Research Article Open Access

Analysis of the Tunnel Boring Machine Advancement on the Bologna-Florence Railway Link

M. Cardu1, P. Oreste1 and T. Cicala1
  • 1 Polytectnic University of Turin, Italy

Abstract

Problem statement: The high-velocity railway link between Bologna and Firenze (Italy) is today under construction and several tunnels have to be excavated for this purpose, some of these using TBMs. A small diameter tunnel, named Cunicolo ginori, was realized by TBM parallel to a large railway tunnel (Vaglia), at the distance of only 35 m. Approach: The Vaglia tunnel had been excavated by conventional methods and provided, thanks to a detailed survey and a systematic geotechnical monitoring (rock quality evaluation and convergence measurements) the characterization data of the crossed rock mass; moreover the TBM performance data in Cunicolo ginori were continuously monitored. A tunnel stretch, 587 m long, was recorded and the analysis of the data from both surveys allowed to correlate the geomechanical parameters of the rock-mass to the TBM performances (net advancement rate, thrust, specific energy). Results: Based on this large amount of data a new system to predict the net TBM advancement rate for a tunnel in rock masses of known geological and geomechanical characteristics was then developed. Also the Utilization Coefficient (CU) can be correlated to the rock quality Indices: The net advance rate and the utilization coefficient provide a mean to foresee the gross advancement rate and to evaluate the suitability of a machine for the excavation of a tunnel. Conclusion: In this study, an analysis had been carried out on about 587 m of a service tunnel, excavated by a TBM in a flysch formation.

American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Volume 2 No. 2, 2009, 416-420

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2009.416.420

Submitted On: 17 April 2009 Published On: 30 September 2009

How to Cite: Cardu, M., Oreste, P. & Cicala, T. (2009). Analysis of the Tunnel Boring Machine Advancement on the Bologna-Florence Railway Link . American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2(2), 416-420. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2009.416.420

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Keywords

  • Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)
  • net advancement rate
  • Utilization Coefficient (CU)