Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project

Laole - Qazigund Section

Detailed Design Consultancy
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report
Tunnel T-77B and Tunnel T-77C

Purchaser:
IRCON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Office
Laufener Straße 16
D-83395 Freilassing
Germany
Phone
+49 8654 6011-0 Freilassing, 17.12.2009
Fax
+49 8654 6011-33
E-Mail Proj.-No. 1432/wf
office.freilassing
@mueller-hereth.com
Internet
www.mueller-hereth.com
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

Table of contents

1.  Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3 

2.  Identification of design codes and standards ................................................... 4 

2.1.  Design codes and standards .............................................................................. 4 
2.2.  Used documents ................................................................................................. 4 
2.3.  Used literature..................................................................................................... 4 

3.  Geographic Overview ........................................................................................... 5 

4.  Review of the geological and geotechnical data ............................................... 6 

4.1.  General geological conditions ............................................................................. 6 
4.2.  General morphological conditions ....................................................................... 6 
4.3.  General hydrological conditions .......................................................................... 7 

5.  Interpretation of field investigation results ........................................................ 8 

5.1.  Exploratory drill holes .......................................................................................... 8 
5.1.1.  Tunnel T-77B ...................................................................................................... 8 
5.1.2.  Tunnel T-77C+ .................................................................................................... 9 
5.2.  Standard Penetration Tests .............................................................................. 10 
5.3.  Groundwater conditions .................................................................................... 11 
5.4.  RMR – Rock Mass Rating ................................................................................. 11 

6.  Interpretation of laboratory test results ........................................................... 12 

7.  Recommended geotechnical parameters......................................................... 13 

8.  Recommended further Investigations .............................................................. 14 

9.  Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 15 

List of tables
Table 1  Results of laboratory tests in the bedrock .............................................. 12 
Table 2  Recommended geotechnical parameters .............................................. 13 

List of figures
Figure 1  Location of the project area ..................................................................... 5 

Page 2 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

1. Introduction

The state of India is undertaking the construction of a new railway line link of a total
length of 340 km between the cities of Udhampur and Baramulla in the Jammu and
Kashmir district in the northern part of India.

On behalf of IRCON INTERNATIONAL Ltd Müller + Hereth Consulting Engineers and

Geologists was granted for detailed design consultancy for the tunnels T-77B and T-77C
in Zone IV (between Km 142 & 152) in the Laole – Qazigund section of the above
mentioned railway line project.

The geotechnical interpretative report submitted concerns the geological and

geotechnical conditions for Tunnel T-77B & T-77C in connection with the Construction of
Laole – Qazigund Section of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla New BG Railway Line
Project.

Base of this geotechnical interpretative report are the Tender Documents for detailed
design consultancy (IRCON/1014/J&K.KQ/Consultancy T77B&C/105) received from
IRCON International on 08.11.2007.

The local situation shows that the 2 tunnels to be constructed are situated completely in
a slope area with overburden between 5m and 30m approximately.

Bedrock conditions are characterised by quartzites, phyllites and slates belonging to the
Paleozoic “Ramsu Formation”.

Both the tunnels do not reach sound bedrock, but are situated in slope debris deposits.

The project area is belonging to seismic zone V.

A cut & cover or a cutting solution was dismissed by IRCON due to the difficult local
conditions instead of a mined tunnel according to NATM (New Austrian Tunneling
Methode) principles.

Within the preparation of this report, a site visit at Banihal was executed by Mr. Walter
Fahrnberger (Geologist, MSc) on September 25th 2007 and December 8th 2009.

The site visit included a surface inspection along the alignment of tunnel T-77B and
tunnel T-77C with special attention to the proposed portal areas.

An outline of the geological and geotechnical conditions in the project area is given in the
following chapters.

Page 3 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

2. Identification of design codes and standards

Mueller + Hereth Consulting Engineers and Geologists are ISO 9001 certified and will
apply the in house quality plan to the design works delivered to IRCON.

