SCS JV will use ALICE Technologies’ generative AI model to improve the construction process for HS2 tunnels, saving time and money
The HS2 network will connect London, Birmingham, and the North, and it is expected to serve over 30m travellers every year.
SCS JV is responsible for building 13 miles of twin-bore tunnels along the HS2 route. HS2 tunnel construction is divided into three areas: west, central, and east.
ALICE’s platform allows construction companies to plan, bid, and execute their projects more efficiently.
The ALICE platform will improve the construction schedule for the Mandeville Road ventilation shaft
The ventilation shaft is a vertical passage that links the HS2 tunnels with the outside air.
It helps maintain good air quality and temperature inside the tunnel and can remove smoke during a fire. The headhouse is located on top of the ventilation shaft.
The headhouse holds fire control and ventilation systems for the railway tunnels below. The Mandeville Road ventilation shaft is just one of four ventilation shafts planned for a 13.5km stretch of the Northolt Tunnel, located between Old Oak Common station and the West Ruislip portal.
“Construction pioneering with ALICE enables us to quickly and effectively explore alternative ways to build,” said Andy Irwin, construction manager of SCS JV.
“The savings of both time and money that we identified with our initial work on the Euston SCL shaft was significant, and we’re now looking forward to expanding our use of ALICE to other portions of the project.”
The model is being used across several HS2 tunnels
The SCS JV team also used ALICE to explore faster sequencing options for constructing the Euston SCL shaft, which provides access to tunnels at Euston station.
By using “what-if” analysis with ALICE, the SCS JV team reduced construction time for the Euston shaft by 86 days. This resulted led to cost savings in overhead expenses.
“HS2 is one of the most important infrastructure projects being built in Europe today, and through its work on HS2’s tunnels, SCS JV has an essential role to play in its construction,” said ALICE CE, René Morkos.
“We’ve been excited to help SCS JV bring construction optioneering and generative construction to bear in its drive for construction efficiency and to assist in building this critical transportation resource for the UK,” he concluded.
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