution to the execution and
implementation of the strata control
programme in the Donkin-Morien Tunnels.
References
Bowcock J.B., Boyd J.M., Hoek E., and Sharp
J.C. (1976) Drakensberg Pumped Storage
Scheme -Rock Engineering Aspects. Proc.
Symposium on Exploration for Rock Engin-
eering, Johannesburg. Vol.2.pp.121-139
De Witt N.J. (1983) Constructing the
Drakensberg Pressure Tunnels. Water Power
and Dam Construction. 15 pp.
Gilby J.L, Yuen C.M.K and Aston T.R.C.
(1985) Ceotechnical Monitoring of Tunnel
Boring Machine Drivages at the Donkin-
Morien Mine Nova Scotia. Canadian Inst.
Mining Bulletin. Vol 81. pp.60-72.
Gillman J.J. (1982) Donkin-Morien
Development Project. Canadian Inst. Mining
Bulletin. Vol. 75 No.845. pp. 133-140
Golder Associates, (1977) Geotechnical
Report for Drakensberg Pumped Storage
Scheme. 10 Volumes.
Gonano L.P. and Sharp. J.C. (1983) Rock
Engineering Design and Construction of High
Head Pressure Tunnels for the Drakensberg
Scheme. Proc. Rapid Excavation & Tunnelling
Conf. l8pp
Hallier P.A.C. ,Weehuizen P.B. ,and Holl G.W.
(1982). Construction of the Main Civil
Works of the Drakensberg Pumped Storage
Scheme. Civ. Engr. S.A., Vol 24, No 8
pp. 421-433
Hunter J.A., and Lovat R.,(1984). Design,
Development and Verification of a Lovat
7.6m. Full-Face Tunnel Boring Machine. CIM,
Bulletin Vol. 77, No. 865, pp.47-54.
Marsh J.C., Landry J.G., Currie D. and
Lamb T., (1985). The Cape Breton
Development Corporation’s Experience with
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C.I.M. Bulletin. Vol 79. No.891. pp.49-56.
Mellors T.W. and Sharp J.C. (1982)
Investigations for the Drakensberg Power
Station Complex in Weak Sedimentary Rock.
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Pressure Shafts, Aachen. pp. 105-116
Palmer J.H.L., Lovat R.P., and Marsh J.C.,
(1985). Performance of a 7.6m Diameter Full
Face Tunnel Boring Machine Designed for a
Canadian Coal Mine. Proc. 4th International
Tunnelling Symposium, Brighton, England.
Sharp J.C and Gonano, L.P.,(1982) Rock
Engineering Aspects of the Concrete Lined
Pressure Tunnels of the Drakensberg Pumped
Storage Scheme. Proc. ISRM Symposium Rock
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Mechanics Related to Caverns and Pressure
Shafts. Aachen. Vol 2., pp.717-733.
Sharp J.C., Endersbee L.A. and Mellors T.W.
(1984) Design and Observed Performance of
Permanent Cavern Excavations in weak,
bedded strata. Proc. ISRM. Conf. Cambridge
pp.493-507
Sharp .3.C., Pine R.J., Moy D., and Byrne
R.J. (1979) The Use of a Trial Enlargement
for the Underground Cavern Design of the
Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme. Proc.
4th Congress Tnt. Soc. Rock. Mechanics,
Montreaux.
Sharp J.C. and Mellors T.W. (1982) Rock
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Whiteway P. (1985) TEN Drives to Coal Seam
under the Atlantic. The Northern Miner,
March 21st. pp B3-B7.
-

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, \ I
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M-300 Tunnel Boring Machine
The M-300 is a fully shielded open face rock
boring machine fabricated for driving a 14.5 KM
(9 mile) access decline at the Donkin-Morien
Development Project on Cape Breton Island in
Nova Scotia, Canada. The design and develop-
ment of this innovative tunnelling equipment was
funded by Canada’s National Research Council,
the Cape Breton Development Corporation and
Supply and Services Canada for July 1983
delivery.
Design Features
The cuttinghead is equipped with inter-
changeable roller disc cutters and drag type car-
bide teeth to facilitate the most efficient cutter
selection for the varying rock conditions.
The cuttinghead can be rotated clockwise or
counter-clockwise at variable speeds not ex-
ceeding 92 meters/minute (302 feet/minute) to
minimize the possibility of a methane explosion
initiated by sparks created by the cutters.
The machine has been designed for a gassy
mine application and is equipped with intrinsical-
ly safe electrics and flame resistant hydraulics to
meet the requirements of Canmet certification
and Labour Canada standards. The unit also
features a ventilation system to control dust and
mix methane with air to acceptable levels in an
efficient manner.
The machine has a back-up system for main-
taining all required services including electrics,
hydraulics, ventilation, dust control, cooling,
storage, repair, etc.
Technical Specifications
The machine is propelled by 24 pushing jacks
with a 1.7 meter (5’ 8”) stroke and is equipped
with a mechanical rib erector and rib expander to
facilitate lining operations.
The machine has a 11.5 meter (38’) long
primary conveyor with a 1.2 meter (4’) wide belt
and a 170.0 meter (560’) long trailing conveyor
with a 1.2 meter (4’) wide belt. The trailing con-
veyor consists of detachable and interchangeable
sections that are post supported on pipe skates.
Bore Diameter: 7.6 meters (25’) (Nominal)
Overall Length: 6.3 meters (20’ 9”) (Nominal)
Total Connected Horse Power: 2050 H P
Estimated Overall Weight: 350 tonne (344 tons)
This project is another example of Lovat’s con-
tinuing commitment to innovation and leadership
in the design and manufacture of tunnelling
equipment.
LOVAT TUNNEL
Equipment Inc.
441 Carlingview Drive,
Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5G7
Telephone (416)675-3293
Telex 06-989167