Analytical Verification of Standard Tunnel Support Patterns of Japanese

Highway
Desh Raj SONYOK, Yue CAI, Tetsuro ESAKI, Yasuhiro MITANI
Institute of Environmental System, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

ABSTRACT: Rock bolt reinforcement is a result of complex interaction between the tunnel support members
and the surrounding ground conditions. Rock bolting effect of standard tunnel support patterns of Japan
Highway Public Corporation in various ground conditions are analyzed quantitatively based on the interaction
model of rock bolt and rock mass considering coupling and decoupling behaviors. Present study confirmed
that the shortcrete plays an important effect in the reinforcing system and it works together with rock bolt.
Rock bolting effect is improved by thicker shotcrete application in poor ground conditions but its effect is not
significant in good ground condition. Although, the quantitative analysis of the support performances of the
standard support patterns shows agreement with design recommendation, rock bolting design can be optimized, analyzing the interaction curves for the design of optimum support system.
1. INTRODUCTION
Tunnel excavation in Japan often encounters soft
rock masses, which requires a rational choice of
support system to ensure stability and long term performance of the tunnel. Rock bolt with shotcrete is
often considered as an effective and economical
means of support in different ground conditions.
Generally, ground is classified based on appropriate
geological indices and the corresponding support
patterns consisting of the combination of rock bolt,
shotcrete and steel ribs support (if applicable) are
recommended. However, the supporting effect of the
standard support patterns in various ground condition is not clearly understood and it is difficult to
evaluate the reinforcing effect of rock bolt and the
supporting effect of the tunnel support system.
Governmental agencies and several public corporations in Japan hold their own rock mass classification measures and corresponding standard support
designs in order to meet their objectives and purposes. But the standard tunnel support designs are
still largely relies on empirical or semi-empirical design method. In a Design Guidelines, the concept of
design modification (reduction or addition of support) is introduced. However, it is difficult to assess
the supporting effect of the support members rationally for further adjustments.
This paper attempts to quantitatively verify the
rock bolting effect of standard patterns of Japan
Highway Public Corporation (JH) based on a newly
developed analytical method of rock bolting design.

Verifying the rock bolting effect in combination

with shotcrete, a rational approach of optimum support design for NATM tunneling is discussed.
2. ANALYTICAL MODEL OF ROCK BOLT
SYSTEM
Several analytical models of rock bolting design for
tunneling have been proposed. However, an interaction mechanism of the rock bolt and the rock mass is
not clearly understood. Recently, a rational method
based on the interaction mechanism between the
rock bolt and the rock mass to assess the rock bolting effect quantitatively has been proposed by Cai et
al. (2004a). Interaction mechanism of the rock bolt
and the rock mass is described according to their
consistent displacement and the model predicts the
distribution of axial force along a rock bolt considering a position of neutral point. Coupling and decoupling behaviors of the rock bolt around a circular
tunnel have been considered in order to evaluate the
supporting effect of rock bolt quantitatively.
According to the analysis, the initiated force of the
rock bolt is related to the displacement of surrounding rock mass. At the coupling stage, reinforcement
and the rock mass behave consistently and the displacement of the rock mass is same as that of the
rock bolt at their interface. Hence, coupling equation
for the rock bolted rock mass can be written as
dFb = 2 ri i dr

(1)

where ri is the potential decoupling radius around

the rock bolt, i is the shear stress at the position of
radius ri. Constitutive equation of rock bolting section is given by Equation (2).
d r r (1 ) t
+
=0
dr
r

(2)

displacement and strain of the rock mass at the edge

of R; H is a material parameter. After differentiation
Equation (4) can be transformed to Equation (5).
P ( x)

d 2 P ( x)
=H
m
2
dx
Eb Ab

m = ini m and m = P / SEm

= 2 rb ra / Lz Lt
where is rock bolt density parameter, is friction
coefficient between rock bolt and rock mass, ra is
radius of tunnel, rb radius of rock bolt, Lz and Lt are
peripheral and longitudinal distance between the
rock bolts (Fig 1). Stress of the rock mass can be obtained according to above equation considering the
position of neutral point details of which can be
found in Cai et al. (2004b).

Kc =

Figure 1. Rock mass and the rock bolt around a tunnel

and the stress distribution in a rock bolt (after Cai et al.,
2004b).

