Real time EPBM monitoring with TBMView 15 Nov 2018

Fig 1. Cross functional approach for total TBM monitoring solution

TBMView collates available information from TBM and tunnel sources and displays them in real time allowing immediate reaction to anomalies in excavation and lining operations. In this way it operates as a pro-active system. Key parameters are displayed graphically against pre-set trigger levels making interpretation and response simple and providing an overview of the complete operational process. As can be seen from functional decomposition diagram all components of TBMView are integrated and fed from single real-time data from time segments arriving at the site to becoming a Ring in the tunnel and beyond. Every advancing and Ring building can be replayed and reproduced from the site to the ring from stored historical data for fault diagnosis and events.

TBMView was developed for use in a permanently manned control room where tunnelling operations and tunnel safety are permanently monitored. Engineers in the control room can respond directly to excavation problems as they occur.

TBMView automatically produces the documentation required for regular tunnelling operational reviews where TBM operational instructions are examined and modified. The TBMView system also incorporates other useful functions that assist in the management of the tunnelling process, including:

TBMView control room

• Production of shift TBM maintenance
• Management of precast segments
• Ring damage and repair reporting
• Overview of tunnel and TBM environmental safety
• Overview of TBM and tunnel fire safety
• TBM route mapping
• Ring plane correction assistance
• TBM steering and articulation assistance
• TBM consumables usage

In general, TBMView can accept information from any source and display it in a simple mode that is immediately understandable to engineers involved in the operations. TBMView can be adapted to any special requirements set forth by the client in processing data from site sources such as conveyor systems, water treatment plants, grout batching plants, and cooling installations. The key components of the system are discussed below.

Fig 2. An air bubble in full-EPB operation becomes immediately obvious

TBM mode

EPB machines can be operated in different modes depending on geology and project requirements:

• Full-EPB mode with a predetermined face pressure and a full excavation chamber
• Semi-EPB mode with a predetermined face pressure and a partially filled chamber
• Open mode with no face pressure and an empty chamber

The TBMView system interrogates the face earth pressure sensors to obtain hydrostatic gradients for the material in the excavation chamber. From these the environmental pressures and the degree of filling of the chamber are evident (Fig 2).

Fig 3. Target face pressure (Axis) is read against a background target mask

Operational face pressure

TBMView indicates the face pressures at different levels that are plotted against target values for these parameters. The consistency of the face pressure regime and its value during excavation is immediately recognisable (Fig 3).

The face pressure value during ring building is also important. TBMView monitors the face pressure continuously and displays it as a succession of excavations and ring build cycles.

Excavated spoil

TBMView takes information from belt weighers and gives a graphical representation of the quantity of spoil removed as each stroke proceeds. This is displayed against a background mask indicating various trigger levels. Face material density is a variable parameter input by the site engineering department. A screen indication is available during excavation (Fig 4) so that problems can be addressed quickly.

Fig 4. Departure from required values is immediately obvious

Backfill grouting

TBMView displays pressure and flow information from each grout line together with the total grout volume injected (Fig 5). This information can be used to justify the adequacy of the grouting operation from both a pressure basis and in respect of the total volume injected. It can also indicate where problems exist on individual injection lines.

Spoil conditioning regime

In general, conditioning of the excavated material is necessary by injection of either foams or polymer-dosed fluids through the cutterhead of the TBM. The amount of fluid injected and its effect are tracked by TBMView, which displays the foam injection ratio (FIR) and the polymer injection ratio (PIR) as excavation proceeds (Fig 6). The totals for injected foam and polymer fluids are displayed in tabular form on the ring report sheet.

In addition, TBMView includes graphical representations of the cutterhead torque and tabular values for the specific energy of excavation that give insight into the effects of the soil conditioning regime (Fig 7).

Shield articulation

For any given vertical or horizontal alignment there is a theoretically correct articulation setting for a TBM with an active articulation. TBMView can give the articulation ram differential readings to the TBM operator in the instruction information. Conversely, the actual articulation settings being implemented by the operator can be shown on the control room screens and displayed in terms of the implied tunnel radius. The centre of thrust during each excavation cycle is recorded, which gives an indication of the suitability of the articulation setting (Fig 8).

Steering the shield

For any given vertical or horizontal alignment there are theoretically correct axial ram differential extensions for each stroke. These can be given to the TBM operators to aid the excavation process and can be interrogated by TBMView to indicate the current radius being followed by the shield.

Fig 8. Shield articulation readings

Management strategy

The TBMView management philosophy for tunnelling operations involves the following procedure:

• Initial studies of the geotechnical environment, third party assets, and tunnel alignment generate the basic mode of operation and target face pressures along the tunnel route.
• Initial operating instructions are generated and agreed by the contractor and client (Fig 9). These are issued and tunnelling commences.
• The excavation operation is monitored by engineers from the control room where anomalies in parameters are highlighted and responded to. Ring excavation reports are produced for each excavation (Fig 10) and a shift summary is generated (Fig 11).
• The excavation reports are reviewed together with surface settlement results at a daily shift review meeting where the operating instructions are ratified or modified by an agreement between the contractor’s and client’s representatives.
• New operating instructions are issued as necessary to the tunnelling teams.

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  Fig 9. Operational parameters sheet

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  Fig 10. Ring excavation record sheet

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  Fig 11. Quality control and balance verification reports

Additional graphical representations provided by TBMView include ring plane correction assistance generated from either manual or automatic input depending on the TBM configuration (Fig 12); management of precast segments including record of installation, damage, and repair (Figs 13); an overview of tunnel and TBM environmental safety; TBM route mapping, geologically in section and in plan for surface infrastructure (Fig 14); and TBM consumables usage.

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  Fig 12. Ring plane correction

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  Fig 13. Precast segment monitoring

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  Fig 14. TBM route mapping