A PROBABILISTIC APPROACH TO GEOLOGY IN HARD-ROCK TUNNELING

The report presents an approach for evaluating alternative strategies for construction of hard-rock tunnels on the basis of expected cost. Central to the proposed approach is the use of subjective degree-of-belief probability in the evaluation of geologic conditions. Subjective probability is used as a quantitative measure of a geologist's uncertainty about the existence of various geologic conditions along the tunnel alignment. The general conclusion of the report is that the proposed approach will lead to a more thorough analysis of the uncertainties involved in predicting geologic conditions, and of the costs of employing various construction strategies in various geologic settings. The approach will not reduce the uncertainties in tunneling, but will lead to the selection of that construction strategy which is most likely to perform successfully and economically in any given hard-rock tunnel.

• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  School of Engineering
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139

  National Science Foundation

  Division of Advanced Technology Applications
  Washington, DC  United States  20550
• Authors:
  • Vick, S G
• Publication Date: 1974-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 236 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Boring; Compressive strength; Construction; Costs; Decision making; Engineering geology; Estimating; Excavation and tunneling; Geological events; Geologically affected surfaces; Geology; Optimization; Physical properties; Presplitting; Probability theory; Psychological adaptation; Rock drilling; Rocks; Subways; Theses; Tunneling; Tunnels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Geologic structures; Geological conditions; Rock properties; Rock tunneling; Subway construction
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Data and Information Technology; Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00091752
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: R75-11 Tech. Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: NSF-GI-34029
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 10 1981 12:00AM