Design and construction of river crossing tunnel beneath Tachia River, Taiwan

Due to the impact of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake (ML = 7.3) and the following typhoon induced heavy rainfalls and floods, the tailrace tunnel of the Kukuan Hydropower Plant was severely blocked and must be realigned and rebuilt. The new tailrace tunnel is 1991 m long with a 140 m section passing underneath the Tachia River, where the shallowest rock cover is 3.5 m. In view of the common phenomenon that weak zone developed along river channel and debris accumulated on river bed, the ground improvement from the surface to the tunnel is difficult. Therefore, a construction shaft, a water sealing pre-grouting plan and a special supporting system were designed to prevent the potential water inflow when tunneling underneath the Tachia River. In the construction phase, adequate excavation cross sections, support elements, auxiliary treatments, and water sealing grouting methods were selected to overcome the difficult ground condition encountered. The experience learned from this successful case can be a valuable reference for the design and construction of similar river crossing tunnels in the future.