2.1. Design codes and standards

The detailed design consultancy for the two tunnels will be done according to the
following design codes and standards under consideration of Indian Standards:

• EUROCODE 7 - EN 1997 - Geotechnical design

• EUROCODE 8 – EN 1998 – Design provisions for earthquake resistance of

structures

2.2. Used documents

• RITES (07/2008): Report on geotechnical investigation for tunnel No. 77B & 77C
of Katra – Quazigund rail link project in J&K state

• IRCON/1014/J&K.KQ/Consultancy T77B&C/105 – Tender documents for detailed

design consultancy for tunnel T77b & T77C

2.3. Used literature

• D.N.WADIA (1952): Geology of India; Tata McGraw-Hill, 15th reprint 1994

Page 4 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

3. Geographic Overview

The project area at Banihal is located in the Pir Panjal Range in the Jammu and Kashmir
district in the North-western part of India on half the way between the cities of Jammu
and Srinagar.

The distance to the capital Delhi is approximately 600 km.

Figure 1 Location of the project area

Page 5 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

4. Review of the geological and geotechnical data

4.1. General geological conditions

Both the tunnels are located in the Pir Panjal Range, a west – east trending mountain
belt, which separates the Jammu Hills in the South from the valley of Cashmere in the
North.

According to the tender documents, the two tunnels at Banihal are located in quartzites,
quartzitic phyllites and phyllites belonging to the Paleozoic “Ramsu Formation”.

Along the tunnel alignment of both tunnels slightly metamorphic, grey to brownish grey
quartzitic phyllites are exposed in the hill slope. The exposed rock mass is intensely
jointed and tectonized.

The foot slopes of the hills are covered by thick slope debris deposits consisting of
gravels, blocks and boulders in a sandy – silty, partly clayey matrix.

According to the executed exploratory drill holes both the tunnels will most probably be
founded in slope debris deposits and will not reach solid bedrock.

4.2. General morphological conditions

The topography of the Banihal area is characterized by rugged hills intersected by

moderately deep incisions of temporarily water bearing creeks.

The hill slopes along the tunnel alignment at the western side of the valley show a natural
slope angel of 30° – 35°.

The foot slopes of the hills are covered by thick slope debris deposits consisting of
gravels, blocks and boulders in a sandy – silty, partly clayey matrix.

All the slopes within the project area show distinct signs of large scale ancient mass
movements caused by the retreat of the valley glaciers at the end of the last glacial stage
at approximately 10.000 years BP.

Due to the miss of lateral support by the glacier body the slopes became unstable,
detensioned and started to slide down into the after the retreat of the glaciers empty and
overdeepened valleys.

The large scale movement in general ceased after the refill of the valley bottoms with
fluvial deposits which form a natural counterbalance at the foot of the hills.

In the most cases this ancient and deep reaching slope movements can be assumed to
be more than less stable due to the natural counterbalance at the foot area. Nevertheless
very slow creep in the order of some millimeters per year may occur.

Page 6 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

Tunnel T 77B is situated in a rather young non stable, sliding rock mass consisting of
gravels, blocks and boulders in a sandy – silty, partly clayey matrix.

The movement of the slope debris mass towards the valley at tunnel T 77B is clearly
seen in a nearly straight aligned up to 4 meters deep fissure (Nala) intersecting the slope
in a SW – NE direction.

The fissure shows nearly vertical sidewalls with a width of up to 2 meters. The bottom of
the fissure is filled up with debris washed in by precipitation and rain water runoff along
the fissure.

The final depth of the fissure could not be detected during the field visit. Also the depth of
the sliding plain is unknown. Maybe this slide plain can be seen in the seismic survey.

The age and origin of the fissure can only be assumed. According to aerial photos the
fissure already existed in October 2001.

The origin of the fissure is most probably due to earthquake tremor. Also the linear shape
of the fissure as well as the vertical, not eroded sidewalls may be related to the formation
by a rather fast and singular event, like an earthquake.

The actual movement rates cannot be determined due to the short time period and the
lack of preinstalled monitoring facilities.

For detailed investigations concerning the depth of the sliding surface and velocity of the
movement we firmly recommend the installation and survey of settlement markers and
inclinometers at both the tunnel sites (see chapter: recommended further investigations).

The settlement markers should be aligned along the centerline of the tunnels with a
distance of

4.3. General hydrological conditions

The main drainage pattern in the project area is formed by Bichleri River, which formed
the present day morphological appearance of the valley with a wide, gravel covered
meandering river bed and gentle terraces along both river benches.

Water bearing springs and funnels in the surrounding of tunnel T-77B and T-77C could
not be detected during the site visit.

Also a permanent groundwater level was not detected in the executed exploratory drill
holes.

