EP0899422B1 - Method of constructing a tunnel - Google Patents

Abstract

A tunnelling system for boring through water bearing strata (15) has the head of the tunnel divided into sections by watertight doors. The actual working section (21) of the tunnel is under water at a higher pressure than that of the surrounding strata. The tunnelling machine is operated by remote control from a tunnel section (17) under air pressure which allow personnel access. The removed spoil is taken from the working head via air lock doors. The water in the working section is recirculated through cleaning systems to remove debris and to maintain a water quality which allows control of the machines.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for Creation of a walkable and / or navigable tunnel in one Mountains with water pressure according to the generic term of Claim 1.

EP-A-0 580 510 describes a method for digging underground and known under atmospheric conditions. In which A drilling tool is used in which Foam under pressure by a majority of Injection orifices are injected, which Injection orifices in a rear partition Pile chamber, in front of and behind a drilling plate, on the Clearing auger and on the peripheral shield are arranged. The process is characterized by that a foaming solution and air into the drilling tool is transported, and only there said foam under pressure is produced. The foam is then pressurized into the Haufwerkskammer, the hollow shaft of the drill head, in the Pile clearing auger, or under pressure towards the Injected through the peripheral shield. The Generation of foam can be done at the individual points can be controlled independently.

From JP-A-02058697 is known to one A tunnel boring machine behind a boring head train. This pile chamber is under one Water pressure set that is higher than the water pressure of the The reason is. This will make the front of the tunnel stabilized and the pile in a very dense mud transformed, which can be evacuated backwards.

The tunnel boring machine according to WO-A-92/22732 wants Overcome disadvantages of known tunnel boring machines. WO-A-92/22732 has therefore taken on the task, among other things, to propose a tunnel boring machine for soft ground can be operated in "closed mode". in the closed mode, the drill head is pressurized. With a low mud flow becomes an unstable one Prevented tunnel front by maintaining a fluid balance is created that is not to a high degree Recirculation volume of sludge and not one Separation of aggregate and mud is required. Further the machine should be able to switch quickly and easily between use in "closed mode" and one in "open mode". The drill head is not in open mode pressurized and it becomes firm ground broken into.

The tunnel boring machine has a frame and one drill head rotatable relative to the frame. Are on the drill head a plurality of drills are arranged. Between the drills heap openings are formed, which with a Drill head chamber are connected. Pile shovels in the Drill head chambers load the pile onto a conveyor. In closed mode, the machine can be in a reason be applied in which a water pressure of 1.5 to 2 bar prevails. In this mode is the one under pressure Mud a means of supporting the tunnel front. The Liquid balance, which is used to support the tunnel front is required by adding a minimal amount Reached water to the tunnel front. This allows the Tunnels dominated, the pile liquefied and the Drill head resistance can be reduced.

In the drill head chamber, a screw conveyor and a Conveyor belt inside. For closed mode it is Retractable conveyor belt. The drill head chamber is then airtight and liquid-tight by means of a partition opposite the tunnel behind the drill head completed. The screw conveyor has one Ziplock. Therefore the drill head chamber is under pressure settable.

With such machines, water pressures of up to about 2x 10 ⁵ Pa can basically be managed.

Water pressures, especially high water pressures, such as those expected at the level of the projected Gotthard base tunnel in the Pioramulde at a height of approx. 130 x 10 ⁵ Pa, pose major problems for tunnel construction. This applies all the more if the mountains are poorly compactable and have a low stability, as in the example given. The water pressure poses a huge threat to the miners, since the ingress of water can very quickly put the tunnel under water. Lowering the water pressure to reduce this risk can be very difficult depending on the permeability of the problematic mountain zone and represents a huge intervention in the natural hydraulic balance of the mountains, the effects of which cannot be estimated.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method of Provide mentioned genus, in which the danger for the miners and the encroachment on the natural The water balance in the mountains should be kept as small as possible can.

