Suitable for professionals and advanced students in underground engineering, this book presents techniques that focus on reducing time, cost and risk in the construction and maintenance of underground facilities. This book contains the results of one of the largest research projects on tunnels and underground openings carried out in the European Community and aims at introducing innovative design tools and new technical procedures in tunnelling engineering. Edited by Prof. Gernot Beer, one the leading authorities in the development and application of computer oriented methods in rock/soil engineering, it presents 24 contributions of leading experts in the field. Contributions span from new information systems and computer supported methods for tunnel design, to the visual representation of the progress of excavation; from software for the numerical simulation of mechanized and conventional tunnelling methods, and for monitoring of the displacements induced by tunnelling, to software for controlling the advancing process of tunnel boring machines. Other chapters concern technological problems, such as the use ofshotcrete and of low pressure injections, the optimization of rock cutting tools, the robotic inspection of tunnels, etc. The large spectrum and depth of topics covered, and their impact on the tunnel design and construction, makes this book of particular interest for practicing engineers and for applied researchers. Giancarlo Gioda, Professor of Geotechnical Engineering, Dept. of Structural Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy "[...] the project will certainly result in a breakthrough in activities ranging from planning to maintenance. Contributions cover the whole spectrum of underground construction activities with an integrated approach." Tarcisio B. Celestino, University of Sao Paulo