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Inspection of Highway and Rail Transit Tunnels
Jeffrey Havelin, P.E.
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 Attained
This course will review the following designations, principles,
applications, and various inspection criteria.
- 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
This course is based
entirely on the “2005- Highway and Rail Transit Tunnel Inspection Manual”
- Publication (FHWA-IF-05-002). Click on the following link and review the document prior to taking a quiz for credit.
Highway and Rail Transit Tunnel Inspection Manual (3.6 MB)
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To obtain PDH credits for this course, you will need to take a quiz for
credit. Click on the link below.
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