CETU (Tunnels Study Centre)

Tunnel quality,
safety and sustainability:
our core expertise
CETU is the central technical service of the Ministry
of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and
the Sea responsible for all the technical aspects
of tunnels. CETU is attached to the General Directorate of Infrastructures, Transport and Sea and
is involved in all stages of tunnel work from
conception to asset management as well with
facilities and civil engineering matters.
september 2010
Tunnels Study Centre
www.cetu.developpement-durable.gouv.fr
A centre of expertise and resources for underground structures
For over 30 years CETU has been the resource centre of the scientific and technical network of the Ministry
responsible for the entirety of the technical aspects related to tunnels.
CETU is dedicated to achieve better appreciation of the issues of sustainable development. Its unique feature is derived from the complementary nature of different operational fields such as the techniques and methods
of construction, environmental compatibility, maintenance, and the operation and safety of road tunnels. CETU’s
competences arise from its research and policy mission and its operational activities on behalf of key contractors for
road and other tunnels.
A central role for all participants involved with tunnels
Fulfilling an advisory function
to the ministry
Offering permanent support
to local authorities
Offering expert advice
to professionals
CETU provides continual assistance in the
conception, management and operation of
tunnels of the national road network. The
technical and operational competences of CETU
are delivered at all stages including supervision
of asset management as well as overseeing
renovation programmes. CETU also participates in the defining and the development of regulations and assists tunnel owners in applying
them.
The work conducted by CETU for state-owned
tunnels also directly benefits local authorities
which are responsible for numerous other
tunnels. In this role CETU is frequently requested
to supply its expertise and assistance to
engineering projects as well as to counselling
and training. An important objective of CETU
is to help civil and local authorities more
comprehensively understand and apply the
regulations and to evaluate the elements of a
tunnel project or renovation.
CETU is involved in a number of feasibility,
construction and renovation studies. CETU also
collaborates with project operators and private
consultants as a supporting partner either
through joint working groups or through more
specific assignments. Such permanent collaboration is important for improving the technical
and general quality of projects.
A national reference point
and a permanent
international presence
CETU actively contributes to a number of expert networks both in France
and internationally, directs research committees and participates in
European projects.
These networks provide a privileged place to exchange knowledge on
techniques and methods. They offer the opportunity to learn from the
experiences of other countries while at the same time extending the
influence of the French technical community.
The common objective of maintaining the proficiency and emphasizing
the value of French engineering is achieved through partnerships with
AFTES*, GTFE* and research and educational institutions on the national
level, as well as with key institutions such as PIARC*, ITA* and the new
COSUF* on the international level.
* AFTES: French Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
GTFE: Working Group of French-speaking road tunnel operators
PIARC: World Road Association
ITA: International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
COSUF: Committee on Operational Safety of Underground Facilities (Part of the ITA)
eans
M
and competences
Organised according to its
different technical fields and
structured as a matrix, CETU
relies on specialists (heads
of departments, consultants,
engineers, technicians…)
who work in multidisciplinary
teams created for the specific
type of study and research
to be completed.
Applications
expert:
a transversal role
Advice and external
inspection
Supporting renovation
programmes
Engineering management
Sustainable development
Technical consultants
Research and guidelines,
expertise and engineering:
core activities to CETU’s mission
Research and guidelines:
a dynamic role
Accumulation and diffusion of
knowledge is one of CETU’s fundamental tasks and comprises more
than half of its activities.
To consolidate and complete technical
policy, research is used to serve engineering projects directly and to
stimulate improvements in regulation. CETU team members have an
important presence in the scientific
community and they are active in
the development of different themes
such as human and organizational
aspects of safety, significance of
sustainable development in relation
to the conception and operation of
tunnels, collection and management
of knowledge or the evaluation and
supervision of tunnel techniques and
costs.
Expertise and
engineering:
made-to-measure
support for owners
and operators
Reflecting the diversity of its fields of
competence CETU offers a substantial number of services to owners and
operators.
CETU collaborates on projects involving expertise and engineering on an
incidental basis as well as through
long-term collaboration in larger
scale projects.
CETU also offers solid support for
the operational management of
tunnel assets. It provides assistance
for maintenance and operations,
taking into account technical, regulatory, organizational, programming
and work aspects.
