Publications

NFF has the tradition to present an English publication every year. In these publications we focus on different topics we think are relevant to share with our international friends and colleagues around the world. This year’s publication is devoted to small sustainable hydropower plants.

The publication is targeted towards both an international and national audience, – both industry members, politicians and the readers interested in sustainability and power plants in general. We hope the reader will be inspired to engage in finding sustainable solutions to the energy challenges we face in the world today.

The publication is written as a joint effort among the scientists, clients, contractors, consultants, and suppliers in the Norwegian tunnelling industry. It contains of a mix of general information and project specific details. We appreciate the willingness to share experience and thoughts through this written material.

The authors are credited in front of each chapter. A special gratitude goes to the editorial committee:
Sindre Log, SINTEF
Werner Stefanussen, Stefanussen Consulting
Tone Nakstad, NFF

September 2024

The Norwegian Tunnelling Society (NFF) is an open society for people and enterprises associated with or interested in Norwegian rock technology. A key aspect of the society’s work concerns development projects for the benefit of the industry. This takes place in close cooperation with relevant actors, and the results achieved are disseminated through NFF’s publications, handbooks and technical reports.
This publication has a relatively long history. In 1973, Kontor for Fjellsprengningsteknikk KFF published a practical handbook on rock bolting (Praktisk håndbok i fjellbolting). This became a starting point for the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s Publication No. 72 Rock bolting from the road laboratory (Fjellbolting from veglaboratoriet), which was published in 1994, and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s handbook V224 Rock bolting (Fjellbolting), published in 2000 (previously handbook 215). A relatively extensive revision was carried out by the Directorate of Public Roads, before the entire process was handed over to NFF in 2017. NFF’s development committee subsequently set up a group which has ensured that it has now been updated to reflect current practice and products.

The work on the revised edition was carried out by:
Marcus Fritzøe Lawton, Bane NOR
Ragnhild Rostad, Veidekke
Thorvald Wetlesen Sr, Bever Control
Anette Wold Magnussen, Norwegian Public Roads Administration
Tone Nakstad, NFF

The drawings in the handbook were prepared by Mette Bergan, Kristine Ekseth and Arild Walberg Solerød.

NFF’s development committee was responsible for proofreading and quality assurance of the work. NFF’s International committee wanted to share this work with the international community, and is responsible for the translation.
Thanks to:
Thor Skjeggedal, Skjeggedal Construction Services
Anne Kathrine Kalager, Bane NOR
Werner Stefanussen, Rambøll
Ruth Gunlaug Haug, Cowi
Sindre Log, SINTEF

April 2023

NFF has the tradition to present an English publication every year. In these publications we focus on different topics we think are relevant to share with our international friends and colleagues around the world. This year’s publication is devoted to sustainability in Norwegian tunnelling.

The publication is targeted towards both an international and national audience, – both industry members, politicians and the readers interested in sustainability in general. We hope the reader will be inspired to participate in the work for improved sustainability in the tunnelling industry across the world, and hopefully help us to find even better solutions than described in this publication. We truly believe that UN Sustainability goal #17 “Partnerships for the goals” is essential to reach a more sustainable way to work and live.

The publication is written as a joint effort among the scientists, clients, contractors, consultants, and suppliers in the Norwegian tunnelling industry. It contains of a mix of professional papers and strategies shared from our member companies. We appreciate the willingness to share experience and thoughts through this written material. The authors are credited in front of each chapter. A special gratitude goes to the editorial committee:
Hrefna Run Vignisdottir, SINTEF Community
Jan KG Rohde, Sweco
Tom Frode Hansen, NGI
Tone Nakstad, NFF

June 2022

NFF has the tradition to present an English publication every year. In these publications we focus on different topics we think are relevant to share with our international friends and colleagues around the world. The publications are mostly written as a shared effort across the Norwegian tunnelling industry. This is not the case in 2021.

The Follo Line Project is by far the largest investment made in Norwegian onshore infrastructure as of now. The project consists of two parallel 22 km long urban railway tunnels among other constructions. Being such a special project in most regards, NFF decided that the 2021 publication should be dedicated exclusively to The Follo Line Project.

The publication is written as a joint effort among the client, contractors and consultants involved in the project. As such, the publication does not necessarily represent NFF’s position within the various academic topics. We do, however, believe it is of great benefit of the industry to share the experiences from this unique project.

This publication describes the status of the Norwegian underground industry and emphasises the utilisation of emerging technologies and BIM (Building Information Modelling) with a practical approach. Disciplines as geology, machine operations, Measurement While Drilling (MWD) data utilisation, rock bolting, technical installations and environmental monitoring are included and discussed in the first section of the publication.

