This Practical Guide to Rock Tunneling fills an important void in the literature for a practical guide to the design and construction of tunnels in rock. Practical Guide to Rock Tunneling takes the reader through all the critical steps of the design and construction for rock tunnels starting from geotechnical site investigations through to construction supervision. The guide provides suggestions and recommendations for practitioners on special topics of laboratory testing, durability of rock and acceptance for unlined water conveyance tunnels, overstressing or deep and long tunnels, risk-based evaluation of excavation methods, contract strategies, and post-construction inspections. Key considerations and lessons learned from selected case projects are presented based on the author’s extensive international experience of over 30 years and 1000 km of tunneling for civil, hydropower, and mining infrastructure, including some of the most recognized projects in the world to date. Instead of revisiting all theory and concepts that can be found in other sources, this book contains the hard learned lessons from the author’s experience in the field of Rock Tunneling, gathered over 30 years of service.

Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project, a 7.8 mile system of bridges and underground highways and ramps, is the most expensive public works project ever undertaken in the United States. The original cost estimate of $2.6 billion has already been exceeded by $12 billion, and the project will not be completed until 2005, seven years late. The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA), the public steward of the project, requested that the National Research Council carry out an independent assessment of the project's management and contract administration practices, with a focus on the present situation and measures that should be taken to bring the project to a successful conclusion. This report presents the committee's findings and recommendations pertaining to cost, scheduling, and transitioning from the current organization dominated by consultants to an operations organization composed largely of full-time MTA staff. The report recommends that MTA establish an external, independent, peer-review program to address technical and management issues until the transition to operations and maintenance is complete; begin a media campaign now to teach drivers how to use the new system safely; and develop, immediately implement, and maintain a comprehensive security program.

Introductory technical guidance for civil engineers, geotechnical engineers and other professional engineers nd construction managers interested in design and construction of tunnels and shafts in rock and soil. Here is what is discussed: 1. CONSTRUCTION BY BLASTING AND BORING, 2. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS, 3. GEOTECHNICAL ANALYSIS, 4. INITIAL GROUND SUPPORT DESIGN, 5. CONSTRUCTION OF TUNNELS AND SHAFTS, 6. GEOTECHNICAL EXPLORATION, 7. GROUND SUPPORT, 8. TUNNELS AND SHAFTS IN ROCK.

Introductory technical guidance for civil engineers, geotechnical engineers and construction managers interested in construction of tunnels and shafts. Here is what is discussed: 1. GENERAL, 2. TUNNEL EXCAVATION BY DRILLING AND BLASTING, 3. TUNNEL EXCAVATION BY MECHANICAL MEANS, 4. INITIAL GROUND SUPPORT, 5. SEQUENTIAL EXCAVATION AND SUPPORT, 6. PORTAL CONSTRUCTION, 7. SHAFT CONSTRUCTION, 8. OPTIONS FOR GROUND IMPROVEMENT, 9. DRAINAGE AND CONTROL OF GROUNDWATER, 10. CONSTRUCTION OF FINAL, PERMANENT TUNNEL LININGS, 11. VENTILATION OF TUNNELS AND SHAFTS, 12. SURVEYING FOR TUNNELS AND SHAFTS, 13. CONSTRUCTION HAZARDS AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, 14. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS AND EFFECTS, 15. CONTRACTING PRACTICES, 16. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE PLANNING OF TUNNEL PROJECTS.