Learning

Itasca Educational Partnership

ITASCA Academics

Software Tutorials

An Introduction to Python Scripting: Part 2

Introduction to Python scripting by reviewing key concepts and through demonstrations. Part 2 focuses on classes and objects plus lists and dictionaries.

Generating Videos via Plots

This tutorial reviews how you can generate movies from FLAC3D plots. It is also applicable for 3DEC, PFC, and UDEC.

FLAC3D 6.0 Easily Add Structural Support

Technical Papers

A Calibrated Predictive Geochemical Model of Leaching and Attenuation Reactions in a Mine Pit Lake

A geochemical model was developed to predict future water quality of the Cove pit lake in support of site closure and regulatory permitting.

Tunneldrivning i heterogena förhållanden

InledningProblem: Brist på erfarenhet av tunneldrivning i heterogena förhållanden med konventionell uttagsteknik (borrning och sprängning).

Mål: Fördjupa kunskapen och förståelse av brott och deformationsmönster vid dessa förhållanden.

Tunnelling and reinforcement in heterogeneous ground – A case study

Abstract

A case study of tunnelling in heterogeneous ground conditions has been analysed. The case involves a tunnel excavated in mixed-face conditions, where the main host material was rock, but for a distance of about 30 m, the tunnel had to be driven through a thick layer of soil, primarily moraine and sandy soil materials.During tunnel drifting, a "chimney" cave developed through the soil layer, resulting in a surface sinkhole.This case was analysed using a three-dimensional numerical model with the FLAC3D software code, in which the soil stratigraphy and tunnel advance were modelled in detail. Tunnel and soil reinforcement in the form of jet grouting of the soil, pipe umbrella arch system, bolting, and shotcreting, was explicitly simulated in the model. The studyaimed at comparing model results with observations and measurements of ground behaviour, and to replicate the major deformation pattern observed. The modelling work was based on a previous generic study in which various factors influencing tunnel and ground surface deformations were analysed for different cases of heterogeneous ground conditions.Model calibration was performed through adjusting the soil shear strength. The calibration provided a qualitatively good agreement with observed behaviour. Calculated deformations on the ground surface were in line with measured deformations, and the location of the tunnel collapse predicted by the model. The installed tunnel reinforcement proved to be critical to match with observed behaviour. Without installed pipe umbrella arch system, calculated deformations were overestimated, and exclusion of jet grouting caused collapse of the tunnel. These findings prove that, in particular, jet grouting of the soil layer was necessary for the successful tunnel advance through the soil layer.

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Upcoming Events
15 Sep
ITASCA at EUROCK 2026: Advancing Innovation in Rock Engineering
ITASCA is pleased to announce its participation in EUROCK 2026 – ISRM Regional Symposium, taking place from 15–19 September 2026 in Sko... Read More
20 Sep
ITASCA to Participate in CouFrac 2026
ITASCA will be participating in CouFrac 2026, taking place from 20–23 September 2026 in Uppsala, Sweden. The conference brings together... Read More
26 Oct
ITASCA at Slope Stability 2026: Strategic Sponsor and Technical Contributor_2
ITASCA is proud to participate as a Strategic Sponsor in Slope Stability 2026, one of the world’s leading international symposiums focu... Read More