1. Geological characterisation of the project site, stress field, soil, rock.
2. Stress and strain fields around tunnels: Elastic and elastoplastic solutions.
3. Closed and open excavation.
4. Construction of open cut tunnels (CUTandCOVER). Construction methods and slope support techniques.
5. TBM method. Types of excavation machines.
6. NATM method, design of temporary support measures using the theory of plastic zones, anchors, final lining ring sizing.
7. Theories on the calculation of stresses in tunnel walls.
8. Classification systems for tunnels (Terzaghi, RMR, Q, GSI) and empirical design methods.

Learning Outcomes

The course teaches the subject of the Study and Construction of Underground Works and Tunnels in the direction of Geotechnical Engineering.

With the successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Evaluate the basic principles of tunnel excavation studies, design principles, and the main tunnel construction technologies.
• Address tunnel excavation issues (immediate support, face stability, final lining).
• Design the measures of the NATM method using empirical methods.