Professor for Concrete Structures and Infrastructures Engineering

University of Rostock

Presentation

Dr. Panos Spyridis, Professor for Concrete Structures and Infrastructures Engineering, University of Rostock, co-authored by Prof. Dr. mult. Konrad Bergmeister, Head of Institute of Structural Engineering (IKI), BOKU University

Sustainable Tunnelling in the Face of Climate Change

Climate change is an undeniable force shaping our planet. With rising CO2 emissions and the urgent need to decarbonize industries, the tunnelling sector faces a major sustainability challenge. This presentation explores how engineers can reduce the environmental impact of tunnels from the earliest design stages, without compromising structural safety. It covers:

• How early-stage design decisions impact material requirements and overall emissions.
• Integrating sustainability into existing safety codes with the innovative “Climate Limit State” concept.
• Real-world examples of optimizing tunnel cross-sections, material choices, and lining design for long-term, sustainable performance.