Shaking Tunnel Vision
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Civil Engineering
Abstract
Vision - In Shaking Tunnel Vision we want to develop novel disaster management strategies for tunnels under repeated seismic loading through innovative monitoring and analysis of a new World Class Case Study.
Summary
Tunnels are one of cities' and nations' critical lifelines in the modern World, transporting people, water, electricity, minerals and energy. They are an essential part of the infrastructure that serves people and therefore, are critical to their wealth and well-being. The impacts of global urbanisation and Climate Change are forcing nations to look towards underground space for their future infrastructure. Internationally, tunnel construction is increasing and Chile is no exception. Multiple tunnelling projects are in the country's pipeline or being currently designed and / or built (e.g. the Andean tunnel to connect Argentina and Chile, multiple underground mine tunnels, like the 1,000 km projected in the Chuquicamata mine and Hydraulic power plants, to name but a few).
Their behaviour under repeated seismic loading is not precisely understood and therefore, current designs and disaster risk management strategies could be greatly improved. This is, partly, due to the lack of performance data from real tunnels. Accidents are rare but they do occur, and when they do, have significant consequences (e.g. the Pedro Galleguillos tunnel in Tocopilla, 2007).
The purpose of this project is to design and install a monitoring system in ttwo tunnels (La Polvora, Valparaiso, and Metro Santiago) with the intention of: (1) fundamentally (re-)defining our understanding of the behaviour of tunnels under repeated seismic loading; (2) developing an engineering-risk-based disaster management approach for tunnels in seismic areas; (3) creating a case study that will become an internationally recognised reference and will be used widely in years to come for the validation of future improved numerical and analytical design approaches.
Summary
Tunnels are one of cities' and nations' critical lifelines in the modern World, transporting people, water, electricity, minerals and energy. They are an essential part of the infrastructure that serves people and therefore, are critical to their wealth and well-being. The impacts of global urbanisation and Climate Change are forcing nations to look towards underground space for their future infrastructure. Internationally, tunnel construction is increasing and Chile is no exception. Multiple tunnelling projects are in the country's pipeline or being currently designed and / or built (e.g. the Andean tunnel to connect Argentina and Chile, multiple underground mine tunnels, like the 1,000 km projected in the Chuquicamata mine and Hydraulic power plants, to name but a few).
Their behaviour under repeated seismic loading is not precisely understood and therefore, current designs and disaster risk management strategies could be greatly improved. This is, partly, due to the lack of performance data from real tunnels. Accidents are rare but they do occur, and when they do, have significant consequences (e.g. the Pedro Galleguillos tunnel in Tocopilla, 2007).
The purpose of this project is to design and install a monitoring system in ttwo tunnels (La Polvora, Valparaiso, and Metro Santiago) with the intention of: (1) fundamentally (re-)defining our understanding of the behaviour of tunnels under repeated seismic loading; (2) developing an engineering-risk-based disaster management approach for tunnels in seismic areas; (3) creating a case study that will become an internationally recognised reference and will be used widely in years to come for the validation of future improved numerical and analytical design approaches.
Planned Impact
The impact of this research has been divided into four main areas: Society, Economy, People and Skills and Knowledge.
Society.
The societal benefits of this proposal are: reduced risk of disruption through tunnel closures, minimising CO2 emission targets, and general environmental related benefits for health and well-being from the use of public transport and enhanced links.
Economy
Tunnels are critical to the economy of the region in Chile: their failure would have a catastrophic impact on the economy of the country. Hence, this research will minimise this risk by improving understanding of the behaviour of these structures, but also the disaster risk management tool that will help attract investment.
People and Skills
We will train three researchers, improve the profile of others and consolidate the careers of other researchers in the area. We will carry out workshops, seminars and courses in Chile for the benefit of the engineering and disaster management communities there.
Knowledge
The project will have a unique contribution knowledge, carrying out pioneering research on the behaviour of tunnels under repeated seismic loading in the transversal and longitudinal directions. It will also create the foundations of a engineering-risk-based disaster management assessment tool for tunnels to be used Worldwide.
Society.
The societal benefits of this proposal are: reduced risk of disruption through tunnel closures, minimising CO2 emission targets, and general environmental related benefits for health and well-being from the use of public transport and enhanced links.
Economy
Tunnels are critical to the economy of the region in Chile: their failure would have a catastrophic impact on the economy of the country. Hence, this research will minimise this risk by improving understanding of the behaviour of these structures, but also the disaster risk management tool that will help attract investment.
People and Skills
We will train three researchers, improve the profile of others and consolidate the careers of other researchers in the area. We will carry out workshops, seminars and courses in Chile for the benefit of the engineering and disaster management communities there.
Knowledge
The project will have a unique contribution knowledge, carrying out pioneering research on the behaviour of tunnels under repeated seismic loading in the transversal and longitudinal directions. It will also create the foundations of a engineering-risk-based disaster management assessment tool for tunnels to be used Worldwide.
