Terratec TBMs pass FAT for Taiwan

The two 8.38m diameter EPBMs, delivered on behalf of group company JIMT, will be used by Futsu-Obayashi-Cec Joint Venture (FOC JV) for its underground works contract GC03. The works include four underground stations with two 2.6km drives. Tunnelling work will start in the second half of this year.

FOC JV has purchased a total of four EPBMs from JIMT for the contract. The first two 6.24m diameter machines completed their Factory Acceptance Tests in 2021.

The final two 8.38m diameter EPBMs have robust spoke type with outer ring cutterheads designed for the geology, which includes sandstone and boulders. They will discharge large boulders through the ribbon-type screw conveyor.

Other features include VFD electric cutterhead drives, disc roller cutters and reinforced cutting tools for gravel layers, high torque screw conveyors, active articulation systems and state-of-the-art guidance and control systems. As the TBMs progress, they will install 1,200mm-wide by 350mm-thick reinforced concrete lining rings, comprising six segments plus a key. Muck cars will be used.

JIMT and Terratec are the sole supplier of all seven new TBMs for the Green Line. As well as the four manufactured for FOC JV, three 6.24m diameter EPBMs were provided to Bes-Daiho-Okumura JV for its Green Line Contract GC02, two of which were produced in JIMT’s factory in Japan.

The Taoyuan MRT Green Line is a rapid transit line of the Taoyuan Metro. The new 27.8km line has 21 stations, 10 of them underground. It is due to be completed in 2026.