Application of intensive construction technology in the grand Paris express project: A review

Abstract

With 200 km of new lines and 68 new stations, the Grand Paris Express (GPE) project is currently the biggest transport project under construction in Europe. Starting in 2010, the GPE project involves an ambitious schedule with major milestones planned between 2022 and 2030. To meet these deadlines as well as the associated cost, quality and safety goals, intensive construction technology is needed in this once-in-a-century megaproject, but this project also provides ideal opportunities to apply this technology. This paper offers a review of the new and innovative construction technologies used during the GPE project’s design and construction stages. Such a large project certainly presents a range of complexities and poses many technical, material, human and environmental challenges. Due to its high-risk nature, the risk management plan that applies throughout the whole GPE project, along with the contractual and insurance conditions, is introduced first. Then, an overview is provided of the design principles and construction methods selected to overcome the engineering challenges and reduce the technical risks, all of which are accompanied by monitoring methods and digital approaches. In addition, several new and innovative construction technologies adopted in this project are illustrated. The paper concludes with the project’s environmental protection.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

megaproject / underground works / construction method / innovative technology / environment

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Mr. Matthew Langsley for proofreading this paper.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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