Project Director, EIPL
Online published on 21 November, 2016.
The Karuma hydro power project is located in complex geotechnical and topographical condition posing design and constructional challenges. Excavation of this flat bottom horse shoe shaped tunnel with a excavation diameter of 13.6–14.95 m has been a challenging task especially as the complete tunnel is traversing below the ground water table under a relatively low rock cover. The paper outlines various geotechnical parameters and rock mass characterization for the planning and design of rock support of the Tail Race tunnel of KHPP. The paper also details the rock mechanical analysis conducted by way of finite element analysis for optimization of rock support measures. The geotechnical evaluation and 3D geological mapping are considered essential and are continued during the excavation for review of support system during execution.
