On-line Certificate in Tunneling

Transcription

1 The University of Texas at Austin Presents On-line Certificate in Tunneling Endorsed By AT LEAST Director: FULVIO TONON Start date: September 1, CEUs (PENDING APPROVAL) Fulvio Tonon, Ph.D., P.E. (Texas, Italy) Assistant Professor The University of Texas at Austin Department of Civil Engineering 1 University Station C1792 Austin, TX USA Updated : December 17, 2010 PH (Direct): PH (Secretary): FAX: tonon@mail.utexas.edu - 1 -

2 CONTENTS 1 WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE ASSOCIATION (ITA) WHERE THE PROGRAM WILL BE HOUSED UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN (UT) COCKRELL SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL, ARCHITECTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING (CAEE) CENTER FOR LIFELONG ENGINEERING EDUCATION (CLEE) INTERNATIONAL TUNNELING CONSORTIUM (ITC) MOTIVATION FOR UT PROGRAM CURRENT ITA-ENDORSED PROGRAMS VS. UT PROGAM OBJECTIVES OF UT PROGRAM STRUCTURE OF UT PROGRAM DIPLOMAS CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUs) REGISTRATION PROCESS AND COST PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS REVIEWS

3 1 Who should attend Engineers or engineering geologists with an MS and BS in Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology or Mining Engineering who want to obtain a working knowledge of tunnel design or construction management by applying the fundamentals acquired in their BS and MS degrees (and possible professional experience). 2 The International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) ITA is a non-profit and non-governmental organization in consultative status, Special Category, with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The aims of the ITA are to encourage the use of the subsurface for the benefit of public, environment and sustainable development; and to promote advances in planning, design, construction, maintenance and safety of tunnels and underground space, by bringing together information thereon and by studying questions related thereto. Currently, the ITA is composed of 54 member nations. The ITA has provisionally endorsed the Certificate, and the final ITA decision is expected soon. 3 Where the Program Will Be Housed 3.1 University of Texas at Austin (UT) One of the largest public universities in the United States acre main campus, 21,000 faculty and staff, 16 colleges and schools and almost 50,000 students Annual enrollment = 11,000 students 3,500 master s and doctor s degrees awarded annually, 8,700 bachelor s degrees awarded annually in more than 170 fields of study and 100 majors. 3,500 research projects, 90 research units and annual research funding exceeding $400 million. 3.2 Cockrell School of Engineering Annual research funding exceeding $120 million. 9 th best engineering school in the US (US News). 255 professorial faculty. 7,200 students enrolled in nine undergraduate and 13 graduate programs. 3.3 Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering (CAEE) Annual research funding exceeding $25 million. 4th best program, both undergraduate and graduate in the US (US News). 55 professorial faculty undergraduate students, 350 graduate students. 3.4 Center for Lifelong Engineering Education (CLEE) Part of the Cockrell School of Engineering at UT Austin, CLEE is an innovative leader in the training and professional development industry. For over 35 years, CLEE s commitment has remained simple: to provide training that makes a profound difference in people s lives and work. With more than 100 working programs worldwide offered across multi-disciplines, CLEE brings to individuals, organizations, and industry the best the Top 10 College of Engineering has to offer: cutting-edge research, solid academic reputation, and extensive faculty experience. The end result is relevant, diverse education opportunities that transform lives. CLEE will manage the program in coordination with the Program Director and issue the final Certificate International Tunneling Consortium (ITC) Established by Dr. Tonon in 2007 in the CAEE, the objective of the International Tunneling Consortium (ITC) is to establish a collaboration between academia and the industry to foster research and education in tunneling by listening to the industry needs. The mission of the ITC is twofold: 1) To carry out research on tunneling and underground construction as proposed by the members; 2) to educate the next generation of tunnel engineers. The main educational task for the ITC is to act as supervising board for the Certificate, provide internship opportunities, and provide industry speakers

