An EPB TBM developed by CRCHI has completed its first tunnelling drive on the Messina-Catania railway project in Sicily – and the first TBM breakthrough on the section.
The 9.36m-diameter machine – one of four deployed – has completed 2.44km of tunnelling on a 12.54km-long section. The drive passed through complex geology including shale, conglomerate, basalt, and sandstone, with uniaxial compressive strengths ranging from 4-45MPa.
CRCHI’s R&D team worked with the construction contractor to develop a high-end, intelligent and environmentally-friendly TBM. The machine includes green tunnelling concepts and technology such as a permanent magnet synchronous drive, high-stability power supply, continuous tunnelling technology, automatic equipment management, intelligent excavation parameter control, automatic segment lifting, a super high-pressure rescue system and automatic gantry steering.
CRCHI says the features have enhanced the TBM’s energy efficiency and automation, and improved overall construction efficiency by optimising the best use of personnel.
A CRCHI after-sales team has provided support throughout the process. During the equipment assembly stage, the team mitigated issues such as passing beneath high-voltage cables, restricted operation of large cranes, and tight assembly space. An assembly plan was created and dynamic adjustments made to ensure the TBM was launched safely and on schedule.
During excavation, work was halted at intervals to monitor the potential presence of arsenic compounds in the strata. Through identifying and mitigating risks and holding on-site technical briefings, progress was maintained.
The TBM achieved a maximum daily advance of 30.6m, and a maximum monthly advance of more than 500m.