According to the invention, this is carried out using a method according to Claim 1 reached. It will be under pressure standing gallery and between the pressurized Cleats and the atmospheric area by means of pressure-proof Gates set up at least one lock. Necessarily the supply and disposal of the construction site takes place in the High pressure area from an atmospheric area. The Lock enables the transport of material from the atmospheric range in the high pressure range and vice versa. The extraction and removal of the rock as well the sealing of the gallery is about one Water pressure of the mountains corresponding counter pressure in the gallery executed. This keeps the water pressure in the mountains untouched and thereby also the water balance in the Essentially unchanged. The risk of water ingress is reduced in the gallery and the extent of the resulting damage within limits held. If the back pressure in one of the tunnels largely filling liquid, especially water the risk of water ingress is completely eliminated, especially since the hydraulic pressure is neutralized. The tunnel therefore does not have to be sealed in the tunneling phase his. This can seal the stud from Tunnel, and therefore under favorable spatial Conditions happen. The higher the water pressure in the mountains is, the more pressure builds up in a liquid to prefer air pressure.

In principle, one is sufficient during the tunneling phase Make rock protection or take measures to the the lithostatic pressure to be compensated. To this A first tunnel tube, e.g. a Tübing outer ring, be installed under high pressure conditions in order to to secure the tunnel continuously with the advance.

The tunnel is advantageous under high pressure conditions sealed. This is conveniently done by one dimensioned according to the hydrostatic pressure Stollen inner ring. This can e.g. made of pump concrete within the first to receive lithostatic printing Tunnel tube can be created.

The back pressure in the gallery is advantageously higher than that Water pressure in the problematic mountains designed to a To prevent the inflow of mountain water. This will prevents the mountain water from mountain material in the Tunnels are washed up and cloudiness becomes against the gallery walls and therefore washed out of sight.

The liquid filling the gallery is advantageous in circulated to clean them of turbidity. The return flow is expediently the circulating one Liquid cleaned of cloudy contaminants and the cleaned liquid is pumped back into the gallery. The cleaning of the liquid advantageously takes place in atmospheric environment and becomes the purified liquid pumped into the gallery using high-pressure pumps. This can the resulting sludge under atmospheric conditions to be disposed of. Also adding additives such as Flocculants for precipitating cloudiness or Sealant for sealing the stud can be under atmospheric conditions.

The control and monitoring of the Construction work in the high pressure area of an atmospheric Area and is in the high pressure area with remote controlled Equipment and machines worked to reduce the risks to the To keep miners as low as possible.

Conveniently, in the stable mountains in the tunnel Lock (or the locks) created, the tunnel stump pressured beyond the lock and then the tunnel from the stable mountains into the water pressure showing problematic mountain zone. Thereby the tunnel advance will lead into the water pressure problematic mountain zone in the protection of the stable mountains prepared under atmospheric conditions and the tapping the problematic mountain zone with a back pressure executed in the gallery.

The mined rock is advantageous in the high pressure area crushed and piped into the atmospheric Area transported. This means that for the Material removal the locks are not operated and the pressure drop can be exploited to transport to support the material to be removed.

The first tunnel tube is expediently removed during the Jacking made up of pipe sections consisting of several Parts, so-called tubing elements, can be assembled. This method enables the construction of the Tunnel tube made of prefabricated pipe pieces, which from behind through the constructed tunnel tube to the front end of the tunnel tube to be transported.

The liquid advantageously becomes a flocculant added to flocculate turbidity as quickly as possible and a to achieve high transparency of the liquid. This will the visual surveillance of the work is less hampered.

The liquid in a tunnel piece is advantageous hypothermic and thereby iced over to the pressurized Adit in the problematic mountain zone from the secured and accessible under atmospheric conditions Separate tunnel area. This makes it possible to shut off the high pressure area with means that do not mechanical operability of the gates is required. It can thereby overhauling the gates as a whole or even new be set up.

