The aim of this course is to highlight some of the most advanced aspects of digital and information technology applications in the design, construction, maintenance and refurbishment of underground works.

The use of BIM in tunnelling will be presented and discussed, providing students with relevant examples from the design to the “as built” model implemented during construction, in addition to BIM use during maintenance and refurbishment of underground infrastructure.

The second key topic of the course is the use of automation and virtual and augmented reality as tools to improve the tunnel construction process.

Advanced technologies available for geotechnical mapping and exploration, surveying and monitoring will be discussed, together with automation applied to equipment used in underground construction and to quality control and assessment processes.

The course is designed to inform designers, site managers, young engineers and university students how the most recent innovations in information technology can be applied to tunnelling and be used to improve design, construction and maintenance processes.