ROCK TUNNELING METHODS

(By: KU Internship team, Mid-Bhotekoshi HPP, 2015)

1. DRILL AND BLAST METHOD

This tunneling method involves the use of explosives. Drilling rigs are used to drill blast holes on
the proposed tunnel surface to a designated depth for blasting. Explosives and timed detonators
(Delay detonators) are then placed in the blast holes. Once blasting is carried out, waste rocks
and soils are transported out of the tunnel before further blasting.
Drilling and blasting method is suitable for tunneling in medium to high strength rocks. It can be
applied to a wide range of rock conditions. Some of its features include versatile equipment, fast
start-up and relatively low capital cost tied to the equipment.
1.1 Procedure
As the name suggests, drilling and blasting works as follows:

A number of holes are drilled into the rock face.

The holes are then filled with explosives.

Detonating the explosive causes the rock to collapse.

The smoke and dust produced after the explosion is removed.

The rubble is removed and the new tunnel surface is reinforced.

Repeating these steps will eventually create a tunnel.

Figure 1 Drill and Blast Cycle

1.2 Drilling
The tunnel face can be roughly divided into four sections for drilling. The main goal is to ensure
the optimum number of correctly placed and accurately drilled holes. This helps to ensure
successful charging and blasting, as well as produce accurate and smooth tunnel walls, roof and
floor.

Figure 2 Types of holes in tunnel face

1.3 Drilling Pattern

The drilling pattern ensures the distribution of the explosive in the rock and desired blasting
result. Several factors must be taken into account when designing the drilling pattern: rock
drillability and blastability, the type of explosives, blast vibration restrictions and accuracy
requirements of the blasted wall etc. When designing a drilling pattern in tunneling, the main
goal is to ensure the optimum number of correctly placed and accurately drilled holes. This helps
to ensure successful charging and blasting, as well as produce accurate and smooth tunnel walls,
roof and floor. A drilling pattern optimized in this way is also the most economical and efficient
for the given conditions.
1.3.1 Hole Size
Hole sizes under 38mm in diameter are often considered small, holes between 41mm - 64mm
intermediate, and those over 64mm large. Most tunneling operations today are based on hole
sizes between 38 - 51mm in diameter. Only cut holes are larger than 51mm. Rock drills and
mechanized drilling equipment used in tunneling are designed to give optimum performance in
this hole range.
1.3.2 Cut Hole
The blasting sequence in a tunnel always starts from the cut, a pattern of holes at or close to
the center of the face, designed to provide the ideal line of deformation. The placement,
arrangement and drilling accuracy of the cut is crucial for successful blasting in tunneling. A
wide variety of cut types have been used in mining and construction, but basically they fall into
two categories: cuts based on parallel holes, and cuts that use holes drilled at certain angles. The
most common types of cut today is the parallel and V cut.

Figure 3 V Cut

The V cut is the older of the two and is still widely used in construction. It is an effective type of
cut for tunnels with a fairly large cross-section and requires fewer holes than a parallel cut. The
parallel cut was introduced when the first mechanized drilling machines came on the market
making accurate parallel drilling possible.
1.3.3 Stopehole
The holes surrounding the cut are called stopeholes (blast holes). The diameter of a stopehole is
typically between 41 - 51mm. Holes smaller than 41mm may require drilling an excessive
number of holes to ensure successful blasting. Holes bigger than 51mm can result in excessive
charging and an uncontrolled blast.
Holes are placed around the cut section in an evenly distributed pattern using a space/burden
ratio of 1:1.1. Burden is the minimum distance from the axis of the blast hole to the free face,
and spacing is the distance between blast holes in the same row. If hole size is between 45 51mm, typical spacing and burden are both between 1.0m - 1.3m. Actual rock conditions and
ability to drill in the required positions are factors that can reduce or add to the number of holes
needed. The design of the drilling pattern can now be carried out and the cut located in the cross
section in a suitable way.
1.3.4 Contour Holes and Floor Holes
Floor holes have approximately the same spacing as stope holes, but the burden is somewhat
smaller; from 0.7m to 1.1m. Inaccurate or incorrect drilling and charging of the floor holes can
leave unblasted bumps, which are difficult to remove later. The contour holes lie in the perimeter
of the drilling pattern. In smooth blasting, contour holes are drilled closer to each other and are
specially charged for smooth blasting purposes. Spacing is typically from 0.5m to 0-7m and
burden varies between 1 and 1.25 times the space. This type of layout makes it possible to use
special smooth blasting explosives, which limits the width and depth of the fracture zone in the
walls and roof caused by blasting. In special circumstances, two or more smooth blasting rows
can be used.
In tunneling, however, contour holes are blasted with stope holes, but timed to detonate last. The
result in smooth contour excavation mostly depends on drilling accuracy. The required amount of
shotcreting and concrete casting can be significantly reduced by using smooth blasting,

