Proceedings of the Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference

Tunneling is both an art and a highly scientific endeavor, requiring a broad range of capabilities experience and a willingness to try state-of-the-art materials, equipment, and techniques. These RETC Proceedings present current practice in exploration, design, contracting, earth pressure balance technology, microtunneling, sequential excavation, drill and blast tunneling, tunnel boring machines, and shaft and incline construction for a wide range of projects ranging from individual tunnels to mea-projects. 2003 RETC includes contributions from more than 25 countries, including 45 papers on Europe and Asian projects. The authors of these papers are contractors, owners, designers, consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, and educators who bring a wide range of perspectives to exploration, design, contracting, and construction for underground projects.