World Tunnel Congress Papers 2023 by Amberg

Self-Rescue in Traffic Tunnels - Application

Self-rescue represents the most important and critical safety element in case of fire in underground traffic infrastructures. State-of-the-art simulation tools allow for a comprehensive simulation of fire scenarios in traffic infrastructures. This paper focuses on sample applications of the combined simulation of fire scenarios, traffic management, smoke propagation and selfrescue in underground traffic infrastructure. Selected key issues, such as the interaction between emergency exits and tunnel ventilation, are reviewed based on real-life examples for road and rail tunnels.

Self-Rescue in Traffic Tunnels - Simulation Method

Self-rescue represents the most important and critical safety element in case of fire in underground traffic infrastructures. Ideally, all persons should vacate the underground space immediately after fire onset without leaving their vehicles. In case of self-recue on foot, through the tunnel portals or through emergency exits, they will move in a hostile environment and will be exposed to several risks. The primary requirements for successful self-rescue are the availability of emergency exits, an appropriate smoke-management system and specific, rapid information. These elements must be properly accounted for at design stage. Advanced simulation techniques provide excellent tools for analysis and design. This paper focuses on the combined simulation of fire scenarios, traffic management, smoke propagation and self-rescue in underground traffic infrastructure.

Tunnel Digitalization Center - Beyond BIM in underground construction

Digitalization opens the possibility of avoiding the waste of three very important assets. We can minimize the unnecessary loss of materials, time, and information by optimizing our use, presentation, and exchange of data. 

The more complex a construction is, the higher the number of participants in a project are, the bigger the infrastructure network of which a tunnel is part of, the better the digitalization shows its advantages. 

Digital continuity is the key for cross-phase and cross-divisional system solutions. With the help of 7 industry partners, under the coordination of the Swiss Center of Applied Technologies (SCAUT) the aim of the Tunnel Digitalization Center (TDC) is to showcase and develop new use-cases among very different stakeholders to innovate and demonstrate thirds the complex dig-ital processes in a real environment. With this project, SCAUT aims to make an important con-tribution to the digitalization of the whole tunnelling industry.

From BIM and electromechanical equipment to operation and digital services in maintenance, several possible applications of the digital twin: at the TDC solutions across the entire value chain and life cycle are demonstrated. It allows demonstration and simulation in a realistic environment. Innovative uses cases, like cloud solutions, BIM and IoT for tunnelling are part of it.
In this paper the concept of the TDC is going to be presented, and the use cases shown there focusing on simulations, commissioning, operation, and maintenance.

V. Petschen - SCAUT Association,

R,. Brandt - HBI Haerter,

O. Celebi - Siemens Digital Industries,

R. Wyss - Amberg Engineering

N. Elkuch - Elkuch Group