particularly in poor rock conditions. Smooth blasting increases the number of holes needed for
the drilling pattern by roughly 10 - 15%.
1.4 Charging and Blasting
In tunnel excavation, blasting works outward from the first blast in the holes in the cut. Each
blast provides more space for the following ring of blast holes. Successful blasting of the cut
section is critical to the success of the whole round. Because the cut holes initially have only one
direction in which to expand, the blast charge in the cut is considerably higher than in the rest of
the tunnel.
Contour holes should be blasted almost last. It is important to blast each smooth blasting section
(walls or roof) simultaneously to achieve a smooth and even surface. Bottom holes are blasted
last right before the bottom corner holes. This lifts the loosened rock pile a little, which makes
mucking easier.
1.5 Ventilation
In tunnel excavation, a ventilation system is required to provide an acceptable working
environment for the people in the tunnel. The environment is affected by the concentration of
impurities in the tunnel air. The impurities are mostly created by blasting and traffic in the
tunnel. Ventilation is provided to dilute the explosion gas so that toxic gas concentration is
acceptable, and get the next stages in the drill & blast cycle started.
1.5.1 Blowing ventilation is the easiest and most used method in tunneling. Fresh air from the
outside is blown through a duct into the tunnel, relatively close to the face. The fresh air dilutes
the gas plug and starts to move it backwards out of the tunnel. In longer tunnels with larger
cross-section areas, blowing ventilation is not adequate, or requires too long a ventilation time
before the cycle can continue

Figure 4 Blowing ventilation

1.5.2 Two-way ventilation is becoming a common method in tunnels that are longer than 1000
m. Two-way ventilation removes the explosion gas plug from the tunnel fast, providing an
improved working environment in the tunnel. In two-directional ventilation, the explosion gases
are sucked from the tunnel through a duct to the outside of the tunnel. Substitutive air is led to
the tunnel through a blowing duct (two-duct system), or through the tunnel (one-duct system).

The two-duct system is practical in long tunnels (> 4 km). The system removes explosion gases
fast and effectively. After the explosion gases are removed, both ducts can be used for blowing
ventilation to get even more fresh air into the tunnel during loading and transportation.

Figure 5 Two-way ventilation using two ducts

The one-duct system is practical in tunnels up to 4-5 km in length. With this system there is only
one ventilation duct in the tunnel. At the tunnel face end, there is a two-fan system which
controls the ventilation according to the stage in the drill & blast cycle. During drilling, charging,
loading & hauling, the system is used for conventional blowing ventilation. After blasting, a
transverse fan is used to remove explosion gases through the duct while the other fan blows fresh
air towards the face to ensure that all explosive gases are mixed and removed. The one-duct
system removes explosion gases fast and effectively, and is more cost-effective than the two-duct
system.

Figure 6 Two-way ventilation by single duct

1.6 Scaling
The purpose of scaling is to clear loose rock from walls and surfaces after blasting. Manually
done it is hard work involving many safe hazards such as falling rock and dust, and requiring
awkward working positions. Scaling is often very time consuming when done manually. Today,
modern mechanized scaling equipment is used whenever possible.

