A Century In the Making Tunneling Into History: Bringing Water Across the Andes Will Let Desert Region Boom

This article discusses an unshielded tunnel-boring machine (TBM) used to dig through the South American Continental Divide in Peru. As a result of microfissures and faults in this region, standard shielded or double-shielded TBMs cannot be used for this project because they become wedged inside the mountain. The unshielded TBM traverses these areas more freely due to its disc cutters, which allow it to move forward despite deformation behind the cutter head. The goal of the tunneling project to enable water conveyance to the dry coasts of Brazil and Peru is also discussed. Due to the extreme depth of the tunnel, little geologic data exists to predict what the TBM will encounter, but project managers have taken microfissures into consideration as they plan for the safety of the machine and crews. The unshielded TBM allows rock support and shortcrete segments to be installed as it progresses, and contains air cooling systems to regulate internal temperatures for the workers.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/08919526
• Authors:
  • Schexnayder, C J
• Publication Date: 2008-6-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Maps; Photos;
• Pagination: pp 26-28
• Serial:
  • ENR
  • Volume: 260
  • Issue Number: 18
  • Publisher: McGraw-Hill, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0891-9526

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Altitude; Dams; Geophysics; Shielding (Tunneling); Tunnel borers; Water resources; Water tunnels
• Geographic Terms: Andes; Peru
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Geotechnology; Pipelines;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01103886
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 2008 8:29AM