The 3rd International Workshop on Resiliency of Urban Tunnels and Pipelines is an international initiative under the ASCE Infrastructure Resilience Division, co-organized annually by the Institute for Risk & Reliability (Leibniz Universität Hannover), the Center for Technology and Systems Management (University of Maryland), the Department of Geotechnical Engineering (Tongji University) and the Institute for Risk & Uncertainty (University of Liverpool). The this year''s destination was the Institute for Risk & Reliability, Leibniz Universität Hannover. Six Keynote Lectures were presented by our distinguished speakers; Prof. Daniel Straub (TU Munich), Prof. Günther Meschke (Ruhr Univ. Bochum), Dr. Ali Nasekhian (Dr. Sauer & Partners Ltd. London), Prof. Antonio Topa Gomes (Univ Porto), Dr. Edoardo Patelli (Univ. of Liverpool) and Prof. Hongwei Huang (Tongji Univ.). The presentations and discussions opened up perspectives for strengthening and expanding our collaboration nationally and globally, with opportunities for joint research projects. In particular, the workshop facilitated the expansion of our collaboration with our colleagues in China and specifically in Tongji University, which was represented by a strong delegation led by Prof. Hongwei Huang. Based on the workshop we are editing a Special Collection on "Resilience of Tunnels, Pipelines and Geotechnical Infrastructures" in the ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems: Part A. Civil Engineering.
Background
Tunnels and pipelines have become a major critical component of our industrialized societies and information-based economies. However, their operation and maintenance is largely realized through heuristic approaches rather than a structured risk-based approach. The current research and practice in engineering risk is subjected to a key deficiency: while lots of efforts have been exerted on risk assessment, a little has been done for risk control including resilience of underground structures, thus resulting in unexpected economic losses. An application-oriented method for dynamic risk control is of great necessity for the safety of the underground and lifeline projects. As a particular technical challenge this approach needs to combine elements from structural engineering and systems engineering. Moreover, it needs to include a large monitoring component, and it needs to be dynamic to account for rapid changes in system states and conditions. In operating such ever-growing infrastructure systems, the risk associated with the structural safety of shield tunnels and pipelines has become a focus of the government and the public in the world. Since this situation does not only apply to one country or society but is a global problem, it can be addressed best with joint forces.
Objectives
We are convening a workshop with selected researchers in the areas of geotechnical, structural and systems risk from around the world in order to identify a structured research agenda for the development of a dynamic risk control approach. This workshop is supposed to cumulate in the development of large-scale research proposals by the attendees, which are all synchronized. On this basis a mechanism of resilience for urban shield tunnels and pipelines could be developed very efficiently and within a short time. Consequently, the risk associated with the structural safety including resilience could be controlled and high cost efficiencies can be achieved.