4 4 Motivation for UT Program The motivations behind this proposal are as follows: No ITA-endorsed program is currently offered in the Americas (North, Central and South) Very few tunneling courses are offered at US universities, and therefore it is very likely that a civil engineer is not exposed to tunneling in his formal education. Industry demand for tunnel engineers is extremely high and ever increasing. Contractors cannot bid on projects because of lack of tunneling-educated manpower. As a consequence of the previous point, tunneling prices are skyrocketing because tenders receive very few, if any, bids. Consulting firms cannot take on (more) projects because of lack of tunneling-educated manpower. Owners have no expertise in tunneling because their last tunnel project was built a long time ago (>30 years), and personnel involved in those projects have long retired. However, more and more tunnel alternatives now pass the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) because of increased environmental sensitivity, cost of land/real estate, congestion, and population increase. Because of the high demand and good compensation, engineers or engineering geologists enter the tunneling business by simply acquiring the nomenclature on tunneling on the street or on the fly without a firm understanding of fundamentals. UT graduate students must be at the forefront of the tunneling industry. Professionals cannot leave their current assignments for an extended period of time. Sustainability: each traveling individual creates 0.6 to 1 pound/mile ( g/km) of carbon emissions. 5 Current ITA-endorsed programs vs. UT Progam As illustrated in Figure 1, the current ITA-endorsed programs are Level 2 Master Courses that, within the European Bologna agreement structure: 1) Are offered in Europe: Turin ( and Lausanne ( 2) Are not necessary in order to obtain an engineering license. 3) Require travel to and reside (4 to 10 months) at the instruction location. Level 2 Master Courses are awarded by the EU nation of interest, and have a legal value; the ITA endorsement does not appear on the official diploma issued by the EU nation, but it appears on a separate certificate issued by the organization that manages the program (Figure 2). The ITC Certificate is offered completely on line with several review modules and assignments, many homework assignments meant to gain working knowledge of the subject matter, and weekly web-meetings to address and discuss issues connected to the subject matter and/or homework. This allows students to pace the learning process based on their actual needs and to acquire specialized knowledge in tunneling without leaving their current professional assignments. Two tracks are envisioned: design and construction. Figure 1. Structure of the Bologna agreement higher education system (European Union). After Dr. Daniele Peila s presentation to the ITA-CET, May

5 Figure 2. Diploma issued by COREP, Turin Polytechnic. 6 Objectives of UT Program At the end of the program, students will be able to: Move beyond acquiring nomenclature on tunneling. Acquire core fundamentals as they apply to tunneling. Acquire working knowledge of design or construction management of tunnels. In detail: Understand the mechanics of tunnel advance. Formulate investigation and monitoring programs for underground construction, and interpret their results for design and construction. Based on face stability analyses, subdivide an alignment into tunnel behavior categories. Select and design the appropriate excavation method. Select, compose and design the appropriate stabilization methods. Prepare and interpret construction specifications. Identify, quantify and manage risk in underground construction with an understanding of tunneling contractual practices. Proceed through detailed design of support and reinforcement (design track). Manage a tunnel construction site, handle disputes, interpret and prepare contracts, schedules, and cost estimates (construction track). Work in a multi-cultural environment. Students will be exposed to state-of-the-art/practice in tunneling and will rigorously master the material through homework assignments, projects, and internships. 7 Structure of UT Program Duration: depends on student s pace, but limited to 2 years. 2 tracks, fixed curriculum: Design and Construction Management. 11 Modules: General Tunneling Aspects; Engineering Geology, stresses, strains, and anisotropy; Engineering Rock Mechanics; Soil Mechanics and 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 and C Tunnels) and Final Lining; Mechanized Tunneling with Face Control for Type B and C Tunnels; Monitoring and Surveying; Risk Assessment and Management