Page 7 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

5. Interpretation of field investigation results

During the initial geological investigations 4 exploratory drill holes have been executed
close to the portal areas of the two planned tunnels, and rock samples have been taken
to the laboratory for geomechanical testing.

In addition RMR ratings based on the results of the exploratory drill holes, the laboratory
tests and mapping of rock outcrops were done.

The reviews of the transmitted data lead to a certain confusion concerning the results of
the investigations within the different appendices of the tender documents.

Especially the cited chainages of the tunnels, as well as the chainages of the executed
drill holes are in parts contra dictionary.

The interpretation of the results from the initial investigations is given in the following
chapters.

5.1. Exploratory drill holes

The results of two of the exploratory drill holes A1/07/77B and A2/077/77B, located at
tunnel T-77B and B1/07/77C and B2/07/77C located at tunnel T-77C have been
transmitted to the designer (RITES).

5.1.1. Tunnel T-77B

According to the geological log of drill hole A1/07/77B, the drill hole is located at km
147+454 in a distance of 24,13 m West of the alignment of tunnel T-77B.

The total depth of drill hole A1/07/77B is given as 42 m. The recovered core material
consists of sub-angular to sub-rounded boulders, cobbles, pebbles and gravel of mainly
quartzite phyllite.

The coarse grained components are bedded in a sandy, silty and clayey matrix. The
recovered lithology was classified as slide cum slope debris.

The recovered material is heterogeneous in size distribution of the components and

shape of the components.

Sound bedrock was not found in drill hole A1/07/77B.

The percentage of core recovery varies between 11% and 50%, which is rather low, but
may be explained by outwash of fine grained material during the drilling process.

Page 8 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

According to the geological log of drill hole A2/07/77B, the drill holes is located at km
147+476 in a distance of 48,60 m West of the alignment also at tunnel T-77B.

The total depth of drill hole A2/07/77B is given with 45 m. The recovered core material
down to 30 m depth consists of angular to subrounded boulders, cobbles, pebbles and
gravel of mainly quartzite phyllite.

The recovered material is heterogeneous in size distribution of the components and

shape of the components.

The coarse grained components are bedded in a sandy, silty and clayey matrix. The
recovered lithology was classified as slide cum slope debris.

Sound bedrock consisting of slightly to moderately weathered, fine to medium grained,

light gray to brownish grey quartzite phyllite and phyllitic quartzite was found in between
30 m and 45 m depth.

The percentage of core recovery within the overlaying slope debris body varies between
15% and 50%, which is rather low, but may be explained by outwash of fine grained
material during the drilling process.

The core recovery within the bedrock varies between 23% and 93%, and is which is also
rather low. The low percentage of core recovery may only be explained by highly
fractured rock material.

The high fracturing rate is also seen in the low RQD – Values, which range from 0 to 59,
but shows characteristic values of 18 to 38.

The complete loss of spilling water in the bedrock is a further indicator for a high
fracturing rate.

5.1.2. Tunnel T-77C

According to the geological log of drill hole B1/07/77C, the drill hole is located at km
148+264 in a distance of 10,64 m West of the alignment of tunnel T-77C.

The total depth of drill hole B1/07/77C is given as 45 m. The recovered core material
consists of sub-angular to sub-rounded boulders, cobbles, pebbles and gravel of mainly
quartzite, phyllitic quartzite and yellowish brown to reddish brown limestone.

The coarse grained components are bedded in a sandy, silty and clayey matrix. The
recovered lithology was classified as slide cum slope debris.

The recovered material is heterogeneous in size distribution of the components and

shape of the components.

Sound bedrock was not found in drill hole B1/07/77C.

The percentage of core recovery varies between 21% and 99%, which is rather low, but
may be explained by outwash of fine grained material during the drilling process.

Page 9 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

A permanent water table was not encountered during the drilling process. The partial and
partly total loss of spill water is indicating high permeability within the debris body
(Lugeon 8).

According to the geological log of drill hole B2/07/77C, the drill holes is located at km
148+330 in a distance of 6,67 m West of the alignment of tunnel T-77C.

The total depth of drill hole B2/07/77C is given with 40 m. The recovered core material
down to 24 m depth consists of sub-angular to rounded boulders, cobbles, pebbles and
gravel of moderately to highly weathered dark brown to grey coloured, fine to medium
grained quartzite and limestone.