The liquid is advantageous for emptying the lock pumped out of the lock into a correspondingly large room or left, and to fill the lock the liquid left or pumped out of the room into the lock. Thereby on the one hand, the considerable Amount of liquid cannot be drained off, on the other hand the lock does not have to go through the high pressure pumps when filling be filled. This can result in fluid, time and energy be saved.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Tunnels in einem Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 2

schematische Darstellung von zwei parallelen Tunneln im Grundriss,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch eine fertige Tunnelröhre.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the figures. It shows:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic illustration of a tunnel in a vertical section,

Fig. 2

schematic representation of two parallel tunnels in the floor plan,

Fig. 3

a section through a finished tunnel tube.

In Figure 1, a tunnel section is a schematic Section shown. At 11 is the stable mountain range referred to, from which a tunnel 13 in the problematic mountain zone 15 with high water pressure is advanced. The tunnel 13 has three areas: the atmospheric area 17, the lock area 19 and the high pressure area 21. The high pressure area 21 is partly in the stable mountains 11, partly in the problematic Mountain zone 15 and is driven by the tunnel 13 increased. Are between the individual areas 17,19,21 pressure-resistant armored gates 23, 23 'arranged. The atmospheric area 17 is accessible by mining. The High-pressure area 21, however, is filled with water 25. The Lock 26 is halfway with water between gates 23 and 23 ' 25 shown filled. The lock area 19 is included Water 25 fillable and pressurizable to counteract it To be able to open high pressure area 21. The lock area 19 can also be emptied and the pressure in the lock area 19 equalizable to match the atmospheric range 17 to be able to open.

In the atmospheric area, they are supportive Facilities such as power supply 27, control and Monitoring 29 and cleaning container 31, 31 'for the water 25 housed. These are therefore always at usable under normal mining conditions.

The water 25 is guided in a circuit 32. The Water circuit 32 can have a high pressure area 32 'on the Driving side of the tunnel 13 and an area 32 "with lower pressure in the atmospheric area of the gallery 13 exhibit. The water pressure in the high pressure area is due to High pressure pumps 33 built. These pump the water 25 over the line 35 in the pressurized water Adit area 21. Water 25 flows from line 39 High pressure area 21 back to atmospheric area 17. With a valve 41, the pressure is reduced at most. This back-flowing water 25 has impurities, which in the settling or cleaning containers 31, 31 ' getting cleaned. A fresh water supply line is connected to the circuit 32 43 connected to a possible Compensate for water loss. The fresh water comes with a Pump, not shown, pumped into the circuit.

Water 25 is filled with a pump 42 to fill the lock 26 from a chamber 44 which the water 25 of the Lock area 19 summarizes, via the line 45 in this Area filled in. The air escapes from the lock 26 via line 46 into chamber 44. When the lock 26 is filled with water, the valves 48,48 ' closed. With the high pressure pumps 33, the lock 26 pressurized until the pressure in the high pressure area 21 corresponds. Then the gate 23 'between the lock 26th and the high pressure area 21 to open goods from Lock area 19 in the high pressure area 21, or from the High pressure area 21 in the lock area 19 move. For example, those with tubing elements loaded trolley 47 in the lock area 19 with the empty ones Wagons 47 'are exchanged in the high pressure region 21.

Via the feed line 49 and the return line 51 is the Circuit 32 also closed in lock area 19. The Valve 53 reduces the water pressure in the return line 51 the cleaning containers 31, 31 'and build the pumps 33 the pressure in the high pressure area 32 'of the lock Circuit 32 on. The print can also have a one Valve lockable connecting line between the High pressure area 21 and the lock area 19 constructed become.

To empty the lock area 19, this is from Circuit 32 by closing valves 53 and 55 separated. The pressure is released via valve 53. Has If normal pressure is set, the valves 48, 48 'become Chamber 44 opened. The water 25 enters the chamber 44 pumped and the air flows from the chamber 44 into the lock 26. Now the gate 23 can be between the atmospheric area 17 and the lock area 19 are opened and a Exchange of goods take place.

