Commissioning tests in heavily trafficked city tunnels under operation

Complex tunnel systems pose a big challenge in controlling ventilation in the case of fi re. This is true for both road and rail tunnels. The aim of a ventilation system is to provide air and smoke management as described in
the tunnel safety documentation. In order to do so, a software-based control algorithm steers all the required actions of the actuators (fans), based on response information (air velocity).
However, measuring air velocity in tunnel under given boundary conditions is not a simple task. In addition, the interaction between fans and air movement is strongly infl uenced by the compressibility of air. Hence, the interaction between fans and air movement requires, on the one hand, a very good control mechanism, and on the other hand, correct monitoring of the air velocity (feedback).
This paper deals with tests and the adjustment of the tunnel ventilation control system performed in a time and cost saving way. It also describes an optimized method for on-site calibration of the air speed measurement devices in tunnels as a precondition for the tests. Both approaches were applied in diff erent projects and are presented in detail.