Evaluation of tunnel stability using integrated geophysical methods

Abstract

An integrated interpretation was made of data, from ground penetrating radar (GPR), seismic refraction and seismic transmission tomography, collected inside the catchment tunnels of a potable water source in central Italy. Rock fracturing and obsolescence of the concrete lining in a tunnel led a landslide that caused structural instability in the catchment work structures. To assess the stability of the rock close to the landslide, geophysical surveys were preferred to boreholes and geotechnical tests in order to avoid water pollution and the risk of further landslides. The interpretation of integrated data from seismic tomography and 200 MHz antenna GPR resulted in an evaluation of some of the elastic characteristics and the detection of discontinuities in the rock. Note also that an analysis of the back-scattered energy was required for the GPR data interpretation. The integration of seismic refraction data and 450 MHz antenna allowed us to identify the loosened zone around the tunnel and the extent of the mass involved in the cave-in, while GPR data from 225 MHz were used to evaluate the quality of contact between concrete lining and massive rock.