A single supplier for both machine technology and servicing. For the construction of the five tunnel sections, project owner Crossrail Ltd (CRL) contracted three joint ventures: Hochtief/Murphy JV for the Thames Tunnel, Dragados/Sisk JV for the three sections of the Eastern Tunnels, and Bam/Ferrovial/Kier JV for the Western Tunnels. The three joint ventures were entirely reliant on Herrenknecht’s technology, the industry’s top supplier of comprehensive solutions for mechanized tunneling. Six Earth Pressure Balance Shields (EPB) was provided by the business from Schwanau in Baden-Württemberg/Gᴇʀᴍᴀɴʏ for the construction of the eastern and western tunnels through the clay, sand, and gravel of London. The Thames Tunnel was carved out of the riverbed at a depth of up to 15 meters by two Herrenknecht Mixshields.
The tunnel boring machines cut through some of the most expensive real estates in the world at depths of up to 40 meters, cutting through existing metro lines, sewerage, supply, and disposal channels, as well as building foundations. The machines have a shield diameter of 7.08 meters, can weigh up to 1,100 tonnes, and can generate up to 1,920 kW of drive power. They are 147 meters long. All eight machines were outfitted with navigation systems from Herrenknecht subsidiary VMT for precise targeted control.
The machines ran twenty personnel per shift, twelve on the TBM, eight on the backup, and eight above ground. every day of the week. Impressive advance rates of up to 72 meters (45 segment rings) per day were attained by them. Such performances are the consequence of flawless coordination and collaboration among all project participants. “The only thing Herrenknecht leaves behind after selling a machine is a phone number. The Herrenknecht staff is genuinely present at all times. I can be reached whenever I need to, “remarks Roger Escoda, joint venture tunnel manager for Dragados and SISK.
The machines were provided by Herrenknecht together with all-inclusive servicing options. The provision of job site employees to support the progress, the provision of cutting equipment and spare components, and assistance with the assembly and disassembly of the TBM at the job sites were a few of these. Additionally, Herrenknecht created unique solutions with the help of the clients, such as those for disassembling in a small shaft, pulling machines via stations, and transport planning for the second use of two TBMs in a different section.
Let’s see a Giant tunnel boring machine. America and Cʜɪɴᴀ sʜᴏᴄᴋed the world in the ᴀᴡᴇsome video below.
Thank you for visiting our website! We hope you found soᴍᴇᴛʜing that sparked interest on our website.
Video resource: Machine stage
