Global Tunnelling Forum

CASE STUDY: AETOS: the state of the tunnelling industry in Spain and future developments and opportunities across the country

As representatives of the host nation, the Spanish Tunnels and Underground Works Association’s Vice President, Miguel Fernandez- Bollo, will be offering an overview and insight into the latest tunnelling developments across the country and the role which AETOS plays in promoting research activities in Spain.

European legislative framework: the current and future development of specifications for infrastructure and tunnel safety

• Outlining the role of the ERA in shaping the latest specifications and the implication of these for the underground construction industry
• Revealing the extent to which specifications have developed over the years and identifying the latest regulatory trends
• Identifying how specifications in Europe compare to global developments and assessing market leaders

CASE STUDY: Karst tunnel, China: exploring the latest tunnel design methods for natural disasters through practical examples and assessing the state of the underground construction industry in China

• Uncovering the unique characteristics associated with groundwater catchment features in Southwest China and how lessons can be transferred across other projects in the region
• Understanding the relationship between climatic characteristics, formation lithology, geological structure , topography and geomorphology
• Revealing future investment opportunities in the region and innovations in the design and construction of tunnels in areas at risk from natural disasters

Unveiling the latest developments in trenchless technologies: repair, renovation, replacement and new installation innovations

• Highlighting cutting edge trenchless pipelaying and microtunnelling for new pipeline construction
• Evaluating the extent of growth in trenchless technology usage in both the construction and civil engineering industry and outlining potential developments in this space
• Outlining the role of the UKSTT in promoting new technologies and unveiling cutting edge trenchless technologies
• Uncovering the challenges presented in soft trenchless techniques: ensuring that matters relating to capital, insurance, contracts, materials, and method selection to not stand in the way of the commencement of a particular project
• Assessing the chemicals available for cleaning, relining, grouting and repairing water, sewer and cable networks

CASE STUDY: Latin America: risk analysis-based criteria for design of safety installations in countries with poor safety standards for tunnels

• Revealing how to effectively negotiate complex safety considerations in unique circumstances
• Lessons learned in Tunnel security in Europe and its possible application in LATAM
• Pinpointing the extent of discrepancies in safety standards and how standards have developed over time

CASE STUDY: Underground Multi-System Utility Tunnels, Amsterdam: uncovering cutting edge developments and solutions to problems that exist in conventional urban tunnelling methods

• Successfully reducing road digging costs that involve traffic, road restoration difficulties and safety hazards
• Overcoming the initial cost challenges associated with MUTs
• How to effectively work with authorities and the importance of successfully co-ordinating with them to ensure that a MUT project is delivered on time and in budget
• Uncovering the latest monitoring and control methods for Multi- System Utility Tunnels
Austria’s activities in underground engineering: an overview of infrastructure and research projects
• Highlighting the latest underground infrastructure projects in Austria
• Evaluating the geotechnical design considerations for underground construction
• Establishing guidelines for cost estimations for underground constructions
• Overview of running Austrian research projects for underground engineering topics

Rome's Underground Network: outlining key challenges encountered in new Metro construction and revealing tunnelling and deep excavation techniques

• Highlighting the specifics of Rome's Metro Lines development program and identifying the specifics behind this project
• Unveiling advancements for design and construction methods through investigation of current processes for new metro tunnels and stations
• Line B1 and Line C case study: identifying the key drivers and inhibitors behind developments of these lines and the unique challenges faced
• Detailing construction methods and identifying the latest technological solutions

Analysing efficient risk management during Line B1 construction stages

Challenges in the Ventilation and Structural protection design in rail and road tunnel

• Challenges in the tunnel ventilation design/MEP issues/ architectural issues/costs
• The 2nd Avenue project in New York. The integration of SES and CFD
• Asset protection and operational continuity in urban road tunnel
• A fire Engineered Approach for determining Design Objectives and Performance requirements

Risk assessment on tunnel projects: a review of current practice

• The case for effective risk assessment
• Risk analysis - programme and financial
• Design - risk based
• Site Selection and Scheme outline - the influence of risk
• Ground Risk and the Geotechnical Baseline Report
• Risk management processes during implementation

CASE STUDY: Metro Lisboa, Portugal: revealing how the first subway system in Portugal has developed since its opening over 50 years ago

• Historic and recent developments in Lisbon’s Metro programme: outlining the unique circumstances presented by underground construction in the city
• Revealing some of the techniques and technologies employed during the planning and design phase of the metro system
• Establishing the extent to which lessons learnt from the construction and development of Lisbon’s subway system can be employed across other urban tunnelling projects in the future

The tunnelling industry in Holland: revealing case study examples and lessons learnt from recent projects and the future outlook for underground construction in the region

• Developments in technology and the design philosophy behind immersed tunnelling in Holland
• Highlighting the use of innovative technology in recent projects and the implications this has for the future of the industry
• Evaluating the latest research and in this field and the extent to which lessons can be learnt from the Netherlands
CASE STUDY Femern Bælt, Denmark: successfully designing and planning a fixed link between Denmark and Germany across the Fehmarnbel
• Outlining the unique challenges faced at the conception stage of this project and the reasons behind developments to original blueprint
• Uncovering potential design and construction challenges faced when planning the world's longest immersed tunnel
• Revealing the extent of progress to date and how this project could impact upon the future of underground construction globally