"EARTHWORM" SYSTEM COULD REPLACE CONVENTIONAL TUNNEL JACKING

The article describes the unitunnel earthworm method of producing fully-lined tunnels, developed by Marcon International of Guildford, UK. The system provides a method of inserting factory-made concrete pipe sections into the ground. Pneumatically inflated hoops between the ends of the pipe sections are used as toroidal flat jacks to propel the lining sections forward as material is excavated. The pneumatic hoops are inflated and deflated in a particular sequence to produce forward movement as excavation proceeds. The system was developed to take advantage of the high quality possible in a tunnel structure using factory-made concrete sections as primary and final tunnel lining. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Pithead Press Proprietary Limited

  4th Floor, Wynrop House, 91 Mooi Street
  Johannesburg,   South Africa 
• Publication Date: 1981-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 65
• Serial:
  • Construction in Southern Africa
  • Volume: 26
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Pithead Press Proprietary Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Building; Compressed air; Concrete pipe; Construction management; Equipment; Facilities; Installation; Pipe laying; Pneumatic equipment; Precast concrete; Tunnel lining; Tunneling machines; Tunnels
• Old TRIS Terms: Pneumatic systems
• ITRD Terms: 3814: Compressed air; 3666: Construction method; 3674: Equipment; 3371: Pipe pushing; 4792: Precast concrete; 3374: Tunnel; 3385: Tunnel lining
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I54: Construction of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00349114
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 28 1982 12:00AM