Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2006 23:47:41 GMT
I recently came across this article (with photo) which might be of interest, about using a huge 3 face TBM to construct a deep level station in Japan. The platform tunnels and circulation tunnel were be tunnelled by the TBM at the same time. www.kajima.co.jp/topics/perspect/vol_15_3/world/
It seems strange to build such a huge TBM just to build approx 100m of tunnel, especially as you have to dig a pretty big access shaft just to get the thing in the ground in the first place! But I'm sure there were good reasons behind it's choice over more traditional tunnelling methods, particularly concerning speed of construction. I could however see it being quite useful for building larger areas where 3 tunnels are needed e.g station and reversing siding, but only if an access shaft can be built nearby.
It seems strange to build such a huge TBM just to build approx 100m of tunnel, especially as you have to dig a pretty big access shaft just to get the thing in the ground in the first place! But I'm sure there were good reasons behind it's choice over more traditional tunnelling methods, particularly concerning speed of construction. I could however see it being quite useful for building larger areas where 3 tunnels are needed e.g station and reversing siding, but only if an access shaft can be built nearby.
