Engineering geological characterisation of rock masses for design of excavation method and support system of Tanju Tunnel, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

This paper presents experiences with design and construction process of the Tanju Tunnel, West Nusa Tenggara. The objective of this research was to characterize the volcanic and intrusive rock masses for designs of the tunnel excavation method and support system. Engineering geological investigations were carried out, upon which the tunnel stand-up time was estimated and the tunnel excavation method and support system were determined based on the rock mass classifications of RMR (Bieniawski, 1989). The investigation results showed that the tunnel construction area consisted of colluvium, andesite, and tuff breccia. The rock masses were dominated by the andesite, which had UCS of intact rock ranging from 200 to 300 MPa classified as strong intact rock. Based on the RMR value, the andesite was classified as a good quality rock mass. The tunnel had unsupported roof stand-up time approximately 20.000 hours for a 3 m tunnel span. The recommended tunnel excavation method was full face, 1.0-1.5 m advance, and complete support 20 m from face, while the support systems were locally bolt in crown 3 m long and 2.5 m spacing, with occasional wire mesh, 50 mm thick shotcrete in crown where required.