Pipejacking Tunnel Boring Machines TBMs – UW Civil And

Pipejacking Tunnel Boring Machines TBMs
Michael Frenke, LOVAT Inc.

Pipejacking Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs ( TBMs)
•Introduction
•Pipejacking Sequence
•TBM Design Features
•Types of Jacking Pipe
•Pipejacking Considerations
•LOVAT Pipejacking TBMs

Introduction
Pipejacking is a technique for installing underground
pipelines via the use of a boring machine ahead of a
pipe string, advanced through the ground by a jacking
station in the main shaft.
Pipejacking is a one pass lining method, where the
pipes form and act as the finished tunnel liner. Pipes
may be constructed of various materials (concrete,
steel, fiberglass, clay, plastic).
Pipejacking is used as an alternative to open-cut
excavation, especially in smaller diameters and in
deep or difficult ground conditions.

Introduction
Pipejacking can be performed with:
•Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs)
� Earth Pressure Balance and Slurry type
� Piloted from with TBM
•Micro – Tunnel Boring Machines (MTBMs)
� Slurry type
� Controlled remotely from surface
•Auger Borers
•Hand Mining Shields

Pipejacking Sequence
1. Pipe lowered into shaft, onto
main jacking station cradle
2. TBM advances using propulsion
cylinders, muck cars filled with
excavated earth and removed
from shaft
3. Main jacking station thrusts pipe
forward until TBM propulsion
cylinders have retracted

Pipejacking Sequence
4. TBM advances using
propulsion cylinders, muck
cars filled with excavated
earth and removed from shaft
5. Main jacking station stroked
out completely, retracting TBM
propulsion cylinders and
burying pipe
6. New pipe is lowered in shaft
and cycle restarted

•Overview
•Propulsion Cylinders
•Telescopic Leading Can
•Arch Ring Supports
•Main Jacking Station
•Intermediate Jacking Stations
•Tunnel Eye Seal
•Bentonite Injection System
•Ground Conditioning System
•Pipe Lock (Hyperbaric Airlock)
TBM Design Features

TBM Design Features

TBM Design Features

TBM Design Features
Propulsion Cylinders

TBM Design Features
Telescopic Leading Can

•Support of TBM Ancilliary
Equipment (Ventilation,
Transformer, Power-
Packs, Conveyors, etc.)
•Arch ring is expanded
within the pipe sections
TBM Design Features
Arch Ring Supports

TBM Design Features
Arch Ring Supports

•Installed at bottom of
main shaft
•Provides forward thrust
to advance the TBM
and/or pipe string
•Integral Rail System
TBM Design Features
Main Jacking Station

TBM Design Features
Main Jacking Station

•Installed in-between pipes
TBM Design Features
Intermediate Jacking Station
•Assists in forward movement of pipe
string (inch-worm motion

TBM Design Features
Bentonite Injection System
Bentonite is used to reduce friction between the outside
diameter of the pipe string and the surrounding ground.
The system pumps the bentonite through ports in the TBM and
the pipe into the surrounding excavation annulus. The system
is usually automatic and interlocked with the advance of the
TBM.

TBM Design Features
Tunnel Eye Seal

TBM Design Features
Ground Conditioning System
•Foam agent injection system used to control the earth
pressure and consistency of the excavated muck
•Integral component of an Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) TBM

TBM Design Features
Pipe Lock
•Airlock installed directly in
pipe section
•Allows for hyperbaric
interventions in high
pressure environments and
poor ground conditions

Types of Jacking Pipe
Pipejacking TBMs can be configured to mine with all types of
Jacking Pipe. The trailing edge of the Telescopic Leading Can
is machined to fit the leading edge of the first pipe in the
string, creating a seal against earth and water ingress.
Type of Jacking Pipe
•Reinforced Concrete Pipe
•Steel Pipe – Welded Joint of Permalok type
•Glass Fiber Reinforced Pipe – HOBAS
•Plastic Pipe – High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
•Clay Pipe - Meyer

