Optimisation of tunnel ground support through observational approaches necessitates a comprehensive monitoring programme to verify design assumptions regarding the performance of ground support systems. However the interaction of ground support and the surrounding rock mass is difficult to measure accurately, with current methods focusing on individual locations or devices to represent a ground behaviour.

This presentation summarises a strategy to determine the continuous performance of ground support elements as part of the overall support system in conjunction with assessment of ground behaviour and its response to construction. Central to this is the application of a distributed optical strain sensing technology in combination with ground support elements.

Use of this technology allows optimisation of ground support configuration, improved ground characterisation, improved safety, reduced time and costs and the development and validation of numerical tools for design engineers. Four case studies, including Northconnex using this technology are described.

Learning outcomes for this event include:

A distributed optical strain-sensing technique is presented as a solution for measuring the strain distribution along ground support members used in underground works.
The development of this technique that captures in-situ support behaviour in terms of coaxial, lateral, and shear loading arrangements will be summarised.
Design engineers can use the data to evaluate the performance of the prescribed tunnel support.

Event Program

5:30pm – Registration and networking
6:00pm – Presentation commences
6:40pm – Q&A
7:00pm – Discussion and drinks
7:30pm – Event close
*Times listed are AEDT

The event is sponsored by GEODATA KODA Australia !

About the presenter
Dr. Nicholas Vlachopoulos  (PhD, CD, PEng, PE_Gr, FEIC, FEC)

• Professor of Civil Engineering at the Royal Military College of Canada, Cross-Appointed at Queen’s University
• Director at the Queen’s-RMC GeoEngineeirng Center
• Founder and Director of the RMC Green Team

Dr. Nicholas Vlachopoulos specialises in the optimization of support systems of underground works, rock mechanics, and geotechnical monitoring. He is a professional engineer with over 25 years of experience in geotechnical / geological engineering, sustainability works and project management on major construction and research projects. He has worked at well over 150 locations nationally and internationally. In 2023, he was inducted as a Fellow within the Engineering Institute of Canada (FEIC) for “Excellence in Engineering and services to the profession and to society”. More relevant information about the speaker can be seen by visiting the website here: https://nicholasvlachopoulos.ca/index.html