Evaluation of basic design parameters for a proposed underground cavern in Himalaya: a case study

Proposed underground powerhouse cavern at Tehri Dam Project is located in fragile and tectonically disturbed rocks of Lesser Himalaya. The generation of design data for cavern could not be possible prior to the construction due to the inaccesibility of the terrain. Various underground openings under construction in and around the powerhouse complex provided excellent sites for carrying out in situ testings and geomechanical studies. The paper describes various methods used for evolving realistic data for the design of the cavern. Interestingly, values obtained for the design parameters were low for cavern under such conditions.

• INTRODUCTION

• GEOLOGY OF PROJECT SITE

• POWERHOUSE CAVERN

• EVALUATION OF DESIGN PARAMETERS

• DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

• CONCLUSION

• REFERENCES