For security, a gate 23 "(shown in dashed lines) in the High pressure area 21 is provided. If one of the gates 23, 23 ' fail, can replace the defective gate with the 23 "gate and the lock area 19 relocated between the gates 23 'and 23 " or extended to the area between the gates 23 and 23 " become. However, this also requires the necessary Connections for water management 25, the Power supply and control in the appropriate Areas are provided which are not shown in FIG. 1 are shown.

In order to accommodate the pressure drop which a gate 23, 23 ', 23 " has to decrease can also be a series of locks be arranged one behind the other. In such a series of Locks only have to be the first in terms of atmospheric range Lock 26 can be emptied. The pressure equalization between the locks happens via valves with which Water 25 from the high pressure side to the low pressure side Tores 23,23 ', 23 "... is let through.

In the high-pressure region 21, there is a water pressure in the problematic mountain zone 15 a slight overpressure. Water 25 therefore constantly penetrates from the high pressure area 21 into the problematic mountain zone 15 and is caused by the Fresh water supply via line 43 by means of High pressure pumps 33 the high pressure area 21 of the gallery 13 fed again. Because of the water loss on the tunnel front 61 a slight flow towards the problematic arises Rock 15, which cloudiness 63, which when mining the Rock 15 inevitably arise against the tunnel front 61 flood. Depending on the extent of this flow, this can Water 25 in the gallery remain sufficiently clear to be a to allow sufficient view of the tunnel front 61. moreover depending on the circumstances, an easier one Flow pressure, which is favorable against breakdowns effect. With the high pressure pumps 33 and the valve 41 can however, a flow in the circuit 32 is additionally set become. The fresh water is then near the tunnel front 61 fed to the tunnel 13 to the required field of view 65th to equip with transparent, purified water 25 and that to force cloudy water 25 away from the field of view 65. Clouded water 25 therefore flows to the return line 39 and is cleaned in the cleaning containers 31, 31 '. The in the sludge 67 accumulating in the cleaning containers 31, 31 ' drained and disposed of via valves 69, 69 '.

The tunnel advance, i.e. the mining of the stone 11.15 and the installation of tunnel tube pieces 71 can be tried and tested Way done. However, in the construction of the Machines to apply submarine technology to help them Withstand water pressure. They are also in the high pressure area 21 used machines, such as the drill 73, the Transport devices 47,47 ', the transfer machine for the Tunnel pipes and drilling and injection machines (not shown), remote controlled to the necessity of the Avoid people in high pressure area 21. The machines 73, 47, 47 'are controlled by atmospheric range. Many processes are through one Computer in the machine 73,47,47 'robotically controllable and only have to be monitored from a control center 29. The machine 73, 47, 47 'can, however, operate from the control center 29 can also be controlled and corrected in a targeted manner. There is one Good visibility in the high pressure area 21 is an advantage. video cameras 75 on the drill 73 take up the environment. Your Images are sent via a line 77 to the control center 29 transmitted. The information and control commands can e.g. also via radio or other electromagnetic waves be transmitted. To combat the turbidity 63 of the water 25 a flocculant is added to this. The supervision the processes in the high pressure area 29 can e.g. also by means of Echo sounder or radar technology happen to even stronger ones Turbidity 63 to be able to work.

Figure 2 shows a schematic floor plan of a possible Arrangement of two parallel lugs 13 'and 13 ". The tunnel 13 'ends within the stable rock 11, the tunnel 13 "is up to the problematic mountain zone 15 propelled. Both studs 13 ', 13 "have one atmospheric area 17, a lock area 19 and a high-pressure area 21, the High pressure area 21 is not under pressure, but against the atmospheric area is open. The atmospheric Areas 17 of both cleats 13 ', 13 "are over one Connection studs 79 connected. At this connecting tunnel 79 and between the two tunnels 13 ', 13 "is a cavern 80 affiliated for technical support. In this Caverns 80 are, for example, the energy supply 27 Central 29 for monitoring and controlling the machines that Cleaning container 31,31 'and others by people too operating devices to support the construction work in the High pressure area 21 and the transport through the Lock area 19 housed.

