Articles & Researchs
25
when it is under development. The
beginning of a successful project
starts with the undertaking of
suitable, realistic and functional
feasibility studies. It is of utmost
importance
to
establish
a
robust basis upon which the
final scheme and details of
the project will be founded.
At this stage, all possible project
options need to be adequately
assessed and evaluated, subject
to many intervening parameters,
such as cost, time, social &
environmental impact, complexity,
constructability, etc. A crucial and
inextricably associated with the
project progress factor is the initial
site and ground investigations.
Their importance lies on, among
part of highway and railway
there are a number of deeds
others, avoiding areas with adverse
networks,hencelocatedatisolated
that can be done and specific
conditions that could inflict serious
mountainous or desert areas
actions to be taken as mitigation
constructability problems, cost
or underneath major rivers and
measures. These initiatives extend
overruns, delivery delays and
canals. All of the above locations
and cover all four main stages of
probably trigger a failure incident.
have a direct and/or indirect
the life of an underground project,
Due to the increased number
influence on various parameters,
namely the development stage,
of underground projects being
such as water pressure, ground
the procurement stage, the design
constructed in urban areas, it
stresses,
asymmetric
loading,
stage and finally the construction
becomes absolutely necessary
manmade obstacles, etc. These
stage. The key characteristics of
to essentially and adequately
factors, in turn, affect the behavior
each stage, which could also
investigate the project impact on
of the excavated tunnel and
constitute the main key success
all affected third parties. Major
determine the design approach
factors for a project, are analyzed
neighboringstructuresandfacilities,
and construction methodology.
in more detail hereunder.
critical utilities, sites of specific
interest
(e.g.
archaeological
monuments) could all introduce
restrains and restrictions with
direct influence on the project's
alignment,
cost,
construction
methodology and sequence, etc.
Proper and sufficient construction
impact assessment studies (and
dilapidation surveys) should be
carried out and include, at a
minimum, an assessment of the
predicted ground settlements and
their extent. Other factors that
could also be assessed are the
noise & vibration levels, pollution
potential, etc. As the development
stage matures further, it is rendered
essential for the technical viability
of the project to be established. At
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS
Project Development
that stage, with the tender phase
Regardless of the above existing
Due care should be given at the
looming ahead, the choice of
and very influential failure factors,
very early stages of the project
the appropriate form of contract

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