Tunnel Boring Machine - Brief information

Tunnel Boring Machine

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Overall introduction

… The oceans to be cross’d, the distant brought near,

The lands to be welded together

(Walt Whitman)

English for Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science 2 is essential for technical students

in Hanoi University of Science and Technology, especially those who are currently enrolling

their studies in English. This course gives students chances to find themselves in a world of

knowledge.

The reason for our choosing this topic: Tunnel Boring Machine was that Tunneling has

already had a long lasting history. It was seen as a major breakthrough in tunneling

technology during the last century as tunnel boring machine was born. However, as the

demand of using this machine is growing in Vietnam as the transportation grows while people

lack awareness about this.

This report is our final result from what we have learned and achieved from the course. The

goal of this report is to give other students an understanding of what is a TBM, what makes a

TBM and how it works. The report explains in the first part some brief information, the

history of TBM machines and various types of TBMs. The second part describes the main

components of a typical TBM while the last one reveals its working mechanism.

Introducing this topic, we hope to provide students in the school with fundamental knowledge

about TBM.


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Table of Content

Overall introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

Week 1 – TBM introduction .................................................................................................................... 4

I. Definition of Tunnel and Tunnel Boring Machine ...................................................................... 5

II. The History of TBM .................................................................................................................... 6

III. Classification ........................................................................................................................... 9

1. Hard Rock TBM ...................................................................................................................... 9

2. Soft Ground TBM ................................................................................................................. 12

Week 2 – The Structure ........................................................................................................................ 16

I. The Shield and Rotary Cutting Wheel ...................................................................................... 18

II. Hydraulic Jack ........................................................................................................................... 19

1. What Is Hydraulic Cylinder Jack? ......................................................................................... 19

2. Hydraulic cylinders in TBM ................................................................................................. 19

3. What Is The Principle Of Hydraulic Cylinder Racks In TBM? ............................................ 21

III. Discharge Systems ................................................................................................................ 23

1. Screw Conveyor .................................................................................................................... 24

2. Slurry Line............................................................................................................................. 25

IV. Tunnel Lining System ........................................................................................................... 26

1. Automatic Segment Conveying System ................................................................................ 26

2. Automatic Segment Erection Robot ...................................................................................... 28

3. Multi - Function Ancillary Robot .......................................................................................... 29

Week 3 – Working Method .................................................................................................................. 30

I. Assembly ................................................................................................................................... 31

1. Traditional Assembly Method ............................................................................................... 31

2. OFTA (Onsite First Time Assembly) .................................................................................... 32

II. The Working Method ................................................................................................................ 32

III. Backup System ...................................................................................................................... 37

1. Grouting ................................................................................................................................ 37

2. Complex Logistic Solution .................................................................................................... 38

3. Maintenance .......................................................................................................................... 39

IV. Notable Projects .................................................................................................................... 40

1. Longest and Largest Tunnels Using TBM ............................................................................ 40

2. Channel Tunneling Project .................................................................................................... 40

3. The Largest TBM In The World ........................................................................................... 42


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Reference .............................................................................................................................................. 44

Appendix ............................................................................................................................................... 47

Glossary of terms .................................................................................................................................. 53

Self-reflection ........................................................................................................................................ 69


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Week 1 TBM introduction

During this section, we would like to let the audience go through a very brief introduction over the

machine and things around it.

CONTENT:

I. BACKGROUND AND DEFINITIONS

II. HISTORY OF THE MACHINE

III. CLASSIFICATION OF THE MACHINE


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I. Definition of Tunnel and Tunnel Boring Machine

Tunnel is defined in many dictionaries, but in general it can be understood as an underground

passageway, or road which is completely enclosed except for openings for entrance and exit. Human

beings have built tunnels for over 2000 years ago. At first, tunnels were built like caves, to protect

foods, or even human beings themselves from their enemies (H. Fukushima). Time passing by,

Tunnels have been developed and many kinds of which were formed, such as pedestrian tunnels,

railway tunnels, road tunnels fluid traffic tunnels. Tunnels are useful in many ways, they provide the

fastest transportation through mountains instead of going around them; or they offer a good

underground solution for traffic in urban areas where transportation has been a headache for policy

makers.