According to the balance of the infinitesimal element of reinforcement, surrounding mass and the
mass together with the reinforcement in cylindrical
coordinate system, the basic constitutive law can be
expressed as Equation (3) and assumption of Shearlag model can be given by Equation (4).

m ( r , x ) ( r , x ) ( r , x)
+
+
=0
x
r
r
R
dP ( x )
d
+ 2 r m ( r , x ) dr = 0
r
b
dx
dx

dP ( x ) / dx = H (ub um )

(3a)

(5b)

where, m and ini are rock mass strain with and

without rock bolt at edge of influence radius R, Em is
the deformation modulus of the rock mass, Eb and
Ab are Youngs modulus and the cross section area
of the rock bolt, S is the influencing area of single
rock bolt.
If the interface and bounding material ruptured,
slippage may take place, which is termed the decoupling behavior. Shear strength in the case of decoupling failure can be described by MohrCoulombs law. Internal supporting pressure Pi,
supplied by the shotcrete is given by
Pi = ua K c

dP ( x)
= 2 rb b
dx

(5a)

(6a)

Ec tc
(1 + ) ra (1 + c )tc
2
c

(6b)

where, ua is the displacement of tunnel wall; Ec, c,

and tc are the elastic modulus; Poissons ratio and
thickness of the shotcrete respectively (Cai et al.
2004b). In this study, the equivalent thickness of the
shotcrete is considered, assuming the combined effect of the shotcrete and the steel ribs which is given
by Equation (7).
tc' = (1 + )tc

(7)

Es As
Ec tc B

where tc' is equivalent thickness of the shotcrete; Es,

As and B are elastic modulus, cross-sectional area
and spacing between the steel sets respectively.

(3b)

3. CASE ARRANGEMENTS AND THE STUDY

PARAMETERS

(3c)

Japan Highway Public Corporation classifies the

rock mass on the basis of seismic wave velocity,
rock type, boring data, competence factor and so on
at the stage of probing ahead, which is verified by
observation of face and the results of measurement
during construction stage (Kitano et. al, 1992).
Among the basic mechanical properties of rock
masses, deformation modulus, uniaxial compressive
strength and internal friction angle are needed for

(4)

where, P(x) is axial force of the rock bolt at the position of x; b(r, x) is shear stress on the rock bolt;
m(r, x) is stress parallel to the rock bolt at (r, x); ub
is the displacement of the rock bolt; um and m are

the analytical study. In order to determine geomechanical input parameters, empirical approaches and
seismic velocity data are used. The deformation
modulus is determined by the correlation of elastic
wave velocity referring relationship given by Yoshinaka et al. (1988). Uniaxial strength and the internal
friction angle are derived from empirical relationships. Figure 2 shows the possible ranges of deformation modulus of different ground classes of JH.
Competency factor denoted by Srp, can be defined
as the ratio of the uniaxial compressive strength to
the initial ground pressure. It can be expressed as
below:
Srp = c Po

Table 1. Study parameters of the standard support patterns.

(8)

where, c and Po are uniaxial strength of rock mass

and in-situ stress respectively.
Some unique cases have been arranged in order to
verify the rock bolting effect in combination with
shotcrete in various rock mass conditions. In this
study, analysis is carried out for the range of Srp
value 0.1 to 2.0, while the value of ranges from 0
to 1.0. The rock bolt installation time is taken as the
30% of the tunnel relaxation. According to the experiences of NATM tunneling in Japan, the uniaxial
strength of the soft rock is often below 10 MPa and
its deformation modulus ranges from 100~200 times
of its strength (Takayama, 1983). Therefore a linear
relationship between the uniaxial strength and the
deformation modulus of rock masses is assumed as
Equation (9).
Em = 200 c

(9)

Rock m ass grade

From above equations, uniaxial strength of rock

mass can be calculated from the Srp and in-situ
stress. Therefore, the program gives a series of results for wide ranges of the ground strength. This
enables to evaluate the performance of the standard
support pattern in various ground conditions.

B
CI
CII
DI
DII
0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

A circular tunnel with a radius of 5.1 m is assumed for the analytical study. Rock bolt of 25 mm
diameter and 210 GPa of youngs modulus are taken
into account. The rock bolting density parameter
and the equivalent thickness of the shotcrete are calculated using Equation (2) and (7) respectively.
Study parameters of the standard support patterns
(Koyama et al, 1997) and the calculated values of
rock bolt density parameter and equivalent thickness
of shotcrete are given in Table 1. Elastic modulus of
steel sets and the shotcrete are taken as 200 GPa and
10 GPa respectively.

1400

Deform ation m odulus (M Pa)

Figure 2. Possible ranges of deformation modulus of

ground classes estimated from elastic wave velocity.

