NCE Tunnelling Award nominations

Taking place on Wednesday 8^th December, the NCE Tunnelling Awards will honour the most inspiring innovations and people that are driving the tunnelling industry. Ramboll is delighted to be selected as a finalist in three categories, including Dr. Jiang Su for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry, Sagar Sheth for Young Tunneller of the Year, and Thames Tideway Tunnel for Tunnelling Project of the Year (under $500M).

Dr. Jiang Su, nominated for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry, is a specialist and industry leader in the design and construction of the permanent sprayed concrete lining and sprayed waterproofing membrane.

He was the first to specify sprayed membrane and permanent sprayed concrete lining in India and his industry engagement has enabled engineering best practice and innovation to be transferred across two significant transportation infrastructure projects, Mumbai Metro Line 3 Sahar Road Cavern and Thames Tideway Tunnel, as well as the wider tunnelling industry.

He initiated and is currently working on a research programme that introduces carbon neutral material to the sprayed concrete mix to reduce the carbon impact which will revolutionise and significantly improve the sustainability of the industry.

Finalist for Young Tunneller of the Year, Sagar Sheth is an active member of the tunnelling community and strives for innovation and industry progression.

Sagar is currently leading the implementation of Digital Twin’s and working closely with industry partners to promote its use on existing and proposed tunnels. Over the past 18 months, he has been involved in multiple hallmark underground projects around the world, leading the complete design and delivery for the SCL tunnel on the west section of Thames Tideway Tunnel, coordinating teams in multiple countries with the pressure of an accelerated timescale, exceeding client expectations, and during a global pandemic.

As a member of Ramboll’s LGBTQ+ network, Wellbeing network and mentoring programme, Sagar strives to promote equality and inclusiveness in the industry and inspire the next generation of tunnel engineers.

Selected as a finalist for Tunnelling Project of the Year (under $500M), the Thames Tideway Tunnel project is a 25km “super sewer” currently under construction beneath the River Thames.

Once operational it will significantly improve London’s sewerage system, intercepting millions of tonnes of raw sewage spills. Presenting unique design and construction challenges, close collaborative working practices were implemented between the design team, the Bam Nuttall, Morgan Sindall and Balfour Beatty construction team and all other stakeholders, subcontractors and the Tideway Project Management Team.

Working together, the team value engineered the original secondary lining concrete mix that will save up to 230 tonnes of steel fibres for the 7km long Tideway West Main Tunnel, brings significant environmental and financial benefits.