All Issue

2024 Vol.26, Issue 3 Preview Page

Research Paper

Evaluation of applicability of xanthan gum as eco-friendly additive for EPB shield TBM soil conditioning

친환경 첨가제로서 잔탄검의 토압식 쉴드 TBM 쏘일 컨디셔닝 적용성 평가

Suhyeong Lee1
,
Hangseok Choi2
,
Kibeom Kwon3
,
Byeonghyun Hwang3*
이 수형1
,
최 항석2
,
권 기범3
,
황 병현3*
1Master Student, School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University
2Professor, School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University
3Ph.D. Candidate, School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University
1정회원, 고려대학교 건축사회환경공학과 석사과정
2정회원, 고려대학교 건축사회환경공학과 교수
3정회원, 고려대학교 건축사회환경공학과 박사과정
*Corresponding Author
31 May 2024. pp. 209-222
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

The Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) shield Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is widely used for underground tunnel construction for its advantages, such as eliminating the need for additional facilities compared to the slurry shield TBM, which requires Slurry Treatment Plant (STP). During EPB shield TBM excavation, a soil conditioning technique is employed to enhance the physical properties of the excavated soil by injecting additives, thus broadening the range of applicable ground conditions to EPB shield TBMs. This study explored the use of xanthan gum, a type of biopolymer, as an alternative to the commonly used polymer additive. Biopolymers, derived from biological sources, are fully biodegradable. In contrast to traditional polymers such as polyacrylic acid, which contain environmentally harmful components, xanthan gum is gaining attention as an eco-friendly material due to its minimal toxicity and environmental impact. Test conditions with similar workability were established through slump tests, and the rheological characteristics were assessed using a laboratory pressurized vane shear test apparatus. The experiments demonstrated that, despite exhibiting similar workability, the peak strength in the flow curve decreased with increasing the content of xanthan gum. Consequently, a correlation between the xanthan gum content and peak strength was established. Replacing the traditional polymers with xanthan gum could enable stable EPB shield TBM operation by reducing equipment load, in addition to offering environmental benefits.

Keywords
EPB shield TBM
Soil conditioning
Biopolymer
Xanthan gum
Rheological properties

토압식(Earth Pressure Balance) 쉴드 TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine)은 기계화 터널 굴착 공법 중 이수식(Slurry) 쉴드 TBM에 비하여 슬러리 처리 시설을 필요하지 않아 설비가 간단하고 진동과 소음이 적어 최근에 터널 시공에 널리 사용되고 있다. 토압식 쉴드 TBM으로 터널 굴착 시 첨가제를 활용하여 굴착토 물성을 개선하는 쏘일 컨디셔닝(soil conditioning) 기법을 적용하며, 이를 통해 토압식 쉴드 TBM을 적용할 수 있는 지반의 범위를 확장할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 쏘일 컨디셔닝을 위한 첨가제로 주로 사용되는 폴리머를 대체할 수 있는 바이오폴리머(biopolymer)의 일종인 잔탄검(xanthan gum)의 적용성을 검토하였다. 바이오폴리머란 생물학적 기원으로 생성된 폴리머로써 모두 생분해가 가능하다. 환경에 유해한 성분을 함유하고 있는 일반 폴리머(폴리아크릴산계 폴리머)와 달리 잔탄검은 유독성이 거의 없고 환경에 미치는 영향이 적어 친환경 소재로 각광받고 있다. 슬럼프 시험을 통해 유사한 워커빌리티(workability)를 보이는 시험조건을 선정하고, 실내 가압 베인전단 시험을 통해 유동학적(rheological) 특성을 평가하였다. 유사한 슬럼프 값을 보이더라도 잔탄검의 함유량이 증가할수록 유동곡선(flow curve)상에 첨두강도가 감소하는 경향이 나타났으며, 이를 통해 잔탄검 함량과 첨두강도 사이의 상관관계를 도출하였다. 일반 폴리머를 잔탄검으로 대체한다면 환경친화적이라는 장점과 더불어 장비 부하를 감소시켜 안정적인 TBM 운용이 가능할 것이다.

키워드
토압식 쉴드 TBM
쏘일 컨디셔닝
바이오폴리머
잔탄검
유동학적 특성
References
1

ASTM C143 (2017), Standard test method for slump of hydraulic-cement concrete, ASTM International, Vol. 04.02, pp. 1-4.

2

ASTM D4648 (2016), Standard test method for laboratory miniature vane shear test for saturated fine grained clayey soil, ASTM International, Vol. 04.08, pp. 1-7.

