Development of LDSMand HDSM Concept for Variable Density TBMs

The capability to vary the density of the support medium between bentonite suspension and remoulded earth depending on the currently excavated ground is the essential feature of the Variable Density TBM (VD-TBM) from Herrenknecht. Especially for this type of machine, a support medium with an increased density has been developed, which reliably covers the transition from fluid to pasty – the High Density Support Medium (HDSM). On their first application for the Klang Valley MRT-Project in Kuala Lumpur, the VD-TBMs bored through karstic limestone in mixed face conditions with hard rock and soft ground. With the aid of the HDSM, the face support can be reliably maintained in otherwise problematic geology.

1 Introduction

Mechanised tunnelling in highly permeable ground with extremely heterogeneous geology along the alignment demands that the support medium used can reliably transfer the support pressure to the tunnel face.

Basically, the so-called multi-mode TBMs, which can be driven both in earth pressure and slurry support modes, are available for use in very changeable ground conditions. The changeover from earth pressure to hydro mode does however demand a technically elaborate conversion, which only permits the economic use of such machines in special cases. For the Klang Valley Mass Rapid...

Related articles:

Issue 02/2022 tunnel Series: Interaction Modeling in Mechanized Tunneling, Recapitulation

Transfer of Fundamental Research Into Practical Tunnel Construction Applications

Recapitulation In 2010, the Collaborative Research Center “Interaction Modeling in Mechanized Tunneling” (SFB 837) has been is established by the German Research Foundation (DFG) at Ruhr University...

more
Issue 03/2017

Tunnelling in Malaysia

In Malaysia, tunnelling took on an important change in 2003 when there was an acute need to address major flooding issues in the city of Kuala Lumpur. With the city densely built up to the brims, the...

more
Issue 03/2011

Additives to master major Permeabilities for EPB and Slurry TBMs

1 Background High permeabilities entail the risk that perhaps it is not possible to secure the required support needed for the face during the drive as well as in the case of compressed air accesses....

more
Issue 02/2013

Mechanised Tunnel Drives with optimised Support Pressure Control

Introduction The technical and economic possibilities for the application of mechanised drives for all possible diameters are constantly growing. Tunnelling measures are consequently being more...

more
Issue 03/2021 tunnel Series: Interaction Modeling in Mechanized Tunnelling, Part 3

Face Support Pressure, Soil Conditioning and Material Transport in Hydro and EBP Shields

1 Soil Conditioning in Tunnelling with EPB Shields The evaluation of the support medium inside the excavation chamber during advance with an EPB-shield in closed mode is only indirectly possible by...

more