Tunnelling Methods
Dr. Lini Dev K
Assistant Professor
Shield Tunnelling Method
➢ The shield tunneling method is a boring technique that consists of a shield (a
protective metal cylinder) and trailing support mechanisms. During this trenchless
method, a rotating cutting head is positioned at the front of the shield.
➢ The shield acts as a temporary support structure that prevents the surrounding soil
from becoming unstable. This is especially critical in large tunnels, where extreme
ground pressures can result in cave-ins and other safety hazards.
➢ The cutting head advances the boring machine through the soil for a short distance
until the tunnel can be lined with a stable support structure (typically concrete
lining segments). Once the permanent support structure is in place, the machine
pushes itself off the lining segment via hydraulic jacks to drill further into the soil.
➢ In addition to supporting the surrounding soil, the shield also houses several
mechanisms, including soil removal systems, slurry pipelines, control rooms, and
rails for transporting the lining segments.
➢ The shield tunneling method allows for continuous boring production while
maintaining safe work conditions. The first documented method of this trenchless
construction technique was in 1825, when British civil engineer, Marc Brunel,
used a rectangular tunneling shield to excavate and construct the Thames Tunnel.
In 1840, American inventor and patent lawyer, Alfred Beach, suggested that a
circular shield may be more effective.
➢ Shield tunnel boring can be broken down into two distinct phases: the
tunneling phase and the ring building phase.
➢ During the tunneling phase, the rotating cutting wheel at the front of the
shield is pressed against the tunnel face via hydraulic cylinders. This rotation
action grinds the soil, breaking it up into small fragments for removal.
➢ Directly behind the shield and cutting wheel is a screw conveyor system
(which looks similar to an auger drill) that transports the soil to the rear of
the shield. At the same time, the hydraulic jack pushes against the outer
tunnel segments to drive the cutting head forward.
➢ When the shield and cutting head are advanced to a predetermined distance, the
ring building phase begins. A mechanical transportation system in the machine
installs the next lining segment directly under the shield. This new segment then
acts as a support that allows the hydraulic jacks to further push the cutting head
into the soil.
➢ If necessary, water, bentonite, or foam can be applied to the tunnel face via an
injection system at the front of the cutting wheel assembly.
➢ For shield tunneling in unstable soils, the instability of the soil at the tunnel face
is counteracted by creating a support pressure behind the cutting wheel.
➢ The quantity of soil removed by the conveyor system and the quantity of soil
removed from the tunneling process must be in a constant state of equilibrium to
ensure that there is optimal counter pressure to support the tunnel face.
CONSTRUCTION IN ROCKS
EQUIPMENT USED IN TUNNELLING
Tunnel boring machine : A machine that can excavate
tunnels in a single operation, called full-face drilling. It has
a rotating head with cutting parts and runs on hydraulic or
electric motors, though its power supply is 100% electric.
Tunnel Boring Machine(TBM) is simply a machine assembled using sophisticated
types of equipment for excavating tunnels with the help of a variety of soil and
rock strata.
On average, a TBM excavates around 50-60 feet per day which is 20 hours of
excavation approximately. The different parts of TBM are
1.Cutting Head (front)
2.Tunnel Field (middle)
3.Trailing Gear (rear)
The type of machine to be used will always depend on the geology of the project.
THANK YOU
