Advanced Civil Engineering INTRODUCTION 1 ABSTRACT 1 TASK 12 a) Construction Methods in Tunnelling Projects

Advanced Civil Engineering

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................2
a) Construction methods in tunnelling projects......................................................................2
b) Appropriate method for construction of tunnels and shafts...............................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
a) Construction methods for hydraulic structures..................................................................8
b) Proposal for new Flood Barrier..........................................................................................9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
a) Construction methods for marine structures....................................................................12
b) Solution............................................................................................................................13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................14
a) Construction methods for highways and railway works..................................................14
b) Current methods used in highway construction and railway works................................17
TASK 5..........................................................................................................................................17
a) Appropriate solution design.............................................................................................17
b) Resource and management plan.......................................................................................19
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION............................................................................................................20
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................20
CONCLUSION/SUMMARY........................................................................................................21
REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY...............................................................................................22

Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Boring machine ........................................................................................................5
Illustration 2: Cut and cover technique............................................................................................8
Illustration 3: Blackwall Tunnel in UK...........................................................................................9
Illustration 4: Tunnels and shafts...................................................................................................10
Illustration 5: Drill and Blast cycle................................................................................................11
Illustration 6: Mechanism of Flood barrier....................................................................................15
Illustration 7: Marine structure......................................................................................................16
Illustration 8: Generation of tidal energy through marine structure..............................................18
Illustration 9: Highway construction method................................................................................19
Illustration 10: Railway line construction......................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
The geographical and demographical conditions associated with a city, community or
region are subject to change due to human activities. The increase in population and growing
demands of people to acquire better place for leading their lives leads to construction of
buildings, bridges or any other structure. This report will depict different types of civil
engineering techniques in various areas of applications. The project as visualised by Lord Mayor
as “Vision for London” aims to bring in more growth and diversification in the development of
the city by Balfour Beatty- one of the renowned construction company of UK. The project is
based on construction of a new tunnel for decreasing the traffic issues and congestion at
Blackwall Tunnel and other river crossings which currently exists. Furthermore, there is detailed
description of the techniques which will be implied for constructing a marine structure and a
flood barrier on the river Thames. This report further enlightens the techniques of building a
highway and new rail line for the river crossing project. Lastly, the best possible solutions for
complex issues in civil engineering works has been provided with a detailed resource and
management plan. This report is a form of proposal for the construction works that are to be
initiated on behalf of Balfour Beatty.
ABSTRACT
Civil engineering has widespread applications in the form of construction of bridges,
tunnels or railway lines. The Blackwall Tunnel at Thames River is a strategic structure
previously constructed for supporting the human settlement in London. With growing
population, the traffic amount is also increasing at this tunnel (Pajewski, Manacorda and Persico,
2015). Hence, a new tunnel shall be produced with help of drill and blast technique as a new path
or crossing over the river. There will also be certain modifications made to the existing flood
barriers which are present on Thames River. The threat of storms and floods is prevalent for
London and flood barriers are the sole structures that have prevented the city from getting
damaged due to floods and storms. Further, a wind turbine system can be used as a marine
structure for harnessing wind energy in the river and bringing use of renewable energy for better
future of citizens (Arseniev and et.al., 2014). The use of composite method for construction of
highway has been proposed which will link Silvertown and North Greenwich by Balfour Beatty.
This particular technique is low cost and much more feasible for the country. The construction
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sites are full of risks which are oriented with life threatening situations. Use of appropriate safety
measures and developing ethics towards administration shall help in reducing these
complications (Wilson, 2014). Further, execution of the project is done with more efficiency by
Balfour Beatty.
TASK 1
a) Construction methods in tunnelling projects
The proposed project is to apply a suitable technique of tunnelling so that traffic and
congestion experienced at Blackwall Tunnel can be relieved. Following are the basic techniques
through which tunnels are constructed.
 Bored Tunnelling: When long tunnels are to be constructed, there is use of tunnel boring
machines. This particular technique involves proper investigation of the type of rock
mass and respective geological conditions which facilitate the development of proposed
structure. The TBM i.e. Tunnel Boring Machine is quite suitable for excavating tunnels
and boring a long section with acceptable geological stability (Benedetto and Pajewski,
2015). But a severe consequence is wear and tear of the machine when a hard rock blocks
the route.
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Illustration 1: Boring machine

 Cut and cover: One of the renowned and common techniques for construction of tunnels
is cut and cover. It is mainly used for the construction of underground stations. With help
of a support system a trench is excavated and it is backfilled to gain original roadway.
This method involves deep excavations which facilitate the reduction of traffics on road
(Benedetto and et.al., 2014). Another advantage of a tunnel developed by this method is
contribution in reduction of dust and noise emissions in air.
 Drill and Blast: The construction technique which involves use of explosives for blasting
off the entire section is drill and blast. There is use of drilling rigs is contemplated for
digging holes that further support in-depth blasting. This technique also involves use of
time regulated detonators for blasting (Leung,and et.al., 2015). The vibration levels are
quite controllable and there is less time required for construction.
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Illustration 2: Cut and cover technique