1.7 Mucking
Mucking is done after the fumes have been removed. Relevant loading and hauling devices can
be used for removing the muck. Two basic types of transportation system available for moving
materials in the tunnel are railroad tracks and various rubber-tired vehicles.
1.7.1 Rails: From the standpoint of energy consumption, rail haulage provides by far the most
efficient handling of materials in the tunnel. Rail-mounted vehicles are moved, singly or in
trains, by locomotives powered by either internal combustion engines or electric motors.
1.7.2 Rubber-tired Vehicles: Transportation with rubber-tired vehicles offers great flexibility
because its operation is not restricted to locations having fixed facilities, as is the case with
railroad track. A wide range of vehicle sizes and configurations, all typically diesel-powered, are
available. Standard front end loaders can be used for transport. Although primarily intended for
loading, such units may be economically used for short haul distances. Dump trucks can be used
to haul materials at greater distances.
1.8 Lighting
In the past, an evenly spaced string of light bulbs was the usual type of general lighting. On some
projects, no general lighting is provided, and personnel are supplied with flashlights or cap lamps
for emergencies and general use. Safety regulations may require specific lighting standards in
tunnels and should be consulted when planning a particular job. Floodlights are used for lighting
work areas, and are mounted in strategic locations on jumbos and other working structures.
1.9 Rock Support
As the tunnel is incrementally excavated the roof and sides of the tunnel need to be supported to
stop the rock falling into the excavation. The philosophy and methods for rock support vary
widely but typical rock support systems can include rock bolts or rock dowels, shotcrete and ribs.
1.9.1 Rock bolts or rock dowels
A rock bolt is a long anchor bolt, for stabilizing rock excavations, which may be used in tunnels
or rock cuts. It transfers load from the unstable exterior, to the confined (and much stronger)
interior of the rock mass.
Rock bolts are almost always installed in a pattern, the design of which depends on the rock
quality designation and the type of excavation. Rock bolts work by 'knitting' the rock mass
together sufficiently before it can move enough to loosen and fail by unravelling (piece by
piece). Rock bolts may also be used to support wire mesh, but this is usually a small part of their
function.

Figure 7 Typical rock bolting pattern for a tunnel

The types of rock bolt commonly used for civil engineering works include:
(i)

Mechanical bolts -typically these have a wedge shaped shell assembly which, when
expanded, anchors them into the drill hole.

(ii)

Cement grouted bolts -typically these are formed by inserting the bar into a drill hole
filled with grout.

Pull out tests are carried out to find out the working capacities of rock bolts. A rock bolt is
installed in the same manner and in the same material as its intended construction use. The bolt is
pulled hydraulically and the displacement of the bolt head is measured concurrently. The bolt is
pulled until the rock bolt system or rock fails. The ultimate and working capacities of the bolt are
calculated from the plot of load versus displacement.
Two types of pull out tests should be conducted in the field:
1. Basic Verification pull out test
2. Performance pull out test
Basic verification tests involve incremental loading and unloading of test rock bolts.
These tests are conducted to find out the capacity of the rock bolt and to find out the grout
length. This test is conducted in the test rock bolts and it will be conducted away from the
original supporting structure. The tested bolts should not be used for production. The resin grout
should be applied as per the design and the details are given in the drawings. The main objective
of this test is to verify the length of the grout.
Performance tests involve incremental loading of a rock bolt. The performance test is used to
verify rock bolt capacity, establish load-deformation behavior, identify causes of rock bolt
movement, and to verify that the actual un-bonded length is equal to or greater than that assumed
in the rock bolt design.

