The Application of Systems Thinking in Tunnel Engineering Course

The Chapter One explores the application of systems thinking in teaching and learning. The is one of the most effective approaches to meet the changing and challenging situation. As a tunnel is built, it is then open to use. In general, as an engineering structure, a tunnel project is considered in terms of requirement, building and operational conditions, cost and time schedule, and risks related to the project. All of these parameters are presented in the content of planning, design, construction, operation, and management stages, which are also corresponding to the execution stages of a new project. The related information, theory, principles and engineering skills are learning and teaching content, as terms, definitions, concepts, case histories and study. In practice, the upgrade and rehabilitation of an existing tunnel are always necessary, since the design life of a tunnel is 50 to 100 years, or even to 120 years, and the technical standards for tunnel operational environments are developing with time.