STEC orders two giant TBMs for multipurpose tunnel
21 May 2014Chinese contractor and manufacturer Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co Ltd (STEC), has placed an order for two Herrenknecht 15.76m diameter Mixshield TBMs. The machines will be used for a large multifunctional tunnel in Wuhan, central China.
The twin bore double deck tunnel will feature a three lane highway on the upper level, and Wuhan Metro Line 7 below. The 2,590m long tunnel alignment runs up to 39.5m below the water surface in extremely complex soil. Water pressures of up to 5.3 bar are anticipated, and the tunnel runs through varying geological formations that feature sand and clay, mixed geology with mudstone, and conglomerates and sand.
It is expected that by 2017 the metro network of three lines will be extended to seven, from the current 73km to 215km in length.
