Argillaceous Soft Rock in-situ Test Program in Tunneling

Abstract This study undertakes a comprehensive examination of the characteristics of the argillaceous, hard soil/soft rock (HSSR) lithology of the Unterangerberg formation in Tyrol, Austria, focusing on its swelling properties and anisotropic material behavior. The objective is to achieve an extensive material characterization to be able to calibrate material models accurately. This is to be achieved by means of an in-situ test campaign within the Angath adit tunnel construction site and accompanying laboratory tests. The geotechnical monitoring concept in a designated test gallery includes a chain inclinometer, extensometers, geodetic targets, shotcrete strain meters, photogrammetric observations, and a long-term irrigation test field, with a section of the invert left exposed intentionally. The in-situ tests yield valuable insights into the intricate behavior of the HSSR lithology, offering a comprehensive description of material variability, and recommendations for characterization. Results indicate that despite the high swellable clay mineral content, significant swelling occurred only to a small extent during the observation period to date. The study concludes that the in-situ behavior of such formations significantly contributes to a better understanding of their characteristics, leading to a substantial reduction in critical load cases for future planning phases.