Selection and specification of a tunnel boring machine as the leading factor for the achievement of project goals

Abstract

For almost all tunnelling jobs in the world – independent of continent or culture – the question has to be answered, which is the most suitable tunnelling method or in case of a mechanised tunnelling project the preferred tunnel boring machine to be used. Just the correct choice of a machine does not necessarily lead to the success of a project, which depends more on the design of the tunnel boring machine as well as the definition of measures to cope with all possible events during the advance. The core of the article constitutes a priori determined decision‐making process and the resulting guideline and intends to raise awareness of the critical criteria and parameters.

Erste Projekterfahrungen mit Variable‐Density‐TVMs in Europa – Erweiterung der U‐Bahnlinie B in Lyon

“…die technischen Besonderheiten und Einsatzbereiche der Variable-Density-Techno logie adressiert, basierend auf eine der ersten Projekterfahrungen in Europa, in Lyon. Neben der reinen Verfahrenstechnik stellen die wirt schaftliche, nachhaltige und umweltfreundliche Deponie rung und Verwertung des Aushubmaterials sowie logisti sche Überlegungen weitere wichtige Kriterien bei der Auswahl eines Vortriebsverfahrens für ein maschinelles Tunnelbauprojekt dar [1]. So kann beispielsweise das Bo denverwertungskonzept für den Einsatz einer Variable DensityTBM mit Flüssigkeitskreislauf und Separations anlage sprechen, da hier die FeststoffFlüssigkeitsgemi…”

“…When it comes to selecting a tunnelling method for a mechanised tunnel project, the tunnelling method is not the only important criterion; consideration must also be given to the costeffective, sustainable and environmen tally friendly landfill and recovery of the muck and to the logistical arrangements [1]. For example, the soil recovery concept designed for using a Variable Density TBM with slurry circuit and slurry treatment plant has the advan tage of enabling the solidliquid mixtures to be separated into reusable grain fractions.…”

Brenner Base Tunnel exploratory tunnel Ahrental‐Pfons – interaction between tunnel boring machine and rock mass as well as measures to manage fault zones

“…The selection and specification of the tunnel boring ma chine is one of the most important factors for the success of the mechanised tunnel project together with the geolo gy, the personnel and the organisation [3]. The gripper TBM ( Figure 2) used has the following specification: -Bored diameter with new cutter discs 7.93 m (excavated section 49 m 2 ), -46 19" cutter discs and three empty housings for possi ble overcut, -Maximum thrust force: 23,560 kN, -Maximum torque: 12,000 kNm, -Drive power: 3,500 kW, -Cutterhead revolution speed: 0 to 7 rpm, -Possible overcut: 100 mm in the radius, -Crown and side shields extendable radially to avoid jam ming ( Figure 3).…”

Tunnelbohrmaschinen für Hartgestein – Stand der Technik im Jahr 2020

“…The rock mass, organisation, personnel and tunnel boring machine have been identified as the essential success components in mechanised tunnelling [1]. From experience on numerous projects, it can be stated that awareness has to be raised regarding the importance of the geological and geotechnical planning and the influence of the rock mass on tunnelling works.…”

“…The base machine with the defined standard measures is to be designed for the various tunnelling classes of the standard tunnel drive, with additional and special measures being provided for forecast difficulties. This article does not discuss the selection of a machine type or tunnelling process in more detail; reference is made here to [1].…”