Tunnelling

Research in this area focuses on the following subjects:

Tunnelling in swelling conditions

A new methodology for carrying out triaxial laboratory tests, along with an advanced numerical modeling, was developed by Prof. Marco Barla and was then adopted for the tunnel linings design in rock masses characterized by swelling behavior. The method makes it possible to determine the complete deformation state around the excavation and is described in details in the paper “Numerical simulation of the swelling behaviour around tunnels based on special triaxial tests” published in Tunneling & Underground Space Technology Journal in 2008. Research is still pefomed in this area with respect to laboratory testing and numerical modelling as well as validation on available monitoring data of case studies.

Tunnelling in squeezing conditions

The Shelvip visco-elastic plastic model was developed to assess the required complexity of the law which is able to represent the mechanical behaviour of time dependent behaviour of complex geomaterials satisfactorily (Debernardi 2008). Research is performed to apply the model in different conditions and environments.

Tunnels in overstressed rock masses

The main intent is to analyse the response of TBM excavated tunnels in hard rocks under high in situ stresses, when the failure process is dominated by stress-induced fractures leading to spalling and/or strain bursts. The use of continuum, equivalent continuum and discontinuum models is considered. Also considered is the FDEM combined approach.

Shallow tunneling

Building responses to excavation together with new and advanced monitoring tools are investigated to improve the management of underground construction in congested urban environment.

People

Publications

2024
  1. Application of a Finite-Discrete Element Method Code for Modelling Rock Spalling in Tunnels: The Case of the Lyon-Turin Base Tunnel
    Article

    Martinelli, Daniele; Insana, Alessandra
    APPLIED SCIENCES
    MDPI
    Vol.14 pp.15 (pp.1-15) ISSN:2076-3417 DOI:10.3390/app14020591

2023
  1. Considerazioni sulla classificazione del rischio delle gallerie stradali esistenti
    Article

    Barla, Marco; Insana, Alessandra; Aiassa, Santina; Nicolino, Martina
    GALLERIE E GRANDI OPERE SOTTERRANEE
    Patron
    Vol.146 pp.11 (pp.33-43) ISSN:0393-1641

2022
  1. Integrated approach for the inspection and special maintenance of Italian motorway tunnels: the Scampitella case
    Article

    Agresti, Saverio; Barla, Marco; Insana, Alessandra; Marchiondelli, Alessandra; Migliorino, Placido; Rosso, Elisa; Selleri, Alberto; Spina, Beatrice
    GALLERIE E GRANDI OPERE SOTTERRANEE
    Patron
    Vol.141 pp.11 (pp.53-63) ISSN:0393-1641

2021
  1. A method to define the priority for maintenance and repair works of Italian motorway tunnels
    Proceeding

    Barla, M; Barbero, M; Baralis, M; Insana, A; Milan, L; Rosso, E; Selleri, A; Marchiondelli, A; Mele, P; Tripoli, L; Zilli, L
    IOP CONFERENCE SERIES. EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
    In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
    IOP Publishing (REGNO UNITO DI GRAN BRETAGNA)
    EUROCK 2021 (Torino (ITA)) 21-24 settembre 2021
    Vol.833 pp.8 ISSN:1755-1307 DOI:10.1088/1755-1315/833/1/012175

  2. Numerical Simulation of Swelling in Tunnels
    Proceeding

    Barla, Marco; Insana, Alessandra
    LECTURE NOTES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
    In: Challenges and Innovations in Geomechanics - Volume 2
    Springer
    Iacmag 2021 (Torino) 5-8 May 2021
    Vol.126 pp.8 (pp.353-360) ISSN:2366-2557 ISBN:9783030645175 DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-64518-2_42

2017
  1. A Voronoi-based Algorithm for Hydraulic Fracturing Simulation in Deep Geothermal Wells
    Proceeding

    Insana, Alessandra; Barla, Marco
    In: 15th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics (15th IACMAG)
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (REPUBBLICA POPOLARE CINESE)
    15th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics (15th IACMAG) (Wuhan (Cina)) 19-23 Ottobre 2017
    pp.11 (pp.1-11)

  2. Swelling Rocks Investigation on Hydro Tunnels – A Comprehensive Characterization based on Laboratory Tests and Constitutive Models
    Proceeding

    G., Piaggio; T., Schönborn; Barla, Marco
    In: Proceedings of the World Tunnel Congress 2017 – Surface challenges – Underground solutions
    ITA
    World Tunnel Congress 2017 – Surface challenges – Underground solutions

