INSTRUCTOR: Conrad W. Felice, Ph.D., P.E., P.Eng, D.GE, F.ASCE

Purpose and Background:

The use of underground space and tunneling in particular has been around for centuries. However, prior to the industrial age, the development of underground space relied principally on manual labor and hand excavation methods exposing workers to significant health and safety risks and limiting the scope of projects that could be undertaken. Over the past 60 years improvements in technology for creating underground space and design practices have significantly increased the safety of underground construction and improved the efficiency in project execution. These advances have allowed projects to be developed in a broader range of ground conditions and in urban environments reducing disruption to the public and exposing less risk to existing nearby structures and utilities. The use of underground space continues to increase and contributes positively to sustainable patterns of growth and minimizes adverse impacts to the environment. It is therefore useful for anyone responsible for public health and safety, the development of public and private sector projects, as well as those in the fields of insurance, finance, engineering and construction to become familiar with the practical aspects of tunnel and underground engineering.

This seminar will provide an overview of underground engineering and tunneling technology that includes elements of design and construction. The topics covered will include:

• An overview of the use of underground space
• Planning and logistics for underground projects
• Aspects of site investigation and the characterization of both hard and soft ground for analysis and design
• Introduction to the methods of tunnel and underground construction
• Design tools and methods of analysis including ground support
• Risk management and mitigation strategies for underground projects
• Health and safety management in underground construction
• Contracting practices for underground projects

The seminar participants will gain an appreciation of the complexity and the requirements for multiple technical and social disciplines working together that are needed to successfully plan, design, and construct an underground project. The topics will be presented in a combination of classical lectures and multimedia formats.  Context and reinforcement of the topics will be provided through case studies, design examples, and participant exercises.

Seminar Benefits

• Understand the potential use of underground space and the contribution to sustainability
• Define the critical elements in planning an underground project
• Determine the appropriate methods and applications for performing a site investigation
• To be able to characterize and classify hard and soft ground conditions for use in design
• Understand the available design methods and their application
• Identify the principal methods four conventional and mechanized tunnel construction
• Identify the critical elements of risk in underground projects and learn new solutions for risk management and mitigation

Learning Outcomes

• Develop a site investigation plan for different ground types and excavation methods
• Select the correct excavation method based on ground type and project requirements
• Identify and apply risk mitigation and management tools from project planning through execution and operation
• Prepare geotechnical baseline reports and supporting contractual documents

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

• Through examination and discussion of case studies
• Design examples
• Participant exercises

Who Should Attend?

Industry professionals representing owners/developers in the public and private sectors, the insurance and financial industries, engineers, contractors, construction managers with an interest in becoming more familiar with the practical aspects of tunnel and underground engineering and construction.