Decision Aids for Tunneling: Update

Abstract

Decision aids for tunneling (DAT), a computer-based tool, are used to determine tunnel construction cost and time as well as other information related to tunnel construction. Most important, the DAT allow uncertainties to be considered, an essential aspect in modern project and construction management. A brief overview of the DAT and of a variety of applications is first provided to (re)familiarize the reader. Emphasis is then placed on two recent DAT applications, namely, updating and resource management. Updating uses information collected during construction to reduce uncertainties. The resource management application shown here deals with reuse of muck to produce concrete. These practical cases reemphasize the wide variety of applications that can benefit from the use of the DAT.