2016
  1. Geotechnical risk management approach for TBM tunnelling in squeezing ground conditions
    Article

    Swannell, Nicholas; Palmer, Michael; Barla, Giovanni Battista; Barla, Marco
    TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY
    Elsevier
    pp.10 ISSN:0886-7798 DOI:10.1016/j.tust.2016.01.013

2015
  1. Monitoring geotechnical structures by ground based radar interferometry
    Proceeding

    Barla, Marco; Antolini, Francesco
    In: 7th International conference on structural health monitoring of intelligent infrastructures
    DISEG - Politecnico di Torino (ITALIA)
    7th International conference on structural health monitoring of intelligent infrastructures (Torino) 1-3 July 2015
    pp.10

2014
  1. Combined Finite-Discrete numerical modeling of rock spalling in tunnels
    Proceeding

    Barla, Marco; Antolini, Francesco
    In: Computer Methods and Recent Advances in Geomechanics
    CRC Press/Balkema (PAESI BASSI)
    14th International conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics (Kyoto) 21-24 Settembre 2014
    pp.6 (pp.1595-1600) ISBN:9781138001480

  2. Guidelines for TBM tunnelling in squeezing conditions – a case study
    Article

    Barla, Giovanni Battista; Barla, Marco; Bonini, Mariacristina; Debernardi, Daniele
    GÉOTECHNIQUE LETTERS
    Institution of Civil Engineers Thomas Telford London
    Vol.4 pp.5 (pp.83-87) ISSN:2045-2543 DOI:10.1680/geolett.13.00065

2013
  1. Comparing Numerical Alternatives to Model Jet Grouting in Tunnels
    Article

    Barla, Marco; Joanna, Bzowka
    THE ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
    WORLD WIDE WEB OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS
    Vol.18 pp.12 (pp.2997-3008) ISSN:1089-3032

  2. A method to design microtunnelling installations in the Torino randomly cemented alluvial soil
    Article

    Barla, Marco; Camusso, Marco
    TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY
    Elsevier
    Vol.33 pp.9 (pp.73-81) ISSN:0886-7798 DOI:10.1016/j.tust.2012.09.002

2012
  1. La prova di slump per determinare le condizioni ottimali di condizionamento durante lo scavo con EPB
    Article

    Barla, Marco; Bonini, Mariacristina
    GALLERIE E GRANDI OPERE SOTTERRANEE
    PÀTRON EDITORE
    Vol.Giugno 2012 pp.6 (pp.20-25) ISSN:0393-1641

  2. Turin Metro Line 1 south extension – modelling and settlement monitoring
    Article

    Barla, Giovanni Battista; Barla, Marco; Gianoglio, G.
    GEOMECHANIK UND TUNNELBAU
    Ernst & Sohn
    Vol.5/2012 pp.10 ISSN:1865-7362 DOI:10.1002/geot.201200020

2011
  1. MONITORAGGIO E MODELLAZIONE DELL'INTERFERENZA TRA LA LINEA 1 DELLA METROPOLITANA E LA GALLERIA EST DEL PASSANTE FERROVIARIO DI TORINO
    Proceeding

    Barla, Marco; Alessio, M.; Antolini, Francesco; Gilardi, M.; Barla, Giovanni Battista
    In: Titolo volume non avvalorato
    IARG 2011 (Torino) 4-6 luglio 2011

2009
  1. The Mechanical Behaviour of Clay Shales and implications on the Design of Tunnels
    Article

    Bonini, Mariacristina; Debernardi, Daniele; Barla, Marco; Barla, Giovanni Battista
    ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING
    Vol.42(2) pp.28 (pp.361-388) ISSN:0723-2632 DOI:10.1007/s00603-007-0147-6

2008
  1. Metodi innovativi per la costruzione di gallerie in rocce spingenti
    Article

    Barla, Giovanni Battista; Barla, Marco
    INGEGNERIA FERROVIARIA
    Vol.12 (pp.1-15) ISSN:0020-0956

  2. Numerical simulation of the swelling behaviour around tunnels based on special triaxial tests
    Article

    Barla, Marco
    TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY
    Vol.23 pp.14 (pp.508-521) ISSN:0886-7798 DOI:10.1016/j.tust.2007.09.002

2004
  1. Characterisation of Italian clay shales for tunnel design
    Article

    Barla, Giovanni Battista; Barla, Marco; Bonini, Mariacristina
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND MINING SCIENCES
    Elsevier
    Vol.41 pp.1 ISSN:1365-1609 DOI:10.1016/j.ijrmms.2003.01.001

Total: 20