Tunnel Collapse Injuries

Inadequate planning or execution of ground clearing or tunnel construction can lead to the collapse of the tunnel resulting in massive injury to anyone within the tunnel. In many of the cases it can be found that due to unforeseen underground conditions such as torrential rain may change the ground conditions where the tunnel is being constructed. Often before a collapse is going to happen it can be seen by cracks and spilling of concrete lining which can sometimes leave time to withdraw machines and personnel. Measurements and surveying is implemented to safeguard against collapse which comes without warning of increasing deformations. In such cases it is always advisable to attach additional support.

Collapses are caused by slotting of the invert or after profiling. Yet another cause of a collapse can be crossing of undetected weak zones like shafts which can be natural or artificial ones filled with loose, water saturated materials. Tunnel collapse injuries sometimes happen due to the negligence of some people, like:

• Poor workmanship
• Poor engineering control
• Deficient monitoring
• Repairs were permitted without sufficient inspection

Numerical model used for design was not correctly made as compared to the existing measurements.

• Safety plan deficient

All these factors lead serious injuries caused by the collapsing of the tunnel. if the tunnel collapses there are more chances of the person being dead as when the ceiling of the tunnel collapse it crushes the person standing below. Tunnel collapse injuries often happen when the tunnel are being constructed. During the construction if any kind of negligence happens or something is not taken care of there are chances that the tunnel collapses.

Epoxy glue is used to secure ceiling panel anchors in a tunnel. Though the epoxy glue used in the tunnel has acceptable strength but it sometimes become incapable of supporting much lower loads over an extended period of time causing tunnel collapse injuries. Many of these collapses take hundreds of life and sometimes leave some people handicapped. Tunnels are being made today in every part of the world. And with this kind of negligence by the authorities it takes losing of many people every year. To take control of tunnel collapses authorities should act more strictly and inspect the ways in which a tunnel is being made.

To avoid these kinds of injuries there can be use of better workforce, best machinery and strong material. There can be regular inspections during the construction of the tunnel so that the chance of tunnel collapsing reduces. This can help saving thousands of life every year.