8. Main risks and countermeasures
Underground work and tunnel boring are activities that involve certain risks. The most common are described below.
8.1 Clogging
Clogging of the cutting wheel, most often encountered in plastic and sticky formations, can lead to a significant drop in the TBM's digging performance. The first type of clogging concerns the cutting wheel itself, with its wheel housings, arms and tools, which can lead to poor penetration and difficulties in cutting material. The second type of clogging is found between the rear of the cutting wheel and the plunging wall, making material extraction difficult. Regular cleaning operations are sometimes necessary, with a direct impact on the TBM's advance performance.
When the risk of clogging is known, there...
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Main risks and countermeasures
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Bibliography
- (1) - ANAGNOSTOU (K.) - Face stability in slurry and EPB shield tunnelling - (1996).
- (2) - THEWES (M.), HOLLMANN (F.) - Clogging and disintegration of fines in clayey soils - (2014).
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- Tunnelling machines – Transfer airlock – Safety regulations - NF EN 12110 - –
- Tunnel boring machines – Safety regulations - NF EN 16191 - –
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Association française des travaux et de l'espace souterrain (French underground works and space association)
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