Engineering characteristics and classification based on JSCE in portal zones of Tunnel A, Yogyakarta - Bawen toll road, Magelang District, Central Java Province

Abstract

The Yogyakarta - Bawen Twin Tunnels emerge as an environmentally conscious solution for Toll Road Phase 5 (STA 6+300 to STA 27+640), addressing the ecological impact of open-cut excavation, which demands a staggering 1,209,056 m3. Open-cut excavation not only incurs substantial operational costs, encompassing disposal and treatment, but also poses threats like groundwater loss and erosion-induced landslides. The twin tunnels mitigate these concerns by limiting excavation volume to a mere 1/8, averting substantial costs and ecological damage. Challenges persist, particularly in the portal zones of Tunnel A, characterized by a shallow overburden and exposure to weathering. The Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) Method proves instrumental in assessing ground quality in these zones, considering factors such as competence, unit weight, unconfined compressive strength, depth of cover, elastic wave velocity, boring core condition, and geological characteristics. The analysis reveals a ground quality classification of E for the portal zone in Tunnel A, emphasizing the necessity for a meticulous design approach that incorporates analytical methodologies alongside empirical considerations. Notably, the unconfined compressive strength ranges from 32.89 to 472.88 kPa, and the elastic wave velocity spans 402 to 2000 meters/sec, reinforcing the imperative for a comprehensive and analytically informed design for excavation and support systems.