6 Each Module is composed of: lectures and assignments by the Program Director that form the backbone of the Certificate and ensure continuity throughout the program; reviews by industry leaders; in-depth seminars with case-histories by industry leaders. 10 review reading, tunneling-oriented reading, and homework assignments meant to review basic coursework at the Master level and apply that knowledge to tunneling. A seminar from an industry speaker introduces the application to tunneling and introduces the relevant homework/project. This homework is set up in conjunction with industry partners who are leaders in their field and draws from specific case histories. Over 40 homework assignments are reviewed and graded. Use of RocScience codes Slide, Dips, Swedge, and Phase2 ( Midas GTS ( ITASCA FLAC, UDEC, and PFC is included in the homework ( Theoretical background to the codes is explained in the lectures and mastered in the homework by carrying out problems by hand and then checking the results with RocScience software. Hands-on applications of Midas GTS and ITASCA codes are included. Time-sensitive educational licenses are included in the fee and allow students to become familiar with industry standard software. Over one hundred seminars on tunneling topics by leading international experts. They drill deep into a specific topic introduced in the two courses and bring the industry perspective and case histories into the program. Comprehension questions are assigned at the end of each seminar. All lectures and seminars are taped and can be accessed by the students at any time and from any location. Three-month internship at a construction site. Internship objectives are established in coordination with the Program Director and the construction site supervisor; a 2-page final report addresses how objectives were met, and is reviewed and approved by the construction site supervisor. Although the ITC may have a limited number of internships available to UT graduate students, all other students are responsible for finding and accomplishing their own internships. Group weekly web-meeting with Program Director to: ensure continuity between course content and homework, stimulate group discussion and feedback. UT graduate students: about 20 assignments are equivalent to assignments given in UT courses, and they do not have to be repeated. Recommended UT courses for the two tracks are given in the Appendix. Although students have flexibility in pacing the lectures, it must be borne in mind that one week of lectures entails from 3 to 6 hours of lectures. Enough time must be allowed to master the material, and each homework assignment may take 9-12 hours to complete. Road blocks are established along the program curriculum at the end of each program module listed below so that students cannot advance unless all previous homework has been completed. Therefore, a firm commitment must be made in order to be able to complete the Certificate. The following is a tentative list of modules and lectures. Changes may be made before program start. Module 1: General Tunneling Aspects General aspects of tunnel design and construction; worldwide demand Experimental evidence and basic principles of tunneling General Tunneling Aspects and Geometric Design of Tunnels Relationships between Geotechnical/structural Aspects and Functional Aspects of Tunnel Design and Planning Fire safety in tunnels Immersed Tube Tunnels Tunnel inspection and rehabilitation: a consultant perspective Design for Maintenance and Operation of Road Tunnels from the Owner's Viewpoint Design for Maintenance and Operation of Water Tunnels from the Owner's Viewpoint Relationships and Project Planning in Tunnel Projects Design and Construction Management in Tunnel Projects Architectural Design of the Underground Space Consulting in a worldwide market Constructing in a worldwide market - 6 -

7 Module 2: Engineering Geology, stresses, strains, and anisotropy Introduction Rock Forming Minerals Plutonic Igneous Rocks Volcanic Rocks Epiclastic Sedimentary Rocks Soluble Sedimentary Rocks Metamorphic Rocks Review of Mathematical Concepts Strain Stress Elasticity and Anisotropy Review of MS-level material and its application to tunneling: Applied Geophysics and its Application to Tunneling Assignment Proposal for a geophysical exploration and analysis of actual geophysical data from case history Engineering geology for tunnels: sedimentary rocks Engineering geology for tunnels: igneous rocks Engineering geology for tunnels: metamorphic rocks Tunneling Through Faulted and Folded Rocks Engineering Geology Case Histories of Tunnels in Karst Terrain Drill Holes, Core Borings, and in-the-hole Tests in Rock Geophysical Methods for Investigating the Ground Ahead of the Tunnel Face Module 3: Engineering Rock Mechanics In situ Stress and its Measurement 6 Intact Rock, Testing Techniques, Swelling 7 Discontinuities: Mechanical Properties and Testing Techniques Characterization, Geometric Properties, Stereographic Projection Fracture Systems Rock Mass Classifications Rock Mass Behavior and Continuum vs. Discontinuum Water Flow in Single Fracture Water Flow in Rock Masses Effect of Clusters on Groundwater Flow and Grouting 8 9, Review of MS-level material and its application to tunneling: Physical Hydrogeology Assignment Read UTRC case-histories on groundwater inflow. Study geo-hydrology report for an actual construction site and predict groundwater inflow. Case histories in rock stress measurement Case histories in hydraulic fracturing rock stress measurement Some Observations on Modes of Failure and Their Analysis for Jointed Rock Masses Ongoing challenges in Engineering Geology for tunnelling in difficult ground (Janhs Lecture) Fracture systems, discrete fracture networks, and water flow in discrete fracture networks Groundwater inflow: current simplified methods and case histories Water taps and sewer outfalls: why we need them, what they are, hydraulic constraints, design and construction considerations, case histories

