Tunnel Boring Machine Brief Information

Tunnel Boring Machine
Overall introduction
The oceans to be crossd, the distant brought near,
The lands to be welded together
(Walt Whitman)
English for Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science 2 is essential for technical students
in Hanoi University of Science and Technology, especially those who are currently enrolling
their studies in English. This course gives students chances to find themselves in a world of
knowledge.
The reason for our choosing this topic: Tunnel Boring Machine was that Tunneling has
already had a long lasting history. It was seen as a major breakthrough in tunneling
technology during the last century as tunnel boring machine was born. However, as the
demand of using this machine is growing in Vietnam as the transportation grows while people
lack awareness about this.
This report is our final result from what we have learned and achieved from the course. The
goal of this report is to give other students an understanding of what is a TBM, what makes a
TBM and how it works. The report explains in the first part some brief information, the
history of TBM machines and various types of TBMs. The second part describes the main
components of a typical TBM while the last one reveals its working mechanism.
Introducing this topic, we hope to provide students in the school with fundamental knowledge
about TBM.
Table of Content
Overall introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
Week 1 TBM introduction .................................................................................................................... 4
I.
Definition of Tunnel and Tunnel Boring Machine ...................................................................... 5
II.
The History of TBM .................................................................................................................... 6
III.
Classification ........................................................................................................................... 9
1.
Hard Rock TBM ...................................................................................................................... 9
2.
Soft Ground TBM ................................................................................................................. 12
Week 2 The Structure ........................................................................................................................ 16

I.
The Shield and Rotary Cutting Wheel ...................................................................................... 18
II.
Hydraulic Jack ........................................................................................................................... 19

1.
What Is Hydraulic Cylinder Jack?......................................................................................... 19
2.
Hydraulic cylinders in TBM ................................................................................................. 19
3.
What Is The Principle Of Hydraulic Cylinder Racks In TBM? ............................................ 21
III.
Discharge Systems ................................................................................................................ 23
1.
Screw Conveyor .................................................................................................................... 24
2.
Slurry Line............................................................................................................................. 25
IV.
Tunnel Lining System ........................................................................................................... 26
1.
Automatic Segment Conveying System ................................................................................ 26
2.
Automatic Segment Erection Robot ...................................................................................... 28
3.
Multi - Function Ancillary Robot .......................................................................................... 29
Week 3 Working Method .................................................................................................................. 30

Assembly ................................................................................................................................... 31
I.
1.
Traditional Assembly Method ............................................................................................... 31
2.
OFTA (Onsite First Time Assembly) .................................................................................... 32

The Working Method ................................................................................................................ 32
II.
III.
Backup System ...................................................................................................................... 37
1.
Grouting ................................................................................................................................ 37
2.
Complex Logistic Solution.................................................................................................... 38
3.
Maintenance .......................................................................................................................... 39
IV.
Notable Projects .................................................................................................................... 40
1.
Longest and Largest Tunnels Using TBM ............................................................................ 40
2.
Channel Tunneling Project .................................................................................................... 40
3.
The Largest TBM In The World ........................................................................................... 42

2

Reference .............................................................................................................................................. 44
Appendix ............................................................................................................................................... 47
Glossary of terms .................................................................................................................................. 53
Self-reflection ........................................................................................................................................ 69
Week 1
TBM introduction
During this section, we would like to let the audience go through a very brief introduction over the
machine and things around it.
CONTENT:
I.
BACKGROUND AND DEFINITIONS
II.
HISTORY OF THE MACHINE
III.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE MACHINE
I.
Definition of Tunnel and Tunnel Boring Machine
Tunnel is defined in many dictionaries, but in general it can be understood as an underground

passageway, or road which is completely enclosed except for openings for entrance and exit. Human
beings have built tunnels for over 2000 years ago. At first, tunnels were built like caves, to protect
foods, or even human beings themselves from their enemies (H. Fukushima). Time passing by,
Tunnels have been developed and many kinds of which were formed, such as pedestrian tunnels,
railway tunnels, road tunnels fluid traffic tunnels. Tunnels are useful in many ways, they provide the
fastest transportation through mountains instead of going around them; or they offer a good
underground solution for traffic in urban areas where transportation has been a headache for policy
makers.
Pedestrian tunnel cover walkways in Singapore (Laksi)

Then how were tunnels constructed? The answer is Tunnel Boring Machine
There are many definitions for Tunnel Boring Machine, but according to The Free Dictionary, it is
basically a machine, often known as the mole used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross section
through various kinds of soil and rock layers.
This machine is suitable for excavating any kinds of material from hard rock to sand
Tunnel boring machines are used as an alternative to conventional excavating methods such as drilling
and blasting methods in rock and conventional hard mining or using explosion in soil.
II.
The History of TBM
The first successful tunneling machine which is commonly regarded as the forerunner of the
tunnel boring machine was developed by Marc Isambard Brunel to excavate the Rotherhithe
tunnel under the Thames in 1825 (Humber River, 2005). However, this was only the
invention of the shield concept and did not involve the construction of a complete tunnel
boring machine, the digging still having to be accomplished by the then standard excavation
methods using miners to dig under the shield and behind them bricklayers built the lining.
Although the concept was successful eventually it was not at all an easy project. The tunnel
suffered five floods in all. It is also noteworthy that Marc Brunels son who was the site
engineer went on to become what is generally thought of as Britains greatest engineer,
Isambard Kingdom Brunel. (Excavating rock by tunnel boring machine, 1985).
Diagram of tunneling shield used to construct the Thames tunnel

(PE Personal Engineering Editors Pick, 2013)
Improvements on this concept were used to build all of the early deep railway tunnels under
London in the early 20th century and lead to the name tube which is the nickname all
Londoners call their metropolitan railway and gave tunnels made by this method their
characteristic round shape.( Humber River, 1956).
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In other countries tunnel boring machines were being designed to tunnel through rocks. The
very first actual boring machine ever reported to have been built is thought to be HenriJoseph Maus' Mountain Slicers design in 1845 dig the Frjus Rail Tunnel between France
and Italy through the Alps, Maus had it built in 1846 in an arm factory near Turin. It
basically consisted of more than 100 percussion drills mounted in the front of a locomotivesized machine, mechanically power-driven from the entrance of the tunnel however it was
not used, and the tunnel was finally built using conventional methods.
Tunneling Machine (H.-J. Maus, Mount Cenis tunnel, 1846)
According to BBC News, In the United States, the first boring machine was used in 1853
during the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel. Made of cast iron, it was known as Wilson's
Patented Stone-Cutting Machine, after its inventor Charles Wilson. It drilled 10 feet into the
rock before breaking down and the tunnel was completed many years later, using less
ambitious methods.
Further Developed TBM (C. Winson U.S, 1875)
We need to move on nearly 100 years when James S. Robbins built a machine to dig through
what was the most difficult shale to excavate at that time, the Pierre Shale.(Orrichela, 1972).
Robbins built a machine that was able to cut 160 feet in 24 hours in the shale, which was ten
times faster than any other digging speed at that time.
According to TARP (1967), the modern breakthrough that made tunnel boring machines
efficient and reliable was the invention of the rotating head, conceptually based on the same
principle as the percussion drill head of the Mountain Slicer of Henri-Joseph Maus, but
improving its efficiency by reducing the number of grinding elements while making them to
spin as a whole against the soil front. Initially, Robbins' tunnel boring machine used strong
spikes rotating in a circular motion to dig out of the excavation front, but he quickly
discovered that these spikes, no matter how strong they were, had to be changed frequently
as they broke or tore off. By replacing these grinding spikes with longer lasting cutting
wheels this problem was significantly reduced. Since then, all successful modern tunnel
boring machines use rotating grinding heads with cutting wheels for boring through rock.
III.
Classification
Based on the working environment, TBMs can be classified into 3 main types: Hard rock
TBM, Soft ground TBM and Dual mode TBM. While Hard rock and Soft ground TBMs are
appropriate for respective working environment, Dual mode ones can work in both ground
conditions.
Hard rock TBMs excavate rock using disc cutters mounted in the cutter head. The spinning
cutter head is pressed again the tunnel face to create high pressure on the rocks. The rocks
under high pressure are broken into pieces and chipped away by the disc cutters.
Depend on the diameter and the hardness of the rocks, Hard rock TBMs can be further
divided into three types: Single shield TBMs, Double shield TBMs and Gripper TBMs. There
are some differences in the structure of these machines.
1. Hard Rock TBM
a.
Single Shield TBM
Single shield TBMs protect the machine from broken rock until the tunnel lining can be safely
installed. The body of the machine is enclosed in a shield that is smaller than the diameter of
the tunnel. The front of the TBM is a rotating cutter head that matches the diameter of the
tunnel. As the cutter head turns, a ring of hydraulic cylinders provides forward thrust through
shoes that push against last segment ring installed. However, due to this process, the TBM
have to stop to install new segment after digging a short distance. This process takes time and
results in the slow boring speed. Another disadvantage of this type is that it cannot reach high
performances in hard rock and is sensitive to squeezing ground and face instabilities
(Grandori, 2006)
1. Cutter head
2. Shield
3. Belt conveyor
4. Excavated material
removal trolley
Single Shield TBM (NFM Technologies)
b.
Double Shield TBM
A Double Shield TBM consists of a rotating cutter head mounted to the cutter head support,
followed by three shields: a telescopic shield (a smaller diameter inner shield which slides
within the larger outer shield), a gripper shield and a tail shield. The telescopic shield extends
as the machine advances keeping everything in the machine under cover and protected from
the ground surrounding it. The gripper shield remains stationary during boring. A segment
erector is fixed to the gripper shield allowing pre-cast concrete tunnel lining segments to be
positioned while the machine bores. The segments are positioned within the tail shield. The
ability to erect the tunnel lining simultaneously with boring that allows it to achieve such high
performance rates. The completely enclosed shielded design provides protection for the crews
and the machine. Double shield TBM can achieve very good performance in good to fair rock.
However, this type of TBM is sensitive to squeezing ground and to face instabilities (Grandori,
2006)
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1. Cutter head
2. Shields
2a Gripper shield
2b Telescopic shield
2c Tail shield
3. Belt conveyor
removal trolley
Double shield TBM (NFM technologies)
c.
Gripper TBM
Gripper TBM uses shoes and presses radially against the walls of the excavated tunnel.
Contrary to shielded hard rock TBM, this tunnel boring machine does not rest against the
lining. The force exerted by the grippers must be very high to prevent the thrust applied to the
head from causing shield recoil.
However, gripper TBM is too sensitive to poor rock conditions especially in large diameter
range (Grandori, 2006)
1. Cutter head
2. Front shield
3. Main beam
4. Gripper trolley
5. thrust cylinders
6. Belt conveyor
7. Ring beam erector structure
8. Shortcret
Gripper TBM (NFL Technologies)
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2.
Soft Ground TBMs
According to EFNARC (2005), the infrastructure project (subways, sewers, water supply,)
often takes place in the soft ground under urban area, it poses the high risk of damage to the
above structures. Whether the ground is soft-solid (earth pressure) or unstably soft (mud
pressure), we can flexibly choose between earth pressure TBM or Slurry TBM. The Slurry
Shield and the Earth Pressure Balanced shield (EPBS) have been developed in the recent
decades for managing the instability of the excavation profile in unfavorable geotechnical and
hydro-geological conditions, with challenge external constraints.
a.
Slurry TBM
Slurry machine (EFNARC 2005)
In the website of NFM technologies, Slurry TBM is used for tunnel-boring in highly
permeable unstable terrain, or under civilian structures sensitive to ground disturbances.
EFNARC (2005) defined the slurry and bentonite as below:
Slurry (sometimes known as mud) includes bentonite in water with appropriate

