Italiano - English - Area riservata
Tunneling

Tunneling

Professor

Carlo Callari

Degree course

Civil Engineering

Profile

Unique

Course denomination

Gallerie (Tunneling)

ECTS

6

Learning objectives and coherence with general degree course learning targets

The course provides the fundamentals of design, analysis, construction and monitoring of tunnels. In order to facilitate the understanding of course topics, frequent reference is done to case histories and a technical visit is organized to a tunnel construction site.

As it regards the consistency with the goals of LM 23 in Civil Engineering, it can be remarked that the underground constructions are an important application field for specialists in civil engineering. Furthermore, the aforementioned objectives of the course require a strong multidisciplinary approach (2nd cycle Dublin descriptors (b,c)). In this way, the student has the chance to extend her/his skills in structural and geotechnical engineering, which play a crucial role in civil engineering (2nd cycle Dublin descriptor (a)).

Course contents
  • Fundamentals of the history of tunneling (0.5 CFU)
  • Classifications of tunnels (based on function or structure) and cross-section design criteria (0.5 CFU).
  • Fundamentals of rock mechanics (phyisico-mechanical modeling and classification of rock material, joints and rock mass) (1.0 CFU).
  • Observed features of ground response to tunnel excavation (convergence, subsidence, face and vault stability, water inflow, ground loss) and major issues in tunnel design (geotechnical and structural limit states in terms of stresses and deformations) (0.5 CFU).
  • Axial-symmetric and plane-strain cavity in an elasto-plastic ground (governing equations, elasto-plastic solutions, curves of cavity convergence) (0.5 CFU).
  • Conventional (drill and blast, excavation tools, excavation sequence, temporary and permanent supports, drainage and waterproofing) and mechanized (Tunnel Boring Machines, Slurry Shields, Earth Pressure Balance Shields) construction techniques. Ground improvement and other support techniques (radial bolts, face nails, grouting, pipe and jet grouting “umbrellas”) (1.5 CFU).
  • Observational Method and Monitoring of tunnel construction (0.5 CFU).
  • Analysis of lining stresses and convergences, assessment of surface subsidence and tunnel stability (empirical and analytical methods) (1.0 CFU).

Bibliography/required texts

"Tunneling class notes an slides" prepared by the teacher (Italian, English and French) and covering most part of the course contents. Conference proceedings and journal papers (Italian, English) selected by the teacher.

Prerequisites

 

Teaching methods

Lessons and practice. Technical visits to a tunnel construction site.

Language

Italian with multilingual slides (Italian, English and French)

Assessment methods

Oral exam for the assessment of the acquirement of fundamentals of design, analysis, construction and monitoring of tunnels. The evaluation is performed through a public exam and the grade is expressed by the whole Committee in the range 0-30. More details can be found in the teaching regulation.

Further information

carlo.callari@unimol.it