ABSTRACT
The development of new technologies in tunnelling needs high pre-investments and the first applications in practice may generate economic risks. Both aspects are obstacles to realise the chances of innovations.
The way out of this dead end is an early partnership between employer and contractor which begins before signing the contract. In this paper we describe the way to a successful and realistic development of innovations for the Metro Amsterdam with the partners “Adviesbureau Nord/Zuidijn” as client’s engineer and the “SATURN group” as preferred bidder for the tunnel, concerning precast concrete segmental lining, shield technologies and mitigating measures. The steps beginning from the idea, to the design until the shop drawings are described. This includes the creation of a harmonised contract. Both partners have to contribute their best experiences.
At least the early partnership pays eliminating the risks earning the chances of innovations.
