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Special Interests

 

The underground industry benefits from learning the lessons from past projects, applied research, as well as entreprenurial developments.

 

Topics of special interest include:

 

  • High Speed Drill and Blast Excavation of Long Tunnels;

  • Long, Deep TBM Excavated Tunnels;

  • Overstressing of Deep or Weak Rock Tunnels;

  • Asset Performance of Hydropower Pressure Tunnels, and;

  • TBM applicability assessments for mining projects.  

 

Dean Brox Consulting is abreast of the latest development of these topics and can provide relevant information as requested. Collaboration of information on any of these subjects would be welcomed.

 

Below is an updated list of deep tunnel projects where overstressing was experienced during construction and where the observations of overstressing have been validated through application of a predictive overstress characterization (Brox, 2012, 2013).

Overstress Cases_August 1 2018 - 30 case

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Dean has an undergraduate degree in Geological Engineering from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada (1985) and a Masters Degree in Engineering Rock Mechanics with Distinction from Imperial College, University of London, England (1990). Dean is a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, and the Association of Professional Engineers of the Yukon.

 

Dean started his career in the underground deep-level gold mining industry in South Africa learning and dealing with highly stressed ground and the daily occurrences of rockbursting. Dean also lived and worked for extended periods in Hong Kong and Switzerland involved with the design and construction of a variety of large and deep underground excavations associated with major transportation projects.

 

Dean was involved on such world famous underground projects including the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, the Hong Kong Airport Core Projects, and the Gotthard Base Rail Tunnel.

 

Dean regularly attends and presents at industry conferences including the International Tunneling Association (ITA) World Tunnel Congress, Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference (RETC), North American Tunneling (NAT), Tunneling Association of Canada (TAC), and the British Tunneling Society (BTS). Recent presentations, lectures, and seminars have included:

 

 

  • ITA Training Seminar on Risk Management Practice for Underground Projects, Chilean Tunneling Association, Santiago, 2017

  • ITA Training Seminar on Contract and Risk Management Practice, Nepal Tunneling Association Conference, Kathmandu, 2016.

  • Cutting Edge Conference, New York - Groundwater Control in Tunneling, Highly Acidic Groundwater Challenges at the World's Highest Tunnel, Pascua Lama Mine Project, Chile/Argentina, 2014. 

  • British Tunneling Society (BTS) Conference, London - Design and Construction Challenges at the World's Highest Tunnel, Pascua Lama Mine Project, Chile/Argentina, 2014. 

  • ITA World Tunnel Congress, Iguassu Falls, Brazil – Training Session Lecturer – Lessons Learned from the Design, Construction and Operation of Hydropower Tunnels. 2014

  • Clean Energy BC – Conference Presenter – Innovation in Hydropower Design, Water Conveyances - Tunnels and Shafts, 2013

  • UBC Geological Engineering Course – Guest Lecturer, 2013 and Past

  • Tunneling Association of Canada – Conference Presenter 1998-2012

  • Swiss-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Presentation, Construction of the 57 km Gotthard Base Rail Tunnel in Switzerland and Tunneling in British Columbia, 2011.

  • George Fox Tunnel Conference – Presenter, New York, 2011

  • BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) – Construction Management Course – Guest Lecturer

  • Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference (RETC) – Presenter (2003-2011)

  • North American Tunneling (NAT) Conference – Presenter (2004-2010)

 

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