1.9.2 Shotcrete
Shotcrete is concrete conveyed through a hose and pneumatically projected at high velocity onto
a surface, as a construction technique. It is reinforced by conventional steel mesh, and/or fibers.
The need for ductility, toughness, and a residual strength is generally met by incorporating short,
thin pieces of wire or sheet steel into the mix (fiber shotcrete). Welded wire fabric (WWF) was
introduced into shotcrete usage to provide ductility; however, steel fiber now provides this
characteristic more effectively. Welded wire fabric is not recommended now a days due to
practical reasons. Even properly spaced fabric (4 in. X 4 in. or 6 in. X 6 in.) is quite stiff, making
installation time consuming, difficult, and therefore costly. When used in drill-and-blast tunnels,
considerable excess shotcrete may be required to fill overbreak to which WWF cannot be
properly formed. Sometimes, woven wire mesh is used in conjunction with rock bolts for safety
when rock is reinforced.
Shotcrete can be dry mix-shotcrete or wet mix-shotcrete. Dry-mix shotcrete consists of a
mixture of damp aggregate and cement fed into a placing machine, fed at a uniform rate into an
airstream to travel through a hose to the nozzle. The water of hydration is added at the nozzle
before discharge to the surface. Water is manually controlled, permitting adjusting to changing
surface wetness. Powdered accelerators are added to the dry mix as it is fed into the placer. If
liquid, the accelerator is mixed with the feed water before it goes to the nozzle.
The wet-mix process consists of mixing measured quantities of aggregate, cement, and water,
and introducing the resulting mix into a vessel for discharge pneumatically or mechanically
through a hose to final delivery from a nozzle. It has the advantage of rigidly controlling the
water/cement (W/C) ratio of the product. Successful methods have been devised to introduce
quick-acting accelerators to the delivery hose. Pumping low-slump concrete is commonly a
problem, and so a slightly higher than desirable water content is used. By use of accelerators,
such concrete can be made to adhere overhead, but ultimate strength usually suffers. However,
the method has been found convenient for use with less-skilled operators.
The strength of shotcrete should be tested and approved for used in projects. Shotcrete testing is
a three-part process. The first stage, compatibility checking, is required before the proposed
materials and their sources are approved. Cement-accelerator compatibility is of prime
importance. Similarly, compatibility of the entire mix and proportions must be established by
meeting the various requirements with proposed mixes prepared, cured, and tested in the
laboratory. The second stage, field trials, begins upon completion of the first part. Material from
the approved sources should be combined per approved mixes by the production equipment to be
used and then shot by a certified nozzleman into appropriate size boxes. After curing in the
manner proposed for the production work, samples should be taken and tested.
The third stage, production testing, has three parts. First, the field trial process should be
repeated at the heading during production shotcreting upon demand by the engineer. Second,
cores should be taken from the in-place shotcrete, at specified intervals. The primary purpose of
these is to check thickness and adhesion; however, compressive strength should also be tested.
The third part is the overall checking of the in-place concrete. In addition to a visual check for
defects, the shotcrete should be sounded at frequent intervals (locations) by striking with a

geologist's or similar hammer. Sound, adhering concrete will give a distinct ringing sound.
Laminated shotcrete or voids behind the shotcrete will result in a drummy or hollow sound. If
drummy, the area should be rechecked thoroughly and the approximate boundaries determined.
Cores should then be taken and examined. Defective shotcrete should be removed and replaced
with sound shotcrete.
1.9.3 Ribs
Steel ribs set close to the tunnel surface and blocked from it are normally used as the initial
support system for rock tunnels, especially those constructed by conventional drill-and- blast
methods. Wood, concrete, or steel lagging may be placed between the ribs to secure blocky or
raveling ground, or welded wire fabric can also be used.

2. NEW AUSTRIAN TUNELLING M ETHOD

The New Austrian Tunnelling method (NATM), also known as Sequential Excavation
Method (SEM), describes a popular method of modern tunnel design and construction. This
technique first gained attention in the 1960s based on the work of Ladislaus von
Rabcewicz, Leopold Mller and Franz Pacher between 1957 and 1965 in Austria. The name
NATM was intended to distinguish it from the old Austrian tunneling approach. The fundamental
difference between this new methods of tunneling, as opposed to earlier methods, comes from
the economic advantages made available by taking advantage of the inherent geological strength
available in the surrounding rock mass to stabilize the tunnel.
The NATM has often been referred to as a "design as you go" approach, by providing an
optimized support based on observed ground conditions. More correctly it can be described as a
"design as you monitor" approach, based on observed convergence and divergence in the lining
and mapping of prevailing rock conditions. It is not a set of specific excavation and support
techniques. Based on the computation of the optimal cross section, only a thin shotcrete
protection is necessary. It is applied immediately behind the tunnel boring machine, to create a
natural load-bearing ring and minimize the rock's deformation. Geotechnical instruments are
installed to measure the later deformation of excavation. Monitoring of the stress distribution
within the rock is possible.
NATM has seven elements:
I.

Exploitation of the strength of native rock mass - Relies on the inherent strength of the
surrounding rock mass being conserved as the main component of tunnel support. Primary
support is directed to enable the rock to support itself.

II.

Shotcrete protection - Loosening and excessive rock deformation must be minimised. This is
achieved by applying a thin layer of shotcrete immediately after face advance

III.

Measurement and monitoring - Potential deformations of the excavation must be carefully

monitored. NATM requires installation of sophisticated measurement instrumentation. It is
embedded in lining, ground, and boreholes. In the event of observed movements, additional
supports are installed only when needed, with a resultant overall economy to the total cost of
the project

IV.

Flexible support - The primary lining is thin and reflects recent strata conditions. Active
rather than passive support is used and the tunnel is strengthened by a flexible combination
of rock bolts, wire mesh and steel ribs, not by a thicker concrete lining.

