Explore the scope and risks associated with large diameter EPD machines, including the specific requirements for large diameter TBM’s and the operational requirements to achieve tight settlement control.

The use of mega TBM’s for road tunnels or combined road and rail tunnels with an external diameter of greater than 14m is rapidly increasing. Up to 2019, there have been 39 tunnelling projects worldwide using mega TBMs. There is also a worldwide trend to use EPB machines, including in large diameter tunnels. There are a number of issues in scaling TBM operations from standard metro machines to mega TBM’s of greater than 14m. This presentation will cover specification requirements for the large diameter TBM’s as well as operational requirements to achieve tight settlement control.

Speaker

Tom Ireland | Major Projects Director, Aurecon NZ

Tom has over 28 years’ experience and has worked on projects in the UK, Middle East, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. He is currently located in Auckland, New Zealand and is the Principal Technical Advisor on the $4.4B, 3.5km underground City Rail Link Project.

Tom has extensive experience in the design and construction supervision of segmentally lined tunnels, including Independent Checking Engineer on several international metro and highway tunnels. His mega TBM experience includes Waterview Connection, Auckland; Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Lung Shan Tunnel, Hong Kong; and segmental lining design lead for the West Gate Tunnel in Melbourne.