Research Talk by Mike A. Mooney, Title - Three Implementations to Reduce Geotechnical Risk on Underground Projects using Information Engineering and AI.

This lecture summarizes recent efforts to use continuous monitoring data produced on tunnel boring machine and conventional excavation tunneling projects to estimate tunnel-induced deformation, as-encountered ground conditions and tunnel construction operations. This so-called information engineering approach is aimed at reducing geotechnical risk during construction. The successful implementation of developed approaches is presented herein on three projects in the USA, including the Northeast Boundary tunnel project in Washington DC, the Regional Connector Transit Corridor tunnel project in Los Angeles, and the Northgate Link tunnel project in Seattle. 

Speaker - Mike Mooney

Mike is the Grewcock Chair Professor of Underground Construction & Tunneling at Colorado School of Mines where he directs the R&D Center for Underground as well as the post-graduate degree program and online graduate certificate in Underground Construction & Tunnel Engineering. Mike received his MSc in structural engineering and PhD in geotechnical engineering from the University of California and Northwestern University, respectively. Mike teaches courses in tunnel design and construction, support of excavations, civil infrastructure engineering and information engineering. His research involves pressure balance TBM tunneling, large diameter liner design, AI and the digital underground, and prediction/control of ground and building deformation. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications. Mike was elected to the US National Academy of Construction in 2024. He is a member of the International Tunnelling Association Committee on Education and Training, the ISSMGE Committee on Underground Construction in Soft Ground, and the US Underground Construction Association. Mike is a registered Professional Engineer and a consultant on numerous tunneling projects in the US and internationally