Terratec micro systems excel in Bangkok 02 Mar 2017

Terratec microtunnelling machines have achieved several milestones on the Bangkok Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) new cable tunnel system in Thailand. In recent years, the Australian-based TBM manufacturer has sold more than 20 pipe jacking and microtunnelling systems to contractors working on utility and drainage tunnel projects in the Thai capital, and a number of larger diameter EPB and double shield TBMs.

Terratec microtunnelling systems field services

Four total solution pipe jacking systems are at work on two separate projects for the MEA’s 230kV high voltage underground cable tunnel programme, which is being undertaken to meet the ever increasing demand for energy consumption in major business areas of the city. These include two DN1500+ slurry MTBM systems for the Italian-Thai Development (ITD) contract on the MRT Green Line (North) cable tunnel project and two DN1800+ slurry MTBMs that are being employed by Drill Tech (Thailand) on the Chaloemphrakriat RAMA IX cable tunnel (Srinakarin to On-nut section).

The new cable tunnel network will increase the power distribution capacity of the MEA’s system, while establishing grid stability and reducing the physical risks associated with Bangkok’s infamous overhead power transmission lines, which are subject to physical accidents and incidents caused by rainstorms or windstorms in various seasons.

Terratec jacking stations

The two DN1500+ slurry MTBM pipe jacking systems (M46 and M47) at work on ITD’s 8,696m long MRT Green Line (North) cable tunnel project were launched respectively in February and May 2016, and feature soft ground cutterheads with an open style configuration suited to Bangkok’s geological conditions. They are designed to handle standard 1500mm id, 3000mm long concrete pipes and are able to excavate tunnel drives up to 350m in length with the assistance of intermediate jacking stations. To date these MTBMs have been averaging 206m per month, and with 6,856m (79%) of the tunnelling works now complete on the project, progress is currently 40% ahead of schedule.

On the Chaloemphrakriat RAMA IX cable tunnel (Srinakarin to On-nut section), the two DN1800+ slurry MTBMs (M41 and M49) began tunnelling in August and October 2016 respectively and are already 15% ahead of schedule on the 6,457m long tunnel, despite night only (10pm to 4am) working on the project.

The MTBM systems were all designed by Terratec at its engineering centre in Hobart, Australia and producted and assembled at Terratec’s microtunnelling systems production and service centre in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok. The company has sold more than 20 microtunelling systems in Thailand with diameters ranging from 300mm to 1800mm, a trend that prompted Terratec’s management team to set up its Thai production and maintenance centre.