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Simulation is a powerful tool for decision making. It provides an appealing approach to analyze and improve repetitive processes such as tunnelling. Notwithstanding this appeal, application of simulation to real-life construction projects has been minimal. This paper describes the design, development, and application of a special purpose simulation tool for actual tunnel construction operations performed by the City of Edmonton Public Works Department. The implementation of this tool in industry was successful and serves as a model for others to follow. The decision-making process adopted by the model developers and the construction industry personnel during the design, development, and implementation of the simulation are described. The cost-planning tool in the tunnel template is very useful in making decisions and evaluating the feasibility of tunnel construction projects. The real-life application of various alternatives compared to the conceptual estimates prepared for a proposed tunnel project to be constructed in Edmonton is presented in three stages. The basic costs, operational costs, support costs, productivity, duration, and resources utilization data are presented for different alternatives for the proposed tunnel project. Future modifications required by the engineering staff of the City of Edmonton, and the proposed research for modelling uncertainties in tunnel construction are identified. The successful application of the simulation for actual construction project highlights the interactive collaborative research work between academia and industry.Key words: simulation, tunnelling, construction, modelling, planning.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to develop a simulation model capable of capturing the complex variables impacting the productivity of tunneling construction projects. Design/methodology/approach -Simulation modeling is used to construct high-level models of construction supply networks in order to perform quantitative analysis, enabling planners to work out the embedded complexities of the system. Findings -This study presents a detailed simulation model of a real life tunnel construction project along with its supply chain of liner segments. Using this detailed model, a sensitivity analysis for the tunneling project shows the impact of chosen variables on the duration of a tunneling project; these results are used to verify the importance of considering the whole supply chain of a construction project in the planning stage. Practical implications -Effective quality control, consideration of the shortage of storage space, and anticipation of required lead time when placing the first order to achieve the full storage capacity of liners before the start of a project are some practices that can be employed by construction organizations to address supply chain issues for tunneling projects. Originality/value -Research into quantifying the benefits of implementing supply chain management (SCM) is very limited: the literature for the construction industry generally discusses how SCM concepts can be adopted, or what problems and challenges inhibit such adoption without analyzing and quantifying the effects of these techniques on an actual construction project.

This paper discusses the Glencoe Storm Sewer Upgrade Project in Calgary, Alberta. The proposed tunnel is 2920mm in diameter, stretching along 27th Ave SW from 15th St SW to 20th St SW with a total length of 935m. Its depth varies from 16m at the working shaft to 42m at the retrieval shaft. The tunnel will reduce surface flooding by providing temporary storage of stormwater runoff during major storm events. The focus of this paper is project planning. The planning phase includes scope definition, contract setup, cost estimate, team assembly, equipment and material procurements, risk analysis, constructability review, geotechnical investigation, Safety and ECO Plan development, and scheduling and productivity simulations. The challenges presented in this project are the unfamiliarity with the local conditions and the uncertainty of the projected productivity and completion date of the project. Those issues were modeled and mitigation strategies were established using simulation technologies.

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