Research scope
The main contribution to modeling of construction processes is the Decision Aids for Tunneling (DAT) tool: a computer based tool, which considers geologic and construction uncertainties to produce distributions of cost, time, and resources, which in turn can be used as the basis for risk analysis. Over time, new capabilities have been introduced to the DAT: consideration of required and produced resources; updating of predictions based on information obtained during construction; extension to linear and networked infrastructure; as well as consideration of correlations and major uncertain events. A modified version of the original DAT allows one to predict well drilling cost and time subject to uncertainties in the geology and well drill operations; this version is particularly useful for deep geothermal wells.
Related publications
Mostafa, S., Sousa, R.L., and Einstein (2024). Toward the automation of mechanized tunneling “exploring the use of big data analytics for ground forecast in TBM tunnels”. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 146, April 2024, 105643. doi:10.1016/j.tust.2024.105643
Ketwal, A., Einstein, H.H., and Rostami, J. (2023). Combining the CSM2020 discrete event simulation model with Decision Aid in Tunneling (DAT) to develop a robust approach for the estimation of completion time for TBM tunnels. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 138, August 2023, 105156. doi:10.1016/j.tust.2023.105156
Einstein, H.H., Descoeudres, F., and Dudt, J.-P. (2019). Application of the Decision Aids for Tunneling in the Gotthard and Lötschberg Base Tunnel Projects, Part 2 – Lötschberg Base Tunnel, other transalpine tunnels and further development. Swiss Bull. angew. Geol., 24 (2), 43-54.
Einstein, H.H., Descoeudres, F., and Dudt, J.-P. (2019). Application of the Decision Aids for Tunneling in the Gotthard and Lötschberg Base Tunnel Projects, Part 1 – Gotthard Base Tunnel. Swiss Bull. angew. Geol., 24 (1), 81-100.
Costa, A.L., Sousa, R.L., and Einstein, H.H. (2018). Probabilistic 3D alignment optimization of underground transport infrastructure integrating GIS-based subsurface characterization. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 72, 233–241. doi:10.1016/j.tust.2017.11.027
Costa, A.L., da Conceição Cunha, M., Coelho, P.A.L.F., and Einstein, H.H. (2018). Planning for natural hazards: Robust approach for high-speed rail infrastructure. Natural Hazards Review, 19 (1), February 2018. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)NH.1527-6996.0000277
Einstein, H.H., Al Kaabi, M., Chan, M.H. Costa, A., Dudt, J.-P., Haas, C., Indermitte, C., Karam, K., Kollarou, C., Martzer, C., Min, S., Ritter, S., Sousa, R., and Yost, K. (2017). Risk determination for tunnels and other networked infrastructure. In J. Huang, G.A. Fenton, L.Zhang & D. V. Griffiths (Eds.): Geo-Risk 2017: Geotechnical Risk Assessment and Management. Proceedings of Geo-Risk 2017, 6th International Symposium on Geotechnical Risk and Safety, 4-7 June 2017, Denver, Colorado, USA. doi:10.1061/9780784480724.032
Moret, Y., and Einstein, H.H. (2016). Construction cost and duration uncertainty model: Application to high-speed rail line project. Construction Engineering and Management, 142 (10). doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001161
Min, S., and Einstein, H.H. (2016). Resource scheduling and planning for tunneling with a new resource model of the Decision Aids for Tunneling (DAT). Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 51, 212–225. doi:10.1016/j.tust.2015.10.038
Costa, A.L., da Conceição Cunha, M., Coelho, P.A.L.F., and Einstein, H.H. (2016). Decision support systems for real-world high-speed rail planning. Transportation Engineering, 142 (5). doi:10.1061/(ASCE)TE.1943-5436.0000837
Yost, K., Valentin, A., and Einstein, H.H. (2015). Estimating cost and time of wellbore drilling for Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS) – Considering uncertainties. Geothermics, 53, 11-19. doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2014.04.005
Al-Kaabi, M., Costa, A., Sousa, R.L., and Einstein, H.H. (2015). Decision support system for tunnelling construction: Abu Dhabi case study. In: Proceedings of the 3rd Arabian Tunnelling Conference and Exhibition, Dubai, UAE, 2015.
