"Tunnelling and TBM" Course at Politecnico di Torino, Italy: Summary

In this post, I intend to summarize about the 2nd Level Specializing Masters / Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) degree program on "Tunnelling and TBM", which I was following at Politecnico di Torino, Italy. Having completed the academic course work (46 out of 60 credits), I am about to begin my thesis work (based on job experience / stage / internship) to complete the remaining 14 credits.

MAS program on "Tunnelling and Tunnel Boring machines" at Politecnico di Torino, Italy is one of the four courses offered worldwide on Tunnelling which is endorsed by International Tunnelling Association (ITA/AITES) and ITACET committee. Three of them (including this) are MAS level / 2nd Master's level  course and one of them is MSc level course (details).

The program at Politecnico di Torino combines university lectures with expert lectures from construction companies, machines producers, design companies and industry professionals to provide the multidisciplinary knowledge. The program has been running for around 18 years, offered once in two years, and has now reached its 9th edition (more details).

In clockwise from top-left corner. Herrenknecht site visit, Prof. Kovari's lecture, Prof. Galler's Lecture, ITACET Board with program participants.

Course Structure

The course contained the following modules. Lectures for each of the modules were delivered by industrial experts along with the university professors.

• Contractual and legislative aspects, work sites management, quality 
• General aspects of mechanized tunneling and Hard Rock TBMs
• Plants and microtunneling
• Rock Mass Characterization, Geo investigations and risk assessment
• Safety and environmental issues of work sites
• Soil mechanized tunneling
• Tunnel design and construction method
• Tunnel supports

All my posts related to the course can be accessed here.

Details about the course content are summarized in the following info-graphics.

Time distribution in the program

Distribution of guest lectures

Background of lecturers during the program

Time allotted for different modules

I would like to thank ITACET Foundation for their financial support to follow this program and their constant encouragement during the course work.

My thanks are due to Prof. Peila, Director of the Master Course for his tireless effort and his constant willingness to receive feedback from the participants of the program for continuos improvement of the course.

Sponsors of this edition of Tunnelling and TBM Program

Sponsors of previous editions of Tunnelling and TBM Program