In early October, there was a breakthrough of the first tube in the project Waterview Connenction.
After about 11 months advance the first 2.4 kilometers were done. The TBM will be rotated, and advance the second tube in the other direction.
For more information on this project can be found here.
The new building provides an empty pipe under the Elbe, from the coast of Schleswig-Holstein at the community Hetlingen over to the Elbe island Lühesand in Lower Saxony.
The pipe replaces an existing structure, which is no longer conforming to the latest safety requirements. Thus, the current channel is partially already not far enough below the river bottom. In the context of the forthcoming Elbe dredging the old pipe moves also continuous toward the river ground.
Therefore, the ARGE Elbedüker (Fa. A.Hak Drillcon from the Netherlands) build the new tunnel by order of the operating company Gasunie / Open Grid Europe.
The purpose of the new building, it is mainly to serve as a carrier for two high-pressure gas pipelines with 750 mm diameters, which are deeply involved in the pan-European gas network and as a contribution to the gas-supply of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, but also for a connection to the Scandinavian market.
The same applies for the fibre optic cables to be laid for the further improvement and development of the communications market.
TheGasunieas a companyin the commoditiesmarkethasveryhighsecurityconcepts thathave to be fulfilledduring construction.
The VMT GmbH is with their subsidiaries and affiliates ITC Engineering, Bechler Kommunikationstechnik and Checkpoint Vermessung supplier for quality assurance in many aspects:
The navigation of the tunnel boring machine, which ascends a tunnel with a diameter of 2400 mm, is controlled by means of the VMT system SLS Microtunnelling LT. This system is based on the technology of ride-on laser, which is an over the years proven and perfected type of VMT navigation.
Through the network-side connection to the PLC (programmable logic controller) of the Herrenknecht tunnel boring machine there will be a permanent ongoing data collection of all available machine data.
In order to use this large inflow of data effectively and preventively and evaluate it, the web-based data management system IRIS.microtunnel fits excellent. This is a product which has been developed in cooperation between the VMT and the ITC Engineering GmbH & Co KG.
In this system accumulating data can be recorded and processed in various fields. This project is specifically for engineering and navigation data, as well as the connection to a GeoScanner (acoustic measurement system for the determination of particle sizes and distribution of the transported material on the conveyor line) as well as the realization of an automatic alarming when limits are exceeded.
Before the operation of the pipe jacking started, a target support pressure calculation has taken place. For projects, as in this case, a non-disruptive crossing of the Elbe, such a mathematical consideration previously is necessary. IRIS.microtunnel monitors the compliance of the target support pressures with a concurrent consideration of the Tide of the Elbe, which exerting an influences here.
The safety concept of the site is realized through the communication infrastructure HADES: The wireless and fiber-based system is a supplier of video images and gas detection values, provides the network connection for the installed geoscanne, equips the staff on site with mobile phone and integrated gas and fire alarm and provides an access control into the shaft via RFID tags.
Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is a huge metropolitan area with 14 million people. As a city that spans two continents, it is intersected by the Bosporus, the strait that connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Black Sea.
In addition to a ferry service, a big part of daily commuter traffic utilizes the few bridges that span the Bosporus. Istanbul and it’s population lives with daily traffic congestion. The Marmaray subway tunnel has already been built under the Bosporus. With the beginning of the Strait Road Crossing project a big part of the intercontinental car traffic is to be diverted under the sea.
The construction of the tunnel fits into the larger project of the modernizing of the Istanbul highway network. A consortium of Turkish and South Korean construction companies (Yapi Merkezi and SK Engineering) are responsible for the construction of the tunnel in a public-private partnership.
Using a 14 m diameter Herrenknecht tunnel boring machine will bore its way through the planned 3.35km long tunnel which, at time will lay up to 80m below the sea bed. Once complete the tunnel will be split level, providing one level for each direction of travel.
VMT system technology helps the project contractors to deliver the high quality standards and precision that comes along with this huge project:
In the segment production, which the Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi is responsible for, the VMT segment documentation system, SDS, helps the engineers in the supply management and quality management of all segments for the tunnel lining.
The VMT laser-controlled Tunis navigation system the tunnel boring machine can be guided with millimeter accuracy along the intended designed path. With accurate input of VMT GAPtrix system the TUnIS ring sequencing is supported in the calculation of rings to be constructed. The ring sequencing in connection to the aboveground installed SDS on the construction site supports the planning and logistics of transporting the needed ring segments to the tunnel.
