Sustainable Practices in Tunnel Drainage Engineering
Expert-defined terms from the Advanced Certificate in Tunnel Drainage Engineering course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Advanced Certificate in Tunnel Drainage Engineering #
A certification program focusing on the principles, techniques, and strategies for managing water in tunnels and underground spaces.
Aquifer #
A water-bearing rock or sediment layer that can provide a significant amount of water to wells or springs. Related terms: groundwater, water table.
Climate change #
A long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define local, regional, and global climates. Related terms: global warming, greenhouse gases.
Concrete lining #
A structural layer of concrete used to line the interior of a tunnel to provide stability, waterproofing, and fire resistance. Related terms: shotcrete, tunnel lining.
Drainage system #
A system of pipes, channels, and other structures designed to collect, convey, and dispose of water from a tunnel or underground space. Related terms: tunnel drainage, waterproofing.
Energy efficiency #
The use of less energy to perform the same function, leading to cost savings and a reduced environmental impact. Related terms: sustainable engineering, green engineering.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) #
A process of evaluating the potential environmental impacts of a project or development, including the impact on air, water, soil, flora, and fauna. Related terms: sustainability, life-cycle assessment.
Erosion control #
The practice of managing soil erosion to prevent the loss of topsoil, reduce sedimentation, and maintain the stability of a tunnel or underground space. Related terms: sediment control, stormwater management.
Groundwater #
Water located below the land surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. Related terms: aquifer, water table.
Green infrastructure #
A network of natural and semi-natural features, such as parks, green roofs, and wetlands, that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Related terms: sustainable engineering, low-impact development.
Groundwater recharge #
The process of adding water to an aquifer through artificial or natural means, such as injection wells, recharge basins, or rainfall. Related terms: aquifer, water table.
Hydraulic conductivity #
A measure of the ability of a material to transmit water through its pores or fractures. Related terms: permeability, porosity.
Infiltration #
The process of water entering the soil through the ground surface, often as a result of rainfall or irrigation. Related terms: percolation, groundwater recharge.
Life #
cycle assessment (LCA): A method for evaluating the environmental impact of a product or process over its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. Related terms: sustainability, environmental impact assessment.
Permeability #
The ability of a material to transmit water through its pores or fractures. Related terms: hydraulic conductivity, porosity.
Porosity #
The proportion of the total volume of a material that is occupied by pores or voids. Related terms: permeability, hydraulic conductivity.
Runoff #
The portion of rainfall or irrigation water that flows over the land surface and does not infiltrate into the soil. Related terms: stormwater management, erosion control.
Sediment control #
The practice of managing sediment in runoff and erosion to prevent the loss of topsoil, reduce sedimentation, and maintain the stability of a tunnel or underground space. Related terms: erosion control, stormwater management.
Shotcrete #
A method of applying concrete or mortar to a surface using a high-pressure hose and nozzle. Related terms: concrete lining, tunnel lining.
Sustainability #
The ability of a system or process to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Related terms: green infrastructure, life-cycle assessment.
Stormwater management #
The practice of managing runoff from rainfall or snowmelt to prevent flooding, erosion, and water pollution. Related terms: erosion control, sediment control.
Tunnel lining #
A structural layer of material used to line the interior of a tunnel to provide stability, waterproofing, and fire resistance. Related terms: concrete lining, shotcrete.
Tunnel drainage #
The system of pipes, channels, and other structures used to collect, convey, and dispose of water from a tunnel or underground space. Related terms: drainage system, waterproofing.
Urban heat island #
An urban area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to the concentration of buildings, roads, and other heat-absorbing surfaces. Related terms: climate change, global warming.
Waterproofing #
The practice of preventing the ingress of water into a tunnel or underground space through the use of membranes, coatings, or other materials. Related terms: drainage system, tunnel lining.
Water table #
The level below which the ground is saturated with water. Related terms: aquifer, groundwater.
Wetlands #
Areas of land that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, and support a variety of plants and animals adapted to wet conditions. Related terms: green infrastructure, low-impact development.