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A TBM supplied by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation (CRCHI) has achieved a new monthly tunnelling record on a water transfer tunnel project in Turkey, advancing 770m in June.
According to CRCHI, the EPBBM also recorded a daily advance of 34m and a weekly advance of 215m, marking its highest production rates since work began.
The machine was specifically designed for the project’s challenging long-distance hard rock conditions. It has an excavation diameter of 7.78m, an overall length of approximately 144m, and weighs around 1,500t.
To maximise excavation performance in the hard rock geology, the TBM features a reinforced cutterhead fitted with 19″ disc cutters. CRCHI said the design enhances rock-breaking capability while maintaining operational stability during long drives.
The project alignment also presents potential methane gas hazards. To mitigate this risk, the TBM has been equipped with a closed-type muck removal system incorporating localised explosion-proof features designed to improve safety during excavation.
The machine also incorporates several digital monitoring technologies, including an online disc cutter wear monitoring system and a muck volume scanning system, enabling operators to monitor machine performance and optimise tunnelling operations in real time.
CRCHI said its technical service team has provided extensive on-site training for local operators and maintenance personnel. Engineers have also worked alongside the construction team to continuously optimise tunnelling parameters and maintenance schedules in response to the project’s variable geological conditions.
The manufacturer added that it has established a significant presence in the Turkish tunnelling market over recent years, supplying TBMs for a number of major infrastructure schemes, including metro and water projects in cities such as Istanbul and Izmir.