THE TUNNELLING SYSTEM FOR THE BRITISH SECTION OF THE CHANNEL TUNNEL. PHASE II WORKS

A 260 M length of the British end of the service tunnel for the channel tunnel was driven over a period of two and a half months early in 1975. The operation of the tunnelling machine was observed as it advanced through the lower chalk and is described in terms of its principal operations, namely cutting, steering, spoil removal and lining. In addition to the normal operation of tunnelling, exploratory probe holes were drilled ahead of the tunnel face. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of the tunnelling system for the specific task of tunnelling in chalk and to establish which of its operations most constrained the rate of tunnelling. Detailed analyses are given of the cutting performance and the simultaneous construction of the segmented tunnel lining and results are presented graphically to illustrate the variations in progress rates achieved. The quality of the chalk was measured at intervals using the technique of face-indexing and samples from the face and spoil were analyzed. These tests indicated the near-homogeneous nature of the chalk marl throughout the drive. The tunnelling machine is shown to be capable of excavating and lining at a rate of 2.4 m/h on average. Probing ahead, even with optimum drilling rates, represents 16 percent of the total construction time effectively reducing the tunnelling rate to 2.0 m/h on average. The study identified the critical operations and indicated that quite simple modifications could well increase overall tunnelling rates to about 3 m/h; and even further improvement appears possible.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/4175009
• Corporate Authors:

  Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • Morgan, J M
  • BARRATT, D A
  • Tilley, D M
• Publication Date: 1977

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 76 p.
• Serial:
  • Progressive Railroading
  • Publisher: Trade Press Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-0817
  • Serial URL: http://www.progressiverailroading.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction projects; Prototypes; Tunnel lining; Tunneling
• Identifier Terms: Channel Tunnel
• Old TRIS Terms: Tunnel excavation
• ITRD Terms: 4120: Chalk; 3666: Construction method; 5910: Durability; 5911: Efficiency; 3674: Equipment; 9108: Improvement; 9048: Modification; 9063: Quality; 3374: Tunnel; 3385: Tunnel lining; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00167523
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRRL Report 734 Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 27 1977 12:00AM