V.

Closing of the invert - Especially crucial in soft ground, the quick closing of the invert (the
bottom portion of the tunnel) which creates a load-bearing ring is important, and has the
advantage of engaging the inherent strength of the rock mass surrounding the tunnel.

VI.

VII.

Contractual arrangements - Since the NATM is based on monitoring measurements, changes

in support and construction method are possible, but only if the contractual system enables
them.
Rock mass classification, ranging from very hard to very soft, determines the minimum
support measures required and avoids economic waste that comes from needlessly strong
support measures. Support system designs exist for each of the main rock classes. These
serve as the guidelines for tunnel reinforcement.

3. NORWEGIAN TUNELLING METHOD:

The rock is excavated by drill and blast methods. The rock type is in most cases hard, igneous,
metamorphic or sedimentary rock which is generally capable of supporting itself with only the
use of sprayed concrete in thickness between 6 and 25 cm and rock bolts to retain blocks of rock
that could be released by discontinuities such as fractures and joints. In very poor rock mass
quality like weathered rock, fault zones and other weakness zones reinforced ribs of sprayed
concrete or cast concrete lining is applied as permanent support. The effective use of sprayed
concrete and rockbolts requires that the amount of support is related to the rock mass conditions,
particularly the presence of discontinuities and weathering. There are several rock classification
systems that are used to characterize the rock mass qualities to determine the required support. In
Norway the Q-system is most commonly applied. The Q-system requires an experienced rock
engineer and/or engineering geologist to characterize the rock quality and relate this to a table of
support requirements. However in order to reduce construction time and costs it has become
practice for the support to be standardized as much as possible. Decisions on temporary support
are taken at the face by the tunnel workers who can call out specialists when they are uncertain
about the ground conditions. The rock is commonly covered by sprayed concrete immediately
after excavation which in practice makes it difficult to map and characterize the rock conditions
in the detail required to plan adequate and sufficient support afterwards.

Desk studies and site investigations prior to tunneling give information suitable for
general planning purposes for the excavation but rarely provide accurate or detailed
information on the conditions at the tunnel face and cannot be used to determine the
most cost effective support required throughout the tunnel.

The required support is determined by observing the rock conditions immediately

after excavation. The installed support is documented by recording the number and
type of rock bolts installed and the volume of shotcrete and reinforced ribs of
shotcrete applied after each blast round.

After break through the workmen or engineering geologists map the temporary
support throughout the tunnel, and decide the additional permanent support.
Normally the additional support consist of more sprayed concrete and rock bolts, and
some reinforced ribs of sprayed concrete or cast concrete lining in weakness zones.

ROCK SUPPORT FOR VARIOUS ROCK CONDITIONS

The following table shows appropriate rock support for various rock classes as per rock mass
rating system. The actual support system used should be designed as per need according to site
conditions.
Support
Rock Mass Class
Very Good Rock
I
RMR: 81-100
Good Rock
II
RMR: 61-80
Fair Rock
III
RMR: 41-60
Poor Rock
IV
RMR: 21-40
Very Poor Rock
V
RMR:0-20

Rock bolts (Length

1/3 to Tunnel
Shotcrete
Steel Sets
Width)
Generally no support required except for occasional spot bolting.

Locally bolts in roof

10 ft. long, spaced 8
ft. with occasional
wire mesh.
Systematic bolts 12
ft. long, spaced 5-6 ft.
in roof and walls with
wire mesh in crown.
Systematic bolts 1215 ft. long, spaced 35 ft. in roof and walls
with wire mesh.
Systematic bolts 1520 ft. long, spaced 35 ft. in roof and walls
with wire mesh.

2 in. in roof where

required.

None.

2 to 4 in. in roof and

1 in. on walls.

None.

4 to 6 in. in roof and

4 in. on walls.

Light to medium ribs

spaced 5 ft. where
required.

6 to 8 in. in roof. 6 in. Medium to heavy ribs

on walls and 2 in. on spaced 2 ft 6 in. with
face.
steel lagging and
forepoling if
required. Close
invert.
Rock support for various Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and tunnel width can also be chosen using
the following chart as a guideline:

Fig. Tunnel Support chart for rock bolts and shotcrete as a function of RMR

FOREPOLING
A method of advancing a mine working or tunnel in loose, caving, or watery ground, such as
quicksand, by driving sharp-pointed poles, timbers, sections of steel, or slabs into the ground
ahead of, or simultaneously with, the excavating; a method of supporting a very weak roof. It is
useful in tunneling and in extracting coal from under shale or clay.

