Tunnel engineering is a branch of civil engineering that deals with construction of tunnels. There is much more to know about the amazing sector. Needless to say, no tiny virus can be a reason to prevent us from transporting for essential purposes. Therefore, the career opportunities are always out there for you.
In this blog, I will walk you through the basics of tunnel engineering, the works done by a tunnel engineer, and fundamental details about tunnels. And finally the advantages and disadvantages of tunnels.
Tunnel engineering is a truly interdisciplinary field, requiring knowledge and abilities from civil engineering, geological engineering, and mining engineering, as well as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, geophysics, geology, and other disciplines.
The main modules involved in the course are,
- General Tunneling Aspects
- Engineering Geology (stresses, strains, and anisotropy)
- Engineering Rock Mechanics
- Soil Mechanics & Geotechnical Engineering, Investigations
- Using Rock and Soil Mechanics
- Analytical and Numerical Methods for Diagnosis Phase; Therapy Phase for Preliminary Confinement
- Type A tunnels: Analytical
- Methods of Analysis and Design
- Type A Tunnels: Excavation in Rock
- Therapy Phase and Construction Phase for Preconfinement (Type B & C Tunnels) and Final Lining
- Mechanized Tunneling with Face Control for Type B and C Tunnels
- Monitoring and Surveying
- Risk Assessment & Management
What does a Tunnelling Engineer do?
Tunnel engineers are highly qualified civil engineers who are in charge of designing and managing tunnelling projects. From the original design stages through the day the first automobile or train travels through, they are involved in every step of the tunnel construction process.
Tunnel building can be done in a variety of ways, each needing specialized expertise and equipment. Bored tunnels with Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), sprayed concrete lined tunnels, tunnels built with explosives, and tunnels built by pipejacking, pip ramming, or thrust boring are examples of these procedures.
Advantages of Tunneling
When compared to other approaches, the tunnelling method has a few advantages, which are listed below:
- When the depth exceeds a certain limit, the tunneling approach is more cost effective than the open cut trench method.
- When tunneling takes place, there is no disruption to surface life or ground activities such as transportation.
- The approach provides high-speed building while consuming minimal power.
- Noise Pollution is Reduced
- In high-altitude settings, these approaches are devoid of snow and iceberg risks.
- Tunnels are subject to restrictions on surface and air interference.
- The provision of tunnels with gentle gradients aids in the reduction of hauling costs.
- When it comes to public utility transit, tunneling offers a significant advantage over bridges.
- When a dangerous open cut to a nearby structure is required, the tunneling approach is used to solve the problem.
- In aerial warfare and bombing situations, the tunneling provides more protection.