Assetmanagement for tunnels

The European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN) hosts the most powerful particle accelerator ever built, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). To guarantee the safe running of the particle accelerators, the maintenance of CERN underground infrastructure plays an important role. Ageing and deterioration of tunnel defects are becoming more evident and inevitable. Detecting and monitoring cracks in tunnels are crucial for maintaining the structural integrity and safety of the infrastructure. However, access to most of the underground areas is regulated and granted only during specific periods of the year, for 1-2 months. Such limited time poses a great challenge to the visual inspection and field monitoring of the CERN infrastructure over tens of kilometres. The presentation will focus on CERN Tunnel Asset Management strategy and the implementation of smart monitoring technologies used to inspect and assess CERN large-scale infrastructure. This includes automated crack detection systems by using advanced robotics solutions and distributed fibre optic sensors, that can provide real/time data on structural changes, enhancing preventive maintenance activities.

With limited resources, understanding the lifecycle costs over the entire lifecycle of a tunnel is critical. Lifecycle costs (LCC) aggregates all costs incurred throughout the lifespan of an asset. The German DAUB has developed a model for calculating the LCC of a tunnel. While tailored for Germany, we believe there are significant opportunities to apply this model to your tunnel. Attend this presentation to gain insights into the model and explore opportunities for your tunnel.

Later this year, the UK Construction Research Association (CIRIA) will publish Guidance on Long-Term Tunnel Asset Management. This is not a manual for repairs and maintenance. It is an overview of best practices in technical and commercial decision-making for a wide range of stakeholders—not just for owners, designers, or contractors. Today, we have digital abundance to enable smarter use of existing and new tunnel infrastructure, enhancing the case for whole-life cost judgments when owners and operators are making capital investments. Globally, owners have constrained budgets, and onerous planning for new infrastructure is extending the delivery of new infrastructure. In some cases, it may be better value to extend the life of existing infrastructure using better predictive methods of monitoring the structural health of the tunnel lining and to renew existing internal technology to increase capacity. The CIRIA Guidance draws on best practices of asset management and processes to promote better governance and apply systems thinking through the life cycle phases of planning; sustainable practices in design; use of materials; methods of construction and installation; and operations and maintenance of tunnels.