Workgroup for conventional tunnelling

Workgroup for conventional tunnelling

Group leader
Ing. Jan Kvaš

Information about formation and mission of CzTA workgroup for conventional tunnelling (WG CT)

Reason for WG CT formation
The technical public in the Czech Republic is prevailingly insufficiently informed about current situation and possibilities of conventional tunnelling methods. It mainly applies to most commonly used NRTM method and even to technical workers who deal with underground constructions more or less professionally or who decide on their realizations.
And it is not just the technical field, but also economic, contractual and other relevant issues (for example standard of regulations or knowledge of graduates from universities with geotechnical specialization etc.)
This situation often leads to misunderstanding and non-respecting of principles of conventional methods, specifically NRTM, which may in consequence lead to unrealistic requirements, economic losses, errors in designs and in the worst case to jeopardy of life or property during realization of the construction.
Similar reasons brought about in 2001 in WTC in Milan establishment of ITA/AITES WG 19 Conventional Tunnelling.

The aim of the CzTA workgroup for conventional tunnelling
The aim of the workgroup is to increase the standard of application of conventional tunnelling methods, specifically NRTM, in the Czech Republic in terms of planning, preparation, designing and realization of underground constructions.
Any method of underground construction except for methods using shields or TBM (full profile tunnelling machines) is considered conventional tunnelling.

How does WG CT want to achieve this aim?

• By participation in work and usage of results of WG 19 activities (Official CzTA representatives within WG 19 are Ing Václav Soukup - Metrostav a.s. and Ing Otakar Hasík – Metroprojekt a.s.)
• By public education and training
  • Preparation of text documents of various orientation including recommendation for activities related to conventional methods;
  • Use of ČTuK web pages for spreading of own or adopted materials;
  • Organization of seminars and discussion meetings within CzTA;
• By commenting of newly prepared or updated regulations (for example ČSN, TKP etc.)
• By trying to unify the terminology used in connection with NRTM
• By establishing of contacts with universities with a view to influencing the preparation of civil engineers, mainly those with geotechnical specialization.