LAMANNA Luigi Franco

August, 2016

SL_015_GLO

December, 2016

TBMs TIPOLOGY OF MECHANIZED

A wide range of materials are used as soil conditioning agents, and many commercial products based on these

are available. The most common conditioning agents are foams, polymers and bentonite slurries, although others

such as water, dispersants and oils also have applications. Each type of conditioning agent has different

properties and effects on soil properties, as discussed below.

POLYMERS (GLOBALCRYL-46)

Polymers are macromolecules consisting of large numbers of repeating smaller molecules (monomers) chemically

bonded into long chains. Polymerisation of a single type of monomer produces a homopolymer, while

polymerisation of two or more different monomers produces a copolymer. The properties of polymers vary widely,

depending on their chemical composition and structure. The size of polymer molecules (characterised by the

molecular weight), branches or groups attached to the polymer chain, cross-linking between chains, and

intermolecular forces all influence the physical properties of polymers .

A range of polymers are used as soil conditioning agents in EPB tunnelling. Natural polymers such as starches and

guars, modified natural polymers including carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polyanionic cellulose (PAC), and

synthetic polymers, particularly derivatives of polyacrylamides, have been used for various functions during

tunnelling with EPB machines (Milligan, 2000).

FOAMS (GLOBALFOAM-AS or GLOBALFOAM-HG)

Foam is a dispersion of air bubbles in a liquid phase comprising of a water based surfactant solution. The

properties of surfactants and foams, their interactions with soils, and their effects as conditioning agents are

discussed by authors including Maidl et. al. (1996), Langmaack (2000), Milligan (2000) and Leinala et. al. (2002).

Surfactants are surface active agents, which are molecules with chemical structures based on a hydrophobic

chain and a hydrophilic end group which can have anionic, cationic, non-ionic or amphoteric charge

properties. The surfactant chemistry affects the surface tension of the solution, their interactions with soils, and the

properties of the foam. Surfactants can adsorb onto charged soil particles through electrostatic attractions and

chemical bonding mechanisms, and cause steric interactions and repulsive forces to disperse fine-grained soils.

The adsorption of surfactants onto steel surfaces of a tunnelling machine is also thought to reduce the adhesion

of clay soils.

THE NAME PRODUCTS, DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:

SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS AND POLYMERS

A) - FOAMS:“ GLOBALFOAM-AS”

- RANGE OF UNIQUE ANTI-WEAR AND DUST SUPPRESSION TECHNOLOGY FOR HARD ROCK TBM

OPERATING IN ABRASIVE GROUND.

“ GLOBALFOAM-HG” - FOAMING AGENTS SPECIALLY DEVELOPED FOR LIQUIDIZING AND ENABLING WORKABILITY OF THE

EXCAVATED SURFACE IN TBM (IS USED FOR SANDY AND SILTY SOIL OR WHEN THE SOIL HUMIDITY IS

HIGH)

- REDUCE THE STICKINESS OF SOIL, MINIMISING CLOGGING RISK

B) - POLYMERS:

“GLOBALCRYL-46”- LIQUID POLYMER FOR SOIL CONDITIONING WITH SHIELDED TBM EXCAVATION

- FOR BENTONITE SLURRY MODIFICATION IN SLURRY SHIELD MACHINES IN CASE OF HIGH SOIL POROSITY

OR SALINE WATER CONDITIONS

- PARTICULARLY RECOMMENDED FOR POORLY GRADED AND LOW FINE GROUND, SATURATED GROUND, AND

HIGH WATER PRESSURE GROUND IN EPB SHIELD MACHINES

C) – ANTI-CLAY POLYMERS

“GLOBALSPERSE-1/45” - ANTI-CLAY POLYMER AGENT FOR EARTH PRESSURE TBM (EPB) AND HARD ROCK MACHINE

(The consumption rate of liquid anti-clay agent is based on the volume of soil excavated and ranges from 0,1 – 5

kg/m3)

A.1) - “ GLOBALFOAM-AS”

Is a foaming agent especially designed for soil conditioning in shield Tunnel Boring Machines.

”GLOBALFOAM-AS” is used at 2 to 3% in water to make a solution.

“GLOBALCRYL-46” polymers can be jointly used with “GLOBALFOAM-AS” to strengthen the foam or adjust the

properties of the excavated soil.

An aqueous solution of “GLOBALFOAM-AS” expanded with air to produce a stable foam. The foam expansion

and the foam injection rate into the face, into the working chamber or screw conveyor depend on soli conditions

encountered.

A.2) - “ GLOBALFOAM-HG”

Is a polymer reinforced foaming agent especially designed for soil conditioning in shield Tunnel Boring Machines.

“GLOBALFOAM-HG” is used at 2 to 3% in water to make a solution.

“GLOBALCRYL-46” polymers can be jointly used with “GLOBALFOAM-HG” to strengthen the foam or adjust the

properties of the excavated soil.

An aqueous solution of “GLOBALFOAM-HG” expanded with air to produce a stable foam. The foam expansion

and the foam injection rate into the face, into the working chamber or screw conveyor depend on soli conditions

encountered.

FOAMS:

B.1) - “ GLOBALCRYL-46”

Is a lubricating polymer in liquid form for soil conditioning with shielded Tunnel Boring Machines excavation.

”GLOBALCRYL-46” is between 0,2 to 2 kg/m3 on the volume of soil excavated (0,3 to 3% on the foam solution).

Features and benefits:

- When injected directly into the screw conveyor or working chamber, it helps the formation of the “plug”;

- Increasing cohesion of coarser sands and sandy gravels;

- Reducing soil permeability;

- Is recommended for poorly graded and water saturated ground;

- The quantity of polymer in the foam solution, the foam expansion rate, and the foam injection rate will vary

according to the ground conditions.

POLYMERS:

ANTI-CLAY POLYMERS:

C.1) - “ GLOBALSPERSE-1/45”

Is anti-clay polymer for earth pressure (Tunnel Boring Machines). It can be injected at the cutterhead, working

chamber and screw conveyer and creates a stable foam that can be used with standard foam generators installed

on EPB machines

”GLOBALSPERSE-1/45” is used as an aqueous solution with typically 3% concentration.

Injected via a foam generator, the typical FOAM EXPANSION RATIO (FER) varies between 8 and 20, and the FOAM

INJECTION RATIO (FIR) between 30 and 80.

If the consistency of the muck needs to be reduced, ”GLOBALCRYL-46” polymers can be used in combination

with ”GLOBALSPERSE-1/45”.