8 Module 4: Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Investigations Using Rock and Soil Mechanics Weight-volume Relationships, Permeability, Seepage, Effective Stresses in Drained Conditions T1.1 Effective Stresses in Undrained Conditions, Triaxial and Shear Tests T1.2 In situ Tests in Soils T1.3 Effective vs. Total stress analysis, shear strength and deformability T1.4 Soil Behavior and Critical State Soil Mechanics T1.5 Investigations for Tunneling Projects T3 Review of MS-level material and its application to tunneling: Earth Retaining Structures and Cut-and-Cover Tunnels Stability of Earth Slopes Assignment Design of a real shaft or cut-and-cover or retaining structures for a portal Design of a tunnel portal in soil Drill Holes, Borings, and in-the-hole Tests in Soil Site Investigation for Tunnels in Soft Ground Geotechnical baseline report Examples of Geotechnical Baseline Reports Slurry Walls An Overview of Soft Ground Tunneling from a Consultant Perspective NATM and sequential excavation method Analysis of COntrolled DEformations (ADECO) - 8 -

9 Module 5: Analytical and Numerical Methods for Diagnosis Phase; Therapy Phase for Preliminary Confinement Diagnosis Phase: Action and Reaction Convergence Curves to Determine Action and Reaction T4 Characterization of tunnel behavior A, B, C with: Convergence Curves, Numerical Methods for Soils and Equivalent Continuous Rock Masses Numerical Methods for Discontinuum Therapy Phase: Overview and choice of excavation system Confinement and Preconfinement as Stabilization Methods, Composition of Sections Therapy phase: Convergence-confinement Method and 2-D FEM Analysis of Ground-Structure Interaction Preliminary Confinement: Steel Ribs Preliminary Confinement: Radial Bolts and Dowels, Shotcrete T5 T6 Review of MS-level material and its application to tunneling (Design Track): Computer Methods in Structural Analysis Advanced Steel Design Assignment Read: ITA Guidelines for the Design of Tunnels, Views on structural design models for tunnelling, and Duddeck H., Erdmann J.; [1982]. Structural design models for tunnels; Frame analysis of a final lining Design of steel sets Review of MS-level material and its application to tunneling: Finite Element (FE) Analyses in Geotechnical Engineering: Theory and Applications Finite Element (FE) Analyses in Geotechnical Engineering: Hands-on Applications and Exercises Design of Tunnel Reinforcement and Support with Continuum Ground Models Assignment 2-D FEM analysis of tunnels and their support/reinforcement 2-D FEM analysis of tunnels and their support/reinforcement FEM ground/structure interaction analysis and design of reinforcement/lining Geological constraints and geotechnical issues in mechanized tunneling Continuum Analyses: Boundary Element (BE) Analyses and Coupled FE-BE Analyses for Underground Excavations Continuum Analyses: FLAC Discontinuum Analyses: UDEC and 3DEC Discontinuum Analyses: DDA and 3D-DDA Rockbolts and rock dowels technology Shotcrete technology Steel set, lattice girder and liner plate technology - 9 -

10 Module 6: Category A tunnels: Analytical Methods of Analysis and Design Discontinuum Rock Masses: Block Theory and its Applications to Surface and Underground Excavations Introduction and Basic Equations Finiteness, Removability, Mode and Stability Analyses Portals and Tunnel Face, Active Forces, Design Considerations Discontinuum Rock Masses: Rock Slope Stability 16 Equivalent Continuum Rock Masses: Elastic Solutions 17 Discontinuum Rock Masses: Tunnels with a Single Discontinuity Tunnels parallel to a Fracture Set: Slippage and Buckling Tunnels in Horizontally-Bedded Rock Masses Tunnels in Rock Masses with Ubiquitous Joints Application of Block Theory to Tunnels and Portals with Case Histories Case histories of rock slope analysis and stabilization at tunnel portals Rockfall analysis and remediation at tunnel portals Case Histories of Reinforcement Design for Tunnels in Discontinuous Rock Case Histories of Rock Cavern Design Module 7: Category A tunnels: Excavation in Rock Excavation Principles Blasting: Introduction Analysis of Blasting Effect Design of Rounds for Slopes and Tunnels, and Controlled Blasting Vibrations and Vibration Control Hard rock TBMs: Principles and boring operation Thrust and different types of machines 17 Drilling technology Blasting Technology: the European Perspective Blasting technology: the US Perspective Rock tunnel boring machines: Manufacturer s perspective Rock tunnel boring machines: Contractor's perspective Choice of rock tunnel boring machines Prediction of cutter life and penetration rate for hard rock TBMs Roadheaders Rail-based equipment for tunneling applications Conveyor systems for tunneling applications Equipment for Lifting and charging, scaling and hauling, spraying Case History: Gotthard Base Tunnel, Switzerland