The Construction Methods, Contracts and Works Department
collaborates with project operators of tunnel works to achieve technical
optimization, cost control and overall conditions of completion. It provides
recommendations for the contract specifications of project studies and
construction works.
The Geological and Geotechnical Design Department
is
concerned with the surrounding terrain and its interaction with a tunnel. CETU
works on the design of support structures and tunnel lining, and contributes
actively to studies and follow-up of excavation work.
The Materials, Structures and Tunnel Durability Department
is based on two principles. The first concerns the conception and verification of
structure and materials, notably in terms of fire resistance. The second concerns
the management of the existing network especially with respect to regulation,
inspection, and repair works.
The Ventilation and Environment Department is concerned with
all questions of the environment, ventilation, and smoke evacuation in case of
fire. The driving force of this service is research and technical tools development
but measurements and diagnosis are also made on site.
The Safety Department
plays an active role in conceiving and
implementing regulations regarding safety matters. The work of this service
aims to improve the knowledge of the issues concerned and to propose methods
of analysis and recommendations to all participants involved.
The Operation Department
deals with tunnel management issues,
including equipment, coordination of actions, equipment maintenance and
evaluation of operational and management costs. In permanent collaboration
with tunnel operators, this service ensures the distribution of information,
notably by conducting the GTFE and in developing targeted training programs.
The Electrical and Operational Equipment Department
is
specialized in technical systems specific to road tunnels and their design from
the feasibility study level to in-the-field support during works and general
use. This field has gained considerable importance with the development of
equipment and global systems for tunnel management.
Management
Research
anagement
Departments of expertise
The construction methods,
contracts and works
Department
The geological and geotechnical
design Department
The materials, structures and
tunnel durability Department
The ventilation and
environment Department
The safety Department
The operation Department
The electrical and operational
equipment Department
7 Complementary Departments
of expertise
T he applications experts
for inter-departmental relations
The two applications experts for advice and external
inspection supply official advice on state projects, one for the civil
engineering domain and the other for the facilities. They are also essential for the
elaboration process of internal CETU projects.
The applications expert for renovation programmes oversees
the correct execution of tunnel renovations for the government regarding both
conceded and non-conceded networks. He or she regularly presents detailed
reports on the progress of operations aimed at tunnel compliance.
The applications expert for engineering management
coordinates CETU studies and organizes the different project teams based on the
competences needed for the specificities of the assignment.
The applications expert for sustainable development identifies
issues of sustainable development and ensures that they are taken into account
in CETU’s activities.
The technical consultants are reference experts. They offer support in
specific fields or through individual contributions
CETU, dedicated to the issues and the aims
of its Ministry, a centre of resource and expertise
for civil authorities and professionals
a
ctivities
Ñ State
Ñ Local authorities
Expertise and
engineering
civil
authorities
Ñ G overnment
associations
research
and policy
Ñ C ontractors
Ñ Private
CETU
consultants
Ñ P rofessional
associations
Private/
professional
sector
At the crossroads of all activities
concerning tunnels, at the core
of the professional exchange
of those involved, CETU plays a
major role in the accumulation and
diffusion of knowledge and good
practice. In this way it assures
a consolidation and distribution
of technical data regarding
tunnels. CETU also publishes
recommendations, technical documents, articles and theses.
Ñ Research centres
Some of CETU’s publications:
• The reference manual on tunnels: civil
engineering and equipment documents
• The guide to safety documentation
• The guide to fire behaviour of road tunnels
You can find all these publications
and more at
Contacts
Tunnels Study Center
25, avenue François Mitterrand
Case n°1
69674 BRON - FRANCE
Tel. 33 (0)4 72 14 34 00
Fax. 33 (0)4 72 14 34 30
[email protected]
Michel Deffayet
Manager
Tel. : +33(0)4 72 14 33 60
Fax : +33(0)4 72 14 34 30
[email protected]
Didier Lacroix
Research manager
Tel. : +33(0)4 72 14 33 85
Fax : +33(0)4 72 14 34 30
[email protected]
www.cetu.developpement-durable.gouv.fr
Creation and design: Porteur d’image - Print: société Chaumeil - Photos credits: CETU
www.cetu.developpement-durable.gouv.fr