GLOBALSPERSE-1/45

- GLOBALFOAM-AS

- GLOBALFOAM-HG

- GLOBALCRYL-46

ADDITIVE 2

ADDITIVE 1

WATER

SOLUTION

AIR

SOIL CONDITIONING EXAMPLES – EPB, FOAM PRODUCTION

CONDITIONING LAYOUT SHOWING INJECTION AT CUTTERFACE, WORKING CHAMBER AND SCREW CONVEYOR

AVERAGE COMPOSITION FOR A NORMALLY USED FOAM:

- GLOBALFOAM –HG AND GLOBLFOAM-AS: 0.5 – 1 %

-- WATER: 5 – 10 %

-- AIR: 90 -95 %

-- GLOBALCRYL-46 (EVENTUAL): < 0.1 %

FOAMING AGENT CAN HAVE INSIDE A SMALL AMOUNT OF POLYMER TO

STABILIZE THE FOAM BUBBLES

Lubrication and soil conditioning are being increasingly used to improve the performance of tunnelling,

pipe jacking, microtunnelling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD).

The lubrication and conditioning may be effected by the addition of suitable agents at various points

throughout the tunnelling process, such as: at the point of cut in the tunnel face; within the cutter head;

in the muck removal system; around the outside of the tunnelling shield and/or the pipes in a tunnel or

pipe line formed by pipe jacking or microtunnelling; in the separation units of a slurry system; or to muck

on its way to tip.

This improvement may come about in a number of ways which are discussed in detail in section 2 and

summarised here:

• reduced wear of machine cutter head face plate and tools, and all wear parts of the muck removal

system;

• improved stability of tunnel face, with consequently better control of ground movements:

• improved flow of excavated material through the cutter head;

• reduced cutter head power requirements;

• reduced friction and heat build up in shield;

• excavated material formed into a suitably plastic mass;

• enhanced properties of soil in the pressure chamber of earth-pressure balance (EPBM) machines,

leadingto:

- more uniform pressures in the working chamber;

- better control of groundwater inflow by reducing permeability;

- reduction in clogging of machine head chamber;

- more controlled flow of soil and water through the screw conveyor;

- easier handling of excavated soil;

LUBRICATION AND SOIL CONDITIONING IN TUNNELLING, PIPE JACKING AND MICROTUNNELLING: A STATE OF THE ART REWIEW

BY DR GEORGE MILLIGAN, DIRECTOR, GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTING GROUP, AUGUST 2000

LUBRICATION AND SOIL CONDITIONING: STATE OF THE ART REVIEW

A) - Reasons for soil conditioning and lubrication

In all types of machine, provision of a lubricating agent which reduces the friction between soil cuttings, and

between the cuttings and the cutters and cutter head, will reduce power requirements for any particular

advance rate and also wear on the machine. Reducing power has many secondary effects apart from the

obvious reduction in energy costs. For instance the build up of heat, which may be difficult to dissipate in

some ground conditions, will be slowed. Lower torque on the machine head will reduce distortion of the

shield and extend the life of seals and bearings, which are some of the most critical and vulnerable

components in the machine.

To be fully effective, the lubricating agent must be added at the point of cut, before remoulding of the cut

soil starts. Injection into the working chamber (see next section) may be too late to provide the full potential

benefit. Early addition is necessary to allow sufficient mixing time with the soil, even if the benefit being

sought is not required until later in the tunnelling process. Lubrication at the cutters nearest to the periphery

of the cutter head, where relative soil/cutter velocities are greatest, is particularly important. Water or slurry

introduced as high pressure jets may assist with cutting the soil.

In a slurry machine, fluid pressure in the head is used to support the tunnel face. In clay soils the slurry may

consist of water with a proportion of suspended clay from the excavated material which is not completely

removed at the separation plant. In more permeable soils a filter cake must first be formed in the soil face to

prevent the slurry from dispersing into the ground; a bentonite slurry is then normally used.

• support of excavated bore in pipe jacking, microtunnelling and HDD;

• reduction of jacking forces in pipe jacking and microtunnelling;

• reduction in the friction losses in the pipes, valves and pumps of a slurry machine system;

• better separation of spoil from slurry in a slurry machine system;

• more acceptable spoil for disposal;

• through a number of the above, improved safety for personnel working in the tunnel, particularly

duringcutter changes and cutter head inspections.

B) – The tunnel face

CONDITIONING LAYOUT SHOWING INJECTION AT CUTTERFACE,

WORKING CHAMBER AND SCREW CONVEYOR

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Bentonite on its own may work satisfactorily in silty or sandy soils, but in coarser soils additional materials may

be included to increase the slurry density, promote the formation of a filter cake and reduce slurry loss into

the ground, mainly by increasing the amount of material capable of blocking pore spaces.

It is possible that inclusion of foam in the slurry may provide similar benefits to the air cushion in a hydroshield

system. This could be of particular application in microtunnellingmachines operating on the slurry system.

Earth pressure balance machines support the face with pressure from the mass of remoulded soil within the

machine head chamber and screw conveyor. Beneath the water table, this can only be done if the soil is

not too permeable, otherwise the water pressure cannot be resisted. It is generally reckoned that a

coefficient of permeability of less than 10-6 to 10-5 m/s is needed for an EPBM to function satisfactorily; in

more permeable soils, it is possible that conditioning agents may permeate the face a short distance ahead

of the machine and reduce the permeability to an acceptable level.

Schematic of EPB TMB

Wide range of using tunnel boring machines during tunnel construction pose some problems for a

safe, economical and effective usage of the machines. Even if the right machine is selected for

the relevant rock/soil condition; there has been faced problems such as;

1) Pressure balancing during excavation

2) Abrasion of discs, cutters, scrapers because of rock formation

3) Clogging of excavation tools, reducing efficiency

4) Cohesion

5) Water retention after segment lining.

To bring a solution to these problems, there has been chemical additives used to maintain an

effective excavation performance and reduce the expenses. The chemical additives used in

tunneling operations can be classified according to areas they have been used such as:

1) Earth conditioners

2) Slurry conditioners

3) Anti-dust and anti-abrasiveness

4) Segment manufacturing additives

5) Tailing Lubricant additives

Earth Conditioners

Especially EPB type of TBM requires the use of chemical additives to increase cut ability, support

and transport properties of soil formation during boring operation. Conditioning of soil can be

achieved by using foam and/or additives.

CLASSIFICATION OF CHEMICAL ADDITIVE USED IN TBM TUNNELING

ROCK CLASSIFICATION DIAGRAM

The type of foam which is going to be selected according to the type of soil based on the

rock classification diagram which is shown in Figure and characteristics of TBM.

The additives also include special anti-clogging agents to disable clogging of machine

gaps and anti-abrasion additives to increase lifetime of cutter head tools and TBM screw.

All photos illustred are copied from the WEB

Foam additives

Foam is the chemical additive used for earth conditioning in TBM. It is mixed with water and

pressured with air to excavation face.

