Tunnelling machines

Tunnel-boring machines are specialised machines designed for the mechanical excavation of tunnels, adits and underground structures. The choice of the appropriate machine depends on the tunnel diameter, rock type and geological conditions.

The main types are tunnel boring machines (TBMs) with a rotating cutter head for full-face tunnelling, shield tunnelling machines (earth pressure balance and fluid-supported shields) for loose soils, tunnel excavators with articulated booms for mixed-mode operation, as well as shotcrete manipulators and drilling jumbos for conventional blasting tunnelling.

Common manufacturers include Herrenknecht, Robbins, Wirth, Kawasaki, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Sandvik, Atlas Copco and Liebherr for tunnel excavators.

Tunnel boring machines are used in underground and railway tunnel construction, road tunnels, hydroelectric power station adits, mining, utility tunnels (electricity, water, telecoms) and in microtunnelling for the laying of sewers and pipes.

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