The tunnel clients have been nominated as the main contributors to standardisation and future development of digital processes. By including a chapter for three of the main clients for tunnelling projects in Norway, the publication also provides a wider perspective with regards to future visions and development within the industry. In conclusion, successful implementations of digital processes are highlighted in terms of case-studies.

The publication Safety in Norwegian Drill and Blast Tunnelling is intended to be a resource and a guide to promote safe operations from planning stage to completed project.

The publication consists of two parts:

Part 1 (chapters 4 – 6), which primarily addresses clients, designers, coordinators etc.

Part 2 (chapters 7 – 9), which describes “best practice” and is aimed at employers, foremen and tunnel construction workers.

The Norwegian Tunnelling Society NFF is publishing this issue No. 26 in the English Language series for the purpose of sharing with international colleagues, and friends, the experiences of tunnel and cavern construction along with examples of underground use.

The purpose of Publication No. 26 is to demonstrate the content of Norwegian tunnelling by clarifying the principles of this approach, show-case breakthrough technologies and describe various ways of utilising the underground. We have named the publication ‘The Principles of Norwegian Tunnelling’.

The present publication, No. 25 in the English language series from the Norwegian Tunnelling Society NFF, has – as always – the intention of sharing with international colleagues and friends the latest news and experience in the use of the underground. This time we want to show our various use of rock caverns, thus the title “Norwegian Rock Caverns”.

One good reason for selecting this topic and title, is that next year, 2017, the World Tunnel Congress (WTC) will take place in Bergen on the Norwegian west coast. And the slogan for the congress is “Surface Challenges, – Underground Solutions.” As we expect that many of the readers of this publication will take part in the WTC in Bergen, we have included examples of rock caverns located in or near Bergen, -Bergen known as “The city with seven mountains.” Technical excursions to many of these caverns will be offered to the WTC participants.

The present publication, No. 24 in the English language series from the Norwegian Tunnelling Society NFF, has – as always – the intention of sharing with colleagues and friends internationally our latest news and experience in the use of the underground, this time with focus on health, safety and environment.

In 2004 NFF issued the Publication No.13 called Health and Safety in Norwegian Tunnelling. During the period 2004-2015 laws, regulations and critical threshold values were modified followed by controls, measurements and enhanced attention from owners and society on HSE-matters.

The present publication, No. 23 in the English language series from the Norwegian Tunnelling Society NFF, has – as always – the intention of sharing with our colleagues and friends internationally the latest news and experience gained in the use of the underground; this time with focus on tunnelling technology in general.

Oslo, April 2013

The publication “Norwegian Hydropower Tunnelling II” is part of the English language series published by the Norwegian Tunnelling Society, NFF. The aim is to share with our international colleagues information on rock technology, – this time with focus on tunnelling and underground works related to hydropower. As indicated in the title, this publication is the second publication in our series devoted to hydropower tunnelling. The first publication was published in 1985 as No. 3 in this series, contained 18 papers and has during the years been spread all over the world.

May 2012

The publication “Contracts in Norwegian Tunnelling” is part of the English language series published by the Norwegian Tunnelling Society NFF.

The publication “Rock Mass Grouting” is part of the English language series published by the Norwegian Tunnelling Society NFF.

The aim is to share with colleagues internationally information on rock technology, this time with focus on rock mass grouting in tunnelling.

The publication «Rock Support in Norwegian Tunnelling» is part of the English language series published by the Norwegian Tunnelling Society NFF.

NFF – the Norwegian Tunnelling Society, as part of its activities, prepares technical publications in the English language. These publications focus on selected segments of underground construction.

NFF issued its first publication on subsea tunnelling in 1991. 18 years have passed, numerous new subsea projects were implemented, the industry has gained experience and techniques were improved. In conclusion, it is time for an update. The intention, as always, is the sharing with colleagues and friends internationally newly gained experience.

The high level of subsea tunnelling activities taking place in Norway is a consequence of the special topography of the country with mountains, fjords and outlaying islands in combination with national support for improving communications in the coastal areas. Priorities were not necessarily governed by cost-benefit analyses.

The present publication, No. 17 in the English language series from the Norwegian Tunnelling Society NFF, has – as always – the intention of sharing with our colleagues and friends internationally the latest news and experience
gained in the use of the underground; this time with focus on the maintenance and safety of underground openings during operation.

The present publication, number 16 in the English language series from the Norwegian Tunnelling Society NFF, has – as always – the intention of sharing with our colleagues and friends internationally the latest news and experience gained in the use of the underground; this time with focus on Underground Constructions for the Norwegian Oil and Gas Industry.

Norway is a mountainous country. Topographical features along the western coastline are long fjords cutting into steep and high mountains. The south-eastern and middle part of the country takes on smoother forms; still dominated by mountains and rocky underground.