The addition of foam aims:

Pressure maintenance

Fluidizing effect for the soil

Homogenous soil paste creation

Reduction of permeability

Lowering of torque

Soil stickiness reduction

Reduction of abrasion

There are two main properties of foam characteristics (EFNARC, 2005):

FER: Foam expansion ratio is the ratio of foam volume at working pressure to volume of the

foaming solution.

FER = V foam / V Foam solution

The foam expansion ratio should be between 5-30.

If the FER is high; the generated tunnel foam will be drier.

Drier tunnel foam should be used for a wet soil and vice versa.

FIR: Foam injection ratio is the ratio of foam volume at working pressure to volume of in situ

soil to be excavated.

FIR = 100 x V foam / V soil

Foam injection ratio should be between 10-80%; in most cases between 30-60%.

For the best value of FIR, laboratory tests should be made.

Water content of soil and water content of injection is important.

The type of foam is determined by the type of excavation soil. Foams can be classified in

three types; A, B and C (EFNARC, 2005).

FOAM TYPE A:- Dispersing capacity is high (breaking clay bonds)

- Good coating capacity (reduce swelling effects)

FOAM TYPE B:- For general purpose

- Medium stability

FOAM TYPE C:- High stability

- Anti-segregation properties (develop and maintain cohesive impermeable soil)

FOAM TYPES POLYMER ADDITIVES

Soil A B C FIR

Clay ▲ 30-80 Anti-clogging polymer

Sandy Clay-silt ▲ ▲ 40-60 Antic-clogging polymer

Sand-clayey silt ▲ 20-40 Polymer for consistency control

Sand ▲ ▲ 30-40Polymer for cohesiveness and

consistency control

Clayey gravels ▲ 25-50Polymer for cohesiveness and

consistency control

Sandy gravels ▲ 30-60Polymer for cohesiveness and

consistency control FO

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Anti-clay polymer additives

Clay is a natural rock or soil material which is fine grained. It consist of one or more clay

minerals with metal oxides and organic matter. The property of clay changes due to its water

content. The plasticity of clay increases with higher amount of water; when it is drier, it

becomes hard, brittle and non-plastic.

Excavation in clay formation has many disadvantages both for operation efficiency and tool

wearing such as:

- Clogging and adhesion in cutter head

- Wearing of cutting tools

- Hard transport of excavated material

- Blocking and aggregation

- Reduction in torque efficiency

- Reduction of rate of excavation.

Generally, the creation of an EPB-suitable soil paste is also possible in clay soil. Like in porous

soils, the use of foam only will, in the majority of cases, not be successful. In order to create the

soil paste properly, the use of anti-clay-additives is necessary as seen in Figure.

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FIG. - SOIL-SOIL WITH FOAM-SOIL WITH FOAM AND ADDITIVE

All photos illustred are copied from the WEB

TEST METHODOS FOR CONDITIONED SOIL

All photos illustred are copied from the WEB

TEST METHODS FOR CONDITIONED

LUBRICATION AND SOIL CONDITIONING: STATE OF THE ART REVIEW

LUBRICATION AND SOIL CONDITIONING IN TUNNELLING, PIPE JACKING AND MICROTUNNELLING: A STATE OF THE ART REWIEW BY

DR GEORGE MILLIGAN, DIRECTOR, GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTING GROUP, AUGUST 2000

The purpose of this test is to determine how far ahead of the cutter head foam injected at the face may

penetrate into the ground. If the penetration is too great the consumption of foam may become

excessive, the foam may not be stiff enough to prevent outflow of groundwater, and the pressure

gradient at the face may be insufficient to maintain an adequate support pressure; if penetration is

too little, the foam may again be unable to prevent flow of groundwater. Foam is forced under

pressure to penetrate the soil sample in the base of the test cylinder against a back-pressure in the

pore water representing the groundwater pressure, and the rate of penetration measured (Quebaud

et al. 1998, Maidl 1995 ). Initial penetration to a depth of about 30 mm is almost instantaneous.

However it is clear that the mechanics of penetration at the face of a tunnelling shield through

localised ports in a moving cutter wheel are very different from those pertaining in this test. Bezuijen et

al. (1999) reported that no penetration of foam was observed from a SAND-WATER-FOAM mixture into

sand, as opposed to the penetration of pure foam into sand.

Various tests have been devised to assess the performance of FOAM-SOIL mixtures, to try to

investigate the mixtures under conditions representantive of those pertaining in the EPBM.

These yests have been of aresearch nature and none has yet been standardised. Hower

some sort of consensus seems to be appering in the range of tests which may be useful,

with similar being explored in Germany, Italy, France and the UK (and probably elsewhere).

Some of the test that have been devised are:

A) – Foam penetration

Tests have been devised using a pan mixer similar to a small concrete mixer, a pug mill or large food

mixer. The soil is stirred around in the pan by a system of blades and the power consumption

measured. Foam (or other conditioning agent) may then be introduced and measurements made of

the time for mixing to take place and of any change in power requirements for different quantities of

additive. Reductions in power consumption of over 50% for a sand/foam mixture have been reported,

(Quebaud et al. 1998). Tests of this kind are obviously intended to model conditions within the EPBM

head chamber; ideally it ought to be possible to apply a confining pressure in these tests to represent

the earth balance pressure in the chamber. Bezuijen et al. (1999) report on tests in which a chamber

is pressurised to 350 kPa and foam then injected into sand through a rotor which steadily penetrates

the sand, representing the cutting wheel of a tunnelling machine. The apparatus is shown. The

removal of the conditioned sand through a screw conveyor is then studied using the apparatus

shown on the right; results of the latter tests have not yet been reported.

B) – Mixing test

The permeability of a conditioned soil may be measured in a constant-head permeameter as normally

used for measurements on soils. It has been suggested that the coefficient of permeability of the soil k

must be below 10-5 m/s for adequate control of water flow through an EPBM to be maintained. As a result

of conditioning, substantial reductions in permeability, by over two orders of magnitude, were reported by

Quebaud et al. (1998). Bezuijen et al. (1999) reported that the final permeability of the SAND-WATER-FOAM

mixture depends critically on the degree to which pore water is replaced by foam. Replacement

increases as the applied pressure gradient increases, but under practical conditions in the field full

replacement is not possible. When 83% replacement was achieved, the permeability of a fine sand

decreased from 5 x 10-4 m/s to 2.5 x 10-6 m/s; at 50 % replacement the permeability dropped to 1.5 x 10-5

m/s, but with no replacement the permeability only dropped to 1.5 x 10- 4 m/s.v.