Ground
class

B
CI
CII
DI
DII

Support
patterns

B
CI
CII a
CII-b
DI-a
DI-b
DII

Rock bolt
spacing

Rock
bolt
length
L (m)

Lt (m)

Lz (m)

3
3
3
3
3
4
4

1.5
1.5
1.5
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2

2
1.5
1.2
1.2
1
1
<1.0

tc
(m)

0.094
0.128
0.16
0.2
0.24
0.24
>0.24

0.05
0.1
0.1
0.15
0.21
0.21
>0.28

Note: Lt and Lz are peripheral and longitudinal spacing

between the rock bolts, tc is equivalent thickness of shotcrete and is rock bolt density parameter.

4. EVALUATION OF STANDARD TUNNEL

SUPPORT PATTERNS OF JAPANESE
HIGHWAY
In standard support designs, several standard patterns consisting of rock bolt, shotcrete and/or steel
ribs are recommended for the corresponding ground
classes. Therefore, supporting effects of the each
standard tunnel support pattern are analyzed in terms
of tunnel wall strain and displacement of the tunnel
wall in various ground conditions. For each support
pattern, strain and the tunnel wall displacements are
analyzed based on the three conditions: (a) when no
support applied, (b) when provided standard support
and (c) when only the shotcrete is installed.
Subtracting the displacement (b) from the displacement (a), support provided by standard pattern
can be obtained. This gives the value of displacement controlled due to the application of the standard support pattern. Similarly, rock bolt reinforcement effect when installed in combination with the
shotcrete can be obtained by subtracting displacement value of (b) from that of value (c). In this case,
difference of the displacement is the result of dis-

According to the standard support pattern of JH,

length of rock bolts are 3.0 m and 4.0 m with combination of various thickness of shotcrete and steel
set when applicable (Koyama et al, 1997). The distribution of tunnel wall strain for the range of rock bolt
density (=0.1~1.2) in combination with standard
thickness of the shotcrete in different ground conditions (Srp=0.1~1.2) are analyzed for each support
pattern with help of interaction curves. In this study,
interaction curve represent the line of rock bolting
effect in various ground conditions, remaining the
other parameters constant.
In the case of support pattern B-a, where the
equivalent thickness of the shotcrete is 0.05 m, the
rock bolting effect improves slightly even though
rock bolt density is increased. The rock bolting effect does not change significantly, when the Srp
value is greater than 0.9 (Fig. 3). Support patterns CI
and CII-a are same except the difference in longitudinal spacing of rock bolt. Therefore, the interaction
characteristics of these two patterns are similar. Increased shotcrete thickness (0.1 m) in these patterns
results the improvement in performance of the rock
bolt in poor ground conditions as compared to the
pattern B (Fig. 4). The rock bolting effects of these
two patterns are not significant for the Srp value
greater than 0.9. The rock bolting design of support
pattern CII-b significantly improves the rock bolting
effect in poor ground condition, when the value of
Srp ranges from 0.1~0.5 (Fig. 5). Rock bolting effect
of this patterns does not change significantly with
the changing value of rock bolting density parameter
when Srp value is greater than 0.8. Support pattern
DI-a is similar to the CII-b except the difference in
shotcrete thickness. Rock bolting effect in poor
ground is dramatically improved in this support pattern. With the increase in shotcrete thickness as
compared to the preceding one, significant control in
tunnel wall strain is observed, which is attributed to
the combined use of thicker shotcrete.
Support patterns DI-a and DI-b are also similar to
each other, except the difference in the length of
rock bolt. Support pattern DI-b has 1.0 m longer rock
bolt than the pattern DI-a. Comparison of support
characteristics of these two patterns show that the
rock bolting effect is not influenced by the increased
length of rock bolt as well as over all performance
of the support remains same in this study. Therefore,
increase in rock bolt length is not justifiable in this
case. Figure 6 shows the influence of rock bolt density and the tunnel wall strain of the patterns DI-a and
DI-b. The support pattern DII is designated for poor

0.07

Pattern B, =0.094

0.06
0.05
U ra/ra

4.1 Support characteristics of standard support patterns

ground condition in standard support of JH. Significant improvement in tunnel wall strain due to the
application of thicker shotcrete can be seen in this
pattern (Fig. 7). In this pattern, rock bolting effect
can be improved increasing the rock bolt density parameter when the Srp<0.3. In other words, rock
bolting effect can not be improved by only changing
its density parameter when the ground condition is
good (Srp>0.6).
Above analysis confirms that the strain at tunnel
wall is influenced by the rock bolt density parameter, thickness of the shotcrete applied and the ground
competency factor (Srp). Generally, rock bolting effect increases along with the increase in thickness of
the shotcrete application especially in a poor ground
conditions (Srp<0.4) but its effect becomes less significant towards good ground conditions. Rock bolting design of all the standard support patterns of Japan Highway fundamentally appropriate and work
effectively even if in the poor ground conditions.
This is possibly due to the significant safety margin
might included in the standard support patterns.

