Mechanized tunneling is precision work.
Only with great precision and comprehensive engineering knowledge connections can be created
which fulfill the requirements of modern civil engineering projects.
For these requirements you'll find the optimal partner in Maidl Tunnelconsultants.
Whether special tasks in design and construction management, solutions for the calculations of support pressure or settlements or
counseling with holistic tunneling projects – we provide the convenient services for all important steps of your tunneling project.
The precast segments represent the final tunnel structure. Whether single or double shell, the highest demands are set on the durability and safety of the lining in order to last decades. The geometrical configuration and design of the joint details finally determine the manufacture costs and the construction time and, therefore, also the construction performance and economy. We use the most modern three dimensional CAD software in order to perform a virtual verification during the design phase.
The following principle applies here: higher face pressures do not necessary imply a higher safety. Excessive face pressures generally hinder the construction process, increase the tool wear as well as the maintenance expenditure. We search iteratively the optimum value and we check the estimated results on the basis of the observational method according to DIN1054. The interactions between the shield machine and the ground are extremely complex. The realistic mapping of the underground conditions with numerical models faces many uncertainties due to the great number of unknown parameters. Numerical parameter studies and our extensive experience with the use of safety factors allows us to attain best compromise solutions.
The requirements for tunneling in urban areas is increasing. Sensitive buildings and infrastructures must remain damage free. In the construction of the Amsterdam North-South line only a few millimeters surface settlement are allowed. The performance of ground improvement treatments increase excessively the tunnel price per meter and turn the projects into uneconomical enterprises. We use integral models of the shield drive to simulate the effects of the tunneling process on its surroundings. The active operation parameters of tunnel boring machines are simulated as realistically as possible. The design and optimization of ground treatments can also be performed in the calculation models.
Basis of every successful solution is an extensive process analysis: In cooperation with our clients and with help of our data acquisition systems, our experts assess individual questions and risks of your project. From there we develop individual solutions and innovative ideas for improvement.
Our team of experts supports you during implementation on tunnel site and online through the back office. With our experience of over 200 projects, we optimize your excavation and help solve sudden occurring problems. Gain profit here from our expertise and the technical opportunities of online support.
As certified verifier and expert in tunneling we examine tunnel
projects in detail from the process technology and from the
structural stability points of view. We also offer our expertise
worldwide in dispute cases and in the evaluation of technical
design and cost estimation.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is well-established and widely
used in building construction. Recently, there are also initiatives
and pilot projects to apply BIM in infrastructure projects, such as
tunneling projects. MTC uses the results of these initiatives to
create a holistic tunnel model consisting of the tunnel itself and
the surrounding subsoil.
A holistic, BIM-based tunneling
model offers many advantages. Thus, by intersecting the
three-dimensional subsoil model with the excavation cross section
of the tunnel, the expected excavation volume of each pending
subsoil layer can be determined and compared with the actually
incurred quantities in the course of the excavation. Such
target/actual comparisons help to objectify billing quantities and
help to avoid disputes.
The volumetric tunnel model
assists in the assessment of the tunneling process. Here, for
example, the thrust forces on the individual lining segments during
excavation, are visualized in the 3D model and potentially
overloaded segments are easily identified. This information can
also be linked to a digital documentation of the segment production
and damage recording. The BIM-based tunnel model thus represents an
interactive documentation tool in which all information and
documents stored therein can be easily identified and combined.
The generation of the required models depends on the planning
process of the project. If the design already utilizes 3D models,
then these models can be used directly for the link with TBM data
or can be adapted accordingly. If planning is not initially based
on a BIM concept, MTC generates the required tunnel and ground
models. These two submodels are then merged into the holistic
tunnel model.
Through a direct interface between the BIM
model and the PROCON process controlling software, significant
machine and excavation data are fed into the BIM model in the
excavation phase. These are, for example, the thrust forces,
advance speed, support and grout pressures or mortar volumes for
each ring. From this, the above presented evaluations and
documentations can be created and visualized on the project.
In highly mechanized tunneling projects, the difficult competitive
environment, functional or incomplete tenders and complex
interactions difficult to quantify between the construction
process and the ground, often result in extremely low bids, future
additional costs and contractual conflicts. Self-interested
shifting of liabilities, aggressive claim management and the lack
of stimulating performance fees are factors which strongly hinder
the optimization of the construction process. In particular, the
ground conditions provided by the client are a general point of
disagreement, rendering a professional conservation of evidence
indispensable
Our process controlling applications provide
transparency. The collective performance of a target vs actual
information comparison (collective project controlling) on all the
processes, from the point of view of costs, schedule and safety in
real time, allows to optimize the development of the construction
process and also to clarify the distribution of risk among the
project partners.
Forensic Engineering aims on the localization and the root cause
analysis of failure. MTC acquires all information and data
relevant to the failure event. Our expert system PROCON II analyzes
the gathered information both statistically and deterministically.
For mechanized tunneling, we provide holistic Failure
Mode and Effect Analyzes (FMEA) for every key process.
Once
a dispute arises from failure events, we support you with
evidence-based analyzes – a service highly valued by insurance
companies, contractors and public clients.