Proposal Title
Risk analysis and mitigation in underground infrastructure design and construction
Proposals Acronym
INFRASAFE
Thematic Priority: nanosciences_nanotechnologies_materials_and_new_production_technologies
Sub-thematic Priority: integration_of_technologies_for_industrial_applications
Thematic Priority 1: environment_including_climate_change
Sub-thematic Priority 1: climate_change_pollution_and_risks
Thematic Priority 2: transport_including_aeronautics
Sub-thematic Priority 2: surface_transport_rail_road_and_waterborne
Proposal Abstract
Risk is one of the factors rarely and briefly taken into account in process of design and construction of
underground infrastructure. Risk is not percieved a material phenomenon but something unconrtolably
accidental. On the other hand risk analysis is a crucial factor of every enterprise to make it profitable,
safe and long-lasting. In the face of rapid development of municipal areas it is necessary to undertake
extensive study on qualification and quantification of risk of all kind and origin accompanying
underground structures on both the construction and maintenance stage. Awarness of risk and ability
to determine its potential results will succesfully help to mitigate accidents and financial loss, improve
management efficiency and safety.
Proposal Description
Construction industry, particularily underground infrastructure faces numerous uncertainties affecting
general safety, feasibility, construction schedule as well as financial success. There was no complex
examination of risk aspect in infrastructural industry so far. Rational and comprehensive risk mitigation
would greatly improve the performance of construction industry.
Proposal Objectives
- qualification of risk in underground infrastructure (causes, origin) - quantification of risk (probability,
results and interaction) - risk mitigation procedure (planning, weak points, alternative scenarios and
solutions)
Proposed Method
In order to qualify risk in construction it is planned to create an extensive database of risk factors and
assign the unit results (financial units) to each factor. Quantification will be based on probability
measures and analytical derivations. This would be lately used for complex process studies with the
use of simulation methods.
Proposal Added Value
The project will put together all the data and experience collected by the research and industry
members concerning risk in underground infrastructure construction. Information gathered will be
reorganized to generate a new tool for helping companies in planning their enterprise budgets.
Comprehensive risk awareness will let the industry check feasibility for large scale projects.
Proposal Impact
Risk in infrastructural industry affects all the society. Improvements in safety, service quality and
technical development in infrastructure construction would be a large step forward to sustainable
growth of modern cities. Traffic congestion due to roadworks, ground pollution, service failures are
frequently effects of inefficiently mitigated risk. All this would be overcome to a large extent by the
project.
Role: partner
Research Group Resources Description
- extensive expertise, potential, capabilities and research experience in underground urban
engineering - significant scientific and professional output - laboratory equipped with machinery
dedicated to the problems of urban engineering - software for analysis and simulation processes in
underground urban engineering