UNPRECEDENTED EPB EXCAVATION IN PRESSURIZED MIXED GROUND CONDITIONS: STUDY OF PERFORMANCE AT THE EMISOR ORIENTE WASTEWATER TUNNEL

摘要

Mexico City's Emisor Oriente Wastewater Tunnel, a 63 km long mega project, is arguably one of the most challenging TBM tunnels in the world today. High water pressures, watery lake clays, mixed soil and rock, abrasive basalt, and boulders up to 800 mm in diameter combine to make the use of six 8.93 m diameter EPBs on this project not only challenging, but also unprecedented. This paper will analyze the excavation of Emisor Oriente Lots 1B and 3, some of the most difficult bores operating under tight excavation schedules. Startup configurations, advance rates, wear results, geological findings, muck removal using continuous conveyors, and any necessary hyperbaric interventions will also be discussed.