Week 23: Ventilation and Safety in underground spaces II

Elena Chiriotti Tender management

Elena Chiriotti and the students after her lecture on tenders management

This week was devoted to the study of the the safety and ventilation issues by
Achille Sorlini of Telt

Achille Sorlini and the students after his lecture on safety on work sites

and by Prof. Mario Patrucco of Politecnico di Torino
Finally Prof Romano Borchiellini of Politecnico di Torino  gave a good analysis of the design issues of tunnel ventilation

Week 22: Safety in underground spaces I

This week Prof. Patrucco started the analysis of the safety issues in tunnel construction.
The topic of  use of compressed air in Tunnelling was developed by Eng. Paolo Morzone and Eng. Luca Bicchierini of Atlas Copco company

Prof. Marina Pirulli of Politecnico di Torino  developed the topic  of tunnel vs slope stability

The important case history of the Frejus tunnel was discussed by Eng. Leone of Telt

Week 21: TBM's auxiliary systems

Starting with this week, Patrizio Torta (PM&E) presented some case studies of Claims, focusing on the importance of the rights and duties of each party acting on a project. He emphasised as well on the value of a well established contract to avoid conflicts and its catastrophic consequences in economical and schedule terms.

Patrizio Torta and the students after his lecture on claims management

Fritz Grübl (PSP Consulting Engineers GmbH and University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart) held a very interesting and dynamic lecture on TBM driving and segmental lining design. As a founder member of TACS guidance systems he discussed the evolution and state of the art of this key component of the machine for its precise steering along the designed alignment. His main research topic at Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences is Segmental Lining so he presented as well the most important aspects for its design and installation. 

Fritz Grübl and the students after his lecture regarding TBM guidance and lining

From his more than 30 years experience on TBM drives, Antonio Nicola from Salini Impregilo   pointed some very interesting and crucial aspects to take into consideration for the planning and operation phases of a mechanised tunnelling project. Focusing mainly on the auxiliary and miscellaneous systems such as:

• Muck transport
• Concrete and segments transport
• Ventilation system
• Hyperbaric facilities
• Slurry treatment plant
• EPB soil conditioning agents supply
• Dewatering and water treatment plant
• Compressed air supply
• Electricity supply

Antonio Nicola and the students after his lecture on TBM miscellaneous systems

Jarre Pietro (Global) gave us another of his peculiar presentations focusing on the importance of a well established communication and the increasing importance of the GIS and BIM based softwares to improve the interoperability of the parties involved in the design and construction process. Technology provide us with powerful tools that must be exploited to enhance the logistics, monitoring and communication during the life span of a project.

Pietro Jarre and the students after his lecture on GIS and BIM use for communication.

Week 20: Frejus Exploratory Tunnel jobsite visit

Starting with this week, Romano Allione (FIDIC Contracts expert) started with a two day seminar to explain the main concepts behind conditions of contracts of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers guidelines (Red, Silver, Yellow book). He took some time as well to present some very interesting case histories from his wide personal professional experience, such as Panama Canal where he provided his expertise.

Romano Allione and the students after his lecture on FIDIC conditions of contracts.

During this week we had the opportunity to visite the Frejus Exploratory Tunnel from the french side, we visited the segmental lining factory and the underground cavern for the assembly of a NFM single shield rock TBM. Some additional pictures are available at Site Visit section.

Course members and Master's director Daniele Peila at the jobsite entrance.

TBM's Cutterhead and Shield inside the underground assembly cavern.

Finally during this short week due to the Republic Day of Italy, Oggeri Claudio presented a very interesting lecture on the reuse of excavated material. This is a topic of mayor concern nowadays due to the higher constraints in terms of disposal of the spoil, the possibility of reutilise it instead of treating it as a by product has to be considered not only for environmental but also for economical reasons.