=Giovi Tunnel Accident.=--In September, 1869, at a point about 220 ft.
from the south portal of the Giovi tunnel, a disturbance of the masonry
lining for a length of about 52 ft. was observed. Accurate measurements
showed that the lining was not symmetrical with respect to the vertical
axis of the sectional profile. It was concluded that owing to some
disturbance of the surrounding soil unsymmetrical vertical and lateral
pressures were acting on the masonry. Close watch was kept of the
distorted masonry, which for some time remained unchanged in position.
In 1872, however, new crevices were observed to have developed, and
shortly afterwards, in January, 1873, the injured portion of the masonry
caved in, obstructing the whole tunnel section. The fallen material
consisted chiefly of clay in a nearly plastic state. The surface of the
ground above was observed to have settled. Investigation showed also
that the cause of the caving was the percolation of water from a nearby
creek. The water had soaked the ground, and decreased its stability to
such an extent that the masonry lining was unable to withstand the
increased vertical and lateral pressures.
The mode of procedure decided upon for repairing the damage was: (1) To
open at least one track for the temporary accommodation of traffic; (2)
To remove permanently the causes which had produced the collapse; (3) To
build a new and much stronger lining. Close to the western side wall,
which was still standing, the débris was removed, and the opening
strongly strutted in order to allow the laying of a single track to
reëstablish communication. At the same time a shaft was sunk from the
surface above the caved portion of the tunnel, for the double purpose of
facilitating the removal of the fallen material and of affording
ventilation. The depth of the surface above the tunnel was 41.6 ft.,
which made the construction of the shaft a comparatively easy matter.
The shaft itself was 6¹⁄₂ ft. wide and 18 ft. long, with its longer
dimensions parallel to the tunnel, and it was lined with a rectangular
horizontal frame and vertical-poling board construction. After
temporary communication had been opened on the western track of the
tunnel, the remainder of the fallen earth was removed and the excavation
strutted. The new masonry lining was then built.
To remove permanently the cause of the cave-in, which was the
percolation of water from a close-by stream, this stream was diverted to
a new channel constructed with a concrete bed and side walls.
The failure of the original lining occurred by cracks developing at the
crown, haunches, and springing lines. The new lining was made
considerably thicker than the original lining, and at the points where
failure had first occurred in the original arch cut-stone _voussoirs_
were inserted in the brickwork of the new arch as described in Chapter
XIII.
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