The August 2011 issue of Tunnel Boring Magazine contains a profile on Brierley Associates, an engineering firm specializing in tunnel design based in the Denver, Colorado area. The article provides some nice insight into the business of tunnel design. Most articles you see focus more on the construction side of things, so this is a welcome change of pace. [Source: Tunnel Business Online. Image: Tunnel Business Online]
WSDOT released an update on February 7 with some conclusions regarding the blockage that has stopped the Alaska Way Viaduct Tunnel Boring Machine, Bertha’s progress since December 6. Now they don’t think it was necessarily the well casing after all.
They cite two factors that contributed to the blockage. First, the cutterhead was clogged with material. You can see an cool short video of a worker unclogging the cutterhead. Not terribly dramatic, but still cool. The second factor was increased temperatures inside the equipment. STP discovered damage to a seal that protects the machine’s main bearing. They are still determining how the repairs will be done.
If you want to follow the chronology of this issue, read below for summaries and links to previous updates from WSDOT. And Check out the videos too! [Source: WSDOT]
Hitachi Zosen Corporation has been selected by Seattle Tunnel Partners, WSDOT’s joint venture constructing the SR 99 bored tunnel. Hitachi Zosen was the best value manufacturer based on overall technical requirements, support capabilities, price and […]
Tunneling World is reporting that Soletanche Bachy has completed the first tunnel using low carbon concrete pipes. The project involves a new linear discharge tunnel 921 m long, that links the new Bonneuil-en-France wastewater treatment […]
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