Robbins Main Beams burrow under Low Cover: Dual TBMs launched in World's Most Populous City
Apr 15, 2010
Two 6.4 m (21.0 ft) diameter Robbins Main Beam TBMs were launched in winter 2009-2010 beneath Chongqing, China - a mega-city of over 35 million people. The two machines are excavating twin 12 km (7.5 mi) long tunnels for Line 6 of the Chongqing Metro, and are the first hard rock TBMs to be used in the city.
The ground support is particularly difficult given the tunnel alignment. "Installing ring beams throughout the tunnel and rock bolting while negotiating tight vertical and horizontal curves at good production rates is a challenge not to be underestimated," said Steve Chorley, Robbins International Field Service Manager. Several curves with radii as small as 400 m (1,300 ft) are present along the tunnel alignment.
Both High Performance (HP) TBMs started up from a common portal after shop assembly in Chongqing. The first machine was moved through the start chamber on a specially designed walking cradle, and began cutting rock on December 11. The second machine was launched a month later. As of late February 2010, the two machines had excavated 800 m and 420 m (2,600 and 1,400 ft), respectively, starting under about 20 m (65 ft) of cover.
The tunnels are the first new lines to be excavated for the city’s metro system, which is planned to include a network of nine rail routes and approximately 30 km (18 mi) of tunnels excavated by both TBM and drill and blast. The routes will be both above and below ground to accommodate the hilly terrain of the city. Currently, Chongqing relies on buses for the majority of its public transportation.
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The Robbins Company
44139 Solon, OH. USA
Phone:
+1 440 248 3303
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+1 440 248 1702