INTRODUCING THE FRENCH "PRE-CUTTER"

The french-developed sipremec "pre-cutter" tunnelling machine is designed to ensure that a correct tunnel profile is maintained. It also is intended to increase the safety and ease of tunnelling operations in hard or soft ground, particularly in urban areas. To avoid problems associated with blasting in such areas, the technique involves placing explosives beneath a slot cut into the tunnel face. The equipment comprises a crawler-mounted travelling steel arch gantry to which is attached the cutter blade which cuts the deep slot around the cutter profile to prevent overbreak. The technique is said to reduce the amount of explosive needed and also blast vibration. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0041414X
• Corporate Authors:

  Morgan-Grampian Limited

  30 Calderwood Street
  London SE18 6QH,   England 
• Publication Date: 1981-6

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 33
• Serial:
  • Tunnels & Tunnelling International
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Progressive Media Markets, Ltd
  • ISSN: 0041-414X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction management; Cutting tools; Equipment; Excavation; Excavations; Explosives; Presplitting (Blasting); Reduction (Chemistry); Rocks; Tunneling machines; Tunnels; Urban areas; Vibration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases
• Old TRIS Terms: Cutters; Reduction
• ITRD Terms: 5188: Blasting; 3666: Construction method; 9009: Decrease; 3674: Equipment; 5155: Excavation (process); 4154: Rock; 3374: Tunnel; 313: Urban area; 5558: Vibration
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I54: Construction of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00342419
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 29 1982 12:00AM