In the tunnel 13 'is from the atmospheric area 17 with a Sliding gate 81 of lock area 19 separable. The Lock area 19 is with a sliding gate 85 against the High pressure area 21 can be sealed off. The lock area is 19 with a sliding gate 87 in two locks 83 and 89 divisible. The second lock 89 is with a Side gallery 97 designed larger than the lock 83 to a larger transport volume with lock filling to cope with and to have enough space for maneuvering to offer. The lengths of the locks 83.89 are at least suitable for the tunnel boring machine 73 'or the longest the necessary machine. In the high pressure area 21 in tunneling tunnel 91 with an icing zone 93 Cooling lines 95 equipped. The high pressure area 21 is included a side lug 99 to make room for parking Rescue machine 101 for withdrawing a defective machine and / or to park other machines.

Because the tunnel 13 'is not in the problematic mountain zone driven, it is not yet under the influence of the the high water pressure prevailing there. The stable rock 11 protects the stud 13 'from the water pressure. Therefore can the gates 81, 85, 87 are open as shown and also in the high pressure area 21 there are atmospheric conditions.

The stud 13 "has the identical structure as the stud 13 'on. With three gates 81 ', 87', 85 'are two locks 83 ', 89' between the atmospheric area 17 and the High pressure area 21 is formed. The second lock 89 'points a side gallery 97 '. The tunnel tunnel 91 ' has a side lug 99 '. In contrast to the tunnel 13 'is the tunnel 13 "into the problematic mountain zone 15 advanced. Therefore at least one of the gates has to be 81 ', 87', 85 'closed and the high pressure region 21 with Water 25 should be filled. In the schematic representation of the Figure 2 are the gates 81 'and 87' before and after the lock 83 'closed. The lock 83 'can in this state be filled or emptied. The water to fill the Lock 83 in gallery 13 'is the same as the water for Filling the lock 83 'in the gallery 13 ", i.e. filling it either lock 83 or lock 83 '. The task the chamber 44 of Figure 1 meets for the lock 83 in Cleats 13 'the corresponding lock 83' in the neighboring Studs 13 "and vice versa. For this purpose they are with each other via corresponding, not shown Lines connectable. Locks 89 and 89 'are also connectable to each other for air or water exchange to be able to make.

Gates 85 and 85 'are not for normal operation necessary. On the one hand, they are safety precautions, on the other hand, they enable education in different ways large locks 83.89; 83 ', 89'. These differences in size enable the locks to be operated efficiently 83,89,83 ', 89', since mostly only the smaller volume of the lock 83.83 'must be emptied and filled and only in In exceptional cases, the large locks 89, 89 'are operated have to.

The cooling lines are another safety precaution 95.95 'in the icing areas 93.93'. In critical Situations through this precaution are another, not mechanical closure of the studs 13 ', 13 "available. This closure of the stud 13 ', 13 "by icing the Icing area 93.93 'enables e.g. if spilled the lock area 19 a repair of the locks 83.83 ', 89.89' and the lock gates 81.87.85.81 ', 87', 85 '.

The tunnel 9 'is in the area of problematic Mountain zone 15 with prefabricated pipe elements 71 ' lined. These are according to the rock pressure designed and secure the tunnel 13 "from rock collapse.

Around the tunnel tube 104 constructed from the tubular elements 71 ′ If necessary, a reinforcing and sealing coat is around 105 created. Thanks to the 13 "stud in the definite size, stands for that necessary drilling and injection work a lot of space Available. The drilling or injection machines 107 can therefore work at a large angle to the tunnel axis, what shortens the necessary drilling length.

