Tunnel description

The overall tunnel is a 4km single lane tunnel on the coal line between Emerlo and
Richards Bay. The tunnel slopes from west (Ermelo) to east (Richards bay). It has three
shafts and one vertical winze.

The tunnel has two surface drains (one on either side of the rail), as well as a sidewalk
throughout the tunnel. The RHS drain (moving from west to east) is the primary drain.
The primary drain is 1.290m width by 0.795m high while the secondary drain is 0.475m
by 0.380m. The drainage is designed such that water flows over from the primary to
secondary drain, through the track foundation in 100mm diameter PVC pipes. The
tunnel further has 100mm diameter weep holes 1m apart on the tunnel lining to allow for
water drainage from behind the lining.

Tunnel lining varies according to the design / different reinforcement.

 Heavy steel reinforcement

Three different types of reinforcement mediums are used. Type one construction
reinforcement consists of light reinforcement of Y12 bars @ 150mm on the inner part of
the lining while the outer section of the lining is not reinforced. Welded mesh wire is
used to reinforce the top surface of the tunnel. Type 2 construction reinforcement
consist of medium reinforcement of Y16 bars @ 150mm on the tunnel lining while
Welded mesh wire is used to reinforce the top surface of the tunnel. Type 3 construction
reinforcement consist of Heavy reinforcement of Y20 bars @ 150mm on the inner part
of the tunnel lining while Welded mesh wire is used to reinforce the outer part of the
tunnel lining and the top surface of the tunnel.

 Unreinforced lining with lining rock bolts anchors

The tunnel has un-tensioned grouted rock bolts which are approximately 1m long
installed at an angle to the rock strata with spacing of 1m between the bolts.

 Rail Arched, spaced 1.2m c/c

  Rail Arched, spaced 1.2m c/c with slab rock bolt anchors

The tunnel track slab 2240mm x 380mm with 75mm screed underneath it. 100mm
diameter pvc pipes cross over from the secondary to the primary drain every 100m.

QTY Access tunnels:The tunnel has 3m by 2m access tunnels leading in to the main
tunnel, with electrical boxes and communication room. The rooms are composed of
brick work and have concrete lentils and access tunnels concrete.

The tunnel has a ventilation shaft with a slope of 1:3.737 which consist of arch with
inner and outer corrugation seated on a 300mm wide mass concrete foundation. The
ventilation shaft has a lock up steel door. It has collapsed.