Deep Tunnels & Underground Drainage Systems

Deep Tunnels & Underground Drainage Systems

Course Objectives:

  1. Understand the role of deep tunnels and underground drainage systems in urban flood control and wastewater management.
  2. Master geotechnical and structural design principles for deep tunnel construction.
  3. Learn advanced tunneling techniques, including Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and microtunneling.
  4. Optimize hydraulic performance and maintenance strategies for underground drainage networks.
  5. Implement smart monitoring and control systems for deep tunnel operations.

Course Outline (5 Days):

Day 1: Introduction to Deep Tunnels & Underground Drainage Systems

  • Importance of deep tunnels in urban drainage and flood control.
  • Types of underground drainage systems: gravity tunnels, pressurized tunnels, and combined sewer tunnels.
  • Geotechnical considerations: soil and rock mechanics for deep tunneling.
  • Key design parameters: tunnel diameter, depth, slope, and hydraulic capacity.
  • Case studies of major deep tunnel drainage projects worldwide (e.g., Chicago Deep Tunnel, Kuala Lumpur SMART Tunnel).

Day 2: Tunnel Design & Construction Techniques

  • Structural considerations: concrete lining, segmental rings, and tunnel support systems.
  • Tunneling methods:
    • Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) applications in deep drainage.
    • Microtunneling and pipe jacking for small-diameter tunnels.
    • Drill-and-blast method for rock tunnels.
  • Groundwater control and dewatering techniques during construction.
  • Seismic and climate resilience considerations in deep tunnel design.
  • Safety protocols and risk management in tunnel construction.

Day 3: Hydraulics & Flow Management in Deep Drainage Systems

  • Hydraulic principles of underground drainage tunnels.
  • Flow control structures: drop shafts, surge chambers, and energy dissipation systems.
  • Combined sewer overflow (CSO) management in deep tunnel systems.
  • Modeling tunnel flow using hydraulic software (e.g., HEC-RAS, MIKE URBAN, SWMM).
  • Maintenance challenges: sediment buildup, clogging, and inspection techniques.

Day 4: Smart Monitoring, Maintenance & Asset Management

  • Real-time monitoring of deep tunnels using IoT sensors and SCADA systems.
  • AI-based predictive maintenance for tunnel drainage infrastructure.
  • Inspection technologies: robotic crawlers, drones, and LiDAR scanning.
  • Emergency response planning for tunnel flooding and blockages.
  • Regulatory compliance and environmental impact assessment.

Day 5: Case Study – Design & Operation of a Mega Deep Tunnel System

  • Scenario: Designing a deep tunnel drainage system for a flood-prone metropolis.
  • Data Analysis: Evaluating hydrological data, urban runoff, and population growth projections.
  • Solution Development: Selecting tunnel diameter, depth, and flow control systems.
  • Simulation & Modeling: Running hydraulic simulations for peak flow scenarios.

Discussion: Reviewing financial feasibility, operational challenges, and long-term sustainability