What’s Going on Underground? Tunnelling into the Future

Synopsis: Video recording of a public lecture given by Professor Robert Mair of Cambridge University at the RSA on 18/2/2009. The talk describes the critical importance of geology and the development and application of the latest tunnelling techniques. Current and future projects from all over the world demonstrate the size, technical challenges and complexity of modern underground construction. Protection from subsidence is critical and new ways to ensure buildings are unaffected during tunnelling are explained.

In Shanghai 20 km of tunnel are to be built every year for the next 20 years. In Rome a new metro line beneath the Colosseum is about to be constructed. In London the exciting Crossrail project has got the green light. Urban congestion is a serious problem in many cities, so the creation of underground space and in particular the development of underground transport is environmentally essential. How can tunnels be built in ground sometimes as soft as toothpaste? What can go wrong? Will buildings above be affected by subsidence? What else is underground already that might get in the way? Geotechnical engineering, the application of the science of soil mechanics and engineering geology, plays a key role in answering these questions. (62 minutes)
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Year of release: 2009
Year of production: 2009
Subjects: Civil Engineering & Building; Geology
Keywords: civil engineering; Geology; tunnels

Name: RSA
Email: general@rsa.org.uk
Web: http://www.thersa.org/ External site opens in new window
Phone: 020 7930 5115
Fax: 020 7839 5805
Address: 8 John Adam Street
London
WC2N 6EZ
Notes: Full name: Royal Society for the Encouragements of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce

Name: RSA Vision
Email: general@rsa.org.uk
Web: http://www.thersa.org/events/vision External site opens in new window
Phone: 020 7930 5115
Address: 8 John Adam Street
London
WC2N 6EZ
Notes: The RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce) hosts an ambitious programme of events that provide a platform for some of the world’s leading thinkers and encourage intelligent public debate of some of today’s most pressing social challenges. These events are available as live webcasts, streamed video or audio recordings, and podcasts. There is also a series of podcast interviews with Royal designers.

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British Universities Film & Video Council