Application Details

Tunnel Assistant runs under Windows.

The program interface is simple and very easy to use. Consultation with an Assistant is done in sequences,
one screen at the time. For every consultation with an Assistant a report can be printed. Results are saved in a project file.

Expert Assistant

Guides the user through questions to the definition of underground conditions and suggests support measures.

Fitness of design method

Evaluates the fitness of design systems (empirical and numerical) for a given ground condition.

Design Assistant

Predicts the amount of squeeze according to many authors, evaluates the ground conditions encountered at the design stage and suggests remedial measures.

Q Assistant Module

Uses the updated Q system (Barton 2002), estimates derived geotechnical parameters (Deformation Modulus, Support pressure, Squeeze etc) according to many authors, suggests the required support measures and performs a rock-support interaction analysis.

RMR Assistant

Classifies the rock mass using the RMR System (Bieniawski 1989), estimates derived geotechnical parameters (Deformation Modulus, Support pressure, etc) and suggests the required support measures.

GSI Assistant

Uses the updated GSI system (Marinos, Hoek 2002), estimates derived geotechnical parameters (Deformation Modulus, Support pressure, Rock mass strength, Squeeze etc) using the updated Hoek and Brown Criterion (Hoek et al., 2002) and performs a rock-support interaction analysis.

RMi Assistant

Uses the RMi-support system (Palmstrom, 1995), estimates derived geotechnical parameters and suggests the required support measures.

Stat Assistant

Calculates the amount of support needed, according to Austrian ONORM B 2203 or empirical, using equations derived from multiple regression analysis.

Fuzzy Assistant

Calculates the amount of support needed, according to Austrian ONORM B 2203 or empirical, using fuzzy logic. It only requires a "fuzzy" description of the tunnel span (Small, medium, large) and of the Rock mass quality index Q .

Neural Assistant

Calculates the amount of support needed, according to Austrian ONORM B 2203 or empirical, using Neural Networks trained after a database of constructed underground openings.

Stress and bolting

Calculates the amount of the in situ and tangential stresses around opening. Suggests the adequate bolt length to stabilize the rock mass.

Fabric Indices

Calculate block size and joint condition parameters in a single chart, derive rock mass performance using the fabric indices.

Acceptability criteria

Design support measures in squeezing ground using acceptable deformations of the rock mass.