C) – Permeability test

Some compressibility of the foam-soil mixture in an EPBM head chamber is very beneficial; it allows some

differences to occur between the rate of excavation at the face and of muck removal through the screw

conveyor without excessive variations in pressure and hence either possible loss of effective face support

or overloading of the machine. The compressibility may be measured in a transparent cylinder similar to

that used in the foam penetration test (above). It is possible that measurements of both compressibility

and permeability could be conveniently made under different ambient pressure conditions in a Rowe

cell.

D) – Compressibility

The purpose of this test is to measure the adhesion and/or friction between the foamed soil and a metal

surface, to give an indication of the possible reduction in wear and power consumption due to lubrication

of the interface. Quebaud et al. (1998) describe a simple test to measure a friction angle of the mixture on

a sloping stainless steel plate. A more realistic test might be developed using a shear box or ring shear

apparatus whereby continued sliding over an interface under realistic confining pressures could be

achieved. A shear test (without the interface) might also be a simpler test to investigate the same effects

as in the mixing test described above.

E) – Adhesion/Friction test

SOIL PRESSURE +

WATER PRESSURE =

EARTH PRESSURE IN

WORKING CHAMBER

THE GROUND IS MIXED WITH

"FOAM" ( GLOBALFOAM-AS OR

GLOBALFOAM-HG)

AFTER THE CONE IS LIFTED.

DURING LIFTING NOT

OCCURTHE LOWERING. THIS

LOWERING IS CALLED THE

"SLUMP".

IS FILLED THE "ABRAMS CONE"

WITH THE GROUND MIXTURE +

FOAM.

On the basis of numerous experiences developed in the laboratory with the execution of

specific research aimed at defining of a "test protocol" of the "the conditioned medium"

and on the basis of indications of "technical standards", in this study the "indicator, the

drop test” to the Abrams cone (Slump Test) for the purpose of preliminarily characterize

the “conditioned medium”. In tests the following technical aspects were analyzed:

1) - presence of a condition of the soil plasticity (qualitative observation);

2) - falling to the cone of about 15-20cm;

3) - Reduced release of ”Water + Foam" from the mass of "the conditioned medium" after

the test.

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F) – Slum test

NOT ACCEPTABLE

CONDITIONING, TOO DRY

NOT ACCEPTABLE

CONDITIONING, TOO FLUIDOPTIMAL CONDITIONING

The described experimental work was conducted under a contract

Research (Resp. Dr. Marco Barla) between the DIPLAB Department of

Engineering Structural, Construction and Geotechnical Engineering of

Politecnico di TORINO (ITALY) and GLOBALCHIMICA Ltd. LOMBARDORE

(TORINO, ITALY).

SL_015_GLO

The experimental programme described herewith focused on slump tests of three soils

characterised by different grain size distribution curves. Tests were conducted by using commercial

foaming agents (GLOBALFOAM-HG) and additives (GLOBALCRYL-46).Thanks to the different nature of the three soils it was possible to underline the effects of

conditioning both on coarse- or fine-grained soils, extending previous observations of other Authors

(e.g. Vinai et al. 2008, Borio et al., 2011). In particular the work performed so far allowed to

determine that:

– for a higher concentration of fines in the soil, higher water content is needed for good

conditioning;

– reducing the quantity of the surfactants in the foam implies higher water content for good

conditioning;

– the GLOBALCRYL-46 additive is effective in increasing considerably the time for which goodworkability condition of fine-grained soil is maintained;

– the presence of gravel reduces the area of good workability conditions, therefore the water

content becomes a key issue, raising concerns for excavations below the water table.

It is to be noted herewith that the experimental conditions and techniques adopted, due to their

intrinsic simplicity, are not able to reproduce satisfactorily what effectively occurs in the TBM EPB

excavation chamber. This is particularly true for that pertaining to the favourable effects on

saturated soil conditioning of the stabilisation pressure acting in the chamber. More realistic

experimental conditions may be achieved by the use of physical models of the screw conveyor as

mentioned above. Despite this, the intrinsic simplicity of the slump test, combined with its low cost,

encourage its use in engineering practice.

They were performed with the aim of determining the consistency and workability of the land that are

tested. Each trial has the following quantitative parameters:

- Foam Expansion Ratio - FER (%): is defined as the ratio between the volume of foam obtained and the

volume of foam solution (plus chemical agent water). The purposes of research it is assumed an interval

of between 14 and 18.

- Foam Injection Ratio - FIR (%): is defined as the ratio between the volume of the foam and the volume of

soil to be conditioned. For the purpose of of the research they were used values between 20 and 80%.

- Water content - wn (%): is defined as the ratio between the weight of water contained in a sample and

the weight of the sample once dried.

- Lowering or Slump (mm): is the height variation undergone by the sample due to the removal of the

mold.

The first phase of the test consists in the preparation of a known volume of soil, appropriately chosen to

obtain the FIR parameter provided, which water is added an extent such as to obtain the required content

of water.

The ground 1 was tested after drying process at ambient temperature.

The soil 2 was instead preventively pestellato and sieved through a sieve ASTM n. 4 to obtain samples in

which the element of greater dimension was adequately small compared to the total volume of the sample

itself.

The ground 3 has been employed as extracted from the site.

Subsequently, a known volume of foam (such as to obtain the required FIR), previously weighed in order to

verify that it meets the criterion on the parameter FER, it is mixed to the soil in order to get a mixture as

homogenous as possible. Finally, the mixture is transferred into the mold according to the commonly used

procedure to determine the consistency in fresh concrete by measuring lowering the cone (UNI EN 12350-2:

2001).

IN ORDER TO SIMULATE IN A MORE EXHAUSTIVE WAY THE WORK OF A MACHINE AND EPBTO OBTAIN A GREATER NUMBER

OF INFORMATION ON THE QUALITY OF THE CONDITIONING AND INPARTICULAR ON THE MATERIAL'S ABILITY TO TRANSMIT

PRESSURE AND TO BE EXTRACTED WITHA CONSTANT FLOW THROUGH A SCREW CONVEYOR IN ALL SIMILAR TO THOSE

INSTALLED ON MACHINESREAL, IS A MACHINERY BEEN BUILT THAT SIMULATES, AS MENTIONED, THE EXTRACTION OF THE

MATERIAL CONDITIONED BY THE PRESSURE CHAMBER (VINAI ET AL., 2007; PEILA ET AL. 2007; BORIO ET AL.,2010).

