“SINTEF-TriPOD” in underground design – A demonstration for two projects in Norway

Abstract

Many rock engineering projects today may face rock mechanics challenges such as particularly complicated profile or excavation plan, located near to existing infrastructure and thus pose a high risk to such structures, and complicated geological conditions. In such situation, there may be no similar existing experience to lean on. Thus, empirical methods have limitations and uncertainties in such cases. Therefore, SINTEF has developed a rock engineering tool to deal with the challenges. The tool is a combination of Investigation, Numerical modelling, and Monitoring. We use the term “SINTEF-TriPOD” for the methodology, and through projects it has proved to be a reliable tool. This paper presents the application of the SINTEF-TriPOD for two important infrastructure projects in Oslo, Norway, which are Follo Line metro project (4 billion USD) and a fresh water supply project (approximately 1.2 billion USD).