Srp=0.3

0.04

Srp=0.4

0.03
0.02

Srp=0.6

0.01

Srp=0.8
Srp=1.0
Srp=1.2

0
0

0.2

Srp=0.5

0.4
0.6
Desnsity of rock bolt

0.8

Figure 3. Influence of density of rock bolt and the tunnel

wall strain (tc=0.05 m, Srp=0.3 1.2, L=3.0 m)

0.07
Pattern CI, =0.128

0.06

Pattern CII-a, =0.16

0.05

Ura/ra

placement controlled due to the rock bolting and it is

referred as rock bolting effect in this study.

0.04

Srp=0.2

0.03
Srp=0.3

0.02
Srp=0.5
Srp=0.6
Srp=0.8
Srp=1.2

0.01
0
0

0.2

0.4

Srp=0.4

0.6

Desnsity of rock bolt

0.8

Figure 4. Influence of density of rock bolt and the tunnel

wall strain (tc=0.1 m, Srp=0.2 1.2, L=3.0 m)

terns of JH. General trend of the supporting effect of

standard patterns indicate that the standard support
patterns are compatible with the changing ground
conditions and able to control displacement i.e. the
rate of displacement control is minimum in pattern
B, whereas in the pattern DII is maximum. There is
no significant difference in support performance
when the ground competency factor is greater than
0.8.

0.07
0.06

CII-b, =0.2

0.04

Srp=0.2

0.03
Srp=0.3

0.02

Srp=0.4
Srp=0.5
Srp=0.6
Srp=1.2 Srp=0.8

0.01
0
0

0.2

0.4
0.6
Density ofrock bolt

0.8

Figure 5. Influence of density of rock bolt and the tunnel

wall strain (tc=0.15 m, Srp=0.2 1.2, L=3.0 m)

0.07
0.06

Srp=0.1

Ura/ra

0.05

Pattern DI-b, =0.24

0.04
0.03

Srp=0.2
Srp=0.3

0.02

Srp=0.4

Srp=0.6

0.01

Srp=0.8

Srp=1.2

0
0

0.2

0.4
0.6
Density ofrock bolt

0.8

Figure 6. Influence of density of rock bolt and the tunnel

wall strain (tc=0.21 m, Srp=0.1 1.2, L=3.0 and 4.0 m)

0.07
0.06

U ra/ra

0.05

Srp=0.1
DII, =0.24

0.04
0.03

4.3 Rock bolting effect in standard patterns

The tunnel wall displacement restrained due to the
rock bolting in the standard patterns varies greatly
from the support patterns B-a to DII. This anticipated
as a result of complex interaction between the rock
bolt, shotcrete, rock mass and the tunnel opening.
Rock bolting effects in terms of displacement controlled in each standard pattern are shown in Figure
9. The support pattern B restrains the tunnel wall deformation maximum than the rest of all patterns
when the Srp value ranges from 0.6 to 0.8. Obviously, this pattern is recommend for the approximate
range of deformation modulus 600~1200 MPa and
the analysis also confirms that the optimum performance of rock bolt for the designated ground
conditions. Rock bolting effect of the patterns CI and
CII-a are almost same; in this case, supporting effect
is high when the Srp value is 0.4. Rock bolting effect is significant in pattern CII-b when Srp ranges
from 0.1 to 0.4, then decreases gradually towards
good ground condition. The difference in length of
rock bolt between the patterns DI-a and DI-b has no
effect on the performance of the rock bolt reinforcement. In these patterns, the rock bolt works
well when installed in the poor ground conditions
(Srp<0.3). The trend of rock bolting effect of pattern
DII is similar to the DI-a and DI-b. Difference of shotcrete thickness between the support patterns DI-b and
DII results different axial load in rock bolt.

Srp=0.2

0.02
0.01
Srp=1.0

0
0

0.2

Srp=0.4
Srp=0.6
Srp=0.8

0.4
0.6
Density of rock bolt

Srp=0.3

120
Support patterns

0.8

Figure 7. Influence of density of rock bolt and the tunnel

wall strain (tc=0.28 m, Srp=0.1 1.0, L=4.0 m).

