
3. The different types of tunnel boring machines
Depending on the need to confine the face, and on the confinement medium envisaged, the company in charge of the work will choose to use one of the different types of tunnel boring machine (TBM) available on the market. The main categories of TBMs are as follows.
3.1 Unconfined tunnel boring machines
Unconfined TBMs can be classified into two types: open shields with skirt and open shields without skirt.
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Open shields with a skirt allow the final lining to be laid in the skirt. The shield progresses by means of push cylinders that rest on the last ring laid in the skirt. The stroke of the rams is directly related to the length of the ring, and must free up sufficient length in the skirt to install a ring (figure...
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The different types of tunnel boring machines
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).
Also in our database
Standards and norms
- Tunnelling machines – Transfer airlock – Safety regulations - NF EN 12110 - –
- Tunnel boring machines – Safety regulations - NF EN 16191 - –
Directory
Organizations – Federations – Associations (non-exhaustive list)
Association française des travaux et de l'espace souterrain (French underground works and space association)
International Tunnel and Underground Space Association
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