Types of Jacking Pipe
Reinforced Concrete Pipe

Type of Jacking Pipe
Steel Pipe – Permalok Joints

Types of Jacking Pipe
Glass Fiber Reinforced Pipe - HOBAS

Pipejacking Considerations
Considerations for a successful pipejacking TBM tunnel:
1. Proper Geotechnical Investigation
• Extensive boreholes to determine what type of geology lies along the
intended alignment
2. Tunnel Length
• Shaft to Shaft distances should be short (200m to 1,000m)
• Longer drives are possible using intermediate jacking stations
3. Lubrication
• Bentonite lubrication reduces friction on the outside of the pipe string (“float”
pipe if possible)
• Ensures pipe string will not “bind-up” between shifts or during long
stoppages

4. Ground Treatment
Pipejacking Considerations
• Uses of conditioning agents mechanically alters the characteristics and
behavior of the earth and reduces wear on the cutting tools and cuttinghead
5. Alignment
• Keep it straight for best results
• Wide curves are possible, but need to consider many other factors (pipe
joints, specialized guidance systems, etc.)
6. Water-Proofing
• Reduce water and ground inflows into tunnel by utilizing tunnel eye seals
and proper pipe joint seals

LOVAT Pipejacking TBMs
RME106PJ Series 17800 – Bern, Switzerland

LOVAT Pipejacking TBMs
RME104PJ Series 22501 – Milwaukee, USA

LOVAT Pipejacking TBMs
Micro – Tunnel Boring Machine (MTBM)

LOVAT Pipejacking TBMs
DELIVERY MACHINE SERIES
CURRENT DRIVE
YEAR OPERATING CITY Meters
2006 MP90PJ 22500 Appelton, USA 1,800 1,2,3,4
2008 MP104PJ 22501 Milwuakee 4,201 1,2,3,4
2000 RMPS121PJ 19400 Pusan, Korea 750 7
2006 RMP101PJ 19303 Milwaukee, USA 1,500
2002 RME101PJ 19301 Florida, USA 65
2004 RME106PJ 17802 Kraznoyarsk, Russia
2000 RME106PJ 17801 Zurich, Switzerland 1,200 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
1998 ME106PJ 17800 Bern, Switzerland 1,586 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
1997 MP101SE/PJ 17700 Southport, U.K. 2,400 2,3,4
1996 MP79PJ 12700 London, U.K. 4,700 5
1996 RMP121PJ 16800 Seoul, South Korea 480 4, 7
1994 RMP101PJ 14500 Brighton, U.K. 3,200 2, 3, 6
1994 MP112PJ 14400 Alexandria, Egypt 3,600 2
1993 RMP113PJ/SE 13400 Glasgow, Scotland 2,300 1, 2, 3, 5
1991 MP134PJ 11900 Alexandria, Egypt 2,500 2, 4
1991 MP83/90PJ/RL 11800 Dallas, USA 4,270 2, 3, 4
1991 M104PJ 11200 Kenosha, USA 6,096 1, 3, 4
GROUND

LOVAT Pipejacking TBMs
DELIVERY MACHINE SERIES
CURRENT DRIVE
YEAR OPERATING CITY Meters
1990 MP117RL/PJ 10600 St. Louis, U.S.A. 6,401 2, 4
1988 MP86SE/PJ 9500 Cleethorpes, U.K 3,048 2
1988 MP133SE/PJ 9300 Fort Worth, USA 4,572 1, 2, 3, 4
1988 MP77PJ 7700 Milwaukee, USA 4,572 1, 3, 4
1987 MP121/137RL/PJ 8600 San Diego, USA 4,572 2, 4
1987 MP118PJ 8200 Chieti, Italy 2,743 3, 4
1987 MP86PJ 8100 Deal, U.K 3,353 2, 3
1986 MP100PJ 7800 Blackpool, U.K. 2,743 2, 3
1986 MP90RL/SE/PJ 7600 Dallas, USA 5,791 1, 3
1986 MP77PJ 7200 Manchester, U.K 5,738 2, 3, 4
1985 M60PJ 3500 Cairo, Egypt 915 3, 4
1984 M77RL/PJ 6200 USA 4,572 4, 5
1983 M100/116SERL/PJ 6300 Glasgow, Scotland 3,500 2, 3, 4
1983 RM79/85SE/PJ 4900 Cleethorpes U.K. 8,600 2, 3, 4
1975 M100RL/PJ 1600 Toronto, Canada 9,144 3, 4
1975 M110/112PJ 2000 Detroit, USA 12,192 3, 4
1974 M96PJ 900 Toronto, Canada 2,743 2, 3
GROUND