Effective Monitoring in Tunneling Projects: The Role of Proqio

Tunneling is a crucial part of modern infrastructure development, whether it’s for transportation, utilities, or mining. Each tunneling project presents unique challenges, from navigating complex geological conditions to ensuring operational safety. Effective monitoring is essential to address these challenges and avoid risks and costly delays. Proqio, the infrastructure data intelligence platform, is designed to integrate, analyze, and visualize data for tunneling projects—all within a single platform powered by simplicity, versatility, and flexibility. 

The Importance of Monitoring Tunnels Across Different Terrains and Geological Regions  

Each tunneling project presents different challenges depending on the terrain, whether it is in an urban area and geological conditions. From hard rock formations to softer, unstable materials, every type of terrain demands tailored solutions. In this context, real-time monitoring helps understand what is going on and how to adapt to the conditions experienced in a particular period and implement preventive measures. 

Varying geological conditions: Different geological formations present unique challenges. For example, tunneling through hard rock, such as granite, requires different techniques and equipment than softer materials like clay or sand. Each type of rock has its characteristics regarding hardness, fracture patterns, and groundwater presence, which can affect the excavation method, support systems, and overall project timeline.  

Seismic activity: Tunneling in regions prone to seismic activity demands rigorous monitoring and specialized engineering to ensure structural stability. The tunnel must be designed to withstand potential ground movements, requiring continuous monitoring of seismic data and implementing early warning systems to detect and respond to seismic events.  

Groundwater management: The presence of groundwater is a significant concern in tunneling. Water ingress can lead to flooding, equipment damage, and soil instability. Monitoring groundwater levels and managing water pressure are critical to preventing such issues, especially in urban tunneling projects where existing infrastructure could be affected.  

Environmental considerations: Tunneling activities must be carefully managed to minimize environmental impact in certain terrains, such as those with karst formations or protected areas. Monitoring ecological parameters and implementing measures to mitigate negative effects are crucial for complying with environmental regulations.  

Data in Tunneling: Types and Importance  

Decision-making and reducing the risk of oversight. 

Geological data: Detailed geological mapping is foundational for any tunneling project. Understanding the rock type, fault lines, and mineral content is crucial for selecting the appropriate excavation method and support system. Proqio integrates geological mapping data, providing engineers with detailed insights into all these parameters. This helps them anticipate and mitigate risks such as rock bursts or unexpected ground conditions that could delay the project or pose safety hazards. 

Construction data: Proqio simplifies tracking tunnel progress through Drill and blast or Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) methods and optimizes the excavation process. Real-time data from TBM operations, such as penetration rate, cutter head torque, and thrust force, must be monitored continuously to ensure efficient operation and minimize wear and tear on equipment. By analyzing this data, engineers can optimize TBM operation, reduce downtime, and extend the lifespan of the equipment.  

Scheduling data: Accurate scheduling is critical to ensure tunneling projects are completed on time and within budget. Scheduling data includes timelines for various construction phases, resource allocation, and coordination with other project activities. Effective scheduling requires integrating data from different sources to provide a holistic view of the project timeline.  

Geotechnical and geodetic data: Proqio enables precise monitoring of the tunnel's structural integrity through convergence data (the degree to which tunnel walls move inward), displacement tracking, and stress changes in the surrounding rock mass. Real-time geotechnical data ensures any shifts are identified early, preventing potential failures and ensuring worker safety.   

Transforming Data into Actionable Insights 

Proqio’s advanced visualization tools—heatmaps, graphs, vectors, and real-time images—make complex data more accessible to interpret, empowering engineers and managers to make more informed decisions.

• Heatmaps and Vectors: Heatmaps from tilt meters or optical targets give engineers an immediate overview of tunnel conditions, allowing them to detect areas of concern and prioritize interventions. 

• Graphical Data Comparisons: Engineers can consolidate data from different sources, such as TBM performance and geodetic measurements, to compare trends and adjust operations as needed. 

• Real-Time Images: Proqio’s ability to upload and display real-time images adds a visual layer to the data, helping teams verify conditions in the field and improve decision-making accuracy. 

Streamlining Project Management and Communication 

Proqio simplifies project management by centralizing data and enhancing communication between teams. 

• Real-Time Alerts: Automatic notifications are triggered when parameters like TBM performance or tunnel convergence exceed safe limits, ensuring teams can act quickly to mitigate risks. 

• Automated Reporting: Proqio’s platform generates reports based on real-time data and delivers them to relevant stakeholders automatically. This reduces manual reporting efforts and ensures that everyone has up-to-date insights into the project’s status. 