11 Module 8: Preconfinement for Category B and C Tunnels; Final Lining and Waterproofing Tunnels under the water table and preconfinement by drain umbrella Final Confinement: one pass and two pass segmental lining Final Confinement: cast-in-place lining and invert Construction Phase: Waterproofing Preconfinement with grouting umbrella and compensation grouting Preconfinement: jet grouting umbrellas Preconfinement: fiberglass dowels Preconfinement: freezing Preconfinement: precut and pretunnel, Presupport: micropile umbrellas Seismic Design of Tunnels T7 T8 T9 T10 T11 Review of MS-level material and its application to tunneling (Design Track): Advanced Reinforced Concrete Review of MS-level material and its application to tunneling (Construction Management Track): Project Management Project Controls and Cost Estimating Advanced Legal Concepts Assignment Read ITA Guidelines for the Design of Shield Tunnel Lining; Design of a final lining. Design of precast segment or cast-in-place lining Assignment Read: "Construction Dispute Review Board Manual" (A.A. Mathewes et al. eds.). Set-up tunnel construction management for case history Read Don Rose's: "Cost estimating" chapter. Develop cost estimate and schedule for an actual tunnel project. Read UCA "Recommended Contract Practices for Underground Construction" edited by Bill Edgerton. Interpretation of a contract for an actual tunnel project Plants for and Production of Concrete Pre Cast Segments Concrete Pre Cast Segments: Design, Interface with TBM, Transport, Installation Use of fibers for shotcrete and segment linings Fiber-reinforced Concrete Precast Segments and Cast-in-Place Final Lining Grouting for Segmental Lining Design of segment lininig: analysis of a relevant case histories Formworks and Work Cycle for Cast-in-Place Concrete Lining Linings for Pressure Tunnels: Design Considerations for Locating Pressure Tunnels and Shafts Stabilization of Tunnel and Shaft Excavations Concrete Tunnel and Shaft Liners Steel Tunnel and Shaft Liners Jet grouting for Underground Works Fiber-glass Reinforcement of Tunnel Core Micropiles in Underground Construction Freezing for Underground Construction Permeation Grouting Hot bitumen grouting in Karst terrain Compensation Grouting Waterproofing Organization of Tunnel Construction Sites

12 Module 9: Mechanized Tunneling with Face Control for Category B and C Tunnels Shield Tunneling methods in soft ground Transport facilities, separation and depositing, tailskin seals, grouting and injection procedures Slurry Machines Face Support for Slurry Machines Earth Pressure Balance Machines EPBMs Face Support for EPBMs T13 T14 Utilities and ventilation for tunnel construction Double-shield tunnel boring machines EPBMs: Manufacturer's perspective EPBMs: Contractor's perspective Soil conditioners for EPBMs Slurry Machines: Manufacturer's perspective Slurry Machines: Contractor's perspective Backfill Grouting Bearings, Seals, and Drives Mechanized excavation in squeezing ground Settlements Mechanized tunneling in boulder-laden ground Mechanized Tunneling in Squeezing Ground Microtunneling and Trenchless Technology Major Mechanized Tunneling Projects in the United States Module 10: Monitoring, Surveying and Safety Monitoring T11 Tunnel Monitoring for NATM Tunnel Monitoring for ADECO Surveying for Conventional Tunnels: Use of Total Station Surveying for Conventional Tunnels: Use of Laser Scanner and Total Station Surveying for Conventional Tunnels: Guidance Systems for Roadheaders, Excavators and Bolters Surveying for TBM Tunnels: Machine Guidance and Precast Segment Erection Control Health and Safety in underground construction: United States Health and Safety in underground construction: European Union and UK