additives.
12
Bentonite is a form of clay mineral which extends its volume when dissolved in water.
Because the bentonite slurry is stored in the excavation chamber at the tunnel front, it required
a conveyance via pipes system: the slurry feeding pipe (suction line) and in the slurry
discharge pipe. EFNARC (2005) continued that the bentonite slurry together with one airfilled part help to maintain an even over-pressure in front of the TBM cutter head and also
acts as an aid to soil transportation by pumping.
b.
EPBM - Earth Pressure Balance Machine
EPBM (EFNARC 2005)
Also according to EFNARC (2005), instead of a hydraulic/bentonite suspension as in Slurry

TBMs, the excavated ground in EPBM is used as part of the supporting liquid and forms
ground slurry. The support pressure has to balance the earth pressure and the water pressure.
With the EPBM technique, soil conditioning products are generally injected from the cutting
head and often into the working chamber and screw conveyor. NFM technologies said that the
front shield of the EPB TBM is filled with debris extracted by means of a screw conveyor.
EPB machine has the technical advantage comparing to the Slurry Machine that a separation
plant is not required. ITA-WG14 (2000) demonstrated that excavated materials removed from
the face with a screw conveyor and transported by train or conveyor.
13
From the finding above, the comparison of EPBM and Slurry machine can be summarized in
the table below:
EPB Machines
Slurry Machines
Soil
Soft ground with low
Unstable ground with high
condition
permeability
permeability
Example
Clay, silt,
Sand, granular materials,
Similarity in
structure
The "head" part of machine is "closed" and separated from the

rear part of machine. The "head" has a working chamber filled
with soil or slurry between the cutting face and bulkhead to
stabilize the cutting face under soil pressure
has excavation system to cut the soil
Supporting
turns the excavated soil into mud
uses the external pressurized slurry to
liquid/ slurry
pressure and holds it under soil
stabilize the cutting face, using
pressure to stabilize the cutting
bentonite as an aid to soil
face
transportation by pumping
Difference in
structure
mixing system to mix the
has slurry feed and discharge
excavated soil into mud
pipes to circulate and
pressure
pressurize slurry
Soil discharge system to
Has slurry processing
discharge the soil and
equipment on the ground to
control system to keep
adjust the slurry properties.
the soil pressure uniform.
Separation plant required
Separation plant not

required
c.
Dual-Mode TBM
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A dual-mode tunnel-boring machine, in the website of NFM technologies, can dig through
very different geologies, earth and rock for example. In this case, the tunnel-boring machine is
developed to receive two types of removal equipment, each one corresponding to a given type
of ground.
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Week 2
The Structure
In this section, we went further into the structure of a specific boring machine: Earth Pressure
Boring Machine, or EPBM. The reason why it was chosen was that this machine utilizes a Tunnel
Boring Machine that allow for installations in unstable ground.
CONTENT:
I.
SHIELD AND ROTARY CUTTING WHEEL
II.
HYDRAULIC CYLINDER RACKS
III.
DISCHARGE SYSTEM
IV.
TUNNEL LINING SYSTEM
16
The machine is capable of operating under a wide range of ground from soft soils to
weathered rock. This is useful when the projects is implemented in an urban environment and
ground surface subsidence cannot be tolerated (The Robbins Company)
The Worlds Largest Tunnel-Boring Machine (Behrman, 2011)
The ground at the cutting face is supported by earth pressure by balancing the advancement
of the tunnel with the discharge rate of the excavated soil
EPBM is used widely in the construction of rail tunnels, metropolitan subway systems,
highways tunnels, and other projects where the tunnel will be constructed either partly or
completely in soft soil beneath a water surface (Poor Ground, Tough Machine , 2013)
17
I.
The Shield and Rotary Cutting Wheel
The Shield has the function of protecting and containing all the subcomponents in it. The
most important part in the shield is rotary cutting wheel, or cutting head. This wheel is a
complicated structure containing a number of parts such as cutting discs, tungsten carbide
cutting bits, injection systems, sensors and hydraulic motors. The reason why cutting wheel is
called the most important one is because this component is responsible for excavating the soil.
The tool which directly contacts with the soil is cutting disc. (Herrenknecht tunneling
systems)
EPBMs Cutting Wheel (Overruns and delays, 2009)
Attached to the rotary cutting head are several components which can be mentioned as cutting
disc, cutting bits, injection system, sensors,
The cutting knifes or discs are tools which provide the transmission of energy generated by
the machine to the rock in order to cause fragmentation (M. Cigla, 2001)
Sensors are attached at the tips of some tools on the surface of the cutting wheel and function
as a kind of alarm when wear is reached, so that the mechanics can replace the cutting tools
(EPB Shield)
The injection system works on the cutting wheel as a support for the excavating especially
when the machine goes through the hard layer of rock
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II.
Hydraulic Jack
1. What Is Hydraulic Cylinder Jack?
A hydraulic cylinder (also called a linear hydraulic motor) is a mechanical actuator used to
give a unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke. (The Free dictionary, 2013). It has
many applications, notably in construction equipment (engineering vehicles), manufacturing
machinery, and civil engineering.
A hydraulic cylinder jack in TBM is a jack that uses a liquid to push against a piston and it is
placed behind the chamber. (Richard C. Milton, 1999)
Components of TBM (2009)
2. Hydraulic cylinders in TBM
Cylinder barrel
The main function of cylinder barrel is to hold cylinder pressure. The cylinder barrel is mostly
made from a seamless tube. The cylinder barrel is ground and/or honed internally with a
typical surface finish of 4 to 16 micro-inched. Normally hoop stress is calculated to optimize
the barrel size. (A.Lexis, 2010)
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Cylinder base or cap
The main function of the cap is to enclose the pressure chamber at one end. The cap is
connected to the body by means of welding, threading, bolts, or tie rod. Caps also perform as
cylinder mounting components [cap flange, cap trunnion, cap clevis]. Cap size is determined
based on the bending stress. A static seal / o-ring is used in between cap and barrel (except
welded construction).
Cylinder head
The main function of the head is to enclose the pressure chamber from the other end. The
head contains an integrated rod sealing arrangement or the option to accept a seal gland. The
head is connected to the body by means of threading, bolts, or tie rod. A static seal / o-ring is
used in between head and barrel. (C.S Harris, 1997)
Piston
The main function of the piston is to separate the pressure zones inside the barrel. The piston
is machined with grooves to fit elastomeric or metal seals and bearing elements. These seals
can be single acting or double acting. The difference in pressure between the two sides of the
piston causes the cylinder to extend and retract. The piston is attached with the piston rod by
means of threads, bolts, or nuts to transfer the linear motion. (Thomasnet, 2012)
Piston rod
The piston rod is typically a hard chrome-plated piece of cold-rolled steel which attaches to
the piston and extends from the cylinder through the rod-end head. In double rod-end
cylinders, the actuator has a rod extending from both sides of the piston and out both ends of
the barrel. The piston rod connects the hydraulic actuator to the machine component doing the
work. This connection can be in the form of a machine thread or a mounting attachment....
Seal gland
The cylinder head is fitted with seals to prevent the pressurized oil from leaking past the
interface between the rod and the head. This area is called the seal gland. The advantage of a
seal gland is easy removal and seal replacement. The seal gland contains a primary seal, a
secondary seal / buffer seal, bearing elements, wiper / scraper and static seal. In some cases,
especially in small hydraulic cylinders, the rod gland and the bearing elements are made from
a single integral machined part.
Seals
20
The seals are considered / designed as per the cylinder working pressure, cylinder speed,
operation temperature, working medium and application. Piston seals are dynamic ones, and
they can be single acting or double acting. Generally speaking, Elastomer seals made
from nitrile rubber, Polyurethane or other materials are the best in lower temperature
environments, while seals made of Fluorocarbon Viton are better for higher temperatures.
Metallic seals are also available and commonly use cast iron for the seal material. Rod seals
are dynamic seals and generally are single acting.
3. What Is The Principle Of Hydraulic Cylinder Racks In TBM?
a.
Operation Of Hydraulic Cylinder Jack:
The hydraulic pressure in these cylinders is in the form of hydraulic fuels that are stored under
pressure in these cylinders. The energy stored in these oils is converted into motion. In a
complete hydraulic system, a hydraulic motor consists of one or more hydraulic cylinders. A
pump regulates the oil-flow in the hydraulic system. The pump is a part of the generator of a
hydraulic system. The hydraulic cylinders initiate the pressure of the oil, which cannot be
more
than
that
required
by
the
load.
(H.
Boelter,
2010)
A hydraulic cylinder consists of a cylindrical barrel, piston, and a piston rod. The piston that
is placed within the barrel is connected to the piston rod. The cylinder bottom, and the
cylinder head, closes the bottom and the head of the barrel respectively. The cylinder head is
the side from where the piston rod exits the cylinder.
A Cylinder
21
The cylinder bottom and the piston rod are mounted with mounting brackets or clevises. The
piston in the hydraulic cylinder consists of sliding rings and seals. The piston rod chamber
and the bottom chamber are the two chambers within the cylinder.
The piston rod starts moving outwards, as the hydraulic fluid is pumped into the bottom side
of the hydraulic cylinder. In the reverse process, the hydraulic fluid is pushed back into the
reservoir by the piston. The pressure in the cylinder is the ratio of unit force per unit piston
area.
The pressure generated in the piston rod chamber is the ratio of the unit load per the
difference in the unit piston area and unit piston rod area. This calculation is used when the
hydraulic fluid is let into the piston rod chamber as well as the fluid flows smoothly (without
pressure) from the piston area to the reservoir. In this way, the expansion and retraction (push
and pull) action of the hydraulic cylinder is generated.
b.
The Effect Of TBM Hydraulic Piping System
The characteristics of the hydraulic piping system in Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) are large
slenderness ratio, high fluid pressure and low flow velocity. With the work conditions of
TBM, the beam model of long straight pipe was established. Under consideration of fluid
structure interaction (FSI) and simple supported conditions, oscillation equation of piping
system was solved by vibration formation decomposition. Having analyzed the effect of
piping system parameters on the first order inherent frequency by the method of sensitivity
analysis, pipe length was the most significant effective factor on inherent frequency of pipe
system. Considering the relation between fluid pressure wave frequency and pipe inherent
frequency, oscillation criteria based on the first order inherent frequency was put forward.
Finally, optimized design was given for piping system design.
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III.
Discharge Systems
There are some types of mud discharge systems for TBMs. For example, the open-type TBM uses
conveyor belt, the Slurry has the pipe system or the shield TBM and the EBPM extract the excavated
material by using screw conveyor. In this report, we will go thru some kinds of discharge systems,
which are the most popular and significant ones.
1. Cutter head
2. Shield
3. Belt conveyor
removal trolley
Conveyor belt in the open-type TBM (NFM technologies)
1. Cutter head
2. Shield
3. Bentonite injection
4. Air regulation
5. Air bubble
6. Extraction of slurry with
soil
The pipe system in Slurry machine (NFM technologies)
23