3

Avunduk, E., Copur, H., Tolouei, S., Tumac, D., Balci, C., Bilgin, N., Shaterpour-Mamaghani, A. (2021), "Possibility of using torvane shear testing device for soil conditioning optimization", Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Vol. 107, 103665.

10.1016/j.tust.2020.103665
4

Chang, I., Im, J., Cho, G.C. (2016), "Introduction of microbial biopolymers in soil treatment for future environmentally-friendly and sustainable geotechnical engineering", Sustainability, Vol. 8, No. 3, 251.

10.3390/su8030251
5

Chang, I., Im, J., Prasidhi, A.K., Cho, G.C. (2015), "Effects of Xanthan gum biopolymer on soil strengthening", Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 74, pp. 65-72.

10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.10.026
6

Choi, J.Y. (2012), "A study on biopolymer as a future fiber material", Journal of the Korean Society of Design Culture, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 481-493.

10.18208/ksdc.2022.28.1.481
7

EFNARC (2005), Specification and guidelines for the use of specialist products for mechanised tunnelling (TBM) in soft ground and hard rock, European Federation of National Associations Representing for Concrete, pp. 1-45.

8

Elliott, J.E., Macdonald, M., Nie, J., Bowman, C.N. (2004), "Structure and swelling of poly (acrylic acid) hydrogels: effect of pH, ionic strength, and dilution on the crosslinked polymer structure", Polymer, Vol. 45, No. 5, pp. 1503-1510.

10.1016/j.polymer.2003.12.040
9

Galli, M., Thewes, M. (2019), "Rheological characterisation of foam-conditioned sands in EPB tunneling", International Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 17, pp. 145-160.

10.1007/s40999-018-0316-x
10

Hu, W., Rostami, J. (2020), "A new method to quantify rheology of conditioned soil for application in EPB TBM tunneling", Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Vol. 96, 103192.

10.1016/j.tust.2019.103192
11

Hwang, B., Kang, M., Kwon, K., Yang, J., Choi, H. (2023), "Evaluating rheological properties of excavated soil for EPB shield TBM with foam and polymer", Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, Vol. 25, No. 5, pp. 387-401.

10.9711/KTAJ.2023.25.5.387
12

Jancsecz, S., Krause, R., Langmaack, L. (1999), "Advantages of soil conditioning in shield tunnelling: experiences of LRTS Izmir", Challenges for the 21st Century: Proceedings of the World Tunnel Congress, Oslo, pp. 865-875.

13

Jansson, P.E., Kenne, L., Lindberg, B. (1975), "Structure of the extracellular polysaccharide from Xanthomonas campestris", Carbohydrate research, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 275-282.

10.1016/S0008-6215(00)85885-11212669
14

Jung, J. (2018), "Soil-water characteristic curve of sandy soils containing biopolymer solution", Journal of the Korean Geo-Environmental Society, Vol. 19, No. 10, pp. 21-26.

10.14481/jkges.2018.19.10.21
15

Karmakar, S., Kushwaha, R.L. (2007), "Development and laboratory evaluation of a rheometer for soil visco-plastic parameters", Journal of Terramechanics, Vol. 44, No. 2, pp. 197-204.

10.1016/j.jterra.2006.10.002
16

Khemakhem, M., Attia, H., Ayadi, M.A. (2019), "The effect of pH, sucrose, salt and hydrocolloid gums on the gelling properties and water holding capacity of egg white gel", Food Hydrocolloids, Vol. 87, pp. 11-19.

10.1016/j.foodhyd.2018.07.041
17

Kwak, J., Lee, H., Hwang, B., Choi, J., Choi, H. (2022), "A laboratory pressurized vane test for evaluating rheological properties of excavated soil for EPB shield TBM: test apparatus and applicability", Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, Vol. 24, No. 5, pp. 355-374.

10.9711/KTAJ.2022.24.5.355
18

Kwon, Y.M., Ham, S.M., Kwon, T.H., Cho, G.C., Chang, I. (2020), "Surface-erosion behaviour of biopolymer-treated soils assessed by EFA", Géotechnique Letters, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 106-112.

10.1680/jgele.19.00106
19

Langmaack, L. (2000), "Advanced technology of soil conditioning in EPB shield tunneling", Proceedings of the North American Tunneling, Vol. 2000, Boston, pp. 525-542.

20

Lee, H. (2021), Evaluation on performance of EPB shield tunnelling with foam conditioning, Ph.D. Thesis, Korea University, pp. 1-272.

