Save the date for the Southeast Annual Trenchless Conference at Clemson University on October 7, 2026!
This event brings together professionals from across the trenchless technology industry for an engaging and educational experience.
More information to come!
Save the date for the Midwest 2026 Trenchless Technology Conference in Detroit, MI on October 6, 2026.
This one-day workshop will feature technical presentations tailored to engineers, municipal staff, contractors, and industry partners. The program will focus on real-world applications, lessons learned, and emerging practices in trenchless technology, along with opportunities for networking and professional development.
More information to come!
Save the date for the WESTT 2026 Annual Conference in Albuquerque, NM!
This event brings together professionals from across the trenchless technology industry for an engaging and educational experience.
More information to come!
Join us for an educational luncheon on Navigating Geotechnical Risks in Urban Environments: Lessons from Amsterdam and Calgary.
This presentation explores the complexities of underground infrastructure development in sensitive urban environments through two distinct tunnelling case studies.
The first case study examines the high-stakes construction of the North-South metro line in Amsterdam. Following historic public resistance to open-pit construction in the 1970s, planners adopted Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology to minimize surface disruption. However, navigating a TBM through soft soils beneath a city, supported by 400-year-old wooden piles, posed a critical engineering challenge. This segment discusses the strategies employed to mitigate settlement risks and protect 17th-century heritage buildings from structural damage during tunnel excavation.
The second case study shifts focus to Calgary, Alberta, detailing the geotechnical assessment and execution of a trenchless storm trunk crossing beneath the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway right-of-way. The project, using a Herrenknecht AVN1800 Microtunnel Boring Machine (MTBM), involved installing a 63-meter concrete tunnel with a diameter of 2,224 mm. This section outlines the protocols required to secure a crossing agreement, including the geotechnical investigation, settlement analyses, and adherence to strict allowable settlement limits. It further reviews the implementation and results of the settlement monitoring plan, which successfully assured the safety of ongoing rail operations during the trenchless installation.
These projects highlight the role of geotechnical assessment and monitoring in overcoming the challenges of tunnelling beneath historic foundations and active transportation corridors.
Presenter: Remco Kleinlugtenbelt, M.Sc., P.Eng. – Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Remco Kleinlugtenbelt obtained his civil engineering degree in 2003 from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. After working in the Dutch, Hong Kong, and Australian engineering markets, Remco joined Thurber in 2016. He has expertise in tunnelling and trenchless technologies, geotechnical construction monitoring, foundation engineering, grouting techniques, including compensation and compaction grouting, as well as ground freezing. Remco is highly experienced in designing trenchless (railway) crossings. He has worked on numerous projects that enable clients in Western Canada to safely and efficiently cross CPKC and CN Railway tracks with their utilities, emphasizing safety and operational effectiveness.
Join the NASTT Northwest Chapter’s Edmonton Section for an engaging and informative symposium focused on Trenchless Technology in the local area.
This event is designed to provide a platform for education, networking, and showcasing local projects, products, and industry insights. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge and connections through a range of activities highlighting the region’s expertise and resources, including insights from clients, design professionals, contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers.
This event is open to NASTT members, non-members, and students who are eager to explore the advancements and opportunities in trenchless technology. Don’t miss this chance to network, learn, and be inspired by the industry’s best!