13 Module 11: Risk Assessment and Management Review of MS-level material and its application to tunneling: Decision and Risk Analysis Assignment Read: ITIG Code of Practice, ITA Guidelines for tunnelling risk management, and Contractual Sharing of Risk in Underground Construction: ITA Views. Risk analysis using actual risk register Case Histories of Risk Analysis in Tunneling Best contractual practices for underground construction Client-Consultant Selection The Professional Services Agreement Subsurface Investigations and Geotechnical Report Preparation Preparation of Contract Documents for Subsurface Projects Risk Management Considerations for Complex Subsurface Projects Engineers Involvement in Construction Means and Methods on Subsurface Projects Risk Management Considerations for Engineers Engaged by Contractors on Subsurface Projects Role of the Professional Consultant in the Evaluation of Differing Site Conditions Claims Dispute Resolution Mechanisms for Differing Site Conditions Claims Professional Liability and Risk Allocation/Management Considerations for Design and Construction Management Professionals Involved in Subsurface Projects Insurance for Subsurface Projects

14 8 Diplomas After completion of all assigned homework and comprehension questions with 70% passing grade, and completion of the internship, the University of Texas at Austin will award the Certificate in Tunneling. 9 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) The Certificate is worth at least 25 CEUs (Pending Approval). CLEE will issue CEUs each calendar year. CEUs may be used by Professional Engineers to fulfill the requirements for license renewal per State Boards regulations. 10 Registration Process and Cost a) Collect the following documents: UT graduate students: 1. Filled in application form (available at All others: 1. Filled in application form (available at 2. Copy of passport or official ID 3. Copy of transcripts for Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree 4. Copy of official English translation of the transcripts above (if they are not in English) 5. ITC members MUST provide a letter from current supervisor on company letterhead verifying employment status b) Registration and payment can be finalized either on line or by mail. 1. If you register on-line ( Go through the on-line process, click Complete Registration, and print out the last screen with your confirmation number, bio info, and payment info. Mail the print-out of your last screen and the 5 documents above (UT students: only application form) to: Fulvio Tonon, Ph.D., P.E. Assistant Professor The University of Texas at Austin Department of Civil Engineering 1 University Station C1792 Austin, TX USA PH: If you register by mail: Go to select Certificate in Tunneling, add Certificate to cart, select Printable Registration Form, fill in the form and mail it with your payment to the address in the registration form. Mail the print-out of your last screen and the 5 documents above (UT students: only application form) to: Fulvio Tonon, Ph.D., P.E. Assistant Professor The University of Texas at Austin Department of Civil Engineering 1 University Station C1792 Austin, TX USA PH: Registration and payment must be finalized by May 31 st Cost (does not include cost of books, which must be separately purchased by the attendee): For employees of ITC members or UT graduate students: USD 10,000 (ten thousand) For non-itc members: USD 15,000 (fifteen thousand)