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SENSORS INSTALLED ON THE SCREW

CONVEYOR LABORATORY DEVICE

In the course of this study, the consistency tests were carried out with 6 of terrain combinations and foam. In

particular, foaming of the following solutions were prepared:

- Foam A: water + 2 % GLOBALFOAM-HG,

- Foam B: water + 1 % GLOBALFOAM-HG,

- Foam C: water + 2 % GLOBALFOAM-HG + 3 ‰ GLOBALCRYL-46,

and have been tested in the following combinations:

- Terrain 1 - Foam A (combination 1A),

- Terrain 2 - Foam A (combination 2A),

- Terrain 3 - Foam A (combination 3A),

- Terrain 2 - Foam B (combination 2B),

- Terrain 3 - Foam C (combination 3C).

GRANULOMETRIC CURVES OF THE SOILS THAT ARE TESTED

FIG. 1 - RESULTS OF THE TESTS PERFORMED FOR

THE COMBINATION OF SLUMP 2A

FIG. 2 - RESULTS OF THE TESTS PERFORMED ON

THE SLUMP 2A AND 2B COMBINATIONS

OPTIMAL AREA

Summary results "Slump Test”(SL_015_GLO)

Equipment: Abrams cone

Ground: Sand

Natural water content: 11.4%

Foam: water solution + 2% GLOBALFOAM-HG

FIR: 50,00 % FER: 14,10 %

Lowering: 157 mm

Outcome: acceptable

Description: plastic

TEST PROCEDURE: FILLING AND LIFTING

RESULTS

When interpreting the results of consistency tests, the "FIR" parameters and "Wn" of each test

are reported on a chart like the one shown in Figure 1 for the combination 2A.

Each test is indicated by a symbol. Based on the judgment on the goodness of the mixture

behavior, you have used a symbol that combines a green circle for testing characterized by

optimal behavior, a red square for what proved or excessively dry or too liquid and a yellow

triangle in for intermediate situations, do not clearly assignable to one of the two previous

categories.

The area is the optimal of conditioning conditions for each soil-foam combination was

determined by including all of the evidence considered optimal, excluding those that not

suitable and utilizing the limits tests to to define its contours.

The use of the foam B, with a percentage of 50% lower surfactant, was tested with the ground

2 and, as is clear from Figure 2, involves an increase of the water content (average of 5%)

compared to the case previous, to achieve optimum consistency.

The range of optimal water content, the "FIR for similar percentages", moves between 10 and

25%.

The very different nature of the three that are tested soils has demonstrated different effects of

conditioning on a mainly sandy matrix soils and predominantly silt matrix, confirming and

extending the conclusions of other authors (eg Vinai et al. 2008, Borio et al., 2011 ).

The conditioning "transforms" the starting ground in a "new" material meets the following

requirements:

- Good plasticity

- Low permeability

- Consistenza pasty.

The injection of conditioning agents can take place in different points of the machine,

infunction of the amount and the type of conditioning agent which is to be injected.

thesepoints are:

- front of the cutterhead;

- in the excavation chamber ;

- along the screw.

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CONDITIONED SOIL BEFORE (A) AND AFTER (B)

EXTRACTION FROM THE TANK

(A) (B)

The disgregration tests were carried out with the intention to verify the capacity dispersing

agent “GLOBALSPERSE-1/45”.They were identified 2 test procedures:

1) - Addition of dispersant solution;

2) - Immersion in the dispersant solution.

The procedure of Example 1 was applied to the second ground which has been prepared

beforehand for means of sieving through the sieve ASTM n. 4 so as to completely eliminate

the passer. Subsequently have been collected 5 weight soil samples well known (1 kg)

where has been added a different amount of dispersant solution (increase ingeometric

progression). The solution was prepared at the rate of 1% of the volume of soil subjected to

testing (35 ml Globalsperse 1/45 for a total volume of soil estimated equal to 3500 ml). After

the addition of the solution, we proceeded to determine the weight of material passing

through a sieve ASTM # 4, by correcting the value to take account of the addition of the

solution itself.

The procedure of Example 2 was applied to the soils 2a) and 3) and provides for the

immersion of 4 soil samples of known weight (about 75 g and 100 g for the second and 3

respectively) land in a constant volume of solution (500 ml) prepared with variable

percentages (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) of “GLOBALSPERSE-1/45” compared to the estimatedvolume of the samples (about 50 ml and 60 ml for the soils 2a and 3 respectively).

G) – Using the “DISGREGATION TEST” to determine best soil conditioning for EPB

tunnelling

The procedure of Example 2 was applied to the soils 2a) and 3) and provides for the immersion

of 4) soil samples of known weight (about 75 g and 100 g for the second and 3) respectively)

land in a constant volume of solution (500 ml) prepared with variable percentages (0.5, 1.0

and 1.5%) of “GLOBALSPERSE-1/45” compared to the estimated volume of the samples (about50 ml and 60 ml for the soils 2a) and 3) respectively).

For the soil 2a) samples were obtained for simple separation of soil blocks collected from

buckets up to the achievement of the desired weight, while for the soil 3) were packed

manually pseudo-spherical samples .

The evaluation of the dispersant was made qualitatively through photographic

documentation.

DISGREGATION TEST: GROUND 2A), 18

MINUTES AND 2 DAYS AFTER THE START

OF THE TEST.

SOLUTION: % BY VOLUME OF THE SOIL –

0.0 - 0.5 - 1.0 - 1.5

DISGREGATION TEST: GROUNDS 3) - JUST

IMMERSED IN THE SOLUTION AND 12 MINUTES

AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE TEST.

SOLUTION: % BY VOLUME OF THE SOIL – 0.0 - 0.5 -

1.0 - 1.5

Summary results ”Disgregation Test”(1211_GLO)

Equipment: Burette

Ground: Sand, Soil 3

Sand (D_001-004_GLO, 1/1):

Solution: water + 0,5% GLOBALSPERSE-1/45

Solution: water + 1,0 % GLOBALSPERSE-1/45

Solution: water + 1,5% GLOBALSPERSE-1/45

Soil 3 (D_005-008_GLO, 1/2):

Solution: water + 0,5% GLOBALSPERSE-1/45

Solution: water + 1,0 % GLOBALSPERSE-1/45

Solution: water + 1,5% GLOBALSPERSE-1/45

Soil 3 (D_005-008_GLO, 2/2):

Solution: water + 0,5% GLOBALSPERSE-1/45

Solution: water + 1,0 % GLOBALSPERSE-1/45

Solution: water + 1,5% GLOBALSPERSE-1/45

SPECIFICATION FOR THE USE OF SPECIALIST

PRODUCTS FOR SOFT GROUND TUNNELLING

PREMISE

Depending on site, the following problems may be encountered:

Lubrication and soil conditioning are being increasingly used to improve the performance of tunnelling, pipe

jacking, microtunnelling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The lubrication and conditioning may be

effected by the addition of suitable agents at various points throughout the tunnelling process, such as: at the

point of cut in the tunnel face; within the cutter head; in the muck removal system; around the outside of the

tunnelling shield and/or the pipes in a tunnel or pipe line formed by pipe jacking or microtunnelling; in the

separation units of a slurry system; or to muck on its way to tip. This improvement may come about in a number

of ways which are :

· reduced wear of machine cutter head face plate and tools, and all wear parts of the muck removal system;

· improved stability of tunnel face, with consequently better control of ground movements;

· improved flow of excavated material through the cutter head;

· reduced cutter head power requirements;

· reduced friction and heat build up in shield;

· excavated material formed into a suitably plastic mass;

· enhanced properties of soil in the pressure chamber of earth-pressure balance (EPBM) machines, leading to:

more uniform pressures in the working chamber;

better control of groundwater inflow by reducing permeability;

reduction in clogging of machine head chamber;

more controlled flow of soil and water through the screw conveyor;

easier handling of excavated soil.

