SOFTWARE PACKAGE FOR SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR CAVERNS WITH GRAPHICS

Abstract

Design of support system is often described as an art and as well as science. Despite the development of sophisticated design tools in the field of rock engineering, in the form of faster, cheaper and more versatile software systems; the adoption of an empirical approach to design, is recognised still as a primary approach to a wide range of rock engineering design problems. The continued reliance of the rock engineering designer on this approach is a function of the difficulty in predicting or modelling the behaviour of a complex system of fractured rock in the excavation of large caverns. A semi-empirical method, has been proposed by Singh et al. (1995) for design of entire support system for underground openings. It is quite simple for use in the field and is easily comprehensible. In the present work a software package cavern based on this method is devel-oped for designing the support system for underground openings. It is a user friendly and a general purpose package supported by graphics. The program reads observed support pressure and support specifications as input and calculates the support capac-ity provided by each support system (shotcrete, steel ribs, rock bolts/anchors and grouted arch). It considers shear zones also in tunnels and caverns. Subsequently the graphics part of the program visualises the entire suggested support system in 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional views to enable the user a physical feeling of the support system. To validate this package data of Tehri Powerhouse Project (U.P.), Sardar Sarovar Project (Gujarat) and Ganwi Powerhouse project (Himachal Pradesh) were tested and the results are compared with the NGI (1993) chart.