ITA - TECHNICAL REPORTS Geoengineering Considerations in the Optimum Use of Underground Space Raymond L. Sterling CEFT Professor of Civil Engineering, Director, Trenchless Technology Center, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, USA Jean-Paul Godard Vice-President of the International Tunnelling Association, Projects Department Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), Paris, France ABSTRACT: The use of underground space is not new. Mankind has always used it to solve problems, taking advantage of its fundamental characteristics. Among the many reasons to use underground space are: land use and location reasons, isolation considerations, environmental preservation, and societal aspects. On the other hand, many problems and issues must be considered when using underground space, including: safety, psychological and health aspects, protection of the underground environment, relations between underground structures and the ground surface, construction techniques, site investigations, risk analysis, assessment of the underground structures, etc. All these issues must be considered in the search of “the optimum use of underground space” and, in addition, it must be remembered that the use of underground space is not an end in itself. Geoengineering considerations influence greatly the extent and the conditions of the use of underground space and this paper indicates some of the geotechnical issues that will become more important as the use of underground space intensifies.
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