1. Cutter head
2. Shield
3. Screw conveyor
(extraction worm)
4. Belt conveyor and
excavated material
removal trolley
Screw conveyor system in EPBM (NFM technologies)
1. Screw Conveyor
In the single shield TBM or the EBPM, the excavated material is removed from the
excavation chamber by a screw conveyor. The screw conveyor conveys the excavated
material to one of the ends of an open conveyor belts (Federal Highway Administration 2011).
It was also found that the excavated material is conveyed on this reversible conveyor from
which the transportation structure in the backup areas is loaded. And then the excavated
material is removed from the tunnel by mud car, train or conveyor system.
Screw conveyor in EPBM (Federal Highway Administration 2011)
The amount of material removed is controlled by the speed of the screw conveyor driver.
24
During the excavation process, the ground material or excavated soil move thru the cutter face
to the working chamber. Inside the chamber, the mud is pressurized. The different pressure
between the chamber and the screw conveyor forces the excavated material to the screw
conveyor.
A TBM operator can control the pressure in the chamber continuously (TheRobbinsCo 2010).
The pressure in the excavation chamber is controlled by balancing the rate of advance of the
machine and the rate of extraction of the excavated material by the screw conveyor.
TheRobbinsCo (2010) showed that in order to raise pressure, the operator can either increase
the machine raise of advance or decrease the rotation of the screw conveyor. To lower the
pressure, the operator does the opposite. It decreases the machine raise of advance or increase
the rotation of the screw conveyor.
2.
Slurry Line
This type of muck discharge system is used in the Slurry TBM. The treated slurry is fed into the
working chamber thru slurry feed pipe and the excavated material is taken out thru the discharge pipe
(EFNARC 2005). The excavated ground material and suspension liquid is mixed by hydraulic
conveyance via tubes with separation of the two materials.
(1) Cutter head

(2) excavation chamber
(3) bulkhead
(4) slurry feed line
(5) air cushion
(6) wall
(7) Segmental Lining
(8) segment erector
Slurry pipes system in Slurry machine (Federal Highway Administration, 2011)
25

Toan (2006) displayed the fact that depending on the subsoil permeability, density and viscosity can
be varied, pressure can be regulated by controlling the speed of the delivery and feed pumps. For
slurry type tunneling machine, operation of pumps and valves for slurry transportation is computerized
based on the data fed by pressure gauges, flow meters and other measuring devices for fluid
transportation. Thus, steady pressure of slurry is maintained throughout the tunneling.
IV.
Tunnel Lining System
Tunnel lining is highly mechanized process. The purpose of this process is to support the
exposed ground, providing and maintaining the required operational cross-section and provide
a barrier against liquids. There are many types of lining system. However, as automatic
processes is applied more and more in TBM, many TBMs now using fully automatic system
such as The Fully Automated System for shield tunneling under Integrated Control (FASTIC).
FASTIC (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996) comprises an automatic lining
system, which in turn, consist of three most important components:
Automatic Segment Conveying System
Automatic Segment Erection Robot
Multi - Function Ancillary Robot
1.
Automatic Segment Conveying System
The system provides full automation of the segment conveying operation without manual
labor.
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Automatic Segment Conveying System (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996)
a.
AGV System
AGV System (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996)

The segment is automatically conveyed by the AGV system from the site to the position of
erector device in a segment wagon where it is unloaded by the segment handling equipment
and delivered to the segment feeder.
b.
Segment handling equipment
The segment handling equipment uses a suction pad to hold the segments conveyed by the
AGV system and deliver them to the segment feeder.
Segment Handling Equipment (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996)
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2. Automatic Segment Erection Robot
The robot comprises erector equipment, and a segment feeder
Automatic segment erection robot (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996)
a.
Segment Feeder
Segment feeder transports the segments received from the handling equipment. The segments
are slowly delivered on a conveyor to the segment erector system.
b.
Segment Erector
The segment erector is a rotating ring type erector. Attached to the rotating ring is a crane
arm. The crane arm is equipped with vacuum pads to pick up the segments from the segment
feeder and build up the ring using precise sensor.
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3.
Multi - Function Ancillary Robot
The purpose of this robot, unlike the systems and robot described above that were developed
for automation of the main shield tunneling tasks, is to perform shield construction incidental
work such as retightening of segment bolts or the laying of sleepers and rails.
Multi - Function Ancillary Robot (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996)
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Week 3
Working Method
In this section, we mainly focused on the working method of Earth Pressure Boring Machine (EPBM).
Some notable projects which have used Tunnel Boring Machine as an useful tool will be mentioned as
well.
CONTENT:
I.
MACHINE ASSEMBLY
II.
WORKING METHOD
III.
BACKUP SYSTEM
IV.
NOTABLE PROJECTS
30
I.
Assembly
TBM assembly is a very sophisticate process which requires a great amount of time and
human force. To assemble a TBMs components, a large assembly site has to be prepared as
the size of the TBM and the assembly equipment are very large. Second, a crane system is
required to lift the components up. The crane system must be strong enough to carry the
heavy weight of the components. Assembly operations must be carried out under the
supervision of skilled technicians including those from the supplier of the machines (Roby &
Willis, 2010)
1.
Traditional Assembly Method
Traditionally, the delivery of Tunnel Boring Machines started by the full assembly and
testing of the TBM at the manufacturers facility before dismantling and shipping to site. The
tradition method of assembly consists of 6 steps:
Factory assembly
No-load testing
Dismantle
Deliver components to site
Assemble
Test run
Once the assembly and the cold testing are completed the TBM is ready for the hot testing,
that is the checking of the TBM during the excavation of a tunnel length agreeing with the
TBM supplier. The phase of assembly can last up to three months. (Roby & Willis, 2010)
31
2.
OFTA (Onsite First Time Assembly)
In order to shorten overall delivery time to supply these machines some suppliers have
recently introduced the so called OFTA (Onsite First Time Assembly), consisting of
only one direct assembly at site. This procedure, allowing the saving of several weeks, clearly
increases the risks of possible problems arising during the testing (Roby & Willis, 2010)
II.
The Working Method
According to an instruction manual about TBM from Herrenknecht, a German manufacturer

of tunnel boring machines of all sizes. The working method of a tunnel boring machine
basically consists of 2 phases:
Tunneling phase
Ring building phase
In the tunneling phase, the cutting wheel rotates, and then it is pressed against the tunnel face
by means of hydraulic cylinders. The cutting wheel is driven by 24 hydraulic motors via a
gear ram. The high strength steel disc cutters and the cutting knifes loosen the material of the
tunnel face quickly.
The Tunneling Phase (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

