TY - JOUR

T1 - Applicability of excavated rock material: A European technical review implying opportunities for future tunnelling projects

AU - Haas, Maximilian

AU - Mongeard, Laetitia

AU - Ulrici, Luisa

AU - D'Aloia, Laetitia

AU - Cherrey, Agnes

AU - Galler, Robert

AU - Benedikt, Michael

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Elsevier Ltd

PY - 2021/9/15

Y1 - 2021/9/15

N2 - The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) is a world-wide leading organisation in the field of particle physics and operation of high-class particle accelerators. Since 2013, CERN has undertaken feasibility investigations for a particle accelerator, named Future Circular Collider (FCC) to be installed within a 90–100 km subsurface infrastructure likely to enter construction phase after 2030. An important aspect of its construction and environmental impact assessment is the management of approximately 9.1 million m 3 of excavated rock and soil. The aim of this paper is to thoroughly review the applications of excavated material across European subsurface construction projects from a technical point of view and set them into context with studies currently ongoing for FCC. We propose a conceptual flow model for rock characterisation with respect to both applicability of excavated material and tunnelling excavation techniques for future international subsurface construction projects. The review has revealed a vast and encouraging potential across different European construction sites efficiently using excavated rock and soil over the past decade ranging from concrete production, geopolymer production, embankment and landfilling. Examples of reviewed subsurface tunnelling projects are likely to be applied for FCC including concrete production, clay-sealing for embankments, geopolymer face stabilization, re-cultivation or agricultural usage as mixed soil material or sustainable waste disposal.

AB - The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) is a world-wide leading organisation in the field of particle physics and operation of high-class particle accelerators. Since 2013, CERN has undertaken feasibility investigations for a particle accelerator, named Future Circular Collider (FCC) to be installed within a 90–100 km subsurface infrastructure likely to enter construction phase after 2030. An important aspect of its construction and environmental impact assessment is the management of approximately 9.1 million m 3 of excavated rock and soil. The aim of this paper is to thoroughly review the applications of excavated material across European subsurface construction projects from a technical point of view and set them into context with studies currently ongoing for FCC. We propose a conceptual flow model for rock characterisation with respect to both applicability of excavated material and tunnelling excavation techniques for future international subsurface construction projects. The review has revealed a vast and encouraging potential across different European construction sites efficiently using excavated rock and soil over the past decade ranging from concrete production, geopolymer production, embankment and landfilling. Examples of reviewed subsurface tunnelling projects are likely to be applied for FCC including concrete production, clay-sealing for embankments, geopolymer face stabilization, re-cultivation or agricultural usage as mixed soil material or sustainable waste disposal.

KW - Excavated tunnel material

KW - Future circular collider (FCC)

KW - Subsurface

KW - Tunnelling

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85109511718&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128049

DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128049

M3 - Review article

VL - 315

SP - 1

EP - 17

JO - Journal of Cleaner Production

JF - Journal of Cleaner Production

SN - 0959-6526

IS - 15 September

M1 - 128049

ER -