Instructor

David G. Abbott, P.E., M.ASCE
Mr. Abbott has a B Eng. degree from Liverpool University in England in civil engineering and is a registered professional engineer throughout Europe. He is a Principal with Jason Consultants. He has over 35 years of experience in underground construction and has been actively involved in the design and construction of tunneling, pipe jacking, microtunneling, and other forms of trenchless technology for many years. His expertise covers all aspects of project development from project evaluation and feasibility study through conceptual and detailed engineering to equipment selection, project construction, construction management and inspection. Since1983 he has been involved with more than 350 tunneling, pipejacking, and microtunneling projects.Before joining Jason he was based in the USA as a senior executive with two of the leading international tunnel equipment manufacturing and supply companies. His international experience is extensive having worked in Europe, SE Asia, North, South and Latin America. David is a well-known speaker at North American and international tunneling and trenchless technology conferences and seminars and has presented more than 30 papers at various forums and conferences in many countries. He has also written numerous articles for technical journals and was a technical advisor on the recent ASCE Utility Tunneling Video.

Back to Top

Course Description

Tunnels are key elements of the nation’s infrastructure. Mostly invisible and out of sight they play a key role in urban transportation, water and sewerage transportation, and in hydro electric power and many other sectors.

The seminar will cover an introduction to all forms of tunneling in a coherent and systematic approach. Particular emphasis will be placed on the attendees understanding both the types of techniques available and their applicability in various soils and physical constraints.The seminar also will emphasize understanding and mitigating the inevitable risks involved in tunneling.

 A comprehensive review will be provided of techniques for subsurface investigation and characterization for soft ground, hard rock tunneling, microtunneling and shaft construction and how this subsurface information is then used in both designing and specifying for tunnels and in the selection of an appropriate tunneling method and tunneling equipment.

A range of tunneling methods currently available will be presented and discussed in detail including hand and simple mechanical excavation, NATM, various forms of soft ground and rock mechanical excavation, drill & blast tunneling, pipe and box jacking and microtunneling.

The course also includes the selection and installation of various tunnel lining methods, the selection and construction of various shafts for tunneling, and key aspects of tunnel design, specification, cost and construction management with particular emphasis on risk management and mitigation during the design and construction process. New trends in tunneling and innovative techniques will also be discussed.

The seminar will include numerous case studies and provide practical applications of the various techniques discussed, including three comprehensive case history group workshop sessions in soft ground,hard rock and microtunnelling forms of tunneling, as well as the presentation of 7 videos of various aspects of tunneling.

A comprehensive set of notes and references to be retained by the attendees, (will be provided in hard copy and on a CD), as well as a list of suggested reading.

Back to Top

Seminar Benefits The seminar will introduce you to both the full range and the latest tunneling techniques and will develop your skills in being able to: Select and specify suitable investigation techniques for tunneling Analyze ground conditions for tunneling Assist in making informed decisions regarding tunnel and tunnel shaft construction methods and tunnel lining selection Select and properly specify the most suitable equipment for tunneling Develop a better understanding of the application and use of microtunneling techniques Write better contract documents and specifications for tunneling Develop techniques to mitigate risk in tunneling due to anticipated and unanticipated tunneling problems Develop tunnel construction schedules more accurately Manage and monitor tunnel construction projects to improve productivity, quality, and safety Develop comprehensive monitoring plans for tunnel construction

Back to Top

Who Should Attend

Construction and project managers, design and project engineers (both field and design office),construction supervisory personnel, construction cost estimators, graduate geotechnical engineers and individuals in the construction industry either wanting a better grounding in modern tunneling techniques and practices or an update on current technical and contractual tunnel management techniques.

Back to Top

Summary Outline

Day One: Introduction,Seminar Overview, Seminar Overview Participants background Review of tunnel sizes and principal uses Sub Surface Characterization for Soft Ground Geotechnical investigation for soft ground tunneling Soils classification of soils for tunneling Tunnel Construction in Soft Ground A brief historical overview of soft ground tunneling Hand excavation and simple tunnel machines Excavator shields in competent ground NATM (New Austrian Tunneling Method) Soft Ground Slurry Tunneling Soft Ground Tunneling using EPB systems Other shield types for soft ground Compressed air tunneling Tunnel Lining Selection and Design for Soft Ground Soft ground tunneling ground support system selection Two pass linings (Rib & Lag linings) One pass linings Segmental linings Jacked pipe linings Case History Soft Ground Tunneling –Group Workshop Session Day Two: Sub Surface Characterization for Rock Geotechnical site investigation for rock tunneling Rock classification of rock mass for tunneling Tunnel Construction In Rock A brief historical overview of rock tunneling Review of rock excavation methods Drill & Blast tunnels Road headers in competent ground Hard Rock Tunneling with TBM's Other techniques for hard rock tunneling Tunnel excavation performance evaluation Tunnel Lining Selection and Design for Rock Tunnels Rock tunnel support system selection Supports to hard rock tunnels (rock bolting etc.) Shaft Construction for Tunneling Review of all available techniques and their suitability Rib & lag & steel supports Sheet piles Jet grouting Caissons Slurry walls Ground freezing Case History Hard Rock Tunneling –Group Workshop Session Day Three: Pipe Jacking and Micro tunneling Pipe jacking capabilities, equipment and techniques Micro tunneling capabilities, equipment and techniques Jacking pipe for pipe jacking/micro tunneling Specialist techniques for micro tunneling Case histories Case History Micro tunneling –Group Workshop Session Potential problems in Tunneling & Shaft Construction for Tunneling Ground improvement (grouting methods for ground improvement) Groundwater control Obstructions and mixed face tunneling Case histories Tunnel Planning and Minimization of Risk Investigation and pre planning Method and equipment selection Performance envelopes for various tunnel methods (settlement/alignment noise etc) Specification preparation for tunneling Contract document preparation for tunneling Risk mitigation and management techniques for tunneling Tunnel construction management, inspection, monitoring and control Tunnel and micro tunnel cost influences and costs levels Tunnel Management and Safety Tunnel design management and safety Tunnel and shaft operation safety QA/QC for tunneling New Developments, Trends and Techniques Investigation techniques (prior to and during tunneling) Hard rock tunneling Soft ground tunneling Pipe jacking and Micro tunneling Pipe roofing techniques Jacked Boxes A bibliography of – suggested book, manuals and trade journal reading

Back to Top