21

Lee, H., Kwak, J., Choi, J., Hwang, B., Choi, H. (2022), "A lab-scale experimental approach to evaluate rheological properties of foam-conditioned soil for EPB shield tunnelling", Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Vol. 128, 104667.

10.1016/j.tust.2022.104667
22

Lee, H., Shin, D., Kim, D.Y., Shin, Y.J., Choi, H. (2019), "Study on EPB TBM performance by conducting lab-scaled excavation tests with different foam injection for artificial sand", Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 545-560.

10.9711/KTAJ.2019.21.4.545
23

Li, S., Wan, Z., Zhao, S., Ma, P., Wang, M., Xiong, B. (2022), "Soil conditioning tests on sandy soil for earth pressure balance shield tunneling and field applications", Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Vol. 120, 104271.

10.1016/j.tust.2021.104271
24

Maidl, U. (1995), Erweiterung der Einsatzbereiche der Erddruckschilde durch bodenkonditionierung mit Schaum, Ph.D. Thesis, Institut für Konstruktiven Ingenieurbau, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, pp. 1-184.

25

Melton, L.D., Mindt, L., Rees, D.A. (1976), "Covalent structure of the extracellular polysaccharide from Xanthomonas campestris: evidence from partial hydrolysis studies", Carbohydrate research, Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 245-257.

10.1016/S0008-6215(00)84296-21260790
26

Meng, Q., Qu, F., Li, S. (2011), "Experimental investigation on viscoplastic parameters of conditioned sands in earth pressure balance shield tunneling", Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, Vol. 25, No. 9, pp. 2259-2266.

10.1007/s12206-011-0611-9
27

Merritt, A.S., Borghi, F.X., Mair, R.J. (2003), "Conditioning of clay soils for earth pressure balance tunnelling machines", Proceedings of the Underground Construction 2003, London, pp. 455-466.

28

Messerklinger, S., Zumsteg, R., Puzrin, A. (2011), "A new pressurized vane shear apparatus", Geotechnical Testing Journal, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 112-121.

10.1520/GTJ103175
29

Oh, J. (2021), Laboratory study on optimum foam injection condition for EPB shield TBM in weathered granite soil, Master Thesis, Korea University, pp. 1-96.

30

Peila, D., Oggeri, C., Vinai, R. (2007), "Screw conveyor device for laboratory tests on conditioned soil for EPB tunneling operations", Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Vol. 133, No. 12, pp. 1622-1625.

10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2007)133:12(1622)
31

Petri, D.F.S. (2015), "Xanthan gum: A versatile biopolymer for biomedical and technological applications", Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 132, No. 23, pp. 1-13.

10.1002/app.42035
32

Quebaud, S., Sibai, M., Henry, J.P. (1998), "Use of chemical foam for improvements in drilling by earth-pressure balanced shields in granular soils", Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 173-180.

10.1016/S0886-7798(98)00045-5
33

Sulaiman, H., Taha, M.R., Abd Rahman, N., Taib, A.M. (2022), "Performance of soil stabilized with biopolymer materials - xanthan gum and guar gum", Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, Vol. 128, 103276.

10.1016/j.pce.2022.103276
34

Sworn, G. (2021), Xanthan gum, In Handbook of Hydrocolloids, Woodhead Publishing, pp. 833-853.

10.1016/B978-0-12-820104-6.00004-8
35

Wiszniewski, M., Cabalar, A.F. (2014), Hydraulic conductivity of a biopolymer treated sand, In New Frontiers in Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, pp. 19-27.

10.1061/9780784413456.003
36

Zhou, X., Yang, Y. (2020), "Effect of foam parameters on cohesionless soil permeability and its application to prevent the water spewing", Applied Sciences, Vol. 10, No. 5, pp. 1787-1797.

10.3390/app10051787
37

Zumsteg, R., Messerklinger, S., Puzrin, A.M., Egli, H., Walliser, A. (2009), "Pressurized vane shear test for soil conditioning", Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Alexandria, pp. 275-278.

Information
  • Publisher :Korean Tunneling and Underground Space Association
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국터널지하공간학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국터널지하공간학회 논문집
  • Volume : 26
  • No :3
  • Pages :209-222
  • Received Date : 2024-03-11
  • Revised Date : 2024-05-13
  • Accepted Date : 2024-05-14
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.9711/KTAJ.2024.26.3.209
Journal Informaiton Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
Online Submission & Review System
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • KISTI Current Status
  • KISTI Cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close