REASONS FOR SOIL CONDITIONING AND LUBRIFICATION

· support of excavated bore in pipe jacking, microtunnelling and HDD;

· reduction of jacking forces in pipe jacking and microtunnelling;

· reduction in the friction losses in the pipes, valves and pumps of a slurry machine system;

· better separation of spoil from slurry in a slurry machine system;

· more acceptable spoil for disposal;

· through a number of the above, improved safety for personnel working in the tunnel, particularly during cutter

changes and cutter head inspections.

FOAMS (GLOBALFOAM-HG)

The principal use of foam in tunnelling is as a soil conditioning agent in EPB machines: it may also have

applications in both slurry-type and auger-type microtunnelling systems.

Foam is produced in a tunnelling machine by a compressed air system. Foam solution and compressed air are

fed at the same pressure (typically around 8 bar) to a junction piece or mixing chamber, and then out through a

diffuser unit, conditioner or lance which converts the fairly coarse foam produced in the mixing chamber to a

micro-cellular foam. Ideally most of Lubrication and soil conditioning: state of the art review 18 the foam air pores

should be less than 1mm in diameter.

The delivery system should be mounted as close as possible to the outlet position as foam is rapidly degraded if

pumped a long distance through narrow pipes. For multiple injection ports, each port should have its own

delivery system, and these should be able to operate at up to 16 bar as an aid to clearing blockages.

POLYMERS (GLOBALCRYL-46)

Polymers are essentially large, long-chain molecules formed by the linking together of large numbers of small

chemical “building blocks” or monomers. Homopolymers are achieved by polymerisation of a single basic

monomer unit, copolymers by two or more different monomers. A polymer material may exist in many different

forms, depending on the lengths of the polymer chains (measured by the molecular weight), the presence and

nature of any linking between polymer chains, and the existence or not of structured (crystalline) groups of

molecules.

SCHEMATIC RAPRESENTATION OF “EARTH PRESSURE BALANCE MACHINE” TBM-EPBM

A MODERN EPBM DRIVE COMBINES A KNOWLEDGE OF THREE MAIN SUBJECTS:

•SOIL MECHANICS (PRESSURE SUPPORT AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS)

•TBM TECHNOLOGY (CUTTERHEAD DESIGN, INSTALLED FORCE, ...)

•SOIL CONDITIONING ADDITIVES.

ONLY A GOOD COMPREHENSION AND INTERACTION BETWEEN THESE ASPECTS WILL RESULT IN A SUCCESSFUL TBM DRIVE AND

COMMERCIAL SUCCESS.

THE CONTROL OF FACE SUPPORT IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN EPBM TUNNELLING. CONTINUOUS SUPPORT OF THE TUNNELLING FACE

MUST BE PROVIDED BY THE EXCAVATED SOIL ITSELF, WHICH SHOULD COMPLETELY FILL THE WORKING CHAMBER. THE

REQUIRED SUPPORT PRESSURE AT THE TUNNELLING FACE WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH:

•THRUSTING THE SHIELD FORWARD - BY MEANS OF HYDRAULIC JACKS - AGAINST THE SOIL MASS (FORCE EQUILIBRIUM)

•REGULATION OF THE SCREW CONVEYOR-ROTATION (VOLUME EQUILIBRIUM).

THE SUPPORT PRESSURE HAS TO BALANCE THE EARTH PRESSURE AND THE WATER PRESSURE. DEPENDING ON SOIL CHARAC-

TERISTICS AND THE COVER TO DIAMETER RATIO (T/D) DIFFERENT TYPES OF EARTH PRESSURES ARE TO BE DETERMINED.

POLYMERS

WATER

FOAMS

ANTI CLOGGING

ADDITIVES

TBM-EPB

(EFN

AR

C)

SOIL CONDITIONING NEEDS OF “EPB” IN DIFFERENT GROUND TYPES(SPECIFICATION AND GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF SPECIALIST PRODUCTS FOR MECHANISED IN SOFT GROUND AND HARD ROCK – EFNARC, 2005)

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APPLICATION RANGE: EPB SHIELD

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EARTH PRESSURE BALANCE TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.

ESPECIALLY REGARDING THE EXPANSION OF ITS APPLICATION TOWARDS LOW COHESIVE TO GRAINY

GROUND CONDITIONS (SEE FIG.)

SOIL CAN BE CONDITIONED WITH:

- WATER

- BENTONITE, CLAY OR POLYMER SUSPENSION

- FOAM (SURFACTANT FOAM)

- FOAM – POLYMER MIXTURE (SURFACTANT – POLYMER – FOAM)

- POLYMER (POLYMER FOAM)

WHERE THE APPLICATION OF THE CLASSIC TUNNELLING PROCEDURE, EPB AND SLURRY SUPPORT,

ARE OVERLAPPING. THIS IS REFLECTED IN SPECIFIC DENSITIES OF THE EXCAVATED MATERIAL IN THE

EXCAVATION CHAMBER.

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FOAM TYPES POLYMER ADDITIVES

Soil A B C FIR

Clay 30-80 - Anti clogging polymer

Sandy clay – silt 40-60 - Anti clogging polymer

Sand – clayey silt 20-40 - Polymer for consistency control

Sand 30-40 - Polymer for cohesiveness and

consistency control

Clayey gravels 25-50 - Polymer for cohesiveness and

consistency control

Sandy gravels 30-60 - Polymer for cohesiveness and

consistency control

Product types for EPB relative to different soils (FIR values are indicative only)

The Foam type chosen should match the properties of the soil to be excavated.

Foam type A: high dispersing capacity (breaking clay bonds) and / or good coating capacity

(reduce swelling effects);

Foam type B: general purpose, with medium stability;

Foam type C: high stability and anti segregation properties to develop and maintain a cohesive

soil as impermeable as possible.

