Case Study of the Largest Concrete Earth Pressure Balance Pipe-Jacking Project in the World

Abstract

Pipe jacking has been the dominant trenchless technology for constructing small (<2 m) to medium-diameter (<4 m) tunnels. Uncertainties and construction difficulties increase significantly when the diameter of the tunnel exceeds 4 m. This paper presents a case study of the largest concrete pipe-jacking tunnel project in the world, the sewerage tunnel along Jinshan Lake, Zhenjiang, China. In this project, an underwater tunnel with a diameter of 4.67 m was constructed by the earth pressure balance (EPB) pipe-jacking method. The case study reports project background, and geological and hydrogeology conditions. The key techniques such as the selection of pipe-jacking machine, jacking force estimation and control, design of intermediate jacking station, grouting process control, launching, and reception of the tunnel boring machine, trajectory control of pipe jacking, and ventilation and gas monitoring during the construction period were investigated and discussed. Furthermore, to overcome the technical difficulties associated with the oversized jacked tunnel, the corresponding countermeasures were adopted point by point, so that the safety of the whole project could be guaranteed. This study filled the knowledge gap of technical know-how for large-diameter (over 4.5 m) pipe-jacking tunnel and is expected to provide practical guide for future large-diameter pipe-jacking tunnels.

Field monitoring and numerical simulation for force characteristics of pipe jacking in deep buried moderately weathered slate

“…In recent years, research on pipe jacking has been focused on the interaction between pipe jacking and the surrounding complicated environment, with major research methods including a theoretical analysis [7][8][9], a numerical theory combined with field monitoring [10,11] and indoor experiments [12][13][14]. Despite rather abundant achievements on the pipe jacking method, there are few field cases and there are even fewer cases involving stress characteristics in rock stratum of pipe jacking construction [15,16].…”

Analysis of the Interaction Damage Mechanism and Treatment Measures for an Underpass Landslide Tunnel: A Case from Southwest China

“…The effective control of the slope instability damage in tunnels and post-disaster treatment have been the focus of research in the field [18]. Sensors [19,20], optical fibers [21], and other monitoring and measuring methods are usually used to evaluate the deformation characteristics and stability of tunnel slopes, and protection techniques, such as prestressed concrete cylinder pipe [22], pipe jacking [23], and construction optimization [24,25], have been developed. However, the geological conditions of tunnel engineering are complex, and the applicability of protection techniques is not widespread.…”

Research on the dismantling of double-arch tunnel after long-term service—the case study of Huangmeishan Tunnel demolition project

“…The stability and self-supporting capacity of the surrounding rock are reduced and engineering risks are increased (Yan et al, 2021). Secondly, the structure of the existing tunnels may exhibit damages after years of operation (Jiang et al, 2022), such as the failure of the segment lining (Wang et al, 2019). The demolition of the tunnel negatively impacts the safety of the remaining tunnel structure.…”