Dangerous Gap between Theory and Practice in Earth Pressure Balance Shield Tunneling in Japan

摘要

The objective described in this paper is to give a warning to engineers engaged in earth pressure balance shield tunneling. Serious troubles have happened behind its delightful success in Japan. The causes show gap between theory and practice originated from lack of education for engineers and from their overestimation and self-conceit. In this paper the author review fundamentals of the method and two examples of serious trouble and points out the concrete problems found there.