Risk Assessment and Management in Underground Structures

Underground construction is always associated with inherent risks due to limited knowledge of existing geological conditions prevailing at the site as well as due to many other uncertainties unknown at start of the project. Long-term stability of underground structures is critical to engineering, design and construction of these structures. However equally important is the fact that how well you plan and execute, design and construction of underground structures cannot be made completely risk free. However use of modern tools and technological advances along with micro planning and execution helps to minimize these risks to a larger extent. Design and engineering of these structures follows a dynamic design approach which evolves as the construction progress. This paper discusses a systematic approach of risk assessment and management for a typical underground project. Concept of risk register introduced as part of the risk management strategy is also emphasized in the study.