Displacem ent (cm )

Ura/ra

0.05

100
80
60
40

=0.094 (B)
=0.128 (CI)
=0.16 (CII a)
=0.20 (CII b)
=0.24 (DI-a)
=0.24 (DI-b)
=0.24 (DII)

20

4.2 Supporting effect of standard support patterns

The supporting effect of each standard support patterns in terms of tunnel wall displacement is analyzed which is then compared with the displacements when no support installed and then when
there is only the shotcrete is applied. Figure 8 shows
the supporting effects of all standard support pat-

0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Com petency factor (Srp)

1.1 1.2

Figure 8. Supporting effects of different standard support

patterns Japan Highway Public Corporation.

Restrained displacem ent (cm )

Support patterns

=0.094 (B)
=0.128 (CI)
=0.16 (CII a)
=0.20 (CII b)
=0.24 (DI-a)
=0.24 (DI-b)
=0.24 (DII)

5
4
3
2
1
0
0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9

Com petency factor (Srp)

1.1

1.2

Figure 9. Rock bolting effects of different standard patterns of Japan Highway Public Corporation.

4.3 Discussion
Analyzing the interaction characteristics of support
members and the ground condition, the rock bolting
design can be optimized rationally. According to the
method discussed above, it is easy to understand the
rock bolting effect in various ground conditions. By
optimizing unnecessary rock bolt density (rock bolt
spacing) and the length, an economical construction
can be opted while maintaining specific safety standards.
Comparison of the rock bolting effect of standard
support patterns confirms that the shotcrete play an
important role in the reinforcing system. Rock bolt
works together with shotcrete and improves rock
bolting effect significantly in poor ground condition.
This is because the shotcrete reduces potential high
deformation in poor ground condition, allowing the
rock bolt to work consistently with the surrounding
rock mass. Otherwise, debonding failure may take
place at the interface between the rock mass and the
rock bolt which drastically reduces the rock bolting
effect. On the other hand, Rock bolting effect can
not be improved significantly only increasing its
density parameter in all cases when the Srp value is
greater than 0.9. This can be interpreted as the small
deformation in good rock masses, which results a
low axial force in rock bolt limiting the reinforcement effect of rock bolt.
5. CONCLUSIONS
Rock bolting effect of the standard support patterns
of Japan Highway Public Corporation in various
ground conditions are analyzed quantitatively based
on the interaction model of rock bolt and rock mass
developed by our research team. Supporting effect
of each standard support patterns are verified quantitatively with elaborated discussion. The following
important conclusions can be drawn from the above
analysis:

(1) Shortcrete plays an important effect in the reinforcing system and it works together with rock bolt.
Rock bolting effect is improved by thicker shotcrete
application in poor ground conditions (Srp<0.4) but
its effect is not significant in good ground condition
(Srp>0.9).
(2) Rock bolting effect can not be improved only increasing rock bolt density parameter and no significant improvement of rock bolt reinforcement is seen
when rock bolt longer than 3.0 m for the tunnel with
radius 5.1 m. Therefore when the tunnel radius ra
5.1 m, maximum length of the rock bolt should be
limited within 3.0 m. Thus the optimization of rock
bolt can be done for the economic construction
while keeping the designed safety level.
(3) Performance of the standard support patterns are
compatible with the changing ground conditions and
show the agreement with design recommendation.
(4) Proposed approach can be a useful tool for the
design of optimum support system based on the interaction characteristics of the support members and
ground.
6. REFERENCES
Cai, Y., Esaki, T., & Jiang. Y. 2004a. A rock bolt and
rock mass interaction model. Int. Jr. of Rock Mech.
and Min. Sc., Vol. 41(7): 1055-1067.
Cai, Y., Esaki, T., & Jiang, Y. 2004b. Developing a new
interaction model based on improved shear-lag theory
and a quantitative approach for rock bolting design in
tunneling. IES Report No. 39, Institute of Environment Systems, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Japan.
Kitano K., et. al, 1992. Rock mass classification in Japan, Engineering geology, Special issue. Japan Society of Engineering Geology.
Koyama Y. et al, 1997. Japanese Standard for Mountain
Tunneling. Japan Society of Civil Engineers (in Japanese).
Takayama, S. 1983. Theory and practice of NATM. Doboku Kougaku Shiya, ISBN 4-88624-059-3 C3051.
Yoshinaka R., Sakurai, S. and Kikuchi, K., 1988 (Heisei
7). Rock mass classification and its application. Doboku Book (in Japanese).