November 2018
A First for VMT on a Robbins TBM
The Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel (OCIT) is the largest project being undertaken on the ‘Akron Waterways Renewed!’ programme. The project is a joint venture between Illinois-based Kenny Construction Co. and Tokyo-based Obayashi Corp. which comprises boring a tunnel of 27 ft (8.23 m) internal diameter and 30.38 ft (9.26 m) external diameter over a length of 6,207 ft (1,892 m).
The bore is designed to be able to hold 25.6 million gallons (96.9 million litres) of stormwater and sewage during heavy rain events and control nine of the overflows into the Ohio & Erie Canal and Little Cuyahoga River. The project is worth US$184.1 million (€160.2 million).
The tunnel boring machine selected for the project was a Robbins Crossover (XRE) EPB, Single Shield machine which undertook tunnelling works from October 2017 to a breakthrough on August 2018.
Navigation for the drive was provided by VMT using TUnIS Navigation TBMLaser, along with a VMT TUnIS Ring Sequencing system. The client also required the installation of a VMT Modular System for automated Deformation Monitoring MODUS during the construction phase.
VMT’s challenge for this project was that the company had not previously installed a navigation system on a Robbins TBM. The team in the US however had experienced the installation of the same type of system on about 50 projects but on a TBM from a different manufacturer (Herrenknecht). The navigation system was also required to handle four (4) 1,000 ft (305 m) radius curves that formed part of the tunnel alignment design.
The ring sequencing system was designed to ensure the correct installation of the eight (8) segment 5 ft (1.5 m) long tunnel lining support rings.
Modular System for automated Deformation Monitoring MODUS was installed subsequent to discussions with the client which highlighted the immediate advantages and forward-looking performance advantages of the system. Modular System for automated Deformation Monitoring MODUS can evaluate and assess geometric changes in buildings etc. with sensors installed and their measured values continuously analysed. When critical changes occur, automatic warning and alarm messages are sent via email or SMS to appointed personnel to enable immediate action to be taken.
Modular System for automated Deformation Monitoring MODUS can be designed to fit customer requests and includes all the necessary hardware, geo-sensor networks for gathering data and equipment for transferring information into a database. It also includes TUnIS Deformation Monitoring software for data analysis, reporting and alarm management.
Despite this being the first installation of a VMT Navigation system on to a Robbins TBM, there were issues arising that could not be addressed with the TBM crew and those that did arise were dealt with quickly and effectively.
At a Glance Fact Sheet:
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