UCA Young Members webinar series presents: Istanbul Strait Road Tube Crossing Eurasia Tunnel

Istanbul Strait Road Tube Crossing Eurasia Tunnel
Wednesday, September, 30, 2015 10:00 am MT

Presented by:
Nasri Munfah, PE
Senior Vice President, HNTB

Vojtech Gall, PhD, PE
Principal, Gall Zeidler Consultants

The 13.7m diameter double deck Istanbul Strait Road Tube Crossing is one of the most challenging underwater tunnel projects in the world. Subjected to 11 bars of hydrostatic pressure, variable geology, and being in a very active seismic area, the excavation of the project required innovative solutions, sophisticated construction techniques, and prudent risk management approach.

The 5km tunnel consists of 3.4km Mixed-Shield TBM bored tunnel, 1km twin NATM tunnels, and cut and cover sections. The project is being delivered as Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract in a public-private partnership. The technical challenges, coupled with financial and commercial risks required the implementation of sophisticated risk management tactic including the provision of independent Design Verification Process.

Presently, the project is in advanced stages of construction with an anticipated TBM breakthrough in September 2015.

UCA webinars are funded by the UCA Division of SME and are provided at no cost to participants.