Premier international research institutions, the RUB University of Bochum, Germany, Southwest Jiaotong University, and the Transportation Tunnel Research Institute of Chengdu, China, are confirmed participants and sponsors of the TBM DiGs 2019 conference to be held in Golden, Colorado, in November. The contribution by these institutions will bring a diverse range of expertise in TBM tunneling from these important sectors of the global industry, Europe and China. The ITA, International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, will also have a strong presence and deliver a keynote lecture on the state of the international tunneling industry.

“Plans for the fourth TBM DiGs conference met with much enthusiasm from the sponsors, exhibitors, and delegates at the World Tunnel Congress in Naples and the RETC in Chicago in June,” said organising committee member, Jamal Rostami of the Colorado School of Mines. “Organisation is now well underway for the conference, which gathers TBM specialists from around the world for discussion of recent and ongoing TBM projects in difficult ground conditions.”

Draft manuscripts of the more than 80 papers have been submitted and are under review. Final manuscripts are to be submitted by 1 August, ahead of the publication of the final agenda.

Experts from around the world are in the conference programme to share their experiences with TBMs in difficult conditions. Delegates will enjoy talks from keynote speakers including: Herbert Einstein from MIT on risk management, Lok Home from Robbins on the evolution of the TBM technology, Werner Berger of Herrenknecht on new technologies, and Wang Dujuan of CREG on innovative machine concepts.

As well as leading TBM manufacturers, other confirmed sponsors exhibitors include Brierley Associates, tool manufacturer Kennametal, equipment supplier Komatsu, USA contractor Kiewit, and materials provider Mapei.

Discussions at the conference will centre on solutions to TBM challenges in hard rock to soft ground conditions. Papers will focus on application of TBMs when known challenging ground conditions exist.

Additional information is available on the event website and send an email for technical discussions and program details and contact for technical support and exhibitions information.

The organisers look forward to hosting all the TBM experts and delegates from around the world.

Solutions to TBM challenges in hard rock to soft ground conditions are to be discussed and the fourth staging of the TBM-DiGs conference to be held in Golden, Colorado, USA from 14-15 November 2019. More than 80 paper abstracts have been submitted for presentation across the two-day event. There will include papers focused on new and innovative technologies to respond to ever more challenging ground conditions where TBMs are being applied. 

Experts from around the world are in the conference programme to share their experiences with TBMs in difficult conditions. Delegates will enjoy talks from keynote speakers including:

• Herbert Einstein from MIT on risk management
• Lok Home from Robbins on the evolution of the TBM technology
• Werner Berger of Herrenknecht on new technologies, and
• Wang Dujuan of CREG on innovative machine concepts

High profile sponsors of the event include TBM manufacturers Herrenknecht, Robbins and CREG, and research institutions the Transportation Tunnel Research Institute of Chengdu, China and key consulting firms including Brierley Associates.  The ITA, International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, is to have a strong presence and deliver a keynote lecture on the state of the international tunneling industry. 

The conference will start with a reception and tour of the Excavation Engineering and Earth Mechanics Institute (EMI) of the Colorado School of Mines where participants will be updated on the ongoing research activities and have the opportunity to meet Underground Construction and Tunneling (UCT) faculty and students to discuss ongoing research.  There will also be tours of the Golden and Rocky Mountains. 

Additional information is available on the event website and send an email for technical discussions and program details and contact for technical support and exhibitions information.  

The organisers look forward to hosting all the TBM experts and delegates from around the world.