32
The soil can be conditioned with water, bentonite, or foam through the injection system. After
which, the soil is pressed into the excavation chamber and then transported from the bottom
of the chamber to a belt conveyor by a screw conveyor.
Injection system of EPBM (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

Along with all these processes, a number of pressure sensors are used to measure the change
of geological condition such as pressure sensors, cutting wheel torque sensors, screw
conveyor torque sensors, monitoring of excavated material sensors and cutting wheel torque
sensors.
EPBMs Inner Sensors (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

After the tunneling phase, cutting wheel and the conveyors will stop their operation, and the
ring building phase begins. The ring building phase starts in the shield area under atmospheric
pressure condition. Segments are transported from the outside to the building place by mine
cars.
33
Segment Manufacture (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

A complete tunnel ring consists of several segments, or lining segments. These prefabricated
reinforce concrete elements are produced with millimeter precision in a specialized factory
In the front section of the backup, the lining segments are lifted individually by special
transfer crane. It lifts them onto the segment feeder which transport the elements to the front
of the tunnel
Here the heavy ring segment are picked up and positioned by a hydraulic controlled crane arm
called the erector, using vacuum plates. The erector is installed in 2 rails and can be moved
rotated and telescoped
The Erector (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

34
Each completed tunnel ring consists of several segments: 2 later elements and the key
segment which is installed last. The position of the segments always follows the same routine.
The erector lifts the stone from the segment feeder, the hydraulic cylinder are then retracted
from the corresponding installation point
The segment is then positioned precisely, holding side contact next to the previous installed
ring using a remote control. Now the hydraulic cylinders are extended again to secure the
segment and its position
The cylinders are being extended again (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

During this process, machine and tunneling personnel are protected by the shield skin against
the earth pressure and any possible ground water. In this way, the lining segments are
installed on each side alternately. The key segment is positioned last, and distributes the load
of the ring, completing the ring building
The key segment is being installed (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

35
Again, the next tunnel ring can start. The tunneling phase and the ring building phase alternate
continuously. In this way, the tunnel grows ring by ring
36
III.
1.
Backup System
Grouting
EFNARC (2005) stated that during the segment lining process, all parts of the machine and
segment rings are protected inside the shield against pressure or ground heave. Backfill
grouting is the grouting work to fill the annular (ring-shaped) void (a completely empty
space) between segments and the ground.
Grouting (EFNARC 2005)
From the website of Colcrete Eurodrill, grout is the important link between the surroundings
(soil or rock) and the structure (pre-cast segments). Its the composition of Cement, Water and
some other Additives.
The reasons for using grout can be summarized as follows (EFNARC 2005):
To prevent flotation and heave
To prevent surface subsidence
To prevent misalignment of the segment rings
To bond the soil and segments into a single component.

37
There are 2 types of grout inlets. The grout may be pumped into position either through the
tail shield or through holes in the segments (EFNARC 2005). The type of grout inlet in each
TBM will be chosen depended on the required shape and size of the grouted body as well as
the type of grout.
In the case of segmental TBMs, the lining and its backfill grouting are inseparable from the
operation of the machine (Colcrete Eurodrill). Because of their interfaces with the machine,
they must be designed in parallel and in interdependence with the TBM.
Grouting process (Colcrete Eurodrill)

In this typical system, the Grout pump takes its supply from a rail car, and pumps it through a
flow meter and pressure transmitter to the inline mixer (Colcrete Eurodrill). The grout then is
measured by sensors, controlled and adjusted by a processor and continuously taken to the
back of the ring segments. And then it will be fed into the void by grout injector.
2. Complex Logistic Solution
The backup system is required in the TBM, which accommodates all the facilities required
such as hydraulic power unit, pump, controlling cabinet, ventilation, laser instrumentation,
storage containers, (Central Subway 2011).
Backup system (Nguyen D. Toan 2006)
38
The whole system is set in a wheel house. With each advance movement of the machine, the
backup is pull ahead. Also the logistic structures for excavated material discharge system and
the delivery of the lining process are here (Central Subway, 2011). As in the previous part
such as belt storage system, soil containers or mine car line.
Backup system (Central Subway 2011)
According to Central Subway (2011), controlling cabinet can be seen as the brain of the
machine. All important, up-to-date information and diagrams are gathered in the central
control cabin. There, they are visualized on monitor, make available for the machine operator.
The operator can control the processes and interfere if necessary.
3.
Maintenance
In the Central Subway s video (2011), the cutting tool must be maintained or replaced in
regular depended on the hardness and the abrasiveness of the geology. Sensor is attached to
the tips of some tools which send the signal to the control cabin when a certain degree of wear
happens. The tool must be replaced. The excavation chamber is partially emptied. At the same
time the cavity of the chamber is supplied with compressed if necessary to stabilize the tunnel
face. Then the excavation chamber can be mannerly accessed to maintenance work such as
disc cutter tools or sensor replacement.
39
IV.
1.
Notable Projects
Longest and Largest Tunnels Using TBM
TBM is the most modern machine applied in digging tunnel. Reported in 2012, in a document
of American technology center, researchers listed the list of top 5 longest and largest tunnel
using TBM on the world. This is a great achieve in the development of technology and
intelligence of human being:
1.1- Gotthard Tunnel
1.2- Channel Tunnel
1.3- Seikan Tunnel
1.4- Channel Tunnel
1.5- Guadarrama Tunnel
2.
Channel Tunneling Project
Channel Tunnel Project Construction (NFM Technologies)
This tunnel is a typical one with cross section, a service tunnel between twin rail tunnels.
Shown linking the rail tunnels is a piston relief duct, necessary to manage pressure changes
due to the movement of trains
Tunneling between England and France was a major engineering challenge, with the only
precedent being the undersea Seikan Tunnel in Japan. A serious risk with underwater tunnels
is major water inflow due to the water pressure from the sea above under weak ground
40
conditions. The Channel Tunnel also had the challenge of timebeing privately funded, early
financial return was paramount.
According to Channel Project, JJennifer Rosenberg (2005) reported that: Precast segmental
linings in the main TBM drives were used, but different solutions were used on the English
and French sides. On the French side, neoprene and grout sealed bolted linings made of cast
iron or high-strength reinforced concrete were used. On the English side, the main
requirement was for speed and bolting of cast-iron lining segments was only carried out in
areas of poor geology. In the UK rail tunnels, eight lining segments plus a key segment were
used; on the French side, five segments plus a key segment. On the French side, a 55-metre
(180 ft) diameter 75-metre (246 ft) deep grout-curtained shaft at Sangatte was used for access.
On the English side, a marshalling area was 140 meters (459 ft) below the top of Shakespeare
Cliff, and the New Austrian Tunneling method (NATM) was first applied in the chalk marl
here. On the English side, the land tunnels were driven from Shakespeare Cliff, the same
place as the marine tunnels, not from Folkston. (UK News, 2010). The platform at the base of
the cliff was not large enough for all of the drives and, despite environmental objection,
tunnel spoil was placed behind a reinforced concrete seawall, on condition of placing the
chalk in an enclosed lagoon to avoid wide dispersal of chalk fines. Owing to limited space,
the precast lining factory was on the Isle of Grain in the Thames estuary.
On the French side, owing to the greater permeability to water, earth pressure balance TBMs
with open and closed modes was used. (Jennifer Rosenberg, 2009). The TBMs were of a
closed nature during the initial 5 kilometers (3 mi), but then operated as open, boring through
the chalk marl stratum. This minimized the impact to the ground and allowed high water
pressures to be withstood, and it also alleviated the need to grout ahead of the tunnel. The
French effort required five TBMs: two main marine machines, one main land machine (the
short land drives of 3 km allowed one TBM to complete the first drive then reverse direction
and complete the other), and two service tunnel machines. On the English side, the simpler
geology allowed faster open-faced TBMs. Six machines were used, all commenced digging
from Shakespeare Cliff, three marine-bound and three for the land tunnels. Towards the
completion of the undersea drives, the UK TBMs were driven steeply downwards and buried
clear of the tunnel. These buried TBMs were then used to provide an electrical earth. The
French TBMs then completed the tunnel and were dismantled. A 900 mm gauge railway was
used on the English side during construction.
41
3.
The Largest TBM In The World
Bertha is shipped to Seattle (Foley, 2012)
According to the newest information from Amanda Foley, a famous American journalist, the
largest TBM on the world- Bertha the world largest TBM is ready to be shipped to Seattle.
Following testing at Hitachi Zosens manufacturing plant in Osaka, Japan; Bertha the
worlds largest-diameter TBM to date is ready to be shipped to Elliot Bay, in Seattle,
Washington. The 57ft (17.5m) EPB machine will begin excavation of Washington State
Department of Transportations (WSDOT) US$1.35bn (State Route-99) Alaskan Way tunnel,
beneath downtown Seattle, this summer.
Crews in Japan began disassembling the five-story-tall, US$80 million machine last week. By
mid-month, Bertha which is owned by Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP), the Washington State
Department of Transportations contractor for the project will be loaded aboard the Jumbo
Fairpartner in 41 pieces.
The ship will leave Japan in mid-March and arrive in Seattle by the end of the month, if the
weather cooperates. Were entering an exciting stage of this project, said Linea Laird,
WSDOTs administrator for the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program. While we
have a lot of work to do once Bertha arrives, we cant wait to introduce her to the people of
Washington.
42
STP is responsible for ensuring the TBM functions properly at all times. Accordingly, shes
been put through a succession of rigorous tests at the Sakai Works factory in Osaka, where
manufacturer Hitachi Zosen Corporation built the machine. One of the tests revealed a
problem with the machines main drive unit, and crews made appropriate repairs.
Bertha has since passed all of her tests, and will officially become the property of STP once
shes tunneled approximately 1,000ft (300m) without any issues. Construction is going well,
both in Japan and in Seattle, said Chris Dixon, Seattle Tunnel Partners project manager.
Were on track to open the tunnel in late 2015.
Crews in Seattle are about 80% finished with the launch pit where Bertha will start her
journey and are currently preparing the surrounding site for tunneling. That work includes
strengthening the soil and building protected areas along the initial section of the tunnel route
so crews can perform scheduled inspections of the machine before it begins tunneling beneath
the city. Work is also under way near the north end of the Battery Street Tunnel to prepare the
area where Bertha will emerge at the end of tunneling.
Berthas 41 pieces the largest weighing up to 900 tons are being loaded on a single ship.
Once she arrives in Seattle, crews will unload the pieces and transport them a few hundred
yards to the 80ft (25m) deep launch pit, where she will be reassembled and launched this
summer.
43
Reference
44
Xie Jinghua Tian Ke Key Laboratory of Modern Complex Equipment Design and Extreme
manufacturing, Central South University, Ministry of Education, Changsha, China Yang
Dawei . (2010). The effect of TBM hydraulic piping system parameters on FSI vibration.
Pages 363-371 .
Xie Jinghua, Tian Ke Yang Dawei. (2010). The effect of TBM hydraulic piping system
parameters on FSI vibration. Retrieved April 2, 2013, from Digital Library.
Foley, A. (2013, March 7). Bertha the worlds largest TBM is ready to be shipped to
Seattle. Retrieved 5 15, 2013, from tunneling journal.
Grandori, R. (2006). Abdalajis East railway tunnel (Spain)- Double shield universal TBMs.
Hard Rock Shield, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2013,
from Attiko Metro S.A.
Jenkins, C. ( 2011, Apr 13). The 17 Longest Tunnels In The World. Retrieved April 8, 2013,
from Business Insider .
Kelly, L. (2013, April 04). 7 record-breaking tunnels from around the world. Retrieved 04
16, 2013, from FoxNews.com.
Michael Spencer, Zurich London (Chairman) . (2009). Tunnel Boring Machines.
Ohno, H., Kazama, K., Higashide, A., & Tomioka, A. (1996). Fully automated system for
shield tunnelling under integrated control. OBAYASHI CORP.
Roby, J., & Willis, D. (2010). Onsite, First Time Assembly of TBMs: Merging 3D Digital .
Washington.
Rosenberg, J. (May 6, 1994). The Channel Tunnel.
Single Shield TBM. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2013, from The Robbins Company Website:
http://www.therobbinscompany.com/our-products/tunnel-boring-machines/singleshield/
The British Tunnelling Society and The Institution of Civil Engineers. (2004). Tunnel
lining design guide. London: Thomas Telford Publishing.
To raise a tunnel boring machine. (2013 , Jaunuary 29). Retrieved April 2013, from OCH
Magazine: http://www.ochmagazine.com/features/to-raise-a-tunnel-boring-machine/
Tunnelling & Pipelines. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2012, from Herrenknecht AG Website:
http://www.herrenknecht.com/products/tunnel-boring-machines.html
Tunnelling by EPB Tunnel Boring Machine in DMRC. (2012, June). Retrieved febrary 15,
2013, from NBM Media.
Central Subway (2011) TBM/Tunneling Video. [video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx_EjMlLgqY
45
Colcrete Eurodrill. Tunnel Grouting System. Retrieved from http://www.colcreteeurodrill.com/products/tunnel-grouting-system

