Underground Works

Code:

M.EC028

Acronym:

OS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geotechnics

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Civil and Georesources Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Civil Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.EC	7	Syllabus	2	-	6	45,5

Teaching language

Portuguese and english
Obs.: Português e Inglês

Objectives

JUSTIFICATION:
Underground works present certain particularities in comparison with other geotechnical works, assuming growing importance in the geotechnical field. This course unit aims preparing students with knowledge for design and construction of underground works. Additionally preparation in Rock Mechanics is also given to the students.

OBJECTIVES:
To teach the theories and methods in which the design, construction and observation of underground works is based on. 

Learning outcomes and competences

Knowledge: to dominate the principles related with the behaviour of Underground Excavations

Comprehension: Identify the most convenient methods for the analysis and design and select appropriate construction methodologies

Application: to calculate and develop solutions for underground construction having in mind the geotechnical characteristics

Evaluation and Analysis: Discuss, compare, evaluate, comment and propose alternative solutions.

With the obtained knowledge students should be prepared to participate in design, construction and research activities regarding underground works.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Pre-requirements - Soil Mechanics and Engineering Geology

Program

Introductory concepts regarding Underground Works.
Construction techniques and solutions for underground works.
Phenomenology of tunnel construction:
- Arch effect;
- Plane Stability;
- Three-dimensional effect and lining installation;
- Effect of the excavation face.
Some concepts of Rock Mechanics:
- Rock masses classifications;
- GSI classification and Hoek & Brown criteria.
Calculation of underground works:
- Stability of the front;
- Calculation of the primary and final support;
- Tunnel induced settlements;
- Use of numerical methods.
Monitoring and Observation of underground works.
The use of TBM's in underground construction.
Underground Works Risk: Risk Assessment and risk management.

Scientific Content - 60%
Content Technology - 40%

DEMONSTRATION OF THE SYLLABUS COHERENCE WITH THE CURRICULAR UNIT'S OBJECTIVES:
Underground works present certain particularities in comparison with other geotechnical works, assuming growing importance in the geotechnical field. This course unit aims preparing students with knowledge for design and construction of underground works. Additionally preparation in Rock Mechanics is also given to the students.

Mandatory literature

António Topa Gomes; Apontamentos de Obras Subterrâneas, 2016

Complementary Bibliography

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration; Technical Manual for Design and Construction of Road Tunnels, 2009
Pietro Lunardi; Design and Construction of Tunnels, Springer, 2008. ISBN: 978-3-540-73874-9
Evert Hoek; Practical rock engineering (Available online at https://www.rocscience.com/education/hoeks_corner)

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures and practical classes. Course works plus a group work. 

DEMONSTRATION OF THE COHERENCE BETWEEN THE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
To calculate and develop solutions for underground construction having in mind the geotechnical characteristics. Evaluation and analysis: discuss, compare, evaluate, comment and propose alternative solutions. With the obtained knowledge students should be prepared to participate in design, construction and research activities regarding underground works.

Software

Unwedge 4.0- Análise 3D de estabilidade de blocos em escavações
RS2 - Programa de Elementos Finitos para o cálculo de Obras Subterrâneas

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	25,00
Estudo autónomo	25,00
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Achieving final classification requires compliance with attendance at the course unit, according to the MIEC assessment rules. It is considered that students meet the attendance requirements if, having been regularly enrolled, the number of absences of 25% for each of the classes’ types is not exceeded.

Calculation formula of final grade

70% - Final Exam

30% - Individual coursework + Group coursework

Classification improvement

Final Exam - 100%

Observations

Estimated working time out of classes: 4 hours/week