Utilization Of Underground Space Research Articles

Geoengineering techniques used in the construction of underground openings in jointed rocks

Aoki, K. and Shiogama, Y., 1993. Geoengineering techniques used in the construction of underground openings in jointed rocks. In: M. Langer, K. Hoshino and K. Aoki (Editors), Engineering Geology in the Utilization of Underground Space. Eng. Geol., 35: 167–173. Examples of underground openings used for pumped storage hydroelectric power stations and storage facilities for crude oil in Japan are described. In these examples the observational construction technique is important to compensate for missing data in the preliminary surveys. Some new drilling and assessment techniques that have been developed are also introduced.

Safety and disaster prevention measures for underground space: an analysis of disaster cases

Abstract In 1990, Japanese insurance-related businesses concerned with risks launched a three-years survey/research project on safety and disaster prevention in underground space. Through a joint study with the Japan Project Industry Council, the first step of this survey/research project, involving collection and analysis of a wide range of past disaster cases, has been completed. The cases collected in this way will aid in understanding risks in the present circumstances, as well as in isolating problems concerning safety and disaster prevention. This paper presents the analysis of these collected disaster cases; examines potential problems related to future development of underground space utilization on a larger scale with more multiplex methods and at deeper levels; and discusses measures possibly required for such development.

Deep undergroud space—the new frontier

Focusing on Japan's experience, the author addresses the significance of deep underground space use; progress in underground development that now permits full-scale utilization of deep underground space; the forms and facilities of deep underground space use; underground uses based on regional characteristics; new, future forms of underground space use; and technology that will be required to support new forms of underground use. L'auteur considère l'importance de l'utilisation des espaces souterrains profonds et se rapporte à l'expérience japonaise selon les termes suivants: les nouveaux développements dans l'utilisation totale des espaces souterrains profonds, les formes et les exemples de l'utilisation de ces espaces, l'utilisation de l'espace souterrain en fonction des paramêtres locaux, les formes nouvelles et les futures des l'utilisation des espaces souterrains, et la technologie requise pour les futurs projets.

Safety measures for underground space utilization

The increasing problems brought about by high concentrations of people and industry in Japan's larger cities has created an urgent need to solve needs for space by developing space more than 50 m below the ground surface. The Agency of Industrial Science and Technology of the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is developing an underground space project involving the construction of a dome 50 m below the earth's surface. The authors discuss environmental problems posed by large-scale, deep underground space construction, and safety measures and disaster prevention in developed underground spaces. They also address the need for psychological studies as they relate to the development of deep space. The paper concludes with a description of the MITI project, including testing and monitoring to be performed prior to and following construction of the dome, and key technologies that must be developed in order to ensure safety of the space created. Les problèmes croissants causés par une important concentration de population et d'industries dans les plus grandes villes du Japon ont crée un besoin urgent de répondre aux demandes d'espace en développant des structures à plus de 50 m sous la surface du sol. L'Agence pour les Sciences et Technologies Industrielles du Ministère Japonais du Commerce Extérieur et de l'Industrie (MITI) développe un projet d'Espace Souterrain incluant la construction d'un dôme à 50 m sous la surface du sol. Les auteurs examinent les problèmes environnementaux posés par la construction à grande échelle de structures souterraines profondes, et les mesures de sécurité et de prévention des catastrophes dans les locaux souterrains occupés. Ils souligment également le besoin d'études psychologiques relatives à l'occupation des locaux souterrains. L'article se conclut par la description du projet MITI, comprenenat les tests et contrôles devant être effectués avant et après la phase de construction du dôme, ainsi que les technologies clef à mettre en oeuvre de façon à assurer la sécurité de l'espace construit.

地下空洞による地表陥没現象について 地盤沈下と環境システム（第２報）

Special attention has been recently attracted to large-scale underground excavation for the purpose of utilization of underground space in the metropolis or some storages. This excavation brings about many problems concerned with ground environments such as surface subsidences, cave-ins, ground water movements and soon. The present paper, first, describes the feature of the cave-ins which the authors have experienced in the field of coal mining for a long period. Unlike the surface subsidences, the cave-ins of cavities remaining at shallow depths (within 20 meters approximately below the surface) suddenly occur several decades after mining, and may cause unpredictable damage to habitants or surface structures. Next, considering that underground structures are markedly irreversible (unreprodusible) ones compared with surface structures, the subjects which should be studied in underground development are proposed here; suitable arrangement of underground openings; planning of underground structures from a long-term viewpoint; and prediction of the ground movement and the flow mechanism of ground water and preventive measures against them.