The recovered material is heterogeneous in size distribution of the components and

shape of the components.

The coarse grained components are bedded in a sandy, silty and clayey matrix. The
recovered lithology was classified as slide cum slope debris.

The percentage of core recovery in the slope debris deposits varies from 14% - 58% and
is rather low.

The high percentage of core loss may be explained by outwash of fines during the drilling
process.

Sound bedrock consisting of slightly to moderately weathered, light grey to light brownish
grey limestone with intercalations of strong quartzite was found in between 24 m depth
and 40 m depth.

The core recovery within the solid bedrock varies between 49% and 89% which is also
rather low.

The high fracturing rate is also seen in the low RQD – Values, which range from 0 to 47.

Two regular sets of joints (40° - 45° and 65° - 70°) and a random set have been
described in the corelogs. The joint surfaces are described as smooth planar to smooth
undulating with iron staining surfaces and calcareous / siliceous fillings.

A permanent water table was not observed during the drilling process within the entire
part of the drill hole.

The complete loss of spilling water in the slope debris body and also in the bedrock is a
further indicator for high permeability (Lugeon 9) and a high fracturing rate.

5.2. Standard Penetration Tests

Standard penetration tests within the slope debris body have been executed in all 4 drill
holes at a distance of 3 m each.

Page 10 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

In all the drill holes the SPT’s show extremely low penetration rates. The low penetration
rates mainly caused by the strongly heterogeneous soil conditions with high amount of
coarse grained cobbles, pebbles and boulders.

According to ISO 14688-2 standards he debris body therefore can be classified as well to
very well compacted.

5.3. Groundwater conditions

Groundwater was not encountered in drill hole BH-01. Also the mentioned partial loss of
spilling water (50%) indicates high permeable soil conditions within the debris body.

Groundwater was also not encountered in drill hole BH-02. Also the mentioned partial
loss of spilling water (50%) in the upper part of the drill hole, and the complete loss of
spilling water in the lower part of the drill hole indicates high permeable soil and rock
conditions.

Springs could not be encountered nearby the proposed tunnel portals during the site visit
in September 2007.

5.4. RMR – Rock Mass Rating

The rock mass rating was done basing on the results of the exploratory drill holes, the
laboratory tests and mapping of rock outcrops on site.

The results of the RMR rating for the tunnels between km 142 and km 150 have been
presented in the tender documents (page 48, table III) and transmitted to the designer by
the client.

The executed ratings for the tunnels in phyllites and quartzitic phyllites (T-72, T-73, T-74
and T-77) give an RMR-ratio of 35 to 45.

Both the tunnels T-77B and T-77C are not specifically mentioned in this table, but
according to Bieniawsky the bedrock conditions within the phyllites and quartzitic
phyllites have to be classified as poor rock (rock mass class IV) to fair rock (rock mass
class III).

The low rating is mainly caused by the rather low compressive strength of the rock and
the very low RQD index.

According to the Bieniawski classification a cohesion of 100 kPa – 300 kPa, and a friction
angle of 15° - 35° can be assumed for the local rock mass type of phyllites and quartzitic
phyllites.

As already mentioned above, both the tunnels are not situated within solid rock.

Page 11 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

6. Interpretation of laboratory test results

Rock mechanical laboratory testing was done on various rock samples from the
underlying quartzite phyllite by M/s RITES.

The results of the laboratory tests have been transmitted to the designer with the tender
documents for detailed design consultancy (page 49, table IV) by the client.

The published table only shows an overview on test results from samples taken at tunnel
T-72, T-73, T-74, T-77, T-77A and T-78. Specific results for tunnel T-77B and T-77C are
not presented.

The executed rock mechanical laboratory tests mainly focus on compressive strength
and modulus of elasticity. Shear parameters have not been determined.

The determined breaking loads of the the local phyllites and quartzitic phyllites show
reasonable values with a range of 17 MPa to 62 MPa.

Also the elasticity modulus in the phyllites gives sufficient values with an average of
11.690 MPa.

But as already mentioned only some rarely parts of the invert of the two tunnels will
reach bedrock level. The determined rock parameters are therefor of little use for the
design.

A summary of the laboratory results within the phyllites and quartz phyllites from the
above mentioned tunnels is given in the following table.

Geomechanical laboratory tests on the debris body material have not been executed.