Ritter, S., Einstein, H.H., and Galler, R. (2013). Planning the handling of tunnel excavation material – A process of decision making under uncertainty. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 33, 193-201. doi:10.1016/j.tust.2012.08.009
Einstein, H.H., Min, S., and Moret, Y. (2013). Discussion of “Role of Simulation in Construction Engineering and Management” by Simaan AbouRizk. Construction Engineering and Management, 139 (2), 251-252. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000360
Delisio, A., Zhao, J., and Einstein, H.H. (2013). Analysis and prediction of TBM performance in blocky rock conditions at the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 33, 131-142. doi:10.1016/j.tust.2012.06.015
Einstein, H.H., Yost, K., and Valentin, A. (2012). Decision Aids for Tunneling Applied to Wellbore Cost and Time Estimation. Final report, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prepared for USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Geothermal Technologies Office under Contract no. EE0002743, Recovery Act – Decision Aids for Geothermal Systems, 2012.
Einstein, H.H. (2011). The Decision Aids for Tunneling (DAT): a Brief Review. Journal of Korean Tunneling and Underground Space Association, 3 (3), 37-49.
Moret, Y., Sousa, R., and Einstein, H.H. (2009). The Decision Aids for Tunneling – Introduction and recent applications in Portugal. In R. Delgado, A. Campos e Matos, R. Calçada, L. Ribeiro e Sousa & A. Topa Gomes (Eds): Proceedings of the Tunnels for High-Speed Railways Workshop, 1-2 October 2009, Porto, Portugal. Porto: FEUP. ISBN 978-9727521128
Einstein, H.H. (2009). The Decision Aids for Tunneling – Recent applications and development. Special lecture. In L. Lamas, A.G. Correia, T.F.S. Miranda, R. Resende & B. Figueiredo (eds): Proceedings of Seminário Aspectos Geotécnicos do Projecto, Construção, Exploração e Análise de Risco em Obras Subterrâneas | Livro de Atas, 10-11 December 2009, Lisbon, Portugal. Lisbon: Sociedade Portuguesa de Geotecnia.
Min, S.Y., Kim, T.K., Lee, J.S., and Einstein, H.H. (2008). Design and construction of a road tunnel in Korea including application of the Decision Aids for Tunneling – A case study. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 23 (2), 91-102. doi:10.1016/j.tust.2007.01.003
Min, S.Y., Einstein, H.H., Lee, J.S., and Lee, H.S. (2005). Application of the Decision Aids for Tunneling (DAT) to update excavation cost/time information. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 9 (4), 335-346. doi:10.1007/BF02829047
Einstein, H.H. (2004). Decision Aids for Tunneling: Update. Transportation Research Record, 1892, 199-207. doi:10.3141/1892-21
Min, S., Kim, T.K., Einstein, H.H., Lee, J.S., and Kim, H.Y. (2003). A study on construction simulation of road tunnel using Decision Aids for Tunneling (DAT). Journal of Korean Tunneling and Underground Space Association, 5 (2), 161-174.
Min, S.Y., Einstein, H.H., Lee, J.S., and Kim, T.K. (2003). Application of Decision Aids for Tunneling (DAT) to a drill & blast tunnel. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 7 (5), 619-628. doi:10.1007/BF02838325
Haas, C., and Einstein, H.H. (2002). Updating the Decision Aids for Tunneling. Construction Engineering and Management, 128 (1), 40-48. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2002)128:1(40)
Einstein, H.H. (2000). Decision making under uncertainty by the owner. In: Proceedings of the North American Tunneling Conference (L. Ozdemir, ed.), 6-11 June 2000, Boston, Massachusetts, pp. 53-68. Balkema, Rotterdam. ISBN 978-9058091628
Dudt, J.-P., Descoeudres, F., Einstein, H.H., and Egger, P. (2000). Instruments d’aide à la décision pour la construction de tunnels appliqués à la comparaison d’offres d’enterprises (Decision Aids for Tunneling applied to a comparison of construction bids). In: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Decision Making in Urban and Civil Engineering, 20-22 December 2000, Lyon, France, pp. 1183-1188.
