DFI-EFFC International Conference on Deep Foundations and Ground Imrovement: Urbanisation and Infrastructure Development - Future Challenges
Our Technical Director, Vittorio Manassero, will be attending and speaking at the DFI-EFFC International Conference on Deep Foundations and Ground Improvement at Sapienza University in Rome, Italy, June 5-8, 2018.
The conference explores the challenges of upcoming urban infrastructure megaprojects and highlights modern technologies and techniques available to overcome these challenges. Client representatives will present upcoming or in-progress megaprojects such as Rome Metro C, Fehmarn Belt, Gran Paris and the Chennai Metro as well as the water infrastructure challenges in Italy and worldwide. The event also features presentations from contractors, engineers, researchers and manufacturers (technology providers) on projects and studies related to new technologies, methods of construction, design concepts, equipment, materials and electronics in connection with the developing of Project Information Management System (PIMS) and the Building Information Modeling (BIM) applied to the geotechnical and foundation industry.
Mr. Manassero will be giving a presentation on Wednesday, June 6, at 5:00 PM (parallel session A2 - Hall 1), entitled "Ventilation Shafts and Drifts for the Metro Line 6 Project in Naples, Italy" (co-authors Giorgio Mormone and Federico Moccia). The lecture deals with with the application of construction methods which have a low impact on the surrounding buildings and utilities, while geotechnical and underground works are being carried out. At Metro Line 6 in Naples the ventilation system entails underground chambers connected to the TBM tunnel by a vertical shaft and a horizontal drift. The shafts are constructed adopting a technologically innovative solution, the VSM (Vertical Shaft-sinking Machine) construction method. This mechanized system, as well as enabling a faster and safer excavation compared with conventional techniques, allows the whole construction to be completed without operators having to descend into the shaft and without lowering the surrounding water-table. This means a considerable increase in safety for operators and a significant reduction in the effects on the surrounding environment, particularly relevant when operating in urban areas. For the connection drifts a preliminary soil or rock improvement was designed according to the soil to be bored: penetration grouting in rock and jet grouting in loose soil. Monitoring of the effects on the surrounding buildings and utilities is in service before, during and after the site activities. The monitoring is confirming the low impact of the construction method adopted, settlements and disturbance by vibration resulting as negligible.