SOIL CONDITIONING: CHOICE OF FOAM TYPES

PERMEABILITY

m/s10-1 10-2 10-3 10-4 10-5 10-6 10-7 10-8 10-9

TYPICAL

GROUND

CONDITIONS

COARSE GRAVELS

MIXED GROUND

COARSE TO FINE SANDSSILTY SANDS TO SILTY

CLAYSINTACT

CLAYS

SUGGERED SOIL

CONDITIONING

FOAM

CONDITIONS PROBABLY

MORE SUITED TO SLURRY

MACHINES

"GLOBALFOAM-AS” OR “GLOBALFOAM-HG” + POLYMER

“GLOBALFOAM-HG”

“GLOBALSPERSE-1/45”

COMPLEMENTARY

POLYMERMODIFY SLURRY WITH

“GLOBALCRYL-46”“GLOBALCRYL-46”

SELECTION CHART FOR APPLICATION OF SOIL CONDITIONING AGENTS

EPB

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THE EXCAVATED MATERIAL CAN BE

TRANSFERRED BY USING BELT

CONVEYORS, WAGONS, TRUCKS OR BY

SOLID TRANSFERRING PIPES. IF MATERIAL

CONSISTENCY IS NOT SUITABLE FOR

BALANCING THE PRESSURE (FIGURE) OR

TO BE TRANSFERRED BY THE SCREW, THEN

CHEMICAL ADDITIVES CAN BE

INTRODUCED. THESE ADDITIVES CAN BE

INTRODUCED DIRECTLY TO EXCAVATION

FACE OR INJECTED IN TO WORKING

CHAMBER BUT IT IS MORE EFFICIENT TO

ADD TO EXCAVATION FACE. THESE

ADDITIVES ARE INTRODUCED FOR THREE

MAIN PURPOSES.

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PRODUCT PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The following product types are intended to achieve one or more effects:

• FOAM:

maintenance of pressure, fluidising effect for the soil, creation of an homogeneous soil paste, permeability

reduction, lowering of torque, reduction of soil stickiness, reduction of abrasion;

• ANTI-CLOGGING AGENTS:

mainly used for heavy clay soil;

• OTHER ADDITIVES:

structuring effect on non-cohesive soils, stabilising of foam or soil, water retention, viscosity effects;

• ANTI-ABRASION AGENTS:

to add to very abrasive soils or rock formation, to reduce wear of the cutting head and its tools, extraction

screw.

These product should be environmentally acceptable and safe to handle with normal site precautions.

GUIDELINES ON USE OF FOAMFOAM DESIGN PARAMETERS

FOAM AND POLYMER SYSTEM SETUP SCREEN ON EPBM OPERATOR’S HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACEA

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• FOAMING SOLUTION

THE CONCENTRATION OF FOAMING SOLUTION CF IS TYPICALLY IN THE RANGE 0,5 - 5,0%, BUT SHOULD

FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS. THIS CONCENTRATION STRONGLY DEPENDS ON

THE AMOUNT OF WATER WHICH IS INJECTED OR WHICH IS ALREADY PRESENT IN THE SOIL AND ALSO

AFFECTS THE ACTIVITY AND STABILITY OF THE USED TUNNEL FOAM.

CF - CONCENTRATION OF SURFACTANT AGENT IN WATER (..FOAMING SOLUTION)

CF = 100 X M SURFACTANT / M FOAM SOLUTION

M SURFACTANT MASS OF SURFACTANT IN FOAMING SOLUTION

M FOAM SOLUTION MASS OF FOAMING SOLUTION

• FOAM EXPANSION RATIO “FER”

THE FER SHOULD BE AT 5 – 30. THE HIGHER THE FER, THE DRIER A GENERATED TUNNEL FOAM WILL BE.

THE WETTER A SOIL, THE DRIER A TUNNEL FOAM SHOULD BE AND VICE VERSA.

FER - FOAM EXPANSION RATIO

FER = V FOAM / V FOAM SOLUTION

V FOAM VOLUME OF FOAM AT WORKING PRESSURE

V FOAM SOLUTION VOLUME OF FOAMING SOLUTION

• FOAM INJECTION RATIO “FIR”

THE FIR CAN BE AT 10 – 80%, IN MOST CASES AROUND 30 – 60%. TO DETERMINE THE BEST FIR VALUE,

LABORATORY TESTS HAVE TO BE CARRIED OUT. THE WATER CONTENT OF THE SOIL OR THE AMOUNT

OF INJECTED WATER PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE.

FIR = 100 X V FOAM / V SOIL

V FOAM VOLUME OF FOAM AT WORKING PRESSURE

V SOIL VOLUME OF IN SITU SOIL TO BE EXCAVATED

(EF

NA

RC

)

APPLICATION RANGE: FLUID SUPPORTED SHIELD

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WATER SPRAY

WATER SPRAYS ARE ALSO USED TO HELP REDUCE DUST. WATER SPRAY WETS THE SURFACE OF BROKEN ROCK,

PREVENTING DUST FORMATION, AS WETTED FINE PARTICLES NORMALLY ADHERE TO THE ROCK SURFACES. THIS REQUIRES

ADEQUATE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER SPRAY NOZZLES ON THE CUTTERHEAD, AND A SUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF WATER.

IN ORDER TO MINIMISE DUST FORMATION, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THE WATER SPRAY CONTINUOUSLY WETS OUT

ALL THE ROCK SURFACES IN THE BREAKING PROCESS. THE TIMELY WETTING OF ROCK CHIPS DURING THE BREAKING

PROCESS IS NECESSARY, AS ONCE THE DUST IS AIRBORNE, WATER IS RELATIVELY INEFFECTIVE AT CAPTURING IT. DAMP

AIRBORNE DUST MAY GIVE PROBLEMS IN THE EXTRACTION VENTILATION AND DUST FILTRATION EQUIPMENT.

ONE OF THE OTHER DISADVANTAGES OF WATER SPRAY IS THAT THE HIGH WATER JET VELOCITIES WILL CREATE

ADDITIONAL AIR TURBULENCE THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE CREATION OF MORE AIRBORNE DUST.

DUST CONTROL TECHNIQUES (EFNARC)

FOAM SPRAY (GLOBALFOAM-AS + GLOBALCRYL-46 )

FOAM IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE DUST IN HARD ROCK TBM EXCAVATION BUT SHOULD ALWAYS BE

USED IN COMBINATION WITH EXTRACTION VENTILATION. THE FOAM IS INJECTED THROUGH SPECIAL PORTS LOCATED ON

THE CUTTER HEAD, AND SPREADS OUT RAPIDLY TO COVER WHOLE ROCK FACE. THE THIN FILMS OF THE FOAM BUBBLES

WET OUT BROKEN ROCK (LIKE WATER SPRAY), SO REDUCE AIR BORN DUST FORMATION. UNLIKE WATER, FOAM ATTRACTS

DUST PARTICLES AND ALSO HAS STRONG STAYING POWER, FORMING A CONTINUOUS MATRIX IN THE VOIDS OF THE

EXCAVATED ROCK. THIS FORMS A VIRTUAL SEAL WHICH CAPTURES AND BLOCKS OUT THE DUST THAT WOULD OTHERWISE

HAVE BECOME AIR BORN ON THE ROCK FACE SIDE.

