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NAERINGSPH-Nærings-phd

Implementing Best Practices, Knowledge, Competences and Technology for Safe and Efficient Asset Management for Tunnel Industry

Alternative title: Implementere Beste Praksis, Kunnskap, Kompetanser og Teknologier for Sikker og Effektiv asset management for tunnel Industrien.

Awarded: NOK 1.8 mill.

Project Manager:

Project Number:

311390

Application Type:

Project Period:

2020 - 2024

Funding received from:

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PhD studies established collaboration with ongoing PhD research at NTNU and UiS. Synergies from other relevant research work will be secured, creating additional value. Survey about Asset Management are completed. Gaps are identified, PhD research work is focused on the key issues. This defines clearer research path as well as specifying future research activities. Results are published in two international conferences. Result validation interviews are ongoing with selected experts from both industries. More publications are underway based on the outcome of these interviews. Major milestones, among others, for 2022 are developing a closer cooperation with the road authorities (SVV), studying ongoing (new build and modification) tunneling project(s). Develop a better understanding existing and knowledge about practical asset management from both industries. More focus on data analysis and modeling for tunnel data is planned as future activity.

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The purpose of the project is to transfer knowledge, competences, technologies & proven asset management methodologies from offshore industry for efficient tunnel lifecycle management. The methods & technologies contribute to environment, increased safety, availability, effectiveness, standardization & foster digitalization. Operation & maintenance (O&M) in many industries is mainly experience-driven, lacking structured approach, sustainability, innovative processes and digital mindset. New technologies are pushing all to think new and innovative ways for asset O&M. Modern tunnels are equipped with highly sophisticated equipment. A road tunnel has a usual design life of over 100 years whereas equipment in a tunnel lasts for about 25 -30 years. This means that equipment in tunnels need major upgrades/replacement at least 3-4 times during tunnel lifecycle. Improper maintenance & inefficient processes lead to poor asset O&M consequently causing unwanted consequences. Moreover, adding unnecessary cost, time adds considerable amount of Greenhouse emissions. Efficient sustainable O&M plans contribute to reduction in Greenhouse emissions, which are aimed to be cut by about 70 percent in the next 30 years, goal set by EU. This becomes more challenging for ageing tunnels & equipment. The systematic theoretic approaches applied in the offshore industry is an excellent starting point for further exploration of system designs of the O&M of tunnel systems. The fast-paced changes in society require flexible & functional tunnel safety regulations to ensure safe and secure development. Modern systems and equipment in tunnels generate large amount of data that can be used for identifying the real status of the equipment. Combining as-is status of the equipment with maintenance history data collected through years of operation and maintenance, create unique opportunities. This means that maintenance strategies to move from conventional to more proactive and predictive strategies.

Funding scheme:

NAERINGSPH-Nærings-phd