Overview
This 9-hour course provides specific information and procedures for the inspection of both highway and rail transit tunnels. Although several components are similar in both types of tunnels, a few elements are specific to either highway or rail transit tunnels and are therefore defined accordingly. It is commonly understood that numerous tunnels in the United States are more than 50 years old and are beginning to show signs of considerable deterioration, especially due to water infiltration.
The following paragraphs explain the specific subjects covered along with procedural recommendations that are contained in the FTA/FHWA 2005-Highway and Rail Transit Tunnel Inspection Manual, which is the basis of this course.
This course addresses inspection procedures for the functional aspect of the tunnel, focusing on the civil/structural, mechanical, and electrical components. The course also provides brief guidance on other systems/appurtenances, such as track, traction power, signals, and communications, which comprise the operational aspects of a rail transit tunnel. This brief guidance is only meant to provide general knowledge and not in-depth inspection criteria for such systems/appurtenances.
The tunnel types section covers the different tunnel shapes in existence, liner types that have been used, the two main invert types, the various construction methods used to construct a tunnel, and the multiple different finishes that typically exist in highway tunnels. The ventilation and lighting system sections are self-explanatory in that they cover the basic system types and configurations. The other systems/appurtenances section is used to explain tunnel systems that are present in rail transit tunnels, such as: track systems, power systems (third rail/ catenary), and signal/ communications systems.
Although this course is produced for a hands-on, non-destructive evaluation of the inside face of the tunnel structure, other state-of-the-art, non-destructive testing methods may be used in areas that require a more in-depth structural evaluation. These methods may include mechanical oscillation techniques such as sonic or ultrasonic measurements (more commonly referred to as Impact-Echo), electronic techniques such as georadar, and optical techniques such as infrared thermography and multispectral analysis.
This course is based entirely on the “2005-Highway and Rail Transit Tunnel Inspection Manual” - Publication (FHWA-IF-05-002).
The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of fifty-five (55) questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Circular Highway Tunnel Shape
- Double Box Highway Tunnel Shape
- Horseshoe Highway Tunnel Shape
- Oval/Egg Highway Tunnel Shape
- Circular Rail Transit Tunnel Shape
- Double Box Rail Transit Tunnel Shape
- Single Box Rail Transit Tunnel Shape
- Horseshoe Rail Transit Tunnel Shape
- Oval Rail Transit Tunnel Shape
- Circular Tunnel Invert Type
- Single Box Tunnel Invert Type
- Horseshoe Tunnel Invert Type
- Natural Ventilation
- Longitudinal Ventilation
- Semi-Transverse Ventilation
- Full-Transverse Ventilation
- Tunnel Inspection Layout Plan
- Circular Tunnel Label System Designations
- Rectangular Tunnel Label System Designations
- Horseshoe Tunnel Label System Designations
- Inspection of Civil/Structural Elements
- Inspection of Mechanical Systems
- Inspection of Electrical Systems
- Inspection of Other Systems/Appurtenances
- Inspection of Track Elements
- Inspection of Power Systems (Third Rail/Catenary)
- Inspection of Signal/Communication Systems
- Lighting Systems
- Mechanical TBM
Course
Click on the following link to the PDF document to review the course material before taking the quiz for credit.
Highway and Rail Transit Tunnel Inspection Manual
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