EFNARC (2005) Specification and Guidelines for the use of specialist products for
Mechanized Tunnelling (TBM). Retrieved March 10, 2013 from
ITA-WG14 (2000) Recommendations and Guidelines for Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
International Tunnelling Association, Working Group No. 14 - Mechanized Tunnelling.
NFM technologies. Underground work. Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.nfmtechnologies.com
Nguyen D. Toan (2006) TBM and Lining Essential Interfaces. Retrieved March 10, 2013
from http://www.itaaites.org/fileadmin/filemounts/general/pdf/ItaAssociation/ProductAndPublication/Th
esis/ThesisToan.pdf
TheRobbinsCo (2010) Robbins EPB TBM Excavation with Screw Conveyor [video file].
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4XGQ9H2YP4
Federal Highway Administration (2011) Technical Manual for Design and Construction
of Road Tunnels - Civil Elements. Retrieved March 10, 2013 from
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/tunnel/pubs/nhi09010/appd.cfm
46
Appendix
47
Week 1 POST ACTIVITIES

I. Choose the best answer:
1. What are the 2 main elements that make a subway system work?
A. Tunnels and Trains
B. Tunnels and Cars
C. Passengers and Cars
D. Passengers and Trains
Answer: A
2. What is true about the purpose of tunnels?
A. Tunnels can be used for foot, vehicular traffic
B. Tunnels can be used for air traffic
C. Tunnels can be used for rail traffic
D. Both A and C are true
Answer: D
3. According to our presentation, what methods could be used in building tunnels?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Digging by hand
Using explosives
Using excavating machine
All the above choices
Answer: D
II. True or Fault:

1.Sir Marc Isambard Brunel developed the first successful tunneling shield.
2. The Wilson Patented Stone Cutting machine was built to dig the Hoosac Tunnel
Answer: 1. T
2. T
III. Classification Matching
a.
Single shield TBM
b. Double shield TBM

c. Gripper TBM
1. sensitive to poor rock conditions

especially in large diameter range
2. sensitive to squeezing ground and
face instabilities
3. can achieve very good
performance in good to fair rock
Answer: c-1 b-3 a-2

48
WEEK 2 POST ACTIVITIES

I, True or false:
1, Theres just only one kind of cutting disc in TBM
2, Rotary cutting head is driven by a series of hydraulic motors
3, The EPBM gets its name because it is capable of holding up soft ground by maintaining the
unbalance between earth and pressure
4, In urban tunneling, maintaining the soil pressure during and after construction can avoid
ground subsidence
Answer: F,T,F,T
II, Matching:
1. open-type TBM
a. screw conveyor
2. the Slurry TBM
b. reversible conveyor belt
3. the shield TBM and the EBPM
c. pipe system
Answer: 1-b, 2-c, 3-a

III, choose the correct answers:
1. Where is put hydraulics Cylinder Jacks in TBM?
A. Behind the chamber of TBM.
B. Before the chamber of TBM
C. On the top of chamber of TBM
Answer: A
2. Hydraulics cylinder jack in TBM using .. to push against a piston.
A. Water
B. Oil
C. Both A and B
Answer: B
3. How many main parts in Hydraulics cylinder rack of TBM?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 6
Answer: 6
49
IV, Fill in the blanks:

1. Automatic Segment Erector System comprises of Segment feeder and Segment erector
2. Segment handling equipment provides full automation of the segment conveying
operation
-------- END ---------
50
WEEK 3 POST ACTIVITIES

Part 1: Arrange in the right order
1. Traditional method process
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
No-load testing
Test run
Deliver components to site
Dismantle
Factory assembly
Assemble
Answer: _e_>_a_>_d_>_c_>_f_>_b_
2. OFTA process
a. Test run
b. Assemble
c. Deliver components to site
Answer: _c_>_b_>_a_
Part 2: Fill the words into order to make a process of the tunneling phase of EPBM
1.Soil is transported to belt conveyor
2.Soil is pressed into excavation chamber
3.The cutting wheel rotates
4.Disc cutters and cutting knifes loosen the material
Answer: 3421
51
Part 3: Choose the correct answers:

5. Grouting is the process that provides the seal between:
a. cutting face and the outer ground
b. the shield and the segments
c. the segments and the outer ground
Answer: C
6. Grout is made of:
a. cement
b. water
c. additives
d. all of above
Answer: D
7. The backup system is:
a. controlling cabinet
b. logistic structure for excavated material discharging
c. logistic structure for segment lining
d. all of above
Answer: D
Part 4: True or Fail:
8. Channel Tunnel is the longest rail tunnel in the world.
9.On the French side, The Channel Tunnel began digging near Shakespeare Clift outside of
Dover with using 5 TBMs.
10. The world largest TBM is Bertha made in Japan
Answer: T,T,T
52
Glossary of terms
53
No.
1.
Term
Abrader
Explanation
To rub the surface of something, such as rock or skin,
Vietnamese
equivalent
Mi
and damage it or make it rough

2.
Abreuvoir
The joint or interstice between stones, to be filled
Mch ni kn
with mortar
3.
Accelerant
A substance added to concrete or shotcrete to
Cht xc tc
accelerate setting.
4.
5.
Accurate
Additive
correct and true in every detail
Tnh chnh xc
A chemical substance added in a small amount,
Ph gia
usually to a fluid, for a special purposes

