From the outset, SAITEC has gradually become one of the main national engineering companies for tunnels and underground works technologies in Spain, a country with complex geographical and orographic features. Its professional services include a wide range of engineering projects in this field - from the preliminary stages (feasibility studies, outline proposals, planning and concept design) to the operation stage, including the detailed project stage and technical support throughout the execution stage.

SAITEC employs a large multidisciplinary technical team, which enables it to provide comprehensive services - including ground data collection and characterisation, selection of construction systems, excavation design and calculation, auxiliary works, installation projects, safety plans, maintenance plans, and exploitation manuals.

SAITEC has carried out many projects in different sectors (rail, road, hydraulic), of different sizes (caverns, tunnels and microtunnels), and using different construction methods (conventional, TBMs, etc.).

Regarding tunnels, it specialises in the following activities:

Preliminary studies

Preliminary studies (feasibility studies, outline proposals, planning, drafts, etc.) require deep knowledge of the different disciplines that are part of the design and construction of tunnels. SAITEC has wide experience developing these types of projects.

Design

Designing and planning tunnels is the core activity of the Tunnels and Underground Works Department at SAITEC. This department has gained wide experience thanks to a broad range of different projects, such as:

  • Conventional tunnelling (railways, roads).
  • Caverns.
  • Microtunnels.
  • Underwater tunnels.
  • Tunnels in urban areas.
  • Operational tunnel renovation.
  • TBM tunnelling.
  • Tunnel junctions.
  • Cut and cover tunnels.

Both its highly skilled staff and the use of advanced computer equipment enable SAITEC to carry out all the jobs required on tunnelling value chain:

  • Geological and geotechnical reports. Site characterisation.
  • Analysis and choice of the construction system.
  • 2D or 3D calculation using finite elements or finite difference methods.
  • Complete design of civil works.
  • Tunnel safety installation projects.

Construction

One of SAITEC's main priorities when building tunnels and underground works is to achieve the highest quality and safety. To this end, it employs experienced teams specialising in the control and surveillance of underground works. These teams perform the following tasks:

  • Geotechnical monitoring of the excavation.
  • Design, monitoring and interpretation of the tunnel instrumentation.
  • Adaptation of tunnel design criteria to the actual on-site ground behaviour.
  • Support or lining checking calculations.
  • Alternative solutions design and calculation.
  • Unexpected problem solving during construction.

SAITEC's experience in offering specific advice for underground works is especially worth mentioning. The aim of this kind of work is to solve specific problems when executing tunnels. It is highly specialised and requires solid technical knowledge and use of the most advanced calculation tools.

Operation

SAITEC's tunnel-related activities go beyond the opening of the tunnels - they also continue during the operation stage. In this stage, SAITEC performs many different activities, including:

  • Inspection and diagnosis of problems.
  • Structural renovation or tunnel widening projects.
  • Evacuation simulations.
  • Studies and projects to adapt to safety regulations. Construction projects for emergency exits.
  • Drawing up of operating manuals.
  • Integrated safety management. Head of Security Services.

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