Hydrogeological Aspects of Tunnels

Today we had a guest speaker from SEA Consulting srl. Dr. Antonio Dematteis is a Senior Hydrogeologist and General Manager of SEA Consulting (subsidiary of Geodata spa). Dr. Dematteis is also the Chairman of Working Group on Sustainable water management in Tunnels (GESTAG).

Today's lecture was useful in understanding:

• The critical issues related to water inflow into tunnels
• Legislations concerning water and Environment
• "WATERMAT" Procedure (Based on Dematteis et. al., 2007)

"WATERMAT" procedure is about creating/establishing a Reference Hydrogeological Model (RHM) and Quantifying the reliability of the RHM using R-Index. Based on the RHM, water inflow into the tunnel is estimated (by empirical / analytical / recharge method / numerical method). Due to water inflow into the tunnel, the impact on aquifers are predicted and Drawdown Hazard Index (DHI) are different water points on the surface to judge the "water hazard" due to Tunnelling. If the DHI is high, appropriate remediation to be planned accordingly. Finally, re-use and replenishment of drained water is planned to compensate the effect of Tunneling on surrounding water resources. 

Examples projects and working methods for the above procedure is explained to give us an overall picture of Water management in a Tunnelling project. 

Dr. Dematteis Lecture of Hydrogeological Aspects of Tunnels on 24th January, 2014