Foundation engineering and tunnel construction

Areas of expertise in tunnel construction

Our center of expertise concerns new tunnels in urban areas, with shallow depths in soft ground or soft rocks, as well as the renovation of existing tunnels, whether in use or not. Our expertise, both in the road and rail sectors, is an asset to clients in tackling high-risk projects..

In Switzerland, we support project owners from the preliminary studies (SIA 21 or GP FEDRO phases) to commissioning (SIA 53 phase). Our mastery of execution studies, as well as the support of companies in the tendering process, are benefits for our European customers.

By mastering the safety regulations for tunnel users in both the rail and road sectors in Switzerland and Europe, we can offer solutions that are more economical. In collaboration with our geologists, we carry out all geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical studies as well as the definition of exploration campaigns, their follow-up and their interpretation in connection with the structure’s design. In order to ensure an optimal return on investment for the client, our risk management approach is the basis of the project management entrusted to us. The costs must remain proportionate to the residual risks.

 

Our expertise in tunnel construction

• Safety conception of rail and road tunnels
• Risk management according to ISO 31000 with its adaptation to underground work according to GT32
• Risk analysis on the boundary (surface and anthropic)
• Tunneling methodology, including tunnel selection and containment pressure
• Modeling 2D or 3D elements for the evaluation of the impacts on the borders and the sizing of tunnels, branches and wells
• Logistics design of underground structures
• Dimensioning of arch segments
• Design of geothermal arch segments
• Establishment of geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical surveys and interpretations (syntheses)
• Modeling the impacts of underground structures on groundwater flows in order to identify design issues
• Valuation studies of excavation materials
• Establishment of tunnel tenders, risk control
• Direction of specialized works for underground constructions, tunnels, galleries, wells
• Execution studies of underground structures

Further services in specialized foundation engineering:

• Preliminary/feasibility studies
• Support and consultancy for the contracting authority
• Specialist management for underground operations, tunnels, galleries
• Geological construction support services for underground mining operations, tunnels, galleries
• Geological 3D modelling
• Geological and hydrogeological probing and trials, recordings and interpretations in every project and construction phase; generating geological forecasts
• Determining features and values for construction sites
• Stability calculations for buildings, building pits and foundations
• Dimensioning of foundations and pit linings
• Materials management for excavated material
• Vibration measurements in the event of drilling and blasting
• Consultancy on technical blasting issues, drafting of blasting plans
• Gas measurements
• Producing an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental impact reports (EIR)
• Environmental construction support services