Quartzite Phyllite - Summary of laboratory tests

Tunnel No. Dry density UCS Modulus of Poisson’s Ratio
Elasticity
[g/cm³] [MPa] [MPa] [-]
MIN 2,59 17,8 2.080 0,12
MAX 2,73 62,4 21.300 0,21
AVERAGE 2,66 40,1 11.690 0,16
Table 1 Results of laboratory tests in the bedrock

Page 12 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

7. Recommended geotechnical parameters

During the initial investigations laboratory tests have only be done in the rocklike portions
of the hill slope. But as already mentioned only some rare parts of the invert of the two
tunnels will reach bedrock level. The determined rock parameters are therefore of little
use for the design.

Geomechanical laboratory tests in the debris body deposits have not been executed.

Due to the lack of laboratory results we recommend for the static calculations of the
tunnels and the portal areas the following geotechnical parameters.

The recommended geotechnical parameters are derived from field observations (natural
friction angle of the existing slopes) and comparable projects within similar soil
conditions.

Recommended geotechnical parameters – Slope debris

Dry density Cohesion C’ Friction angle EYoung
[kN/m³] [kN/m²] [°] [MN/m²]
2,1 5 35 100
Table 2 Recommended geotechnical parameters

Page 13 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

8. Recommended further investigations

The initial investigations give a rough overview on the expected geological and
geotechnical conditions along the alignment of tunnel T-77B and T-77C.

Fortunately, and due to the short length of both the tunnels, the needed supplementary
information can be limited to the basics.

For detailed investigations concerning the depth of the sliding surface and velocity of the
movement we firmly recommend the installation and survey of settlement markers and
inclinometers at both the tunnel sites.

The settlement markers should be placed along the centreline of both the tunnels with a
distance of maximum 25 m.

The construction of the settlement markers should be solid enough to avoid disturbances
by animals and climatic conditions (concrete blocks).

The readings should be done at least twice a week with lecture of all three vector
directions (X, Y, Z).

The inclinometers should be placed in a distance of 10 m from the centre line of the
tunnels on the hill side slope. The longitudinal placement should be approximately 50 m
from each portal site.

The length of each of the inclinometers should be chosen with 40 m.

The readings should be done weekly.

Page 14 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

9. Conclusions

The state of India is undertaking the construction of a new railway line link of a total
length of 340 km between the cities of Udhampur and Baramulla in the Jammu and
Kashmir district in the northern part of India.

The local situation shows that the 2 tunnels to be constructed are situated in a slope area
with overburden between 5m and 30m approximately.

Bedrock conditions are characterised by quartzites, phyllites and slates belonging to the
Paleozoic “Ramsu Formation”.

The foot slopes of the hills are covered by thick slope debris deposits consisting of
gravels, blocks and boulders in a sandy – silty, partly clayey matrix.

During the initial geological investigations 4 exploratory drill holes have been executed
close to the portal areas of the two planned tunnels, and rock samples have been taken
to the laboratory for geomechanical testing.

The recovered core material consists of sub-angular to sub-rounded boulders, cobbles,

pebbles and gravel of mainly quartzite, phyllitic quartzite and yellowish brown to reddish
brown limestone.

The coarse grained components are bedded in a sandy, silty and clayey matrix. The
recovered lithology was classified as slide cum slope debris.

Both the tunnels do not reach sound bedrock and are situated in slope debris deposits.

The hill slopes along the tunnel alignment at the western side of the valley show a natural
slope angel of 30° – 35°.

All the slopes within the project area show distinct signs of large scale ancient mass
movements caused by the retreat of the valley glaciers at the end of the last glacial stage
at approximately 10.000 years BP.

The large scale movement in general ceased after the refill of the valley bottoms with
fluvial deposits which form a natural counterbalance at the foot of the hills.

In the most cases this ancient and deep reaching slope movements can be assumed to
be more than less stable due to the natural counterbalance at the foot area. Nevertheless
very slow creep in the order of some millimetres per year may occur.

Tunnel T 77B is situated in a rather young non stable, sliding rock mass consisting of
gravels, blocks and boulders in a sandy – silty, partly clayey matrix.

Page 15 of 16
Updhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line Project
Laole-Quazigund Section – Tunnel T-77B and T-77C
Preliminary Geotechnical Interpretative Report

Ingenieurbüro für Tunnel- und Felsbau GmbH

The movement of the slope debris mass towards the valley at tunnel T 77B is clearly
seen in a nearly straight aligned up to 4 meters deep fissure (Nala) intersecting the slope
in a SW – NE direction.

