Excavation safety engineering

Workers involved in underground excavation are exposed to several hazards, due to the specific activities performed in a confined space and due to the interaction with the excavated rock masses. Works complexity and peculiarity call for specific and adequate technical, technologic and procedural solutions in order to reach the maximum safety level for workers.
SERENGEO provides support in safety management during design and construction phase of small and wide section tunnels realised with traditional and mechanised tunnelling techniques, even in compressed air and in gassy rock masses and asbestos rocks.
Prof. Eng. Paolo Berry, retired Full Professor in “Mining Engineering” and “Excavation Safety Engineering” at the University of Bologna, School of Engineering, co-authored the “Safety Standards for the realization of Major Public Works” (Emilia Romagna – Tuscany Inter Regional Notes, 1998-2013) and their revision as “National Guidelines” approved by the Permanent Committee for the relationships among the Italian State, Regions and Autonomous Provinces – Trento and Bozen.

Projects and collaborations

• 2019-2020. Safety Engineering aspects related to tunnelling with traditional technique and with EPB – TBM in gassy rock masses and soils
• 2018-2019. Innovative safety engineering solutions for the rehabilitation works of Miglionico gassy tunnel and methane flows monitoring during railway operations
• 2017. Safety Engineering aspects related to tunnelling with traditional technique in gassy rock masses
• 2016 – ongoing. Safety Engineering in tunnelling with traditional technique through gassy rock masses and soils
• 2016 – 2017. Safety Engineering design of small section (diameter < 10 m) tunnels excavation with EPB-TBM in gassy rock masses
• 2016. Innovative safety engineering solutions for compressed air tunneling in urban areas
• 2015. Innovative safety engineering solutions for double shield TBM tunnel excavation in rock masses containing methane, hydrogen sulfide and other hazardous gases

Publications

• Babbini A., Bandini A., Berry P., Cormio C., Gianvecchio P.M., Lieto S. (2023) Progettazione e costruzione di gallerie grisutose. Strade & Autostrade 161, p. 46-51
• Bandini A., Berry P., Cormio C. (2021). Lo scavo di gallerie grisutose. Strade e autostrade 145, p.2-5
• Bandini A., Berry P., Colaiori M., Cormio C., Lisardi A. (2017). Safe excavation of large section tunnels with Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machine in gassy rock masses: the Sparvo tunnel case study. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 67 (2017) p. 85-97, DOI: 10.1016/j.tust.2017.05.001.
• Bandini A., Berry P., Colaiori M., Cormio C., Lisardi A. (2014) Il franco di sicurezza nello scavo di gallerie grisutose. Atti Workshop Nazionale “NIR 2013 – Note Interregionali di Ingegneria della Sicurezza nello scavo di gallerie”. Bologna 4-5 Luglio 2014, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, AMS Acta, p. 63-77, ISBN: 9788898010202.
• Bandini A., Berry P., Calzolari F., Colaiori M., Cormio C., Lisardi A. (2014) Nascita ed evoluzione delle NIR. Atti Workshop Nazionale “NIR 2013 – Note Interregionali di Ingegneria della Sicurezza nello scavo di gallerie”. Bologna 4-5 Luglio 2014, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, AMS Acta, p. 7-16, ISBN: 9788898010202.
• Berry P., Calzolari F., Martelli F., Obici C., Paggi P., Pavone V. (2001) Studio e ricerca interregionale di soluzioni tecniche atte a rendere sicure macchine operatrici ed impianti utilizzati nella costruzione delle gallerie grisutose della Linea Ferroviaria “Alta Velocità” nel tratto appenninico Firenze. Monografia stampata in proprio dalla ASL Bologna Sud, Regione Emilia Romagna, Bologna.
• Berry P. (2000) Alta velocità in sicurezza. Il ruolo dell’Università di Bologna. Quarry and Construction, anno XXXVIII, n° 9, pp. 60 ÷ 64, sett. 2000.
• Berry P. (2001) Rapporto tra scienza, tecnica e normativa di sicurezza. Atti del Convegno Internazionale “La sicurezza nella realizzazione di grandi opere in sotterraneo”, pp. 66-70 Bologna, 20-21 Settembre 2001.