To study(case) the productivity of rock supports in tunneling projects

For underground projects and works throughout the world tunnels are very significant. Diverse geological conditions are observed during tunneling works. During tunneling rock mass alongside the tunnel becomes unstable due to blasting, benching and other methods of tunneling. This unstable rock mass is to be stabilized for effective working and long life of tunnel. Controlling and recording of such process is very important during the excavation in underground works.

Tunneling works also consume the major cost of underground projects as well as immense time is consumed during tunneling and rock mass stabilization including reworks. Rock supports being a vital part underground projects and also foremost contributor to expenditure and time, is one of the region where effort desired to be done. The installation of tunnel rock support systems is usually not planned because of strange conditions of rock can be observed. Also the time involved during the installation of rock supports depends upon factors like effectiveness and workmanship of workers.

However when comparable geological conditions are observed at a place and a standard is already developed for the purpose of planning and management of work progress it may be very useful and helpful, as there are no standard available for this purpose. Once the productivity standard is there monitoring of project can be done with respect to the time as well as cost. Endeavor is to determine the cost of consumable per running meter of tunnel for each support, productivities of installed support in terms of cost and time and to develop a mathematical regression between total cost of installed supports and the total time taken for installation of support. Productivity can also be used to predict the project progress when a specific input of material and cost is utilized.