Pedestrian tunnel cover walkways in Singapore (Laksi)

Then how were tunnels constructed? The answer is Tunnel Boring Machine

There are many definitions for Tunnel Boring Machine, but according to The Free Dictionary, it is

basically a machine, often known as ―the mole‖ used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross section

through various kinds of soil and rock layers.

This machine is suitable for excavating any kinds of material from hard rock to sand

Tunnel boring machines are used as an alternative to conventional excavating methods such as drilling

and blasting methods in rock and conventional ―hard mining‖ or using explosion in soil.


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II. The History of TBM

The first successful tunneling machine which is commonly regarded as the forerunner of the

tunnel boring machine was developed by Marc Isambard Brunel to excavate the Rotherhithe

tunnel under the Thames in 1825 (Humber River, 2005). However, this was only the

invention of the shield concept and did not involve the construction of a complete tunnel

boring machine, the digging still having to be accomplished by the then standard excavation

methods using miners to dig under the shield and behind them bricklayers built the lining.

Although the concept was successful eventually it was not at all an easy project. The tunnel

suffered five floods in all. It is also noteworthy that Marc Brunel‘s son who was the site

engineer went on to become what is generally thought of as Britain‘s greatest engineer,

Isambard Kingdom Brunel. (Excavating rock by tunnel boring machine, 1985).

Diagram of tunneling shield used to construct the Thames tunnel

(PE Personal Engineering Editors Pick, 2013)

Improvements on this concept were used to build all of the early deep railway tunnels under

London in the early 20th century and lead to the name ―tube‖ which is the nickname all

Londoners call their metropolitan railway and gave tunnels made by this method their

characteristic round shape.( Humber River, 1956).


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In other countries tunnel boring machines were being designed to tunnel through rocks. The

very first actual boring machine ever reported to have been built is thought to be Henri-

Joseph Maus' Mountain Slicer‘s design in 1845 dig the Fréjus Rail Tunnel between France

and Italy through the Alps, Maus had it built in 1846 in an arm factory near Turin. It

basically consisted of more than 100 percussion drills mounted in the front of a locomotive-

sized machine, mechanically power-driven from the entrance of the tunnel however it was

not used, and the tunnel was finally built using conventional methods.

Tunneling Machine (H.-J. Maus, Mount Cenis tunnel, 1846)

According to BBC News, In the United States, the first boring machine was used in 1853

during the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel. Made of cast iron, it was known as Wilson's

Patented Stone-Cutting Machine, after its inventor Charles Wilson. It drilled 10 feet into the

rock before breaking down and the tunnel was completed many years later, using less

ambitious methods.


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Further Developed TBM (C. Winson U.S, 1875)

We need to move on nearly 100 years when James S. Robbins built a machine to dig through

what was the most difficult shale to excavate at that time, the Pierre Shale.(Orrichela, 1972).

Robbins built a machine that was able to cut 160 feet in 24 hours in the shale, which was ten

times faster than any other digging speed at that time.

According to TARP (1967), the modern breakthrough that made tunnel boring machines

efficient and reliable was the invention of the rotating head, conceptually based on the same

principle as the percussion drill head of the Mountain Slicer of Henri-Joseph Maus, but

improving its efficiency by reducing the number of grinding elements while making them to

spin as a whole against the soil front. Initially, Robbins' tunnel boring machine used strong

spikes rotating in a circular motion to dig out of the excavation front, but he quickly

discovered that these spikes, no matter how strong they were, had to be changed frequently

as they broke or tore off. By replacing these grinding spikes with longer lasting cutting

wheels this problem was significantly reduced. Since then, all successful modern tunnel

boring machines use rotating grinding heads with cutting wheels for boring through rock.


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III. Classification

Based on the working environment, TBMs can be classified into 3 main types: Hard rock

TBM, Soft ground TBM and Dual mode TBM. While Hard rock and Soft ground TBMs are

appropriate for respective working environment, Dual mode ones can work in both ground

conditions.