The value of geology in planning

Abstract Geology is of fundamental importance as far as the planning of physical facilities and individual structure is concerned and recognition of this allows wise use of urban and rural land. As land is the surface expression of the underlying geology, planning should not proceed without fully appreciating geological conditions. Foundation, tunnels, transportation routes, etc. depend for their stability and performance on the geological setting. There are, however, three aspects of geology related to areal planning which are not quite so obvious. First, prior to land being developed it is desirable to know if any useful materials can be retrieved from it before construction starts. Sequential land planning is therefore important. Secondly, there is likely to be an increased utilization of underground space in the years ahead. Thirdly, all those concerned with planning must realise that groundwater is a dynamic system and that, in particular, watertables can rise and fall, and thereby can influence subsurface structures.

Role of Borehole Geophysics in Underground Waste Storage and Artificial Recharge: ABSTRACT

The optimum utilization of underground space for the emplacement and storage of waste and surface water can be achieved through an understanding of the geohydrologic environment. The emplacement of liquid waste and the artificial recharge of aquifers generally requires the drilling of exploration, injection, and monitoring wells. Some geophysical logs are run on almost all wells drilled for deep disposal. Even more information could be obtained, however, by utilization of all available logging techniques. To date, geophysical well logging has not been applied widely to artificial recharge projects; however, borehole geophysics is being used by the U.S. Geological Survey to study geohydrologic parameters related to recharging the Ogallala Formation on the High Plains of Te as. Geophysical well logs provide preinjection data necessary for the selection of environments for liquid waste or water storage. Logs provide data on the location, thickness, and lateral continuity of storage zones and confining beds, percent and distribution of total or effective porosity, and the relative magnitude of permeability. Intergranular and fracture porosity can be discriminated by crossplotting acoustic velocity and neutron or gamma-gamma logs. The distribution and orientation of preinjection fractures can be determined by acoustic televiewer logs. Logs provide data on the chemical quality of the native fluids and the mineralogy of the aquifer, which are necessary to predict chemical reactions with injected fluids. The temperature and conductivity of the interstitial fluids ay be measured directly and their specific gravity and viscosity may be calculated from log data. Because aquifers overlying injection zones can be polluted by improper well construction or well failure, geophysical well logs should be used to guide the design, construction, and maintenance of injection and monitoring wells. It is important to answer questions such as: are the casing strings and screens properly installed; are they plugged or corroded; does the grout fill the annular space and is it properly bonded to the casing; and, are there leaks through the casing, between pipe strings, or through the annulus? After waste injection or artificial recharge has started, logs provide in-situ measurements of changes in the system. We have found that an increase or decrease in porosity caused by solution or precipitation in pore spaces or cavities may be detected. This type of information not only explains changes in well efficiency End_Page 1597------------------------------ but provides the basis for selecting remedial treatment. Accidental hydraulic fracturing caused by drilling or injection can be the reason for vertical leakage through confining beds, and acoustic televiewer logs can locate these fractures. The distribution and velocity of injected water and the location of chemical or thermal pollution may be determined by means of temperature logs. We have used temperature logs to map the horizontal and vertical distribution of injected fluids. Diurnal thermal changes in injected water provide the basis for measuring the velocity of flow and its change with time. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1598------------

St. Gotthard tunnel

A large number of abandoned mines with sizeable underground space resources were formed in China. Meanwhile, for an operational mine, the protection and utilization of mine water resources are increasingly important for ecological environment construction. The coal industry faces difficulties regarding safe and efficient utilization of abandoned mine resources and protection of the ecological environment in the operational mines. As a solution to these problems, underground water reservoirs (UWRs) technology were proposed and implemented. There are three underground space utilization modes based on UWRs: storage and filtration of mine water, pumped hydroelectric storage plants system and geothermal utilization model. This paper provides a review of existing research literature and thought on the UWRs design, construction and operation. The main underground space for UWRs in China is the caving zone formed by longwall mining. Compared with previous UWRs that utilized the tunnel as the main space, the storage capacity is larger and the gangue in the caving zone can be used to purify the mine water. However, the stress environment of the UWRs in the caving zone is more complex, and the stability of the surrounding rock is relatively poor. Therefore, there are many key elements in UWRs construction and operation. Storage capacity calculation, coal pillar dam stability, water quality evolution are the principal issues. Additionally, the feasibility analysis including ecological environment effects and economic evaluation should be carried out before UWRs construction in coal mines. Based on the current development of UWRs and the future utilization of underground space in China, the prospects for UWRs in operational and abandoned mines are presented.