In Figure 3, the finished tunnel is in one section shown. The first tunnel tube 104 was from Tübingringen 71 'compiled during tunneling. This forms one Temporary support of the mountains 15 under high pressure conditions the inner ring 108 made of pumped concrete built in, which withstands the water pressure, even if the Tunnel tube is open against the atmospheric area. The sealing happens e.g. with a waterproofing membrane between Tübing and inner ring.

After piercing the tunnel 13 "and finishing the Tunnel tubes 104 and 108 are the machines from the Tunnel tube 108 in the problematic mountain zone 15 removed and the pressure in the tunnel becomes slow and controlled degradation. Changes in tunnel tube 108 are monitored. In the event of water ingress, the pressure can be applied immediately raised again, the damage thereafter under Fixed high pressure conditions and reinforced the leak and be sealed. After successfully reducing the pressure in tunnel tube 108 may be under atmospheric conditions the final expansion begins.

Claims (15)

1. A method for constructing a tunnel in a formation (15) under hydraulic pressure, through which tunnel it is possible to walk and/or to drive, which method comprises the steps of driving an underground gallery (13,13',13") by mechanical rock excavation, removing of the excavated rock and sealing the gallery (13,13',13") against the hydraulic pressure, the method further comprising the steps of installing a high pressure zone (21) and an atmospheric zone (17) and of a lock between the high pressure zone (21) and the atmospheric zone (17) secured by pressure tight gates (23,23',23";81,87,85;81',87',85'), and setting the high pressure zone under a pressure corresponding approximately to the hydraulic pressure of the formation (15), wherein the excavation and removing of the rock (15) is realized under a back-pressure corresponding approximately to the hydraulic pressure of the formation (15),
   characterized in that the gallery is sealed under a back-pressure in the gallery corresponding approximately to the hydraulic pressure of the formation (15).
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: constructing the lock (26) or the locks (83,89;83', 89') within the gallery (13,13',13") in a stable formation (11), pressurizing a gallery stub on a far side of the lock, and then performing the step of driving the gallery from the stable formation into the formation subject to hydraulic pressure.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the back-pressure is built up in a fluid, especially water (25), largely filling the gallery (13, 13', 13").
4. The method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the back-pressure in the gallery (13, 13', 13") is made higher than the hydraulic pressure in the formation (15).
5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a first tunnel lining (104) is built in under high-pressure conditions.
6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the gallery (13, 13', 13") is sealed under high-pressure conditions.
7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the gallery (13, 13', 13") is sealed with an internal ring (108) dimensioned to match the hydrostatic pressure.
8. The method according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the fluid (25) is circulated in a loop (32) in order to clean it of turbidity-causing contaminants (63).
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the fluid (25) is cleaned in an atmospheric environment (17) and the cleaned fluid (25) is pumped into the gallery (13) by high-pressure pumps (33).
10. The method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that control and monitoring (29) of the construction tasks in the high-pressure zone (21) take place from the atmospheric zone (17), and any work in the high-pressure zone (21) is performed with remote-controlled apparatus and machinery (47, 47', 73, 73', 73", 101, 107).
11. The method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the excavated rock (11, 15) is crushed in the high-pressure zone (21) and transported via pipelines to the atmospheric zone (17).
12. The method according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the first tunnel lining (104) is constructed from lining segments (71') assembled from a plurality of parts.
13. A method according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that at least one of a flocculant and a sealant is added to the fluid (25).
14. A method according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that it comprises the step of refrigerating said fluid to freeze it in a gallery segment.
15. A method according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the fluid (25) from the lock (26; 83; 89; 83'; 89') is pumped or drained into a chamber (44; 83'; 89'; 83; 89) of suitable size in order to evacuate the lock (26; 83; 89; 83'; 89'), and the fluid (25) from the chamber (44; 83'; 89'; 83; 89) is drained or pumped into the lock (26; 83; 89; 83'; 89') in order to fill the lock (26; 83; 89; 83'; 89').

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