The process is slow & tedious requiring skilled labor

Tunnels of small dimensions, for laying sewers, gas pipes, etc. At ordinary depths, could
advantageously be constructed by this method.

It is very important that the sequence of operations has to be strictly adhered to , in the
correct order.

Types
Rebar spiles: Rebar spiles consist of smooth or ribbed steel bars that are pointed on one side.
They are installed in pre-drilled grouted or ungrouted spile holes or are rammed into the
foundation soil. Pre-drilled rebar spiles are installed in jointed and blocky rock mass as presupport against falling blocks; ram spiles are installed in homogenous, soft foundation soil.

Tubular spiles: Tube spiles consist of a steel tube, which is optionally

provided with a welded ram top. The installation is carried out with
conventional drilling machines. The tube spiles are either installed
into pre-drilled spile holes or rammed directly into the foundation
soil. Pre-drilled tube spiles are used for jointed and blocky rock mass
pre-support against falling rock mass, whereas ram spiles are applied
homogenous, soft foundation soil.

as
in

IBO-Self-drilling spiles: IBO - Self-Drilling spiles are installed with conventional drill booms
using rotary percussive drilling. The installed hollow bar simultaneously serves as drilling rod
and reinforcement. The drilling energy is transferred onto the drill bit, which has a higher outer
diameter than the hollow bar. Cooling, flushing, and back flush of cuttings is accomplished with
water between the foundation soil and the IBO - Self-Drilling Spiles.
Forepoling boards: Forepoling boards are rammed over the support arch in a single step with
conventional drill booms via a ram shoe. They are either installed overlapping or with a gap
when the foundation soil shows little cohesion. They are used as Pre-support in non-cohesive
foundation soil.

Steel plate with one or two longitudinal seams

Plate thickness: 3 - 6 [mm]

Length: 1,250 - 3,000 [mm]

Width: 220 [mm]

Grouting
Grouting technology has become a common ground improvement method used frequently for
underground and foundation constructions. The process of grouting consists of filling pores or
cavities in soil or rock with a liquid form material to decrease the permeability and improve the
shear strength by increasing the cohesion when it is set.
The grout mix can be generally classified into four types:
1. Mortar and pastes such as cement to fill in holes or open cracks;
2. Suspensions such as ultra-fine cement to seal and strengthen sand and joints;
3. Solutions such as water glass (silicate) and
4. Emulsions such as chemical grout;
Types of Grout
1. Non-sanded grout is a cement based grout normally used on smaller tile joints. It is
recommended in floor and wall tiling projects with grout joints spacing between 1/16th to
1/8th inch. When non-sanded grout is used to fill wider joints, the grout could possibly
crack due to the lack of bonding that the sands provide. This grout is designed for use in
tile surfaces that are dry when the grout is applied. The water retentive additive allows
the grout to stay moist until the cement cures properly. Unsanded grout is easier to work
on vertical surfaces such as a shower wall, because it is stickier than the sanded.
2. Sanded grout is generally used for larger joints. Sanded grout types consist of a cementbased mortar that have small sand grains added to it. Adding the sand to the grout provide
a stronger grout that is normally used in joints larger than 1/8th inch. It is an excellent
alternative for natural stone, marble tiles, glass and heavier tile materials. Depending
upon the polish of the stone the sand in the grout may actually scratch it.
3. Epoxy grout forms an impermeable barrier to liquids and doesnt require additional
sealing of the joint. This grout type prevents the growth of bacteria and limits the amount
of cracking. Epoxy grout offers water resistant properties and it is recommended
for quarry tile, ceramic, porcelain and countertops. It is ideal when the tile is exposed to
large amounts of water.
4. Furan grout are similar to epoxy, but are composed of polymers of fortified alcohols that
are highly chemical resistant. Furan grout is used to grout brick pavers and quarry tile.
The tile surfaces may be smooth, non-skid, or abrasive depending on the intended use for
the floor. The tile or brick surfaces must receive a wax coating to protect them from
staining prior to the installation of furan. They are used for industrial projects such as
laboratories, dairies, and meat packing plants.