15 Payment may be carried out in one installment or according to the following breakdown: $15,000 Non-ITC Member Installment Payment Plan o $5000 August 31 (access to modules 1-4) o $5000 December 6 (access to modules 5-8) o $5000 April 18 (access to modules 9-11) $10,000 ITC Member/UT Student Installment Payment Plan o $3333 August 31 (access to modules 1-4) o $3333 December 6 (access to modules 5-8) o $3334 April 18 (access to modules 9-11) If your company would like to become member of the ITC, visit and fill in the member s agreement. 11 Program Highlights Exposure to the latest and more efficient design, management and construction methods from the international tunneling industry, whether they are US methods now adopted internationally, or, vice versa, non-us methods that have shown their merits in the international context. In either case, speakers are chosen among the developers or acknowledged experts on these methods. Examples include: o The Analysis of Controlled Deformations (ADECO), which 500 km of built tunnels in Europe have proven to lead to industrialized tunnel advance even in the most difficult (before deemed impossible) tunneling conditions (with and without tunnel boring machine) with reliable predictions of advance rates and cost. ADECO is the backbone of the course Design and Construction of Tunnels. Until now, ADECO has never been used outside Europe. o Sub-horizontal jet grouting from the tunnel face (around the tunnel core and in the tunnel core), which has never been used in the United States. o High technology fiberglass reinforcement of the tunnel core, which has never been used in the United States. o Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR), which, developed in the US, is now adopted worldwide as o a basic tool for risk management. Best Contractual Practices, which, also developed in the US, are used as an international reference by owners, design firms, contractors, and law firms. Writing skills: Each assignment must be submitted with a professional cover memorandum. In the text of the memorandum the student will: Briefly state the purpose of the work (remind the reader of what was requested and what the student did); Describe the data, material properties, and other information used to solve the problem, including any assumptions; Review important aspects of the problem and solution; Refer to any attached drawings, plots, and other figures and identify the significant information they contain; Summarize important results, conclusions, and recommendations. Continuity: ensured by review and grading of assignments and by the program director, who meets with students for a couple of hours each week to tie pieces together. Emphasis on active students learning by means of: homework assignments through which students discover, process and apply information; weekly discussion with the program director where different approaches to tunneling (introduced during the week or previous weeks) are contrasted; and three months at a construction site where students are physically embedded in a tunnel construction crew: an experience they will not forget! Quality assurance for future employers: Employers are thus ensured that students have acquired the necessary fundamentals. The quality of the application of these fundamentals to tunneling is ensured by: the credentials of the 40 outside industry speakers, the continuous relationship with and feedback from the industry while students work on their assignments/projects, the extent and structure of the internship, the oversight of the International Tunneling Consortium and Program Director, CLEE and the University of Texas. Employers are thus ensured that students are in a position to develop their career in tunneling and be productive from day one. Distance learning for busy professionals. Professionals from all over the world who already have the fundamentals may obtain an in-depth and hands-on application of their fundamentals to tunneling by studying and mastering the material at their own pace without leaving their current work assignments

16 12 Reviews The program you have set up is impressive in both scope and the degree of connection with tunneling practice. It is definitely meeting particularly the requirements of the overheated American tunneling market. With a public infrastructure program that is likely to be true also for the incoming Obama administration. But also I am sure that young engineers educated in the way your program facilitates it will not have a problem to find their way internationally too. Anyway, we would welcome them to apply for a job in tunneling with HOCHTIEF internationally. Hansgeorg Balthaus, Vors. der Geschäftsleitung/Management Chairman HOCHTIEF Consult HOCHTIEF Construction AG Alfredstraße 236, Essen, Germany. I am writing regarding the "Design and Construction of Tunnel" course held by Professor Tonon at the University of Texas. I have the opportunity to participate in the lectures held by Prof. Tonon from my base London through the means of e-learning. The scope of the course is focused on the tunnelling industry with particular attention paid to both the Design and Construction phases. The competence of the professor is very high and this is reflected in the technical level of the lectures. The topics are well presented and are supported by Technical Papers as well as Homework Assignments. On a personal level I am finding the course very challenging and worthwhile. The online system is very flexible (the lectures are viewed on-demand) and this allows me to conjugate the course with work. The handouts will be very useful as reference material in the future. I hold a MSc in Civil-Structural Engineering and I would recommend the course to Graduates exposed to the tunnelling industry as I have been. A good background in soil/rock mechanics is a prerequisite. Paolo Perugini, Graduate Tunnelling Engineer, Crossrail AADT, ArupAtkins Design Team. Appendix Recommended UT courses for UT graduate students: Both tracks: Course No. Course name CE 395R.3 Decision and Risk Analysis CE 387L.1 CE 387R.4 CE 387M-1 CE 394M - CE 397 CE 397 Strength and Shear Properties of Soil Earth Retaining Structures Stability of Earth Slopes Advanced Analyses in Geotechnical Engineering Rock Engineering GEO 384C Geophysics I: GEO 391C Design and Construction of Tunnels Physical Hydrogeology Design track additional courses: CE 381P Computer Methods in Structural Analysis CE 383L. CE 397L Advanced Reinforced Concrete Members Advanced Structural Metals Construction management track additional courses: CE 395S.4 Project Management. CE 395Q.1 CE 395U.3 Project Controls. Advanced Legal Concepts