The topography hence creates necessity, opportunities and challenges for rock engineering in the development of the infrastructure of the country. Commended virtues in the engineering sector are competence, ability to find new solutions and conscious approach with regard to environment and costs.

The Norwegian landscape and topography is characterised by long and deep valleys and fjords cutting into high mountains.

The rock mass left after tectonic activities and several periods of glacial erosion, is suitable for tunnelling, still holding numerous challenges for the tunnellers. Rock tunnels have been found to be an efficient link to overcome infrastructure challenges.

At the same time these topographical conditions enable a wide range of utilisation of the rock mass for the benefit of the public. Hydropower projects take advantage of the highly elevated water reservoirs and utilises the rock to host tunnels and caverns.

Norwegian tunnelling is mechanised, with extensive use of self-moving units for all processes. This means that the heavy, and partly dangerous, manual work that used to characterise tunnelling is strongly reduced.

The typical Norwegian tunnel worker is multi-skilled. The crews are organised as autonomous work groups, lead by qualified shift foremen. The employer and crews usually negotiate a bonus system based on production achievements enhancing motivation geared towards production and award.

The experience over the last years show that this system can be well combined with high emphasis on health and safety.

The allowable amount of water inflow is determined by the actual circumstances. For some projects the practical limitations related to the excavation process or to pumping capacity govern the requirements. This may be the case in subsea tunnels for which an allowable remaining inflow of 30 litres per minute and 100 m tunnel length is typical.

More often, below sensitive natural recreation areas, or below cities with buildings founded on settlement sensitive soils, very strict requirements apply. The remaining inflow may in such cases have to be restricted to the range of 2 to 10 litres per minute per 100 m. The main point is to construct a tunnel that is tight enough, in terms of fulfilling a project specific target on allowable water inflow.

The scope of the present volume is TBM tunnelling in Norway. The first TBM project executed in Norway dates back to 1967. It was called promising, in spite of low penetration and high costs.

Later TBM development is closely connected to the development of high performance machines, increased thrust per cutter and improved bit technology. James S. Robbins and Robbins machines played an important role in this process.

The scope of the present volume is to present the variety of purposes where underground facilities have been used in and around the capital city of Oslo.

Although a small city, Oslo has experienced the common problems of urbanisation, such as traffic jams and lack of space for building purposes.

These restrictions to development have largely been solved by locating transport systems and other public facilities in underground tunnels and caverns.

This volume constitutes the ninth in the publications series Norwegian Tunnelling presenting Norwegian technology within the fields of rock excavation and underground construction.

The articles in this publication summarize how these challenges are met in Norwegian sub sea tunnel construction.

In addition to outlining procedures and reporting experience from some more interesting tunnel projects, the articles deal with the following aspects of sub sea tunnelling: field investigation methods, tunnel design and excavation experience, safety aspects related to road tunnels, future sub sea tunnel projects, and installations in sub sea road tunnels.

The geological map of Norway is part of the series of publication presenting Norwegian technology in the field of underground construction.

The publications are worked out by the Norwegian Soil and Rock Engineering Association, an organization representing the national sum of know-how in the fields of soil mechanics, geological engineering and tunnelling technology.

This fifth volume is a summary of the development and know-how of Norwegian tunnelling technology and consists of four sections:

1. Historic development and present Norwegian tunnelling features
2. Norwegian bedrock conditions
3. General Norwegian tunnel design procedures
4. Norwegian specialities in design and tunnel construction.

This volume constitutes the fourth in a series of publications presenting Norwegian technology within the field of underground construction.

The publications are presented by the Norwegian Soil and Rock Engineering Association, an organization representing the joint forces of know-how within the fields of rock mechanics, soil mechanics, geological engineering and tunnelling technology.

This volume constitutes the third in a series of publications presenting Norwegian technology within the field of underground construction.

The publications are presented by the Norwegian Soil and Rock Engineering Association, an organization representing the joint forces of know-how within the fields of rock mechanics, soil mechanics, geological engineering and tunnelling technology

The present volume constitutes the first in a series of publications presenting Norwegian technology within the field of underground construction.

The publications are presented by the Norwegian Soil and Rock Engineering Association, an organization representing the joint forces of know-how within the fields of rock mechanics, soil mechanics, geological engineering and tunnelling technology.

The objective of this volume is to give a state-of-the-art presentation of the use of subsurface space in Norway.

The present volume constitutes the first in a series of publications presenting Norwegian technology within the field of underground construction.

The publications are presented by the Norwegian Soil and Rock Engineering Association, an organization representing the joint forces of know-how within the fields of rock mechanics, soil mechanics, geological engineering and tunnelling technology.