CV

Berk Demir

Underground engineer specialized in tunnels, structural design and geotechnical engineering.

M: +45 60 25 49 01
E: bdberkdemir@gmail.com
W: berkdemir.github.io / LinkedIn
A: Copenhagen, Denmark

Brief Summary

I started my career as a geotechnical engineer and worked on many aspects of geotechnics such as deep excavations, deep foundations, liquefaction remediation and so on. Later, I continued my work on the Istanbul metro as lead tunnel designer for both TBM and NATM tunnels. After moving to Denmark, I continued to work on various underground projects with an increasing focus on structural design.

Professional Experience

Academic Background

Technical Publications

• Recommendations for Pseudo-Static Deformation for Seismic Analyses of Tunnels, Berk Demir & Pinar Akdogan Demir, 2022
• Master Thesis: Performance of Short Anchors Inside the Failure Wedge (2019)
• Comparison of Simplified Piled Raft Calculation Methods with Plaxis 3D and Details of Hardening Soil Model (2019) — ResearchGate
• P-Y Curves and Turkish Building Earthquake Code Requirements (2 papers), B. Demir, A. S. Peker, S. K. Tomaç, 4th Bridges and Viaducts Symposium, 2019 — Part 1 / Part 2
• Comparison of Construction Methods of Jet Grout Columns, B. Demir, M. S. Nalçakan, 16th National Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Erzurum, Turkey, 2016

Skills

Software

High: Plaxis 2D & 3D | Python | Lusas | Strusoft FemDesign | Rocscience (Settle, Slide, RS2) | Ensoft (LPile, Group, Shaft) | Geologismiki | Optum G2

Intermediate: Autodesk Robot | Grasshopper

Python tools built in Streamlit for daily design work: RC Beam Design · Tunnel Analytical Lining Forces · Tunnel Deformation Assessment · M-N Interaction Curve · Hoek Brown Analysis · Convergence Confinement Method · Drawdown due to Tunnel · Steel Strut Capacity · Tunnel Relaxation Factor · Tunnel Face Stability · 3D Settlement Analysis · Longitudinal Pipe Capacity · Steel Fibre Crack Width · Volume Loss Fit for Measurements

Languages: Turkish (native) · English (fluent) · Danish (intermediate)

Recent Key Projects

Copenhagen M5 Metro (2023–2025)

JV: COWI & Arup  |  Client: Metroselskabet A/S, Denmark  |  Amount of Hours: >2500 hrs

Design of the M5 Metro reference design for the tender for Metroselskabet. M5 Metro is the next metro line in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Responsibilities during Phase-1:

• Innovation study - Removal of lining wall in metro stations and use of retaining walls as the main lining wall.
• Innovation study - Geopolymer concrete - use in the M5 metro.
• Innovation study - Minimum reinforcement methodology - update on Danish square root formula.

Responsibilities during Phase-2:

• Station lead - Coordination of all disciplines for the design of two underground stations, including ARC and M&E.
• Structural design lead - for the two underground stations. Design has been carried out with Sofistik for the main station & FemDesign for smaller structures.

metrolinjem5.kk.dk

Nordhavnstunnel (2022–2023)

JV: MT Højgaard & Besix  |  Client: Vejdirektoratet, Denmark  |  Amount of Hours: >800 hrs

Nordhavnstunnel is a 1.6 km cut-and-cover, cast-in-situ tunnel in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Typical Responsibilities:

• All design works during the tender: Lusas models of representative sections, reinforcement calculations and quantity take-off, uplift anchor calculations for all segments, settlement calculations and discussions regarding shear key requirements.
• Design coordination after the tender: Design lead for structural and fire design, relationship to 3rd party, coordination of design works and QA of design reports.

Valby Cloudburst Tunnel (2021–2023)

Client: HOFOR  |  Amount of Hours: >1300 hrs

Detailed design of 4 shafts (~15 m diameter, ~20 m depth) and DN3400/OD4000 pipe jacking.

