Engineering Geology for Underground Works

The construction of tunnels involves the resolution of various complex technical problems depending on the geological and geological-environmental context in which the work fits.

Only a careful analysis of all the geological and geological-environmental issues and a correct reconstruction of the conceptual model can lead to optimal design solutions from all points of view (including financial) and ensure the safety of workers during the construction and users in the operation phase.

It was therefore felt that there was a need to collect in one volume the state of current knowledge about:

• all the geological and environmental issues related to the construction of underground works
• the different methodologies used for the reconstruction of the conceptual model
• the different risk typologies that it is possible to encounter or that can arise from tunnel construction, and
• the most important risk assessment, management and mitigation methodologies that are used in tunneling studies.

Paola Gattinoni is Assistant Professor of Applied Geology for the Politecnico di Milano. She teaches geologic-technical survey and hydrogeology and she is the author of more than 60 papers concerning water flow in fractured rocks; interactions between fluvial dynamics and slope stability, landslides and groundwater modelling; statistical analysis application in geological and hydrogeological fields, and geological and hydrogeological risk assessment.

Enrico Maria Pizzarotti is a civil engineer who graduated from Politecnico di Milano. He has been working as a designer and consultant in tunneling, underground and geotechnical works, and hydroelectric power plants for more than 25 years. He is now Senior Partner and Technical Director of Pro Iter S.r.l. (an engineering company in Milan). He is the author of more than 30 technical papers concerning underground excavation, deep foundations, slope stabilization, ground improvement technologies and rock mechanics.

Laura Scesi is Professor of Applied Geology at the Politecnico di Milano (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering). She teaches engineering geology and geological-technical survey. Over the years she has conducted extensive research especially on underground excavations connected with geological and hydrogeological problems; landslides and risk analysis; and hydraulic circulation in rocks for the prediction of water inflows in tunnels. She has published more than 80 scientific works and books.