6.
Adit
A horizontal or nearly horizontal entrance to a tunnel
Li v o m
or mine (as opposed to a vertical shaft).

7.
Adjustment
A small change made to something in order to correct
Bnh sai, trc a
or improve it
8.
Adsorbent
( of a substance or material ) able to adsorb gases or
Cht ht, bm
liquids
9.
Advance
Forward progress in the construction of a tunnel.
S ti n l n
10.
Aelotropy
The property of some chemical elements to exist in
Tnh d hng
two or more different forms, known as allotropes of

these elements
11.
Ancillary
providing necessary support to the primary activities
Cht l m d
hng
ph tr
or operation of an organization
12.
Annular
ring-shape
hnh tr n
13.
Arch
Underground ground support, typically steel.
Khung t v
14.
Backfill
A material used to replace excavated material.
V t li u lp
15.
Backup system
a vast array of supporting mechanisms such as dirt
H thng ph tr
54

removal, control rooms, rails, transporting system,
pipelines, etc
16.
Band
A thin flat strip or circle of any material that is put
Bng
around things, for example to hold them together or

to make them stronger
17.
Bar
A unit for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere,
Thanh
equal to a hundred thousand newtons per square

metre
18.
Barrel
A large round container, usually made of wood or
Barrel
metal, with flat ends and, usually, curved sides

19.
Bearing
a part of a machine that allows one part to rotate or
tr c
move in contact with another part with as little

friction as possible
20.
21.
Bentonite
Bits
A processed form of a particular naturally-occurring
S t bentonit (loi
clay mineral. It has a high swelling capacity when
t s t c gi tr
dissolved in water.
d thm nc)
Replaceable cutting tools on the cutting head of a
M i khoan
TBM
22.
Bolt
a large metal pin
cht
23.
Bolt hole/pocket
A pre-formed recess or penetration within the tunnel
cht
segmental lining used for the installation of bolts to

hold the segments together
24.
Boring
The dislodging or displacement of spoil by a rotating
Qu trnh khoan
auger or drill string to produce a hole

25.
Boulder
Geological obstacles (mostly single large pieces of
cui
rock encountered in sandy or clayey soils).
26.
Bricklayer
a person whose job is to build walls, houses, and
Th n
other structures with bricks

27.
Buckle
to bend under compression
Lm cong
55

28.
Bulkhead
A fixed structure within the head of a TBM used to
C ngn, vch
divide two compartments: the working chamber or
ngn
cutting head from the rest of the machine.

29.
Buttress
a support that transmits a force from a roof or wall to
tr tng
another supporting structure

30.
Bypass
The bypass is a part of the feed and slurry circuit
ng ni v ng
connected to the slurry line so that the flow in the

slurry circuit can be maintained when the TBM is
stopped without flushing the tunnel face.
31.
Cable tunnel
A tunnel constructed for the installation of power or
Hm cp
communications cables.
32.
Cantilever
The part of a structure that extends beyond its
Dm cha
support.
33.
Carriage
The mechanical part of a non-split boring machine
gi chuy n ch
that includes the engine or drive motor, the drive

train, thrust block and hydraulic cylinders.
34.
Casing
A pipe to support a bore
V khoan
35.
Cast Iron
a brittle alloy with high carbon content
Gang
36.
Cavern
A cave
Hang ng
37.
CCTV
Closed Circuit Television used to carry out internal
Truyn hnh
inspections and surveys of pipelines
mch kn
38.
Cement
a binding material, or glue, that helps concrete harden Xi mng
39.
Chamber
A space in the body, in a plant or in a machine, which
is separated from the rest

40.
Chip
cut or break (a small piece) from a hard material
41.
Compaction
The densification of a soil by means of mechanical
m ln
manipulation.
42.
Concrete
a mixture of water, sand, small stones, and a gray
B tng
powder called cement
56

43.
Cone crusher
Cone-shaped part of a tunnel boring machine behind
my nghin kiu
the cutterhead. Due to its special form, it crushes the
cn
excavated material into conveyable grain sizes during

rotation of the cutterhead
44.
Construction
the process or method of building or making sth,
Xy d ng
especially roads, buildings, bridges, etc

45.
Conventional
Methods of tunnel construction ranging from manual
o hm kiu
tunneling
excavation to the use of self-propelled tunnel boring
truyn thng
machines
46.
Conveyor
A continuously traveling belt used in tunneling to
Thi t b t i truyn
remove excavated material from the shaft.

47.
Conveyor system
A series of conveyors and associated equipment that
H thng bng t i
is used to remove spoil (or muck) from the TBM

heading to an outside location
48.
Corrosion
The destruction of a material or its properties because
S xi mn
of a reaction with its (environment) surroundings.

49.
Cracks
Fracture lines visible in a tunnel lining around the
V t nt
circumference and its length.

50.
Crane arm
A mechanized lifting devise used to pick up segments
Tay cu
51.
Crown
The highest part of a circular- or horseshoe shaped
nh v m
tunnel. Also called the roof or back

52.
Cutter Head
The turning part at the front of the TBM which
u kho t
supports the cutting tools.

53.
Cutting plane
The surface received after going through a cutting
Mt phng ct
process
54.
Cylinder head
the end cover of a cylinder in an internal combustion
u xi lanh
engine, against which the piston compresses the

cylinders contents.
55.
Data logger
Device used to electronically record data, such as
my ghi d li u
geotechnical, noise, survey or vibration data.
57

56.
DCRM
Disc Cutter Rotation Monitoring System for the real-
H thng gim
time measurement of the rotation and temperature of
st u kho t
disc cutters during tunneling.

57.
Debris
scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked
v n
or destroyed
58.
Deform
to change shape
Bi n dng
59.
Dereliction
The negligence of effective maintenance.
S sao nhng
60.
Disc Cutter
A wheel-like cutting tool on the front of a tunneling
a ct
machine which rotates and pushes onto the rock face

as the cutter head turns, fracturing the rock.
61.
Dismantle
To take apart a machine or structure so that it is in
Tho d
separate pieces
62.
Diurnal
To vary during the day.
63.
Double shield TBM A TBM with a full-face cutter head and two sets of
thrust rams that react against either the tunnel walls
Mt ng y m
My khoan hm
hai khi n o
(radial gripper)
64.
Dowels
Steel or glass fibre rods used for ground
Cht
reinforcement, or plastic or steel inserts used to

connect tunnel or shaft lining segments.
65.
Drift
A small tunnel driven ahead of the main tunnel bore
Hm ph
66.
Drill
a tool or machine with a pointed end for making
Khoan
holes
67.
Drive
To excavate horizontally, or at an inclination as in a
Li hng
drift, tunnel, adit, or entry; distinguished from

sinking or raising
68.
Dual-mode TBM
a machine can dig through very different geologies
My khoan hm
a nng
69.
Duct
A pipe or tube carrying liquid, gas, electric or
ng
telephone wires, etc
58

70.
Dynamite
a blasting explosive, based on nitroglycerin
Thuc n
71.
Earth Pressure
Closed shield TBM with active face support by the
My khoan hm
Balanced
pressurized soil.
a p
A bank of earth, rock or other material constructed
b k
Machines (EPBM)
72.
Embankment
above the natural ground surface

73.
Erector
A mechanical arm present in a tunnel boring machine
Tay lp rp
that is used to put the tunnel lining segments into

place
74.
Excavation
Boring process under thrust from longitudinal rams
S o bi
reacting against the tunnel lining

75.
Excavation
The activity of digging in the ground to look for old
buildings or subjects that have been buried for a long

time
76.
Expander
A tool which enlarges a bore during a Pull-Back
B ph n gin
operation by compression of the surrounding ground

rather than by excavation.
77.
Face
Vertical wall at the farthest advance of the excavation
Mt hm
in a tunnel
78.
FASTIC
The Fully Automated System for shield tunneling
H thng o
under Integrated Control
hm t ng tch
hp iu khin
79.
Fault
A fracture in rocks.
Li
80.
Flexible
Readily bent or deformed without permanent
Un c, linh
damage.
hot
81.
Flotation
the action of floating in a liquid or gas
S ni l n, li l n
82.
Flow meters
an instrument for measuring the rate of flow of water,
Lu lng k
gas, or fuel, especially through a pipe.

83.
Foam
Soil conditioning material made from a foaming
B t xp
solution and air.

59

84.
Foaming Solution
Mixture of water and surfactant.
Dung dch b t
85.
Geotechnical
Related to the branch of civil engineering concerned
Thuc a k
with the study and modification of soil and rocks.
thu t
86.
Granular
the uniform size on grains of crystals in rock
Dng ht
87.
Grinding
To break or crush sth into very small pieces between
Mi
two hard surfaces or using a special machine

88.
Grippers
The shoes that press radically against the walls of the
B k p
excavated tunnel.
89.
Ground arch
The ground located immediately above a tunnel
V m hm
which transfers the overburden load onto ground

located on both sides of the tunnel
90.
Grout
A construction material, usually composed of water,
Va
sand and cement, and a large number of other

materials, used to improve ground conditions or fill
voids in the ground
91.
Grouting
The process that provides the seal between the
Cht va
segment rings and the ground

92.
Guidance system
A system help showing the correct
H thng d n
ng
Position of TBM in correspondence with the

designed tunnel axis.
93.
Hand excavation
The technique used to remove the material (rock, dirt,
o b ng tay
sand, etc.) by hand held tools (pick, shovel, etc.) from

the tunnel face or open ditch.
94.
Hoop
A large ring of plastic, wood or iron
Dng ai
95.
Hydraulic jack
a mechanical actuator that is used to give a
ng c thy l c
unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke

96.
Hydraulically
Roof and side supports powered by hydraulics that
H tr d n ng
actuated supports
stabilize the cutter head during boring and keep it
thy l c
centered.
60

