RMF Addresses Aging Utility Tunnels

Higher education institutions are readily investing in the refurbishment of their buildings to keep pace with evolving standards and student expectations, but as the facades and amenities change, the utility tunnels hidden below and are the real unsung heroes. These underground corridors house utility services like steam, chilled water, electricity, domestic water, and telecommunication systems, and are an asset that protect critical piping and cables and enhance the longevity of these campus utilities. Much like the institutions they support, many of these utility tunnels have stood the test of time for over a century but require replacement or retrofitting to account for the impact of time and usage. Ignoring this necessity poses a risk to the operation of residential halls, academic edifices, sports centers, and other integral campus facilities that faculty, staff, and students interact with daily. In the Civil + Structural Engineer article “Addressing Aging Utility Tunnels at Midwestern Universities,” RMF’s Myles Moran, PE, Project Engineer and David Mercer, PE, Principal share their insight on ways to optimize the service life of utility tunnels and prioritize deferred maintenance to ensure the future of campus infrastructures. They also highlight examples of RMF’s design and construction administration expertise at two large midwestern universities. 

Click here to read the full Civil + Structural Engineer article.