Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 54-19. Practices for Controlling Tunnel Leaks

Water infiltration is a common defect encountered in tunnel structures. However, the degree of severity and acceptance criteria associated with tunnel leakage varies and is not always unanimously agreed on. While every structure has a design life, poor control and management of leaks can reduce this expectation. A huge investment in time and money can be put into combating leaks, and the result will typically not yield a completely water-tight tunnel. Methods of addressing tunnel leakage are hardly one-size-fits-all. The challenge for tunnel owners is to match the appropriate mitigation measure to the relevant leak type and source. The objective of this research is to document current practices used by state department of transportation (DOT) tunnel owners to control tunnel leaks. Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to): (1) DOT categorization of tunnel leak types; (2) Methods and procedures for detecting tunnel leaks; (3) Methods and procedures for mitigating various types of leaks; and (4) Differences in treatments between underwater tunnels and tunnels impacted solely by groundwater.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5302
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Programmed
• Funding: $55000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 20-05, Topic 54-19

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Gause, Jo

• Start Date: 20220516
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Detection and identification; Groundwater; Infiltration; State departments of transportation; State of the practice; Tunnels; Underwater structures
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01845582
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 20-05, Topic 54-19
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 16 2022 3:04PM