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6.
Tunnelling Method
2.
TBM

INTRODUCTION

• The field of tunnelling is vast and involves a

large number of topics
• For the sake of simplicity, we may divide it into
– Planning and investigations
– Design
– construction
– Philosophies or approaches
– Other associated topics

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Tunnel construction techniques

• In hard ground(rocks), the following two tunnelling
methods are the most prevalent around the worlds
– Drill and blast
– Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs)
• In soft ground the following there tunnelling methods
are generally used
– Open face construction without a shield
– Tunnelling shields
– Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs)
• In addition, there are situations where the cut and
cover method of tunnelling is employed

Tunnel construction techniques

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Tunnelling approaches
• New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM)
• Norwegian Method of Tunnelling (NMT)
• Analysis of control deformation in rocks and
soils (ADECO_RS)
• (translated from Italian)

INTRODUCTION

• Tunnel Boring Machine is commonly referred to

as TBM or Mole
• Tunnelling by tunnel boring machine (TBM) or
Shield Tunnelling offer a technically feasible and
also economic alternative to other methods of
tunnelling
• Main applications
– Unfavourable geological conditions
– Long contract sections
– High advance rate requirement

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INTRODUCTION

• Before the advent of tunnel boring machines,

drilling and blasting was the only economical
way of excavating long tunnels through hard
rock, where digging is not possible.
• Even today, the method is still used in the
construction of tunnels
• But the disadvantage is it disturbance the
surroundings

Introduction
• The first successful tunnelling shield was
developed by Sir Marc Isambard Brunel to
excavate the Thames Tunnel in 1825
• In the United States, the first boring machine
to have been built was used in 1853 during
the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel.

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Introduction
• Engineers should not use TBM where
engineering geological investigations
have not been done in detail and the
rock mass conditions are very
heterogeneous.

Introduction
• Contractors can design
TBM according to the
given rockmass
conditions which are
normally homogeneous
non-squeezing ground
conditions.
• TBM is unsuitable for the
squeezing or flowing
grounds (Bhasin, 2004).

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Introduction
• A tunnel boring machine (TBM) is used to
excavate tunnels with a circular cross section
through a variety of soil and rock strata.
• They can bore through hard rock, sand, and
almost anything in between.
• Tunnel diameters can range from a meter (done
with a micro-TBMs) to almost 16m to date.
• Tunnels of less than a meter or so in diameter are
typically done using trenchless construction
methods or horizontal directional drilling rather
than TBMs.

MICROTUNELLING
TERRATEC MTBMs are suitable for the construction of
tunnels with an inner diameter ranging from 500mm up
to 2,800mm.

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Introduction
• Tunnel boring machines are used as an alternative to drilling
and blasting (D&B) methods in rock and conventional ‘hand
mining’ in soil.
• TBMs have the advantages of limiting the disturbance to the
surrounding ground and producing a smooth tunnel wall.
• This significantly reduces the cost of lining the tunnel, and
makes them suitable to use in heavily urbanized areas.
• The major disadvantage is the upfront cost. TBMs are
expensive to construct, and can be difficult to transport.
• However, as modern tunnels become longer, the cost of
tunnel boring machines versus drill and blast is actually less
this is because tunnelling with TBMs is much more efficient
and results in a shorter project.

Introduction
• The largest diameter TBM, at 15.43 m, was built by
Herrenknecht AG for a recent project in Shanghai,
China.
• The machine was built to bore through soft ground
including sand and clay. The largest diameter hard
rock TBM, at 14.4 m, was manufactured by The
Robbins Company for Canada’s Niagara Tunnel
Project.
• The machine is currently boring a hydroelectric tunnel
beneath Niagara Falls, the machine has been named
“Big Becky” in reference to the Sir Adam Beck
hydroelectric dams to which it is tunneling to provide
an additional hydroelectric tunnel.

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PRINCIPLE
• The principle of TBM is to push cutters against
the tunnel face and then rotate the cutters for
breaking the rocks in chips

Mechanism of failure of rock by cutter (Bickel & Kuesel, 1982).

WORKING OF TBM
• A TBM is shaped like a tube.
• At the front is a rotating disk with cutting
teeth that can shear through rock
• The pulverized rock falls to a conveyor belt
that carries it to the back of the TBM
• Hydraulic feet grip the sides of the tunnel and
push the machine forward
• There is also the ability to insert plates to line
the interior of the tunnel

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WORKING OF TBM

Cutting head

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WORKING OF TBM

WORKING OF TBM

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WORKING OF TBM

Method of advance of a rock tunnelling machine (Bickel &

Kuesel, 1982).

APPLICATION
• IN ROAD TRAFFICS
• IN SEWERS
• IN MININGS
• IN RAIL TRAFFICS
• IN HYDROPOWER

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Advantages of TBM Tunnels

• The possibility of mechanisation and high
advance rate
• Precision of profile
• Minimisation of the effect on buildings on the
surface
• Improved safety for the workers
• Environmentally friendly construction method
• Raising of the groundwater table
• Little noise
• Enable a high-quality and economic lining

Disadvantages of TBM Tunnels

• Long lead time for the design, production and
assembly of the TBMs
• Long familiarisation time
• Elaborate and expensive facilities
• Performance risk in changeable ground
• The cross-section normally has to be round with
little possibility of variation
• The lining normally has to be specifically designed
to resist the thrust forces

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GRIPPER TBM

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GRIPPER TBM

GRIPPER TBM

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GRIPPER TBM

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GRIPPER TBM

GRIPPER TBM

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SINGLE SHIELD TBM

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SINGLE SHIELD TBM

SINGLE SHIELD TBM

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SINGLE SHIELD TBM

SINGLE SHIELD TBM

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DOUBLE SHIELD TBM

DOUBLE SHIELD TBM

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DOUBLE SHIELD TBM

DOUBLE SHIELD TBM

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DOUBLE SHIELD TBM

DOUBLE SHIELD TBM

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DOUBLE SHIELD TBM

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