The TUnIS ring planarity check which is connected to the ring sequencing controls every ring on compliance of necessary flatness to prevent spilling form point loads.
The continuous process control of the relevant TBM data is made possible via the ubiquitous web-based Risk and Information System, IRIS. IRIS allows the project management to get a detailed view of the progress of the project via the automated logging of data, allowing the improve performance the shift and machine connected to the planning of maintenance jobs.
This project be using the following VMT systems:
- Segment Documentation System SDS monitors and documents all production steps of a segment, from the concreting to installation in the tunnel
- TUnIS Navigation TBMLasernavigates the TBM along the planned tunnel axis
- Semi-automatic Tailskin Clearance Measurement System GAPtrix detected the tailskin clearance of the last build ring to determines its exactly position
- TUnIS Ring Sequencing calculates the ideal ring sequence and positioning
- Integrated Risk and Information System IRISpowered by ITC takes care of the process data management of completed construction section
- TUnIS ring planarity check warns the user automatically when a bump is detected on the ring
A comprehensive set of customised navigation and control systems from VMT are taking over key functions for the large diameter tunnelling project Waterview Connection in Auckland.
In New Zealand’s largest city a new motorway section is being constructed, the centrepiece being two parallel tunnels each with three lanes. The large-scale Waterview Connection project will close the gap between the Northwestern (SH16) and Southwestern (SH20) motorways, therefore completing Auckland’s much needed Western Ring Route. This will provide a high-quality alternative to State Highway 1 for journeys through and within Auckland as well as a much needed direct motorway link between the Central Business District (CBD) and Auckland Airport. The centrepiece of the Waterview Connection is a twin-bore 2 x 2.43 km long tunnel. Since October 2013 a Herrenknecht EPB Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) of 14.41m diameter has been utilised for tunnel excavation. During a celebration to open the tunnelling works, New Zealand’s Minister of Transport Gerry Brownlee said “The project is a significant investment by the Government in the strategic expansion of the motorway, which relieves Auckland’s population and supports the economy.”
VMT GmbH configured a comprehensive package with customized navigation and control systems for tunnel excavation in close cooperation with the project partners. The VMT systems monitor and regulate parameters and interfaces needed for tunnel construction, therefore supporting project management in process control and quality assurance.
The laser based navigation system TUnIS measures the position of the 14.4 metre TBM in relation to the designed tunnel alignment to the nearest millimetre. TUnIS transmits the measured data to monitors for the TBM operator, responsible for precisely navigating the TBM underground. The TUnIS software also incorporates a ring sequencing module to assist in ring selection. Depending on elements such as alignment radius or location of cross passage construction, the ring sequencing module recommends which segment type to build. The ring sequence calculation takes into account the data delivered by VMT’s GAPtrix tailskin clearance measurement system.
The precast plant in Auckland will produce a total of 24,000 tunnel lining segments, plus over 2,400 precast concrete culverts for installation at the tunnel invert. The production of segments including materials used, their storage across three yards and respective logistics are monitored, controlled and documented by the Segment Documentation System SDS from VMT.
The Integrated Risk and Information System IRIS provides an efficient tool for data management. IRIS collects and analyses all relevant tunnelling data and stores within a central database, to assist overall management of the construction site.
Project Partners
- Project owner: NZ Transport Agency
- Joint Venture: Well-Connected Alliance
- TBM manufacturer: Herrenknecht AG
- Segment production: Precast Alliance (Well-Connected Alliance & Wilson Tunnelling)
Scope of Supply by VMT GmbH
- Comprehensive consulting and service during installation and operation of the systems; on-site support by personnel from VMT Tunnel Guidance based in Australia
- Navigation: TUnIS TBMLaser and TUnIS Office, including ring sequencing module
- Tailskin clearance measurement: GAPtrix
- Segmental production and logistics management: SDS
- Integrated Risk and Information System: IRIS
With a big party, VMT GmbH celebrates its 20th anniversary. Partners and customers from all over the world accepted the invitation to join in the celebrations.
On 07th june VMT celebrated its 20th anniversary on their premises, which was prepared for this festive.
Numerous partner companies and customers presented their congratulations. Foremost the management of Herrenknecht AG, as the parent company of VMT GmbH.
The guests could entertain themselves to the specialties of the four subsidiaries of VMT at the various food stalls. The program was designed by different music, song and dance ensembles.
As a special surprise an aircraft flew over the festival with a VMT banner.
Fotos from China Hopson