To improve the safety of decades-old tunnels along Italy’s Autostrada motorway, Tecne Systra-Sws Advanced Tunneling (Tecne) was hired to perform structural renewal and reinforcement works. The project included investigative surveys to evaluate existing tunnel conditions, as well as design demolition and reconstruction recommendations. With multiple disciplines working simultaneously, and the requirement to minimize impact on motorway traffic, Tecne sought an integrated digital 3D modeling and simulation platform accessible to all project participants. 

Tecne selected OpenTunnel Designer and Bentley’s geological, geotechnical, and structural modeling and analysis applications, establishing a connected data environment to create three comprehensive 3D models representing the existing conditions, demolition, and proposed works. The interoperable and automated features of Bentley software helped streamline workflows, accelerate optioneering and decision-making, and improve design efficiencies by 20%. They also used the software to reduce modeling time by 21% to save approximately EUR 26.6 million in costs. The rehabilitations will extend the existing tunnel lifecycle, and the 3D design models provide the basis for developing a digital twin for future asset management.