Influence of Non-Technical Factors on the Construction of Tunnels

Several groups of people, representing owner, contractor, designer and consultant, and supervisor of a proposed tunnel, are involved in tunnel construction. As a complex and extra long tunnel is constructed in a tight time schedule, the influence of non-technical factors on the construction of the tunnel is generally much significant. Friendly and effective cooperation between the involved groups are vital to a successful tunnel project. In this paper, we examine the impact of non-technical factors in tunnel construction, in terms of the working procedure of the involved groups in China. The non-technical problems encountered in tunnel construction may be coped with by following a well planned quality controlling cooperation pattern. The improved education of tunnel engineers, in terms of both technical and ethical thoughts, can help to bridge and smooth the interests of the involved groups and technological know-how.