The fissure shows nearly vertical sidewalls with a width of up to 2 meters. The bottom of
the fissure is filled up with debris washed in by precipitation and rain water runoff along
the fissure.

The actual movement rates cannot be determined due to the short time period and the
lack of preinstalled monitoring facilities.

For detailed investigations concerning the depth of the sliding surface and velocity of the
movement we firmly recommend the installation and survey of settlement markers and
inclinometers at both the tunnel sites.

The unfavourable slope conditions have to be considered in the design by choosing an

appropriate and suitable cross section of the two tunnels to be constructed.

The executed cross section should be with a circular shape and non vertical side walls to
pretend sufficient stability of the tunnels.

Thickness and reinforcement of the inner lining has to be adjusted to the geotechnical
conditions.

Walter Fahrnberger
(Engineering Geologist)

Page 16 of 16
USBRL – Zone IV Table of Figures 1432-01

Tunnel 77A Tunnel 77B

North Portal South Portal

Figure 1: View across the valley towards West with location of tunnel T77A-
North Portal and tunnel T77B-South Portal (mass movements in red colour)
Developing
Fissure

Tunnel 77B
Fig. 3 North Portal
Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Tunnel 77B
South Portal

Figure 2: Proposed location of tunnel T77B in unstable moving rock mass with
an open fissure crossing the hill slope (mass movements in red colour)

Page 1 of 8
Müller + Hereth - Consulting Engineers and Geologists
USBRL – Zone IV Table of Figures 1432-01

Figure 3: Tunnel T77B: Open fissure in slope debris deposits with almost
vertical sidewalls at road level

Figure 4: Tunnel T77B: View from the road along the alignment of the open
fissure (mass movements in red colour)

Page 2 of 8
Müller + Hereth - Consulting Engineers and Geologists
USBRL – Zone IV Table of Figures 1432-01

Figure 5: Tunnel T77B: View from the hill slope towards the road along the
alignment of the open fissure (mass movements in red colour)

3,5 m

1,5 m

Figure 6: Tunnel T77 B: Vertical side wall of the open fissure in coarse grained
slope debris deposits in the middle of the hill slope

Page 3 of 8
Müller + Hereth - Consulting Engineers and Geologists
USBRL – Zone IV Table of Figures 1432-01

Figure 7: Tunnel T77B: View towards North along the hill slope with
approximate location of the South Portal and alignment of the tunnel

Figure 8: Tunnel T77B: Approximate location of South Portal in coarse grained

slope debris deposits at the hill

Page 4 of 8
Müller + Hereth - Consulting Engineers and Geologists
USBRL – Zone IV Table of Figures 1432-01

Tunnel 77A
North Portal

Figure 9: Tunnel T77B: View towards South along the hill slope and the
alignment of tunnel T77B with the North Portal of tunnel T77A in the
background

Figure 10: Tunnel T77B: Proposed location of the North Portal of tunnel T77B
in slope debris deposits
Page 5 of 8
Müller + Hereth - Consulting Engineers and Geologists
USBRL – Zone IV Table of Figures 1432-01

Tunnel 77C Tunnel 77C

South Portal North Portal

Tunnel 78
South Portal

Figure 11: Tunnel T77C: view towards West to the proposed alignment of
tunnel T77C

Figure 12: Tunnel T77C: proposed location of South Portal

Page 6 of 8
Müller + Hereth - Consulting Engineers and Geologists
USBRL – Zone IV Table of Figures 1432-01

Figure 13: Tunnel T77C: intensely jointed and disconnected rock mass of
quartzitic phyllites in the hill slope close to the proposed South portal

Figure 14: Tunnel T77C: coarse grained slope debris deposits with cobbles,
pebbles and boulders of phyllites and limestone close to the proposed South
Portal
Page 7 of 8
Müller + Hereth - Consulting Engineers and Geologists
USBRL – Zone IV Table of Figures 1432-01

Figure 15: Tunnel T77C: coarse grained slope debris deposits with blocks and
boulders up to 1,5 m diameter close to the proposed North Portal

Figure 16: Tunnel T77C: proposed location of North Portal in coarse grained
slope debris deposits

Page 8 of 8
Müller + Hereth - Consulting Engineers and Geologists