Prof. Andrea Segalini

Parma, 17-27 January 2023

Application form: https://forms.gle/9Gi6iHP61a7E17zdA

Description
This course focuses on the engineering geology aspects of the underground excavations. The students will face the essential aspects of the preliminary design phase, analysis of the construction sequences and excavation monitoring during construction and operational phases. Specific attention will be dedicated to the monitoring of underground openings and of their proximity, as well as to the use of the observational methods during each phase of the underground constructions. A final brief exercise activity will summarize the course contents.

At the end of the course the student will have consolidated advanced knowledge and skills in the field of underground excavations that will allow him to deepen subsequently the theoretical and technical knowledge useful for the applications of his PhD activity.

Detailed Program

Lesson 1 – 17/01/2023 15.00-18.00 (Online)
Main geomechanical classifications: Description of the main classifications for the rock mass mechanical characterization to be used as base for design analyses
Elastic Isotropic medium and stress state around a tunnel: Description and analysis of the stress modification around an underground excavation under different hypothesis.

Lesson 2 – 20/01/2023 09.00-12.00 (Online)
Characteristic  lines  method:  Presentation  and  description  of  the  characteristic  lines  method.  Application  of  the methodology for the design of excavation reinforcements. Working hypothesis and application fields.
Excavation wall stability: Analysis methods and examples, Limit equilibrium methods for the excavation wall stability analysis. Application fields.

Lesson 3 – 24/01/2023 15.00-18.00 (Online)
Excavation methods and reinforcement types: Traditional and mechanized excavations.
Monitoring systems for underground excavation and structures: Description of the main monitoring systems used in the underground field.
Risk analysis methods for underground works: Description of the Risk analysis methodology applied to the tunnels and underground constructions.

Lesson 4 – 27/01/2023 09.00-12.00 (Online)
Practical examples and exercises: Application of the characteristic lines method Numerical analysis of underground excavations: procedure and hypothesis.
Finite element modeling (FEM) of an underground excavation. Reinforcement design and verification.

Syllabus