Einstein, H.H., Indermitte, C., Sinfield, J.V., Descoeudres, F., and Dudt, J.-P. (1999). Decision Aids for Tunnelling. Transportation Research Record, 1656, 6-13. doi:10.3141/1656-02
Xu, S., Grasso, P., Mahtab, M.A., and Einstein, H.H. (1998). Decision Aids in Tunneling. 10th anniversary issue of World Tunnelling and Subsurface Excavation. London, England: Mining Journal. ISSN 0956-8700
Sinfield, J.V., and Einstein, H.H. (1998). Tunnel construction costs for tube transportation systems. Construction Engineering and Management, 124 (1), 48-57. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1998)124:1(48)
Einstein, H.H., and Testoni, P. (1998). Swiss Trans-Alpine Tunnel Projects. In U.W. Kitzinger and E.G. Frankel (eds.): Macro-Engineering and the Earth: World Projects for Year 2000 and Beyond, Chapter 13, 147–162. Woodhead Publishing Limited, 1998. ISBN: 978-1898563594 https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-898563-59-4.50021-0
Einstein, H.H., Indermitte, C.A., Sinfield, J.V., Descoeudres, F., Dudt, J.-P., Grasso, P., and Mahtab, M.A. (1998). Creating the basis for risk assessment in tunneling – the Decision Aids for Dunnelling (DAT). In: Proceedings of the Conference on Reducing Risk in Tunnel Design and Construction, 7–8 December 1998, Basel, Switzerland. Independent Technical Conferences Ltd., Bredford, UK.
Sinfield, J., and Einstein, H.H. (1996). Evaluation of tunneling technology using the Decision Aids for Tunneling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 11(4), 491–504. doi:10.1016/S0886-7798(96)89245-5
Einstein, H.H., Dudt J.P., Halabe, V.B., and Descoeudres, F. (1996). Geologic uncertainties in tunneling. In: Uncertainty in the Geologic Environment: from Theory to Practice, proceedings of Uncertainty ’96, a specialty conference of the ASCE Geotechnical Engineering Division, July 31-August 3, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Geotechnical Special Publication 58 (C.D. Shackelford et al., eds.), pp. 239-253. Published by the American Society of Civil Engineers, 1996. ISBN 978-0784401880
Einstein, H.H. (1996). Risk and risk analysis in rock engineering. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 11 (2), 141-155. doi:10.1016/0886-7798(96)00014-4
Sinfield, J.V., and Einstein, H.H. (1995). Tube Tunnel Construction Cost and Time. Research report, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (83 pages and Appendices A through I). Prepared for the Federal Highway Administration.
Peterson, C.R., and Einstein (1993). Manufacturing underground space. In: Proceedings of the 1993 NSF Design and Manufacturing Systems Conference, 6-8 January 1993, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Published by National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C.
Nelson, P.P., Peterson, C.R., Einstein, H.H., and Hood, M. (1992). Manufacturing underground space. In: Proceedings of international congress Towards New Worlds in Tunneling / Hacia Nuevos Mundos en Tuneles (L. Vieitez-Utesa, ed.), vol.1, Acapulco, Mexico, pp. 29-36. Published by CRC Press, 1992. ISBN 978-9054100515
Einstein, H.H., Dudt J.P., Halabe, V.B., and Descoeudres, F. (1992). Decision Aids in Tunneling: Principle and Practical Application. Monograph, 19 pages. Published by the Swiss Federal Office of Transportation, Bern, Switzerland.
Einstein, H.H., Salazar, G.F., , A.F., Kim, Y.W., and Ioannou, P.G. (1987). Computer-based decision support systems for underground construction. In: Proceedings of the Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, 14-18 June 1987. New York: Society of Mining Engineers of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, 1987.
Salazar, G.F., and Einstein, H.H. (1986). SIMSUPER5: Tunneling construction simulation. In: Proceedings of the ASCE Fall Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, October 27-31, 1986. ASCE library
Kim, G.F., Einstein, H.H., and Logcher, R.D. (1985). Decision support system for tunneling. In: Proceedings of the ASCE Fall Convention in Detroit, Michigan, October 1985.
Moavenzadeh, F., Einstein, H.H., Vick, S.G., and Markow, M.J. (1974). Tunnel Cost Model: Professional Papers, 1974. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering. Number 3 in a series on tunnel construction prepared for Research Applied to National Needs (RANN) Program, National Science Foundation. MIT reports P74-4. Geologic model for a tunnel cost model [Einstein & Vick]. P74-5. Tunnel cost model [Fred Moavenzadeh, et al.]. P75-1. Simulation model for tunnel construction costs [Moavenzadeh & Markow]. P75-3. A probabilistic approach to geologic investigation for hard-rock tunnels [Einstein & Vick]. MIT Libraries: 000019601
Einstein, H.H., and Vick, S.G. (1974). A probabilistic approach to geologic investigation for hard-rock tunnels. In: Proceedings of the 3rd Congress of the International Society for Rock Mechanics, Denver, Colorado, September 1974.
Einstein, H.H., and Vick, S.G. (1974). Geological model for a tunnel cost model. In: Proceedings of the 2nd Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference, San Francisco, California, June 24-27, 1974.