Erkennen geotechnischer Vorgänge an der Ortsbrust als Schlüssel zum erfolgreichen Tunnelvortrieb

Abstract

When tunnelling with a TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) in rock and soil, mostly the machine is described and often reduced to a slogan. Such descriptions say little about geotechnical processes at the tunnel face that are key to the success of tunnel driving and must be considered when selecting a tunnelling system. In soil tunnels the tunnel face must be safely supported and extracting material must be possible. For a slurry shield the slurry must not escape and pressure must act on the face. In the literature mostly bentonite content is considered. With an Earth‐Pressure balance machine the soil has to have characteristics that it can be remoulded and transformed in a mass of adequate consistency with mechanical means, adding water and additives such that this mass can support the face and be extracted. Long‐term experience shows that the fine content and polymers are also important factors. Flow channels (pores) in open gravel may be clogged, and the face supported by seepage forces. Also, the drag forces in the slurry circuit are increased and the operation of the slurry circuit became more stable. Rates of advance exceeding 10 m/day were achieved with a 11.6 m slurry shield. The limited depth of penetration of the slurry could be determined in‐situ. For fine‐grained soils the characteristics of the fines are crucial and are described by the Atterberg limits. Soil mechanics strength properties may be vastly different.