97.
Hydraulics
That branch of science or engineering which treats
Thy l c
water or other fluid in motions

98.
99.
the branch of geology concerned with water
Thuc a cht
occurring underground or on the surface of the earth.
thy vn
Hydrophilic/Hydrot
A material which expands on contact with water to
Ho nc
ite
many times its previous size
Hydro-geological
100. Idlers
guide the belt through curves
Bnh xe d n
hng
101. Impact
Stress in a structure caused by the force of a
L c xung
vibratory, dropping,, or moving loads. This is

generally a percentage of the live load
102. Inclinometer
An instrument for measuring angles or slope (or tilt),
My o
elevation or depression of an object with respect to
nghing
gravity
103. Invert
In a circular-shaped tunnel, this is the bottom portion
y hm
of the arc. In a horseshoe-shaped tunnel, this is the

flat bottom
104. Jacking
The actual pushing of pipe or casing in an excavated
Kch
hole. This is usually done with hydraulic cylinders

105. Jetting
The process of applying water or air under pressure
Phun ra
to remove debris or laitance from structural surfaces
106. Joint
a device connecting two or more adjacent parts of a
Khp ni
structure
107. Key segment
the last segment to be inserted in a lining ring
on kha
108. Lagoon
A lake of salt water that is separated from the sea by
a reef or an area of rock or sand

109. Laser
instrumentation
A device emitting coherent radiation which produces
Thi t b nh
a highly focused light source. Used in tunneling to
hng laze
visibly define the design excavation direction
61

110. Lining
protective covering that protects the inside of tunnel
V hm
111. Load
weight distribution throughout a structure
T i tr ng
112. Lubricate
apply a substance such as oil or grease to (an engine
Bi trn
or component) so as to minimize friction and allow

smooth movement
113. Main bearing
The bearing on which the cutter head rotates, located
bi chnh
between the cutter head and cutter head support
114. Main jacking

station
A jacking system, installed in the launch shaft which
C m kch chnh
is often called
jacking frame (pipe jacking)
115. Man accessible
Description of a pipe or excavation which can be
C th ti p c n
physically entered by an operative.

116. Mesh
Steel bars in a grid which when encased in concrete
Mt li
or shotcrete act to strengthen lining

117. Metro
An underground public rail transportation system. It
T u i n
is also called a subway system
118. Metropolitan
Connected with a large or capital city of a country or
th
region.
119. Mole (TBM)
A tunnel boring machine which excavates a tunnel of
My o hm
circular cross-section
120. Monitoring and
control
Record of the TBM-drive history (graphic and
Theo d i v iu
numeric) and calculation, storing and analysis of all
khin
TBM and ring data

121. Muck
Mixture of excavated ground or rocks with or without
t tp
any conditioning agent (EPBM method)

122. Muck bucket
A scoop shaped part of the front and gage area of the
X bn
cutterhead that picks up the freshly cut rock/soil or

muck and drops it onto the muck extraction system,
usually a conveyor belt on hard rock TBMs
62

123. Muck wagon
One muck removal system used to remove spoil in
Xe gong
tunneling operations involves a train of muck wagons

running on a railway within the tunnel.
124. Mud Cake
Fine membrane of dewatered slurry in or at the
V b n
surface of the soil to stabilize the excavation

125. Natural constraint
The stress pattern in the ground is very
R ng buc mi
trng
important in deep tunnels or in cases of

high anisotropy
126. OFTA
On-site First Time Assembly
Lp t ti ch
127. Overcut
Difference between the excavation diameter and the
Kho ng thong
diameter of
the shield skin or pipe string
128. Percussion
The act of percussing, or striking one body against
B g
another;
forcible collision, esp. such as gives a sound or report
129. Permeability
The rate of flow of a liquid or gas through a porous
thm
material
130. Pig
A hard foam rubber ball which is pushed or blown
D ng c no
through a concrete or grout pipe to clean it.

131. Piston rod
a rod or crankshaft attached to a piston to drive a
Cn piston
wheel or to impart motion.

132. Pit
a mine or a quarry
Hm m
133. Polyethylene
a tough, light, flexible synthetic resin made by
Poli-etylen
polymerizing ethylene, chiefly used for in

construction for plastic sheeting and pipes
134. Portal
Entrance or structure that forms the entrance to a
Ca hm
tunnel.
135. pressure gauges
an instrument showing the pressure of fluid
p k
63

136. Pressurized
To pump or force a liquid at a higher rate than that
c tng p,
achievable under normal open channel or free surface
n n
conditions
137. Radial joint
138. Radon gas
Joints in a pre-cast concrete segmental tunnel lining
Mi ni hng
perpendicular to the circumference.
tm
A radioactive gas that can build up in tunnels and
Kh Radon
mines in certain types of ground. It requires

monitoring to ensure that safe levels are maintained.
139. Ram
A hydraulic operated thrusting cylinder on a piece of
Ba my p thy
machinery, such as on a TBM that assists in moving
l c
it forward by shoving off the tunnel lining

140. Reinforced
Concrete
141. Retract
concrete with steel bars or mesh embedded in it for
B tng cn l c
increased strength in tension

The motion of the machine away from the face of the
L i li
entrance pit.
142. Ring
Pre-cast concrete segmental lining of finite length
v ng
143. Ring beam
Circular steel beams that are erected to support the
rm hnh xuy n
tunnel where the rock is not self-supporting

144. Rolling
Having gentle slopes
Cn
Done in regular stages or at regular intervals over a

period of time
145. Screw conveyor
Screw-shaped conveyor
Bng t i gung
xon, vt t i
146. Sea outfall
General term for the construction of pipelines from
Ca x bin
the coastline into the open sea
147. Seamless
With no spaces or pauses between one part and the
c, khng c
next
mi h n (ng kim
loi)
148. Segment
Arc shaped preformed component that forms part of
on hnh vi n
64
149. Segment erector
the tunnel or shaft lining
phn
A mechanized system used to install tunnel lining
Tay lp v hm
segments
150. Segment feeder
A mechanized system used to transport lining
Bng t i v hm
segments
151. Segmental lining
152. Settlement
Tunnel lining method using individual precast
Lt v hm dng
concrete segments
tm
Sinking of the ground surface due to loosening and
ln, bi n dng
disturbance of the natural layering around the void

153. Sewer
An underground pipe or conduit for transporting
Cng ngm
storm water and/or wastewater

154. Shield
Shelter system, made by a metallic structure, to
Khi n o
protect the working area

155. Shotcrete
Concrete that is sprayed onto a surface. The mixture
B tng l ng
is often reinforced with rebar, steel mesh, or fibers
156. Shove
The act of advancing the shield with hydraulic jack
y l n
157. Sidewall
The sides of a tunnel
Tng hm
158. Silt
sediment particles ranging from 0.004 to 0.06 mm in
Ph sa
diameter
159. Site
Any location where work has been or will be done
Cng trng
160. Sleepers
A steel or timber member used to fix and to maintain
T v t
the spacing between two railway tracks
161. Slurry
A clay-like semi-solid suspension of bentonite in
B n qung
water with appropriate additives.

162. Slurry line
163. Slurry Shield
A series of hoses or pipes that transport the slurry
ng ng d n
spoil in and out
b n
Closed shield TBM with active face support by the
My khoan hm
65

pressurized slurry
164. Soft ground
Normally consisting of sands/gravels or clays
Nn t y u
165. Specifications
The portions of the contract documents consisting of
c im k
written technical descriptions of materials,
thu t
Machine
equipment, construction systems, standards and

workmanship as applied to the work.
166. Spike
to push a sharp piece of metal, wood, etc. into sb/sth;
Spike
to injure sth on a sharp point

167. Spoil
Earth, rock and other often waste materials displaced
t b n no v t
by a tunnel or casing, and removed as the tunnel or
ln
casing is installed.
168. Squeezing rock
Difficult tunneling ground conditions characterized
n n
by the rock being strongly jointed and fractured,

having low strength and moving towards the
excavation
169. Steering
Corrections of the TBM-drive resulting from real
iu hng
deviation
170. Stress
The load applied per unit area of material (psi).
ng sut
171. Subsidence
The settlement of the ground, pipelines or other
S ln nn
structures
172. Subsoil
The layer of soil that under the surface layer
Tng t gc
173. Suction pad
A mechanical suction device, used to lift segments of
Gic ht
a tunnel into position

174. Surveillance
Activities including audit, monitoring/inspection,
S gim st
investigation, data capture/trend analysis, and

document review.
175. Suspension
Mixture of substances consisting of a liquid and the
Th keo
fine particles of solid substances suspended in it.
176. Tail seal
A seals placed between the rear of the tail skin and
H n ui
the segmental lining to prevent the inrush of water

66

and ground
177. Tail skin
The rear section of a shield within which segmental
V sau
rings are built, protecting the workforce from the

ground
178. TBM (Tunnel
Boring Machine)
Machines designed to create bored tunnels. They
My khoan hm
perform several functions, from the excavation only

to the application of the final lining
179. TBM survey
180. Telescopic
Measuring and calculation of the real TBM-position
iu tra trc thi
and direction in relation to the designed tunnel axis.
cng
having or consisting of concentric tubular sections
kiu ng lng
designed to slide into one another

181. Theodolite
A surveying instrument to measure both horizontal
My kinh v
and vertical angles, as used in triangulation networks

182. Torque
The rotary force available at the drive chuck
M men xon
183. Truss
a rigid frame composed of short, straight pieces
b ng gi n, ko
joined to form a series of triangles or

other stable shapes
184. Tunnel lining
185. Tunnel section
The system which responsible for the building of the
thi cng vch
tunnel body
hm
Outline of tunnel as measured at right angles to
Khc hm
centerline or any portion of the tunnel measured

parallel to the direction of the tunnel
186. Uncased bore
Any bore without a lining or pipe inserted, i.e, self-
Khoan khng v
supporting, whether temporary or permanent.
187. Underground
A location beneath natural (or man-made) ground
Di l ng t
level
188. Urban Tunneling
building an underground tunnel beneath a city
o hm trong
khu th
67