• TBM-related studies, pipe and alignment studies
• Settlement analyses due to tunnelling and excavations
• Technical coordination of structural and geotechnical shaft design

Kransen Culvert Deep Excavation (2021–2022)

JV: Acciona & Implenia  |  Client: Bane Nor, Norway  |  Amount of Hours: 800 hrs

Design of excavation for the Sandbukta–Moss–Såstad (SMS2A) project, Kransen culvert section, using diaphragm walls and prestressed struts in a quick clay slope.

• Design lead for all temporary works, including design basis and safety discussions
• All finite element analyses including detailed temperature studies of structural elements

Design activities have been paused due to risks in the area.

GFRP Reinforcement in TBM Tunnel Segments (2023)

Client: Metroselskabet, Copenhagen  |  Amount of Hours: 200 hrs

As part of Metroselskabet’s innovation study initiative, the feasibility of GFRP reinforcement for TBM tunnel segments was investigated — including detailed CO2 comparisons, fire behaviour discussions, durability studies for possible TBM tunnel depths, and load scenarios using Lusas.

Istanbul Metro / Çekmeköy–Sultanbeyli Line (2019–2021)

JV: Doğuş & Yapı Merkezi & Özaltın  |  Client: Istanbul Municipality  |  Amount of Hours: >2500 hrs

Detailed design of TBM and NATM tunnels issued to 3rd party and client review, including construction details, 2D and 3D NATM/TBM models and seismic assessments.

Typical Responsibilities:

• TBM design: EPB TBM with 6.57 m diameter. Design packages include segment design and EPB pressure estimates for alignment. Construction details such as thrust frame, thrust ring inside NATM and launching/receiving schemes were successfully delivered.
• NATM design: Temporary support design of all NATM tunnels (including very soft soil conditions) was delivered. Coordinated, supported and QA’d the structural teams for design deliverables regarding the permanent lining design.

Other Projects

• Klimatilpasning af det centrale Lyngby (2021–2022) — 9 pipe jacking drives (DN1200) and 12 shafts in Lyngby
• Çanakkale 1915 Bridge (2018–2019) — Peer review of design including anchor block foundations, deep foundations in liquefiable areas and technical specifications
• Bodrum Highway Tunnels (2018–2019) — 2-lane NATM highway tunnels in mountainous terrain
• Akyazi–Dokurcun Road (2018) — Balanced cantilever viaduct foundation and 40 m excavation in weathered rock
• Dar es Salaam–Morogoro Railway (2018) — Geotechnical designer for 205 km design-and-build project, Tanzania
• Cargo Building Foundation, Istanbul New Airport (2018) — Turkish Airlines
• Excavation Design in Galataport, Istanbul (2017) — Salipazari Port Management
• Grand Canyon Sofia (2017) — Remediation of problematic diaphragm wall panels
• Çanakkale Children’s Science Museum (2017) — Liquefaction remediation near Aegean Sea
• Hopa–Borçka Highway Cutting (2017)
• Dam Landslide (1.5 km × 0.6 km) Stabilization (2017) — Kalehan Energy
• Polatlı–Afyon High Speed Train (2015–2017) — 88 km stretch, 57 embankments, stone columns, 40+ structures
• Ataköy Sea Pearl (2015–2017) — Retaining systems near Marmara Sea
• Ulus Cultural and Convention Center (2016–2017) — Deep excavation up to 22 m in variable ground
• Çukurova Regional Airport (2016) — Ground improvement of various buildings
• Mavişehir Optimum Mall (2016) — Deep excavation with diaphragm wall, anchor systems and jet grout foundations
• Dalaman Airport International Arrivals (2016) — Jet grout improvement for very soft clay and liquefiable sands
• Turkmenistan Gas to Gasoline (GTG) (2015–2016) — Plaxis 2D analyses and ground improvement design to reduce settlements to structural limits
• Melen Dam Road Landslide Stabilization (2015) — Stabilization of 3 million m³ landslide with heel fill
• Buski East Waste Water Treatment Facility (2015) — Jet grout ground improvement to prevent liquefaction and excessive settlements
• Technical Office support (2014–2015) — Ozdilek Mall, Riyadh Metro Line 3, Balkupu silo foundations, various deep excavation projects