AASHTO TAASHTO T--20 Tunnels Update20 Tunnels UpdateAASHTO TAASHTO T--20 Tunnels Update20 Tunnels UpdateLouis J. Ruzzi, PE – AASHTO T- 20 Chair

Kevin J. Thompson, PE – Arora and AssociatesTRB 90th Annual Meeting

January 23, 2011

OverviewOverviewOverviewOverview

• AASHTO Tunnel Committee (KT – past/present)– Roadway Tunnel Manual

– Domestic Scan

– Tunnel Definition

– Research Update

• AASHTO Tunnel Committee (LR - future)

- Jan 2011 Midyear Meeting Topics

- Future Focus Areas

Tunnel ManualTunnel Manual

AASHTO version of the Tunnel Manual was Published in mid 2010

https://bookstore.transportation.org/item_details.aspx?ID=1586

The Tunnel Manual “Technical Manual for Design and Construction of Road Tunnels – Civil Elements” was voted and approved as an AASHTO Publication at the SCOBS annual meeting in July 2009.

Tunnel Manual Chapters Tunnel Manual Chapters

Chapter 1 PlanningChapter 2 Geometrical ConfigurationChapter 3 Geotechnical InvestigationChapter 4 Geotechnical ReportChapter 5 Cut-and-Cover TunnelsChapter 6 Rock TunnelingChapter 7 Soft Ground TunnelingChapter 8 Difficult Ground Tunneling Chapter 9 Sequential Excavation MethodChapter 10 Tunneling LiningChapter 11 Immersed TunnelsChapter 12 Jacked Box TunnelingChapter 13 Seismic ConsiderationsChapter 14 Construction EngineeringChapter 15 Geotechnical and Structural InstrumentationChapter 16 Tunnel Rehabilitation

Tunnel Manual – New Article Tunnel Manual – New Article

New Article 16.10 was added

“Special Considerations for supported Ceilings/Hangars”

Essentially, Article 16.10 involves expanded guidance for inspection of hangars supporting ceilings.

Example - Notation was made of the higher “pitch”, or sound when a hangar rod under load is tapped with a hammer.

2009 Domestic Tunnel Scan2009 Domestic Tunnel Scan“Best Practices for roadway tunnel design, construction and maintenance of tunnels on the national, state and local highway systems in the United States”

The scan was based on:• Need for developing national standards• Scope – Include state and local roadway tunnels • Build on information identified in the 2005

International Tunnel Scan• Identify specialized technology and standards

such as (NFPA 502)• Develop a tunnel inventory

The “Final Domestic Scan Report” will be out soon

Domestic Scan – Command CenterDomestic Scan – Command Center

Domestic Scan - ColoradoDomestic Scan - Colorado

Domestic Scan - FansDomestic Scan - Fans

Clockwise from top right - Boston, NYNJPA, Virginia, Colorado, Washington, and California

Included in the T-20 Technical Committee Scope

“…Tunnels are defined as enclosed roadways with vehicle access that is restricted to portals regardless of

type of structure or method of construction. Tunnels do not include highway bridges, railroad bridges or other

bridges over a roadway.”

Tunnels are structures that require special design considerations that may include lighting, ventilation, fire

protection systems, and emergency egress capacity based on the owners determination.

Tunnel DefinitionTunnel Definition

Tunnel Definition – 2008 BallotTunnel Definition – 2008 Ballot

NCHRP Research UpdateNCHRP Research Update• NCHRP Task 261 - Best Practices QC/QA for Tunnel

Inspection (Completed)

• NCHRP Task 276 - Development of Guidelines for Rehabilitation of Existing Highway and Rail Transit Tunnels(Completed)

• AASHTO HSCOBS (T-11) research proposal “LRFD Specifications” for Roadway Tunnels (Ongoing)

NCHRP 20-07 Task 261 NCHRP 20-07 Task 261 ”Best Practices for Implementing Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Tunnel Inspection”

• Completed in October 2009

• Research – Develop a Questionnaire to:Identify current practice for Tunnel Inspection and Operational Safety/Emergency System TestingRecommend Best Practices for Tunnel InspectionRecommend Best Practices for Operational Safety/Emergency System Testing

• Owner Response:32 Highway Owners Responded11 Transit Owners Responded

NCHRP 20-07 Task 276 NCHRP 20-07 Task 276 ”Development of Guidelines for Rehabilitation of existing Highway and Rail Transit Tunnels”

• This research was proposed and supported by T-20 as many existing highway and rail tunnels are in need of repair.

• Research was completed in July 2010

• Task 276 identifies geologic issues and structural problems that typically occur along with remedies used by tunnel owners worldwide.

NCHRP 12-89 – Tunnel Specs NCHRP 12-89 – Tunnel Specs ”Recommended AASHTO LRFD Tunnel Design and Construction Specifications”

• Ongoing Research

• Propose LRFD Specifications for Tunnel Design and Construction

• Consider NFPA standards, Domestic and International Scans, and previous manuals published on roadway tunnel practices and guidance……………

The Future - Where T 20 is goingThe Future - Where T 20 is going• Prioritize and set T20’s direction for the next 2-4 years

• Work with FHWA on the Proposed Rule Making for National Tunnel Inspection Standards and other initiatives

• Continue to work with TRB on Tunnel Research issues

• TOMIE Manual (Tunnel Operations Maintenance Inspection and Evaluation)

• Other Future Focus Area

Prioritize and set T-20’s direction “Future focus areas”

Prioritize and set T-20’s direction “Future focus areas”

• Review T-20 Strategic Plan, Research Needs, and Domestic Scan Implementation Plan

• Priorities to include:

Creating tools for Tunnel Inspections (TOMIE Chapter 4, Coding Manual , creating FHWA acceptable forms and being able to transfer inspection data from the states to FHWA

LRFD Design Specifications for Tunnels

Human Factors during tunnel fires

Address priority Scan Implementation items

T-20 Coordination with FHWAT-20 Coordination with FHWA

• Proposed Rule Making for NTIS

• AASHTO SCOBS – T-20 will develop initial review and comments for coordinating the review of NTIS and other tunnel related issues

• TOMIE Manual - Chapter 4 “Inspection” is currently being reviewed and considered as the initial coding manual for the Country (inspection methods and condition codes for all tunnel elements).

Continue to work with TRB on Tunnel Research IssuesContinue to work with TRB on Tunnel Research Issues

• Meet with AFF60 annually at TRB and coordinate as necessary on key tunnel related research and issues

• Coordinate with TRB AFF60 on T-20’s Strategic Plan items– Tunnel Domestic Scan Implementation Plan– Workshop and Conference agendas – Inspection Standards and Practices (TOMIE)

TOMIE ManualTOMIE Manual

• TOMIE – Tunnel Operations, Maintenance, Inspection, and Evaluations Manual

• Current focus is on Chapter 4 “Inspection”

• Next - Prioritize remaining chapters for future research while keeping in mind 2009 Domestic Scan Implementation Plan and 2007 Irvine Workshop research and findings

Other Future Focus AreasOther Future Focus Areas

• New Research Topics

• Future Updates - AASHTO Technical Manual for Design and Construction of Road Tunnels-Civil Elements (Reviewing comments from tunnel owners and making revisions)

• Future Ballot Items for T-20 to be discussed at Midyear Meeting (2011 TRB) and in Norfolk Virginia, May 15-20, 2011

AASHTO T-20 Committee on Tunnels

Update

AASHTO T-20 Committee on Tunnels

Update

Thank You