189. Vent duct
Ducting through which air passes to the tunnel
ng thot kh
face or heading.
190. ventilation
General term for the fresh air supply in the tunnel
H thng thong
gi
191. Vibration
A continuous shaking movement or feeling
Rung
192. viscosity
the state of being thick, sticky, and semi-fluid in
nht
consistency, due to internal friction

193. Voids
194. Waling
195. Water stop
Holes on the outside of the tunnel lining that
Kho ng chng, l
normally require grouting
rng, khe h
A horizontal steel or timber section providing support
thanh ngang
to a series of piles or faceboards
gi ng c c
A rubber elastomeric or rigid device placed and
Giong
anchored across a joint cast in concrete to impede

passage of water through the joint
196. Water table
197. Wear
The level of groundwater beneath which the ground
Gng nc, mt
is wholly saturated with water.
nc ngm
damage or deterioration sustained from continuous
Cn, mn
use
198. Weeper (Weep
hole)
A pipe or drilled hole in rock or concrete designed to
L thot p sut
relieve groundwater pressure through the tunnel

lining
199. Wire brush seals
Seals installed in the tail shield where segments are
H n b ng b n
erected to protect the work area from water inflows
ch i kim loi
and to prevent grout or other back filling materials

from migrating forward.
200. Working Chamber
The pressurized area of the TBM immediately behind
Bung l m vi c
the cutting head and in front of the bulkhead
68
Self-reflection
69
Nguyen Hoang Quan

The Course And The Supervisor
I think I have achieved a lot from this course. We have learned more about what to be called
as English for Material and Engineering. It is quite effective giving lectures on students own.
We had to decide everything from choosing the topic, forming the outlines, creating the
working schedule, to deciding how to deliver the presentations effectively. All the works are
supervised by the teacher, thanks to which we felt safe because everything wont be going the
wrong way.
About the field of material and engineering, I felt excited to learn about new things that we
might not know before, or things we might be familiar with but still did not know about a
deeper aspect of which. We have gained knowledge about Tunnel Boring Machine, which is a
useful one for construction. I think this topic is a practical one especially when Vietnam is
going to use this kind of machine in the future to build subways
Team Work And Team Mates
About the team work, I think I have learned many things from this. Organizing what must
come first and what comes next is essential, otherwise everyone will get stressed with this one
along with other courses. I have learned that the leader of the team is very important. The
leader should try not to be a boss, whereas he must be the one who encourage all the members,
organizes who should be doing this one, who should be doing that one. I know sometimes I
was a noisy person, showing unexpected anger with others, which shouldnt be let out; but
overall I did it for the good of the team. And I hope the other members could understand that.
About my team mates, one thing that cannot be avoided doing teamwork is conflict. At first I
thought that this team could not go to the end of the road as we had conflicts among team
members even with the smallest thing like choosing a topic. But what is done has to be passed,
we realized that what important was not the individual but the whole.
About Hoang Thi Thu: Basically, she was a good student. But having herself off for several
important lessons made her behind the schedule of the whole team. Sometimes, things
couldnt be solves because of her absence. Eventually, her lacks of reading the guidance and
instruction didnt keep her following the team works. But overall, she will be better if these
small lacks are fixed. But we have come to the end together.
70
About Nguyen Trung Hieu: He is another good member of the team. He obeys the punctuality.
Overall he was doing fine with the team work except I felt that he was a little bit passive
during the meetings. It would be great if he spoke up his own voice instead of listening to
others. But we have come to the end together.
About Hoang Anh Thu: She was a creative student, always worrying about what the team is
doing. She was the one who solve the conflict between members. Except sometimes she was
passive with other members, which shouldnt be expressed, she was good. But finally we have
come to the end together.
Nguyen Trung Hieu
About you
I must say that you are a very caring and responsible teacher. You have helped us a lot when
issues come up and we find your instructions very useful. We learnt a lot from you.
About our group
Our group consist of 4 people, despite that we havent work with each other before and I
dont know much about Qun and Th, our group work surprising well.
About Qun
Qun is a responsible group leader. His teamwork ability is good, as the group leader,
he did a good job in orienting and distributing the work for members. He also helped
and encouraged other members a lot.
About Th
Th is a very hard working member of our group. She always get her part done
splendidly and contributed some very useful ideas to the group.
About Thu
Thu is an energetic member, she has taken part in the activities of group
enthusiastically and contributed a lot to ourt work.
About the subject
71
Firstly, its a difficult but interesting subject. Due to the complication of our topic, we faced a
lot of difficulties in research. However, we acquired a great amount of knowledge not only
from our research but from other groups research as well.
Hoang Anh Thu
Teamwork is a beautiful work; I would like to use team than group. That is the most
favorable time for one to find out the real personal characteristics of your teammate and
yourself. It is also a nice time for one to get new friends. In this subject, Im lucky to have
worked with new friends. However, due to this fact, I faced a lot of difficulties and I also
gained a lot.
About me, I and myself:

I am glad that I learned something after all. I learned to accept the group ideas eventhough
Im not interested in. But the more important things which I learned is that you can do much
better if you like what you are doing. At the beginning, it was very hard for me to totally
focus on the topic. If I could start again, I will keep my opinion rather than accepted
everything my teammate said. However, the more I studied this topic, the more Im interested
in it. One more thing that I realized is that new knowledge is never boring.
About my teammates:
Qun: My team leader. He is an enthusiastic and dedicated person, always help me

and other members. People say team leader is the one work most, and yes he is.
Hi u: The vice team leader. He understand deeply, work hard and do well. It is
pleasure to get to know and work with him.
Thu: I am very worried about her health; however, she is always very dynamic when
she appears, so I feel very comfortable. She always contribute her ideas.
Finally, I want to send my sincerely thanks to my teacher Nguyn Vn Khanh for being not
only an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher but also a friend.
Hoang Thi Thu
72
This course is an exciting and interesting experience, a long trip to get, to cultivate new and
necessary knowledge, valuable information, essential experiments. After about 5 months of
learning the subject, I have three opportunities to present our topic, 9 times to be listened
presentation of other groups, I feel comfortable and happy, especially, I express deeply this
subjects.
To do the success of the course, there are three key elements of which are: dedicated teachers,
the spirit of teamwork and efforts of each person.
First, we are really lucky and excited when received the guidance of our teacher - Nguyen
Thi Van Khanh. The first lesson is also the important lesson with us. In the first days of the
course, we are very worried and stressed with many questions such as: what we have to do?
What can we do? How to get high great results this subject? It is the teacher who helped
us to answer all questions. But the most important thing is that we feel comfortable and
interesting instead of worry or afraid gelatinous. Thanks for the stories about last experiment
students and his/ her achievements, we feel confident and motivating. By the way of telling
the stories, our teacher motivated sprit of our learning. In the first lesson, I especially express
with my teacher because she is very friendly, active and enthusiasm.
Many students said that she always has high requirements for her students. In fact, that is
true. She always highly demands from us but this focus on English skills because we are
foreign students. I am interested because it it is essential and important for us. We like the
way of scientific working as well as the way to arrange timeline for students in the whole
course. We love her comments and questions after our presentation. Her requires help us to
become more professional. Of course, we need understand our topic or my problem deeply
and widely so that we can present more perfect and efficient in next time.
We proud of our teacher and thank for her help. We are attracted by her method training and
her characteristic such as friendly, intelligent and psychological.
The second element which makes the success of the course is members of each group. I am
proud of working with members in my group. Working together in the long time, of course it
is so difficult to avoid controversy or even intense discussion. But the discussion bases on
responsibility of each member in the group and forward only one purpose: We understand
each other and try our best to do success of the team work.
The first member the most intelligent member - Mr Quan is leader of our group. He is
considered as our older brother because he is smart, logical, creative, and very hard. He is also
73
a person who responsible for connecting all members in the group, summarizing all comments
and dealing with any conflicts.
Mr Hieu is a smart and creative person. I express by the patience and his way of approach
problems
when we study new topic or get new information. Of course, I admire his
mechanical knowledge base.

Miss Hoang Anh is a studious girl. Anyone who works with her also attracted by her
characteristic such as scientific working and very effective team work. She has ability of
dealing with problem quickly and suitably, so she is always completes the task soon and
perfectly.
We are proud to be an close-knit group in daily life and an professional group in working.
Thirdly, it is the experiences of myself. Like many other girls, I have to face to many
disadvantages in the subject because my knowledge of technical is so poor. In the first days, I
am so stress and disappointed. However, until now I proud of what we do and what I do. I feel
comfortable, motivating and full of love with this course. with but what I do, and I love
academic subjects this really. My motto is: practice makes perfect; diligence is the mother
of success. Thanks for helping of our teacher, friends, other member in my group, I got many
interesting experiences and improve so many skills.
Firstly, I remember so many vocabularies about terms of TBM Tunnel Boring Machine- our
topic and terms of mechanical topic from other groups. Secondly, I get a lot of knowledge
related to my major. For example, I know furthermore a new topic TBM the most modern
machine to digging tunnel which so may developed countries applied. It is a symbol of
developing in science and technology and intelligence of human being. Besides, I can
understand deeply to some topic as: Glass, Air, Motorbikes from other groups. It is so
happy and really necessary. Thirdly, my presentation skills, my language skills are also
improved markedly after the course. Finally, I feel more confident and comfortable when
working in groups or study a problem related to mechanical topic in the future.
The course is a pleasant experience and I will never forget the course. A sincere thank I
would like to send a sincere thank to teachers, members of the group and my friends.
-- THE END -74

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