Multipurpose tunnelling
Supersize structures
for the next
feasibility visions
There is a trend towards ever-larger diameters in mechanized tunnelling – following the vision of subterranean multipurpose infrastructure. Applications include three-lane highways, combined road-metro routes with sewage schemes. Mastering XXL tunnel drives requires purpose-made TBMs to handle high groundwater pressure, mixed-face conditions and large volumes of excavated soil. Going larger and operating safer, step by step, is the pioneer’s art of progression.
Not only are tunnels with extremely large diameters simply bigger, they raise a whole new set of mechanical engineering challenges we each have to solve individually.
—Olivier Kraft,
Member of the Traffic
Tunnelling Executive Board
If we go from 15 to 18 meters in diameter, there is 44 percent more spoil per meter of advance for the same tunnel length.
—Jürgen Hoss,
Division Manager Project Management Traffic Tunnelling
Big diameter tunnelling is still more than just welding steel and pushing buttons.
—Alexander Ell
Area Sales Manager
Ready for new terrain
Mastering extremes
and setting benchmarks
Pressure conditions like those experienced by a deep sea diver at a depth of 80 meters. Mountains of muck that could almost be used to build a pyramid. Millimeter precision to create a new, multi-story traffic artery directly under a highway or river mouth. 300 tonne machines transported by road following an elaborate choreography. Record diameters “Made in Schwanau” have become an integral part of the tunnelling world.
Trusted technology
Preconditions and safer features for
supersize tunnelling
The next record diameter is always based on sound engineering experience from previous reference projects. The next step into the future always produces an innovation and pushes the limits of technical feasibility, without overstretching them at the expense of human safety and the sustainable quality of the structures.
Trusted technology
Legacy of record-breaking
supersize tunnels
A look at Herrenknecht’s portfolio reveals a globally unique project density of tunnels with increasingly extreme diameters. Explore the projects.
HAMBURG ELBE TUNNEL 4th TUBE
Hamburg, Germany
Mixshield
Tunnelling: 1997–2000
First use of the newly developed cutting wheel accessible under atmospheric conditions for safe and more efficient tool changes.
M-30 BYPASS SUR MADRID CALLE 30 TÚNEL NORT
Madrid, Spain
EPB Shield
Tunnelling: 2005-2006
Two concentrically arranged cutting wheels that can rotate independently of each other so the high torque can be applied to the ground gradually during start-up.
Shanghai Changjiang Under River
Shanghai, China
2 x Mixshield
Tunnelling: 2006 – 2008
The two Mixshield giants reached breakthrough after 7.47 km of tunnelling 10 and 12 months earlier than planned.
GALLERIA SPARVO
Sparvo, Italy
EPB Shield
Tunnelling: 2011–2013
The entire machine is designed to be explosion-proof, including a double-walled enclosed belt conveyor pressurized with compressed air and a powerful ventilation system.
GALLERIA SANTA LUCIA
Barberino di Mugello, Italy
EPB Shield
Tunnelling: 2017–2020
Long-distance drive over 7.55 km with a total of 1.5 million m³ of muck.
HONG KONG TUEN MUN–CHEK LAP KOK LINK
Hong Kong, China
Mixshield
Tunnelling: 2015
Currently the world´s largest tunnel boring machine.
Orlovski Tunnel
St. Petersburg, Russia
Mixshield
Completed design study for a double-deck road tunnel under the river Neva.
1997 – Hamburg
2006 – Madrid
2006 – Shanghai
2010 – Spravo
2016 – Santa Lucia
2015 – Hong Kong
Concept
St. Petersburg
Today
techically possible
XXL tunnelling stronghold
26 gigantic road tunnels
for the yangtze river delta
The Yangtze River Delta is one of the most vibrant regions in China. The fast-growing area on the east coast represents more than a tenth of China’s population and contributes about a quarter of China’s economic output. The national strategy of regional integration and high-quality growth is adding further momentum to the region with 27 urban cities.