Foaming at the mouth

UNDERGROUND EXCAVATIONS:CONSTRUCTION 958433 Invert revert: tunnelling at London Bridge A. Oliver, New Civil Engineer (NCE), 1130, 1995, pl0. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has now reviewed a submission from the Jubilee Line Extension (JLE) project to restart NATM work on the contract 104 London Bridge station tunnels. JLE has chosen to move away from its two face sidewall drift excavation techniques used previously on large tunnels, to avoid the potential problems flagged up by the HSE in light of its investigations into the Heathrow collapse. The article describes the problems encountered and the techniques employed to resolve them. (C.Paice) 958434 Bolt hold R. Byles, New Civil Engineer (NCE), 1126, 1995, pp 22-23. Completion of the £19.7M Brighton and Hove stormwater tank which involves the construction of 5.1kin of 6m diameter tunnel through chalk has been delayed until spring 1996. Delays are due to the failure of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) followed by delays in taking site possession, overcoming planning restrictions and working around unforeseen obstructions. The article describes the project and the engineering problems encountered, with particular reference to the failure of the high tensile steel bolts holding the cutter head to the main bearing of the TBM. (C.Paice) 958435 Vive la difference M. Levy, J. Hueher, J.-M. Demofieux, J.-E. Croiset & M. Pre, Tunnels & Tunnelling, 27(4), 1995, pp 33-36, Reviews the British Tunnelling Society's meeting on the French side of the Channel Tunnel, focusing on the aspects of the French side that were different from the UK works. The topics discussed are: geology and ground conditions, spoil disposal, tunnel lining design and tunnel boring machines (TBMs). The specific design for linings on the French side are outlined and comparison of the TBM performances for the various drives are discussed in terms of availability and productivity. (C.Paice) 958436 Foaming at the month ANON, Ground Engineering, 28(3), 1995, p29. Describes the new foam-based earth pressure balanced tunnelling system used on the segmented Lille Metro Tunnel in France. The Sika Tun foam replaces bentonite. Handling, application, and cost and environmental advantages are outlined. (J.M.McLanghlin) 958437 North Sea gas pipe jack pushes technology to the limit F. Returner, Tunnels & Tunnelling, 27(6), 1995, pp 22-24. The pipe jacking work carried out on the Landfall Tunnel for the Europipe scheme in the North Sea is described. A record length of 2600 m was performed for the pipe jacking across a nature reserve from this part of the 40 inch gas pipeline. The project includes a riser platform near Norway, a pipeline on the seabed to Germany and the Landfall Tunnel. A fully remote-controlled pipe jacking method using a bentonite slurry shield was selected for the project. Special tunnelling works needed, including cone crushing, are discussed. Submerging of the tie-in chamber and the pipeline pull-in are described. (P.M.Taylor) 958438 Cooling water tunnels under the sea M. Rasaner, Tunnels & Tunnelling, 27(6), 1995, pp 18-19.

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The excavation and construction of a new combined heat and power station in the eastern suburb of Vuomari in Helsinki, Finland, is described. The power station will be powered by natural gas transported by pipelines from Siberia. Cooling water will be brought from the Gulf of Finland. The geology of the region, tunnel system, shaft construction, tunnel excavation, and construction of the underwater shafts and oil cavern are discussed. (P.M.Taylor) 958439 Norwegian tunnelling methods T. Mellors, Tunnels & Tunnelling, 27(6), 1995, pp 32-34. Norwegian tunnelling methods used in the design and construction of the 61 m span cavern at Gjovik for the 17th Winter Olympic Games are described. The background to the project is discussed. Geotechnical investigations carried out are described. The Q system for support estimation is discussed and recent developments are outlined. The use of wet fibre reinforced shotcrete for tunnel lining is outlined. Discussions and questions on the work are also included. (P.M.Taylor) 958440 Bergen treats its sewage underground A. Haukedalen, Tunnels & Tunnelling, 27(6), 1995, p21. Progress on the construction of the sewage tunnel beneath the city of Bergen, Norway, is described. Construction is being carried out by Eeg-Henriksen ANlegg in a $15.9 m contract involving 7.5 km of rock tunnels, two rock caverns and two ventilation shafts. Because the tunnels pass under a large urban area, the contract imposes restrictions on blasting vibrations, working hours and noise levels. The excavated rock is being used in several development schemes around BergenHarbour. Excavation details are given. (P.M.Taylor) 958441 Sound design P. Wheeler, Ground Engineering, 28(4), 1995, pp 22-23. Design and construction of the Oresund immersed tube tunnel and bridge link between Denmark and Sweden is described. Engineering geology and environmental controls are considered. Limestone underlies the shallow glacial deposits. The link has been designed to minimise blocking effects to water flow, and construction and dredging operations will minimise sediment plumes and groundwater pollution. (J.M.McLaughlin) 958442 Brazilians take on the Midmar water tunnel S. Wallis, Tunnels & Tunnelling, 27(4), 1995, pp 27-30. At 6.5km long, the Midmar Tunnel lies on the critical path of a new potable water project in Natal, South Africa. The 3.5m diameter tunnel passes through tough and abrasive rocks and must he completed within a 2 month construction programme for commissioning in October 1996. Using a refurbished Robbins TBM and continuous conveyor mucking system, a Brazilian/SAJV sets out to meet the deadline. The article discusses the tunnelling conditions, the TBM choice and the conveyor mucking system. (C.Paice) 958443 Tunnelling in the Himalayas: problems and solutions R. K. Goel, J. L. Jethwa & A. G. Paithankar, Tunnels & Tunnelling, 27(5), 1995, pp 58-59. Problems encountered in tunnelling through the Himalayas, a region with major tectonic activity, are discussed. However, the region has vast hydroelectric potential for exploitation. Some solutions are described for tunnelling in the Himalayas together with various tunnelling projects in the area. An