Hard rock TBMs excavate rock using disc cutters mounted in the cutter head. The spinning

cutter head is pressed again the tunnel face to create high pressure on the rocks. The rocks

under high pressure are broken into pieces and chipped away by the disc cutters.

Depend on the diameter and the hardness of the rocks, Hard rock TBMs can be further

divided into three types: Single shield TBMs, Double shield TBMs and Gripper TBMs. There

are some differences in the structure of these machines.

1. Hard Rock TBM

a. Single Shield TBM

Single shield TBMs protect the machine from broken rock until the tunnel lining can be safely

installed. The body of the machine is enclosed in a shield that is smaller than the diameter of

the tunnel. The front of the TBM is a rotating cutter head that matches the diameter of the

tunnel. As the cutter head turns, a ring of hydraulic cylinders provides forward thrust through

shoes that push against last segment ring installed. However, due to this process, the TBM

have to stop to install new segment after digging a short distance. This process takes time and

results in the slow boring speed. Another disadvantage of this type is that it cannot reach high

performances in hard rock and is sensitive to squeezing ground and face instabilities

(Grandori, 2006)


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1. Cutter head

2. Shield

3. Belt conveyor

4. Excavated material

removal trolley

Single Shield TBM (NFM Technologies)

b. Double Shield TBM

A Double Shield TBM consists of a rotating cutter head mounted to the cutter head support,

followed by three shields: a telescopic shield (a smaller diameter inner shield which slides

within the larger outer shield), a gripper shield and a tail shield. The telescopic shield extends

as the machine advances keeping everything in the machine under cover and protected from

the ground surrounding it. The gripper shield remains stationary during boring. A segment

erector is fixed to the gripper shield allowing pre-cast concrete tunnel lining segments to be

positioned while the machine bores. The segments are positioned within the tail shield. The

ability to erect the tunnel lining simultaneously with boring that allows it to achieve such high

performance rates. The completely enclosed shielded design provides protection for the crews

and the machine. Double shield TBM can achieve very good performance in good to fair rock.

However, this type of TBM is sensitive to squeezing ground and to face instabilities (Grandori,

2006)


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1. Cutter head

2. Shields

2a – Gripper shield

2b – Telescopic shield

2c – Tail shield

3. Belt conveyor


removal trolley

Double shield TBM (NFM technologies)

c. Gripper TBM

Gripper TBM uses shoes and presses radially against the walls of the excavated tunnel.

Contrary to shielded hard rock TBM, this tunnel boring machine does not rest against the

lining. The force exerted by the grippers must be very high to prevent the thrust applied to the

head from causing shield recoil.

However, gripper TBM is too sensitive to poor rock conditions especially in large diameter

range (Grandori, 2006)

1. Cutter head

2. Front shield

3. Main beam

4. Gripper trolley

5. thrust cylinders

6. Belt conveyor

7. Ring beam erector structure

8. Shortcret

Gripper TBM (NFL Technologies)


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2. Soft Ground TBMs

According to EFNARC (2005), the infrastructure project (subways, sewers, water supply,…)

often takes place in the soft ground under urban area, it poses the high risk of damage to the

above structures. Whether the ground is soft-solid (earth pressure) or unstably soft (mud

pressure), we can flexibly choose between earth pressure TBM or Slurry TBM. The Slurry

Shield and the Earth Pressure Balanced shield (EPBS) have been developed in the recent

decades for managing the instability of the excavation profile in unfavorable geotechnical and

hydro-geological conditions, with challenge external constraints.

a. Slurry TBM

Slurry machine (EFNARC 2005)

In the website of NFM technologies, Slurry TBM is used for tunnel-boring in highly

permeable unstable terrain, or under civilian structures sensitive to ground disturbances.

EFNARC (2005) defined the slurry and bentonite as below:

Slurry (sometimes known as mud) includes bentonite in water with appropriate

additives.


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Bentonite is a form of clay mineral which extends its volume when dissolved in water.

