The improved prediction and underground engineering design capabilities, based on an expert-knowledge basis, will be a factor in lowering costs while reducing construction time and risk in underground operations. In addition, virtual underground construction through computer simulation, integrated optimization platforms and risk-oriented fuzzy logic design will have an impact on industry productivity, economic competitiveness, bottom-line performance and future opportunities.

The objective is to develop innovative underground construction technologies such as new TBMs, with larger diameters and suitable for any ground condition, the use of robots in construction, automatic shot-creting machines, road headers, and similar. R&D will also focus on increasing the quality of the final construction by developing efficient, durable materials for lining and ground treatment and on exploring construction procedures that minimize long-term impact on the environment. Additional research will help to reduce risk factors, considerably improving workers´ safety.

To improve construction processes using an integrated platform for process optimization, expediting their effective introduction into practice. To promote the exchange of information by providing a web-based data system that can supply, at the press of a button, relevant and reliable information throughout the lifetime of an underground facility. An efficient monitoring during construction and visualization of geological data using augmented virtual reality will be implemented. The data base will also be used to automatically steer TBMs.

To significantly improve performance and reduce the costs of maintenance and repair by means of state-of-the-art technology, such as specialized sensors, integrated robotic inspection and service systems, post-construction monitoring and inspection devices, management and service-life analysis systems, and other related repair and service methods.