FOAM APPLICATION EQUIPMENT

THE CUTTER HEAD WILL NORMALLY BE FITTED WITH A COMBINED SYSTEM THAT CAN PROVIDE WATER OR FOAM. IT IS

NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT FOAM AND WATER ARE NOT INJECTED THROUGH THE SAME PIPES, AS THIS MAY LEAD TO

PREMATURE FOAM BREAKDOWN. ALSO NOTE THAT THE PIPE SIZE IS DIFFERENT FOR THE TWO SYSTEMS.

TAILOR MADE FOAMING PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET, WHICH OFFER OPTIMUM FOAMING CAPACITY AND

FOAM STABILITY, AND IN THIS REGARD, THE REQUIREMENT ON THE FOAMING PRODUCTS ARE OFTEN SOMEWHAT

DIFFERENT FROM THOSE USED FOR SOIL CONDITIONING IN EPBM. THEY SHOULD ALSO BE BIO-DEGRADABLE, AND SHOULD

NOT POSE A POLLUTION RISK TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

GLOBALCHIMICA SRL is an Italian limited liability company, etablished in 1949 and

situated in Lombardore, in the North of Italy, at 20 Km from Turin and 180 Km from

Genoa, one of the bigger port of Italy. Manufacturer of chemical products for the

building, mould making and mining/tunnelling sector, Globlachimica’s factory size is of

4.500 covered square meters on a total surface of 9.700 m2.

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GLOBALCHIMICA SRL has consolidated experience on the mains markets, exporting since

1980 in Eastern Europe, North and South America, Mid East and Southeast Asia, with an export

percentage of 80 - 90 % on the total annual sales.

Internal structure of the Company is essencial but efficent. With 10 specialized employees on

the production line, team of R&D, Commercial - Export department, and Administration.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) : GLOBALCHIMICA SRL has a modern research

and development laboratory, for controlling raw materials and finished products. This allows, to

carry out elaborate organic syntheses independently in the preparation of special raw materials

and complex formulae.

QUALITY CONTROL: Company’s main purpose is customer satisfaction. To realize this aim,

helped from equipments endowed with very high technology, products are subjected to a

process to verify that all the mains features are satisfied (Density, Viscosity, Consistency,

Dynamometer tests, FTIR and other spectral controls, Chemical analysis, etc.).

TECHNICAL COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT: E.P.C. CONSULTING SRL (Exclusive world) –

Manager: Lamanna Luigi Franco Beside internal commercial-export department, profitable is a

cooperation for Tunnelling and Mining sector with engineers and commercial assistants located

in ROME (ITALY).

CERTIFICATION : since the end of 2007, GLOBALCHIMICA SRL is working to develop ISO

9001 certification, obtained at the beginning of 2010.

Company is shared in 4 divisions :

•Tunneling and mining : Resins for stabilising ground/rock before and after conventional

digging or with TBM through injections.

•Building : GLOBALCHIMICA SRL produces a comprehensive range of paints, protective

coatings and special formulae for building and various purposes, including waterproofing road

planking, terrace roofs, car parks, tanks, aqueducts, protective coating of bridges, viaducts,

facings, forced ducts, corrosion-proofing of chemical and industrial plants; low, medium and

high thickness coating of industrial and domestic floors, structural consolidation of major

construction works (tunnels, bridges, viaducts, railways), monumental and civil restoration.

•Mould making : Production and marketing of Room Temperature Vulcanizing RTV2 silicone

rubbers and polyurethane rubbers for moulds and matrices. Epoxy formulae for moulds and

matrices.

•Defense : Production of special paints suited for protection and camouflage of military

equipments.

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT TUNNELING , MINING AND OIL

SPECIALIZED IN MECHANIZED TUNNELING WITH HARD ROCK

TBM AND SOFT SOIL EPB SHIELDS

EXPERT AND CONSULTANT IN STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENT

LAMANNA Luigi Franco, performs for 40 years professional consulting and technical

direction in the various sectors of civil, industrial, military, hydraulics, railway,

highway and recent years in the sector of “tunneling” and “mining” on the correct

use of special “resin” and related technologies for consolidation, repair and

maintenance of masonry, concrete, iron and wood.

Is the author of numerous scientific publications and is always engaged in the study

and development of “innovative materials” and related techniques and technologies

used.

- MAINTENANCE OF AIRPORT PAVEMENTS, ROAD TRANSPORT AND CONDUCTIVE/DISSIPATIVE

PAVEMENTS

- INJECTION RESINS SYSTEM IN TUNNELLING, MINING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING

- DAMS and BRIDGS - REPAIR, PROTECTION AND REINFORCEMENT OF STRUCTURAL

CONCRETE

- SOLUTIONS FOR PRE-EXCAVATION GROUTING IN ROCK TUNNELING AND MINING

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Provide strong engineering solutions for our clients by

planning, designing and supervising construction of

infrastructure projects in the fields of energy, transportation,

resources, urban and public sector development.

- Hydropower - Tunnels

- Railways - Mining

- Roads - Bridgs

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EXPOSURE OF OUR PRODUCTS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIRS

GLOBALCHIMICA srl

16-18, via del Boschetto

10040 LOMBARDORE (TORINO) – ITALY - U.E.

e-mail: info @ globalchimica.com

TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT:

DIVISIONS:

- TUNNELLING

- MINING

- OIL

- CIVIL ENGINEERING UNDERGROUND ENG.

- TBM-EPB (GREASE-SEALANTS, SOIL CONDITIONING FOAMS AND POLIMERS)

Mr. LAMANNA LUIGI FRANCO

132, via dei Serpenti – 00184 ROME – ITALY - U.E.

e-mail: lamannaluigifranco1 @ gmail.com

Luigi Franco, Mr. LAMANNA

132, via dei Serpenti – 00184 ROME, ITALY, U.E.

INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL CONSULTANT

Tunnelling Consultant Specialized in Mechanized Tunnelling with

Hard Rock TBM and Soft Soil EPB Shields

Expert and Consultant in structural reinforcement

e-mail: lamannaluigifranco1 @ gmail.com

LIBERATORIA

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This PDF is not represent a journalistic head or whatever and posts published are intended to stimulate

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