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Ground support and collapse questions for the Tunnelling (TUNN) specialist test

5 free questions on Ground support and collapse, from section E. Specialist: Tunnelling. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

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Question 1

Medium ·Link to this question (question 1)

A short hand-dug tunnel is planned under a road to carry a new pipe.

When should you decide what temporary support it needs?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. After the first metre has been dug out
  2. B. Before any digging starts
  3. C. Once the face has been opened up and checked
  4. D. Only if the ground looks loose on the day
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Support must be planned before any digging.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says before digging any trench, pit, tunnel or other excavation, decide what temporary support will be needed.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Plan the support before you start.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Ground that looks firm can still collapse.

Explanation

Plan the temporary support for a tunnel or excavation before any digging starts.

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Question 2

Medium ·Link to this question (question 2)

Timber and steel supports are holding up the ground in a heading.

Who should check them, and when?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Anyone, when the job is finished
  2. B. Nobody, unless the ground starts to move
  3. C. A competent person, every shift
  4. D. The site engineer, once a month at the review
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. That is far too late.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Checks are needed before anything moves.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says a competent person must check supports at the start of each shift, and after any event that could affect stability.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. They must be checked every shift.

Explanation

A competent person checks supports at the start of every shift and after anything that could affect them.

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Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

During an inspection, a support in a tunnel heading is found to be damaged.

What does HSE say?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Note it and fix it next week
  2. B. Carry on, as one support doesn't matter
  3. C. Ask the miners to work faster before it fails
  4. D. Put the fault right straight away
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. A damaged support could fail at any time.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Every support matters for stability.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Make it safe first.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says faults found in excavation supports must be corrected immediately.

Explanation

Put faults in supports right straight away, before work carries on.

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Question 4

Medium ·Link to this question (question 4)

A sprayed concrete tunnel collapsed during the Heathrow Express work.

What approach to managing risk does HSE's report on these tunnels stress?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. A risk-based approach
  2. B. Leaving it to each miner's experience
  3. C. Spraying the concrete as thin as possible
  4. D. Working faster to reduce the time at risk
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE's NATM report, produced after the Heathrow Express collapses, stresses the importance of a risk-based approach to managing these tunnels.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Risks must be managed in a planned way.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. That would not control the collapse risk.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Speed is not a way to manage collapse risk.

Explanation

Tunnel collapse risk must be managed in a planned, risk-based way.

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Question 5

Easier ·Link to this question (question 5)

Workers go down a shaft to reach a tunnel.

What does HSE say about getting in and out of an excavation?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Jump down if it is less than 2 metres
  2. B. Provide a safe way in and out
  3. C. Climb down the supports
  4. D. Use a rope tied to a vehicle
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Provide a safe means of access.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says provide a safe means of getting into and out of an excavation. Ladders must be secured and extend at least 1 m above the landing.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Supports are not access equipment.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. That is not a safe means of access.

Explanation

Provide a safe means of getting into and out of shafts and excavations.

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