Underground Works

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Teaching model based on theoretical-practical classes, combining in a balanced way theoretical explanations of concepts and theories related to the topics with the presentation and discussion of case studies, and also contact with relevant projects, either through invited experts either through visits to construction sites.

Students will also be encouraged to make small practical course works in order to implement the knowledge acquired, simulating simplified real cases.

Learning Outcomes

With this unit it is intended that the student acquires relevant expertise and tools, allowing to take technical decisions, duly justified in the context of design, construction and monitoring during construction of various types of underground works, namely tunnels. At the end of the course the student should be able to:

- Plan geological/geotechnical characterizationcampaings for a tunnel and evaluate the appropriate choice of alignments;

- Understand the phenomenology and behavior behavior of an underground excavation;

- Assess, design and calculate excavation solutions as well and ground improvement strategies;

- Develop analytical and numerical models to calculate a tunnel;

- Compare conventional and Mechanized excavation solutions;

- Evaluate the risks associated with a tunnel, and design and implement mitigation measures

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. The use of underground space

1.1 Historical evolution

1.2 The current situation

1.3 Tunnel engineering in Portugal

2. Phenomenology

2.1 Ground behavior due to the escavation

2.2 Equilibrum in the vicinity of the excavation face

2.3 Final equilibrum

3. Geological and geotechnical characterization

3.1 Desk Studies

3.2 In situ evaluation

3.3. In situ and Lab tests

3.4. Geomechanical classifications

4. Solutions and construction techniques

4.1 Conventional Excavation

4.2 The use of TBMs

4.3 grouns improvemennt and reiforcement for tunnels

5. Structural design

5.1 Calculation models

5.2 Face stability

5.3 Loads and forces in the support

5.4 Ground movements

5.5 The use of numerical models

6. Observation and Instrumentation

6.1 Variables to control and monitoring devices

6.2 Location of the instruments

6.3 Frequency of reading and interpretation of results

7. Risk analysis in tunnels and Building Risk Analysis.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Project: 25.0%
Exam: 75.0%

Bibliography

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration; Technical Manual for Design and Construction of Road Tunnels, 2009 (Disponível online no site da FHWA)

Pietro Lunardi; Design and Construction of Tunnels, Springer, 2008. ISBN: 978-3-540-73874-9

Evert Hoek; Practical rock engineering (Disponível online em https://www.rocscience.com/education/hoeks_corner)

- Slides de apresentação das aulas teóricas;

- Apontamentos desenvovidos pelos docentes das Unidade