Risk analysis and optimization in tunnel Design & Construction

The design and the construction of tunnels and of all the structures that strongly interact with the ground should be carried out very carefully because of the presence of uncertainties and unforeseen conditions.
In these circumstances, the designers tend to be over cautious, taking into examination the worst cases associated with the poorest geotechnical parameters values, producing a worst case design that is not necessarily required for the whole project conditions.
The observational method is the winning approach in such cases: it could be defined as "" a continuous, managed and integrated process of design, construction control, monitoring and review which enables previously-designed modifications to be incorporated during or after the construction as appropriate."
As it will be shown in the next paragraphs, modeFRONTIER plays a fundamental role in the design and construction of tunnels by means of the observational method, as it allow to contemporary weigh the risks related to the excavation of the tunnel and the costs and time required for the construction, thus defining the optimal balance between all the design parameters.
In the next figure the process connected to the design and construction of a tunnel by means of the observational method is shown, please click on any part of the figure to get more details.

Download a paper explaining the application of these design and construction methodologies to the Brenner Base Tunnel.
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For further information:
Alessandro Laner
info@enginsoft.com