HERRENKNECHT

Tunnelvortriebstechnik
TAB L E O F C ON T E NT S
DES IGN AND FUNCTION

I V. D e s i g n a n d F u n c t i o n

1. Functional principle Earth Pressure Balance shield . . . . . . . . IV - 2

1.1 Advance and mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IV - 3
1.2 Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IV - 5
DOCUMENT: 6170-001

EDITION 12/2009 VE R S I O N 0 0 1 S-525 SOFIA METRO LINE 2 IV - 1

 HERRENKNECHT

Tunnelvortriebstechnik
FU NC TION AL PR IN CIP LE EA RT H P RE SS UR E B A LAN CE
DES IGN AND FUNCTION

1. Functional principle Earth Pressure Balance shield

The Earth Pressure Balance shields (in short EPB shield) are preferably
used for cohesive soils with high clay, mud or silt contents which are
characterised by a low water permeability.
The soil excavated by the cutting wheel serves the support of the tunnel
face to avoid sedimentation or elevations.
In order for the soil loosened at the tunnel face to be used as a support
medium, it should show the following properties:

• Sound plastic formability

• Pulpy to soft consistency
• Low degree of internal friction
• Low water permeability
As a rule, these properties are neither completely provided by a soil
before, nor after its excavation. The material has to be conditioned with
additives such as foam to make it conveyable. Also ground pressure
changes must be considered.
DOCUMENT: 6170-001

EDITION 12/2009 VE R S I O N 0 0 1 S-525 SOFIA METRO LINE 2 IV - 2

 HERRENKNECHT

Tunnelvortriebstechnik
FU NC TION AL PR IN CIP LE EA RT H P RE SS UR E B A LAN CE
DES IGN AND FUNCTION

1.1 Advance and mining

The soil is loosened at the tunnel face [1] by the tools of the rotating
cutting wheel and pressed into the excavation chamber [3] through the
cutting wheel [2] openings. It then mixes with the already available
plastic soil mush. The thrust cylinder force is transferred to the soil mush
via the pressure bulkhead [4], thereby preventing the soil from
penetrating in an uncontrolled way from the tunnel face into the excavation
chamber.
A balanced condition is attained once the soil mush in the excavation
chamber cannot be further consolidated by the applied earth and water
pressure. The earth pressure then prevailing at the tunnel face roughly
corresponds to the earth pressure at rest.
If the soil mush's support pressure is increased beyond the balanced
condition, the mush soil inside the excavation chamber as well as the in-
situ soil are further consolidated, which may cause an upheaval of the
ground in front of the shield. If the earth pressure is reduced, the in-situ
soil can intrude into the excavation chamber, which may cause
settlements on the ground surface.

4
1 8

2 6 7
3

Earth-pressure-balance-shield: General

[1] Tunnel face [5] Thrust cylinder

[2] Cutting wheel [6] Screw conveyor
DOCUMENT: 6170-001

[3] Excavation chamber [7] Segments

[4] Pressure bulkhead [8] Tail skin

EDITION 12/2009 VE R S I O N 0 0 1 S-525 SOFIA METRO LINE 2 IV - 3

 HERRENKNECHT

Tunnelvortriebstechnik
FU NC TION AL PR IN CIP LE EA RT H P RE SS UR E B A LAN CE
DES IGN AND FUNCTION

The excavation material is conveyed with the screw conveyor [6] from
the pressurised excavation chamber into the tunnel which is under
atmospheric pressure. To allow for a lock-free material transfer from the
screw conveyor output to the belt conveyor, the soil should show a low
degree of water permeability in order to prevent the initiation of a flow
process by the screw conveyor.
The tunnel is usually lined with reinforced-concrete segments [7], which
are mounted under atmospheric pressure conditions in the shield area
behind the pressure bulkhead.
The remaining gap between the outside of the segments and the
excavation diameter is continuously filled with grout which is pressed
through injection openings in the tail skin [8].

The earth pressure is influenced by the following main factors:

• Advance speed
• Excavation volume
• Addition of substances for soil conditioning

During an advance cycle at a specified speed, the ground pressure is

usually regulated by adjusting the screw conveyor speed. If the soil's
excavation accelerates due to an increased screw conveyor speed, the
earth pressure decreases. The earth pressure rises when the soil is
removed at a slower rate.
In general, the earth pressure can also be controlled by means of the
advance speed. Here, a reduction of the advance speed effects a
decreased earth pressure, while an acceleration of the advance speed
effects an increased earth pressure.
In any case, the overall objective is the earth pressure's maintenance at a
constant level during the advance process. The pressure generated inside
the excavation chamber has to compensate the earth pressure in front of
the cutting wheel to prevent settlements and the soil's escape.
The earth or support pressure is displayed in the control cabin by means
of earth pressure sensors, which are installed on different levels of the
pressure bulkhead.
The cutting wheel's rotational speed can be changed during the advance
process in order to facilitate an optimum mixing and conditioning of the soil
or to minimise shield roll.
DOCUMENT: 6170-001

EDITION 12/2009 VE R S I O N 0 0 1 S-525 SOFIA METRO LINE 2 IV - 4

 HERRENKNECHT

Tunnelvortriebstechnik
FU NC TION AL PR IN CIP LE EA RT H P RE SS UR E B A LAN CE
DES IGN AND FUNCTION

1.2 Control
All data and controls required for the tunnelling machine's operation are
accommodated in the control cabin. The advance, cutting wheel and
screw conveyor speed can be set there.
Also the direction of drive is controlled via the control cabin. Based on the
thrust cylinder groups [5] pressure control, the shield can be controlled
in accordance with the directions specified by the control system.
DOCUMENT: 6170-001

EDITION 12/2009 VE R S I O N 0 0 1 S-525 SOFIA METRO LINE 2 IV - 5