Energy Efficient EPB Design Applying Machine Learning Techniques

A significant part of the energy consumed during the tunnelling process of Earth Pressure Balanced (EPB) Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) is related to the main drive, consisting of a set of motors driving the rotation of the cutting wheel. An energy efficient EPB design requires the optimization of the main drive to avoid over- or under powering...

Impact of occupational risk prevention measures during process disturbances in TBM tunnelling

When process disturbances occur, workers on the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) will need to operate outside safe zones, reducing or eliminating the safety barrier ‘distance’ between them and potential sources of risk. Consequently, disturbances have a higher risk potential than regular TBM operations. By comparing the risks of registered process...

Analytical solutions for excess pore water pressures generated by TBM tunnelling in a semi-confined aquifer

Tunnel-boring machine (TBM) tunnelling through an aquifer will generate excess pore water pressures in the soil around the tunnel face. Accurately predicting the magnitude of the excess pore water pressures is significant because it directly determines the effective face support pressure. In this study, an analytical solution for transient...

Correlation between the kinematics of a Tunnel Boring Machine and the observed soil displacements

Constructing tunnels in soft soil with the use of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) may induce settlements. A considerable amount of the total soil displacements is correlated with the passage of the TBM-shield. Even so, the TBM-induced soil displacements are so far only coarsely correlated to the total settlements. This paper relates the shield...

Volume loss in shallow tunnelling

On the Interaction between a Tunnel Boring Machine and the Surrounding Soil

The thesis investigates the mechanical equilibrium of a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) driving in soft soil. The interaction between the TBM-shield and the soil is also investigated. The analysis is based on monitoring data gathered during the construction of the Hubertus tunnel in The Hague, Netherlands. The monitoring activities during tunnel...

On the effects of the TBM-shield body articulation on tunnelling in soft soil

When a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is driven in soft soil, the TBM-shield constantly interacts with the surrounding soil profile excavated by the cutting wheel. The interaction pattern of shield-soil interface displacements determines compression and extension sectors in the surrounding soil. Soil compression is generated when the shield...

Building response due to ground movements