A Case for Simplicity: Proqio vs. Traditional Systems   

Unlike traditional software, which often requires multiple tools to manage different aspects of a tunneling project, Proqio's all-in-one platform provides a holistic solution. Proqio improves efficiency, clarity, and collaboration across teams by unifying data streams. Instead of juggling multiple screens or manually piecing together data from various systems, engineers and project managers can rely on Proqio to handle the heavy lifting, allowing them to focus on critical decision-making and project execution.   

Proqio at Work in NEOM  

NEOM, a mega-city project in Saudi Arabia, is ambitious and involves extensive tunneling work. Proqio has been instrumental in managing the complex tunneling operations within NEOM, demonstrating its effectiveness in handling large-scale projects with diverse challenges.  

Pablo Corrales, Tunnel Engineer Leader at NEOM Lot 2-3, highlights Proqio's impact: "With Proqio, we manage the geological mapping parameters, convergences, and displacement trends of tunnels. It allows us to have unparalleled control over the construction project."  

This statement underscores Proqio's comprehensive capabilities in monitoring and managing critical aspects of tunneling projects, from geological assessments to structural stability.  

Proqio's Role in Metro Santiago de Chile  

The Santiago Metro in Chile faced significant challenges due to continuous water flow causing erosion, threatening the structural integrity of track slabs in a tunnel section. The appointed Instrumentation and Monitoring (I&M) contractor utilized Proqio's platform for its advanced real-time, remote monitoring capabilities to address these issues. Proqio enabled continuous data acquisition and real-time access to critical deformation data, allowing for precise monitoring across multiple planes (horizontal, vertical, and oblique) and efficiently handling alerts. This helped in controlling longitudinal profiles to prevent track CANT and TWIST failures.  

Proqio's platform managed the complex synchronization of tiltmeter sensors, which were not collecting data simultaneously, by establishing time buffers necessary for accurate calculations. Automated data collection occurred every 30 minutes, with deformation calculations performed every 1.5 hours, enabling precise and timely monitoring of track conditions. This frequency of data collection and analysis was crucial for maintaining track stability and ensuring the structural integrity of the tunnel, demonstrating Proqio's ability to handle complex data processing requirements.  

The deployment of Proqio significantly enhanced track safety enabled proactive maintenance and streamlined data management. Real-time alerts facilitated timely interventions, minimizing disruptions and ensuring the safety and functionality of the railway tracks. By providing continuous data collection and real-time processing, Proqio allowed for better-informed decisions regarding structural reinforcements, proving its effectiveness in managing complex infrastructure challenges and demonstrating its value in proactive infrastructure management.  

Howard Street Tunnel  

The Howard Street Tunnel, a critical freight corridor in the northeastern U.S., required extensive modernization to accommodate double-stacked freight cars. Proqio's platform proved invaluable in managing the complex integration of geological and structural data. The project involved: 

• Monitoring tunnel displacement. 

• Tracking stress on structural reinforcements. 

• Managing logistical aspects of tunnel expansion.  

Proqio enabled real-time synchronization of data streams from multiple monitoring devices, ensuring that construction activities aligned with safety regulations. Engineers were able to track tunnel deformation trends and make decisions proactively, minimizing risks associated with structural instability. Automated data processing every hour allowed the team to manage potential hazards swiftly, ensuring that disruptions were minimized while the tunnel remained operational.  

Delhi Metro  

Proqio is also working in the Delhi Metro. It integrates diverse data from ATs with mini prism targets, tiltmeters, and vibration sensors to monitor tunnel integrity in real-time. Proqio's cloud-based system offers instant alerts for structural changes and generates automated reports, enhancing stakeholder awareness and facilitating timely interventions.   

Effective monitoring and management of tunneling projects are essential for ensuring safety, efficiency, and project success. Proqio addresses tunneling's unique challenges by providing a robust solution that integrates diverse data sets into a single, user-friendly dashboard and offers advanced features like visualization, alerts, and early warning systems.   

Its deployment in high-profile projects like NEOM demonstrates its capability to handle the complex demands of modern tunneling projects. As infrastructure projects become increasingly complex, tools like Proqio are invaluable in ensuring tunneling projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget. 

Claim a demo today if you're involved in a tunneling project and want to explore how Proqio can simplify your data management, enhance team collaboration, and improve project safety. Experience first-hand how Proqio can integrate all aspects of your tunneling project into one powerful platform.  

Simplifying Tunneling Projects: Proqio vs. Traditional Systems 

Unlike traditional software that requires multiple tools for different data types, Proqio provides an all-in-one platform. Its seamless integration improves efficiency, reduces errors, and enhances team collaboration. It allows engineers and project managers to focus on critical decision-making rather than piecing together fragmented data from multiple systems. 

Experience Proqio for Your Tunneling Projects 

Interested in simplifying your tunneling project’s data management and improving team collaboration? Claim a demo today to see how Proqio can integrate all aspects of your tunneling project into one powerful platform. Experience real-time insights that enhance safety, efficiency, and long-term project success.