TUNNEL SIMULATION IN VARIABLE GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS ---PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRWESS, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY, 20-25 OCTOBER 1986, BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA. VOLUMES 1, 2 AND 3.

Recent technological advances in tunnel excavation methods and high variability in ground conditions have rendered the task of cost estimation a complex and time-consuming procedure. The two major factors that influence the cost estimation of a tunnelling project are the uncertainties in predicting geological conditions along the proposed tunnel line and choosing the optimal construction method to match the geological conditions. Determining the optimal construction method minimizes the time-to-completion thus reducing the total project cost. A detailed analysis of a proposed tunnelling project becomes difficult when short time periods are allotted for project feasibility. With the large amount of information available for analysis, the computer becomes a cost-effective tool to evaluate tunnelling projects. A computer model has been developed to undertake a detailed feasibility analysis by integrating the techniques of probability, statistics, simulation, and spreadsheet manipulation. The computer program consists of two basic components -the operation model and the cost model. The operational model simulates the advance rate of a tunnel through varying geological conditions for a conventional drill-blast tunnelling system. The Monte Carlo sampling technique is used to generate random variables from actual tunnelling activity time distributions (i.e., drill time, muck time, etc). The output from the operational model (activity times and quantities) combined with unit price data forms the input for the cost model. The cost data is transferred through a series of databases and spreadsheets to determine the total project cost for various construction scenarios. By varying the input data, sensitivity analyses can be performed quickly and efficiently. Computer modelling is therefore a most attractive and cost-effective method for estimation of the costs and scheduling of tunnelling projects in variable geological environments.(a) for the covering abstract of the congress see IRRD 817067.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9061916631
• Corporate Authors:

  AA Balkema

  P.O. Box 1675
  Rotterdam,   Netherlands  BR-3000
• Authors:
  • Grant, D R
  • Miller, HDS
• Publication Date: 1986

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 291-300
• Serial:
  • Publication of: AA BALKEMA
  • Publisher: AA Balkema

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Conferences; Construction management; Costs; Digital computers; Drilling; Geology; Mathematical models; Optimization; Probability; Simulation; Statistics; Tunnels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Optimum; Selection
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Data and Information Technology; Finance; Geotechnology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00483469
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• ISBN: 90-6191-663-1
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1989 12:00AM