You're working on a tunnel construction project. What tools should you use to make sure it's a success?

Geotechnical and Geophysical studies are required to understand ground conditions, determine related analysis and design parameters, develop ground model, assess risk and foundation options In addition, a topographic survey is always required. Furthermore, depending on the project location, a bathymetric may also be required

Aside from excavation machinery, you should also look at construction equipment, such as concrete mixers, spraying concrete, pumps, and other machines, for creating tunnel walls.

Tunnel Boring Machine(TBM) also known as a “mole”, as the name suggests is simply a machine assembled using sophisticated types of equipment for excavating tunnels with the help of a variety of soil and rock strata. On average, a TBM excavates around 50-60 feet per day which is approximately 20 hours of excavation. To understand how a Tunnel Boring Machine works, we will divide its components into three parts: Cutting Head (front) Tunnel Field (middle) Trailing Gear (rear) Keep in mind that the type of machine to be used will always depend on the geology of the project.

Please regularly check the Tail seal arrangements and grease consumption and maneuvering the TBM with proper alignment as per VMT.

Depending on the location of the tunnel and its alignment, several options can be studied, taking into consideration the cost, logistics, existing service and risk Open cut and TBM are common methods used in tunnel construction, and sometimes both of them are used within the same project depending on the site constraints and assessment results

Ventilation systems are always required. Tunnels are usually below the existing ground level. Providing ventilation system will aid the tunnel to keep it strength instead of the heat reducing the strength of the tunnel

Ventilation systems are always required. For parts of the tunnel without a roof, natural ventilation is commonly being used. For closed tunnels, depending on the site constraints, mechanical and natural ventilation will be used as required to ensure compliance with related standards and best practices

Types of Ventilation Airflow Systems in Tunnels: Longitudinal Ventilation Airflow Systems in Tunnels: The configuration of longitudinal ventilation can be either portal to portal, shaft to shaft or from portal to shaft. For transit and railway tunnel, the longitudinal airflow system is used. Transverse Airflow Ventilation Systems in Tunnel: Transverse or semi-transverse ventilation tunnel is better than a longitudinal one for the tunnels that are longer than 4 to 5 km. Natural Ventilation Systems in Tunnel: When from one portal to the next portal of the tunnel, there is a provision of drift, it forms a fair ventilation during the operations involving enlarging. This is when the tunnel length is short.

Conducting geotechnical and geophysical studies is essential for comprehending ground conditions, establishing analysis and design parameters, creating a ground model, evaluating risks, and exploring foundation alternatives.

Top down construction is an approach often adopted in tunnel projects that uses the concrete structure while building downwards to serve a dual role of temporary and final structures. Key issues to consider. 1. Ensure the columns can act in temporary and final load conditions as additional temporary or "plunge" columns adds significant cost and time to the process. 2. When constructing the slabs and walls the reinforcement detailing is critical to the speed and buildability of especially if large bar is considered as it is labour intensive and prefabricated options are preferable. 3. When excavation occurs it is critically important to select the right equipment, electric excavators are often used due to exhaust issues with diesel.