ABSTRACT
This paper explores the concept of agile design within the context of tunnel engineering during the design phase, focusing on adapting to evolving project requirements, without compromising the integrity of the structural solution. It highlights the importance of embracing a “looking forward” approach, while still reflecting on past decisions, grasping why solutions were chosen in the first place and how they could be adjusted to meet new challenges.
Using a case study of a tunnel project in Scandinavia, the paper explores the design journey from initial design to project implementation. Situated within a congested underground, the tunnel encounters geological uncertainties spanning from hard rock to soft soil, as well as several fault zones. Withstanding 10 meters of water pressure, it resides beneath a densely congested surface environment sensitive to ground movement.
Despite the initial completion and approval of the structural design, unforeseen constraints, such as time schedule adjustments, lead to the need for redesign. The paper covers this redesign process, highlighting the interactive nature of agile design and the approach to adapting solutions. The solutions are similar to the original, but successfully altered to meet client feasibility requirements.
