Sustainability of underground infrastructure: Digitalisation-based embodied carbon assessment and design optimisation

This thesis develops a digital framework to assess and optimise embodied carbon in underground infrastructure, focusing on TBM tunnelling and prefabricated stations. It integrates BIM, LCA, geotechnical design, and multi-objective optimisation to automate carbon accounting and evaluate low-carbon strategies. Using case studies and parametric modelling, it quantifies carbon impacts from design, excavation, and material choices. A key innovation is the TunCO₂ toolbox, enabling interactive exploration of low-carbon solutions. This research bridges digital engineering and sustainability, offering a replicable, early-stage approach to reduce carbon footprint in underground construction.