Innovation Trends in Underground Works: The Example of the Arnotegi Tunnel in Bilbao

摘要

One year on from the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, EU policies have definedrecovery instruments that enhance the transition towards a more circular economy, making Europeanindustries more sustainable, resilient, digital and innovative. The underground work industry is noexception and must crystallise the trends in innovation that have been developing in recent years,which will undoubtedly contribute to achieving better safety and efficiency parameters in tunnelconstruction, with the economic impact that this means. This work shows different innovationstrategies along the design and construction of the Arnotegi tunnel, as part of the extension works ofthe Bilbao South Metropolitan Bypass. These strategies have been the implementation of the BIMmethodology in the underground works, the use of environmental sensors and the optimisation ofthe shotcrete placement and the positioning of machinery inside the tunnel. The implementation ofthese strategies has allowed improved collaboration between agents and a time saving of 6.60 withrespect to the initially planned deadline.