The Use of Exploratory Tunnels as a tool for Scheduling and Cost Estimation

摘要

Exploratory tunnels are commonly used for examining the geotechnical and structural aspects of proposed tunnel alignments. This paper explores the utilization of exploratory tunnels as a project management tool for estimating the cost and duration of construction for the entire project. Data were collected from the Kaponig 2.75 kilometers exploratory tunnel, a part of a double-track highspeed railway development in Austria. This knowledge and experience was used to evaluate the risks associated with design details for the final tunnel enlargement (alignment and grade, support requirements and excavation methods). A deterministic model based on Monte-Carlo simulation was developed capable of predicting potential outcomes of the total project in terms of cost and duration and their associated probabilities.