Modern Workflows for Tunnelling: RSLog for Investigation and RS3 for 3D Modelling

Suggested Audience

• Engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers involved in tunnel investigations and design.
• Underground, mining and civil engineers working on tunnels, caverns and underground excavations.
• Designers and consultants who wish to integrate borehole data management and 3D numerical analysis in their tunnelling workflows.

Learning outcomes

After completing both workshop sessions, participants should be able to:

• Describe how RSLog and RS3 fit within the tunnelling project lifecycle, from investigation to 3D analysis.
• Use RSLog to manage borehole data, define stratigraphy and rock units, and generate engineering logs and cross-sections relevant to tunnel alignment selection.
• Export and use subsurface information from RSLog as input for 3D tunnel modelling in RS3 (conceptually or via available data exchange workflows).
• Build a 3D tunnel model in RS3, including geometry, staged excavation, in situ stress, and rock mass and support properties.
• Analyze key outputs from RS3 for rock tunnels (e.g., displacements, stresses, plastic zones, and lining forces) and relate them to design decisions and observational monitoring.

schedule

• Workshop 1 (4 hours): Ground investigation and rock tunnelling context with RSLog
• Workshop 2 (4 hours): 3D tunnel analysis in RS3 using a tunnel design workflow

WORKSHOP 1 (4 HOURS) – GROUND INVESTIGATION AND RSLOG FOR ROCK TUNNELLING

SESSION 1: TUNNELLING CONTEXT AND INVESTIGATION OBJECTIVES

• Overview of geotechnical information needs of tunnelling projects.
• Investigation objectives for rock tunnels: alignment selection, rock mass characterization, groundwater conditions, in situ stress indicators, and constructability risks.
• Where RSLog fits in the tunnelling workflow and how it complements numerical analysis tools such as RS3.

SESSION 2: INTRODUCTION TO RSLOG AND DATA MODEL

• RSLog as a cloud-based borehole logging and data management application: projects, boreholes, and user roles.
• Data structures: locations, elevations, lithology, samples and tests, groundwater, and observations relevant for tunnels (RQD, fractures, weathering, joint conditions).
• Demonstration: navigating the RSLog interface, creating a project, and defining a set of boreholes along a proposed tunnel alignment.

BREAK

SESSION 3: LOGGING FOR TUNNELS – LITHOLOGY, ROCK MASS AND GROUNDWATER

• Setting up lithology/stratigraphy templates and rock units suitable for rock tunnelling (e.g., jointed basalt, sheared zones, dykes, weak seams).
• Capturing discontinuity and rock mass data (RQD, joint spacing, condition) and test information that will inform design parameters in RS3.
• Entering groundwater information and water strikes, with discussion of implications for tunnel construction and support.
• Demonstration: populating boreholes, editing logs, and quality controlling investigation data within RSLog.

SESSION 4: CROSS SECTIONS, REPORTS, AND LINK TO ANALYSIS

• Generating borehole logs, fence diagrams, and geological cross-sections in RSLog to illustrate the ground model along and across the tunnel alignment.
• Using RSLog project summary reports to communicate investigation findings and design parameters.
• Conceptual link from RSLog to numerical modelling: how borehole and geological model outputs can be used to define geology layout and rock mass properties in RS3.
• Q&A and discussion of participants' tunnelling investigation challenges.

WORKSHOP 2 (4 HOURS) – RS3 FOR 3D TUNNEL ANALYSIS

SESSION 1: RS3 OVERVIEW AND TUNNELLING WORKFLOW

• RS3 - 3D finite element program for geotechnical and underground analysis, including tunnels and caverns.
• Review of the RS3 workflow tabs: Geometry, Excavations/Tunnels, Materials, Loads, Restraints, Mesh, Compute, and Results.
• Specific capabilities for tunnels: Tunnel Designer, staged excavation, liners and support, field stresses, and results visualization.

SESSION 2: BUILDING A ROCK TUNNEL MODEL

• Importing or creating rock mass geometry for the tunnel project, with layers and units based on investigation data.
• Using Tunnel Designer (with boreholes) to define tunnel alignment, shape, and segmentation appropriate for staging and different support regimes.
• Defining rock mass, fault/weak zone, and lining/support properties, consistent with data interpreted from RSLog and typical empirical correlations.
• Applying in situ stress conditions (e.g., gravity, user-defined principal stresses) relevant to deep or shallow rock tunnels.
• Demonstration: constructing a 3D tunnel model step by step in RS3.

BREAK

SESSION 3: STAGED EXCAVATION, SUPPORT, AND COMPUTATION

• Defining tunnel excavation stages and sequences, including advance lengths, face support, and multi-drift or pilot-heading approaches.
• Assigning liners, bolts or other supports along the tunnel perimeter using RS3's support tools, and sequencing installation relative to excavation stages.
• Applying boundary restraints using the RS3 auto restraint feature for underground models.
• Meshing strategy for tunnel models (element type, gradation) and running the finite element analysis.

SESSION 4: RESULTS INTERPRETATION AND DESIGN IMPLICATIONS

• Viewing and interpreting results: total displacement, stresses in rock, plastic zones, and lining forces versus design criteria.
• Comparing stages to assess the influence of excavation sequence and support timing on tunnel performance.
• Illustrating outputs for communication: section cuts along the alignment, contour plots, and exporting images/values for reports.
• Short example.
• Final Q&A and discussion on integrating RSLog and RS3 into local tunnelling practice.

Registration Fees

Early bird valid until 3 August 2026

Registration closes on 19 August 2026. Please note late registrations will incur a R500 administration fee for registrations received after the closing date.
All prices quoted are exclusive of VAT

Register

contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gugu Charlie Conferences and Events Coordinator

E-mail: gugu@saimm.co.za

Tel: +27 11 538-0238

Web: www.saimm.co.za