Study of Mechanized Tunnel Boring Machines Performance in Urban Areas

Abstract

The need for rapid construction of the tunnel along with the safety of surface structures has increased the use of mechanized tunnel boring machines in the urban environment. In this paper, shield mechanized tunneling is introduced as one of the modern tunneling methods. In the following, the mechanism of operation of the TBM-EPB as the most commonly used boring machine in urban environments, along with the benefits of using this device, and the new technologies in the design of all-section boring machines, are introduced. Considering the importance of surface settlement in urban environments, controlling soil pressure, continuous injection of grout and controlling the volume of excavated materials, is one of the most important ways of preventing surface settlement in tunneling using a mechanized boring machine. In this study, the Plaxis software is used to investigate the effect of cement grout injections between the outer surface of concrete linings and the shield of the machine during tunnel boring operations on the surface settlement.

Keywords

• Mechanized tunneling
• TBM
• EPB
• Surface Settlement
• Plaxis