Because the bentonite slurry is stored in the excavation chamber at the tunnel front, it required

a conveyance via pipes system: the slurry feeding pipe (suction line) and in the slurry

discharge pipe. EFNARC (2005) continued that the bentonite slurry together with one air-

filled part help to maintain an even over-pressure in front of the TBM cutter head and also

acts as an aid to soil transportation by pumping.

b. EPBM - Earth Pressure Balance Machine

EPBM (EFNARC 2005)

Also according to EFNARC (2005), instead of a hydraulic/bentonite suspension as in Slurry

TBMs, the excavated ground in EPBM is used as part of the supporting liquid and forms

ground slurry. The support pressure has to balance the earth pressure and the water pressure.

With the EPBM technique, soil conditioning products are generally injected from the cutting

head and often into the working chamber and screw conveyor. NFM technologies said that the

front shield of the EPB TBM is filled with debris extracted by means of a screw conveyor.

EPB machine has the technical advantage comparing to the Slurry Machine that a separation

plant is not required. ITA-WG14 (2000) demonstrated that excavated materials removed from

the face with a screw conveyor and transported by train or conveyor.


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From the finding above, the comparison of EPBM and Slurry machine can be summarized in

the table below:

EPB Machines Slurry Machines

Soil

condition

Soft ground with low

permeability

Unstable ground with high

permeability

Example Clay, silt, … Sand, granular materials, …

Similarity in

structure

The "head" part of machine is "closed" and separated from the

rear part of machine. The "head" has a working chamber filled

with soil or slurry between the cutting face and bulkhead to

stabilize the cutting face under soil pressure

has excavation system to cut the soil

Supporting

liquid/ slurry

turns the excavated soil into mud

pressure and holds it under soil

pressure to stabilize the cutting

face

uses the external pressurized slurry to

stabilize the cutting face, using

bentonite as an aid to soil

transportation by pumping

Difference in

structure

mixing system to mix the

excavated soil into mud

pressure

Soil discharge system to

discharge the soil and

control system to keep

the soil pressure uniform.

Separation plant not

required

has slurry feed and discharge

pipes to circulate and

pressurize slurry

Has slurry processing

equipment on the ground to

adjust the slurry properties.

Separation plant required

c. Dual-Mode TBM


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A dual-mode tunnel-boring machine, in the website of NFM technologies, can dig through

very different geologies, earth and rock for example. In this case, the tunnel-boring machine is

developed to receive two types of removal equipment, each one corresponding to a given type

of ground.


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Week 2 The Structure

In this section, we went further into the structure of a specific boring machine: Earth Pressure

Boring Machine, or EPBM. The reason why it was chosen was that this machine utilizes a Tunnel

Boring Machine that allow for installations in unstable ground.

CONTENT:

I. SHIELD AND ROTARY CUTTING WHEEL

II. HYDRAULIC CYLINDER RACKS

III. DISCHARGE SYSTEM

IV. TUNNEL LINING SYSTEM


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The machine is capable of operating under a wide range of ground from soft soils to

weathered rock. This is useful when the projects is implemented in an urban environment and

ground surface subsidence cannot be tolerated (The Robbins Company)

The World‘s Largest Tunnel-Boring Machine (Behrman, 2011)

The ground at the cutting face is supported by ―earth pressure‖ by balancing the advancement

of the tunnel with the discharge rate of the excavated soil

EPBM is used widely in the construction of rail tunnels, metropolitan subway systems,

highways tunnels, and other projects where the tunnel will be constructed either partly or

completely in soft soil beneath a water surface (Poor Ground, Tough Machine , 2013)


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I. The Shield and Rotary Cutting Wheel

The Shield has the function of protecting and containing all the subcomponents in it. The

most important part in the shield is rotary cutting wheel, or cutting head. This wheel is a

complicated structure containing a number of parts such as cutting discs, tungsten carbide

cutting bits, injection systems, sensors and hydraulic motors. The reason why cutting wheel is

called the most important one is because this component is responsible for excavating the soil.

The tool which directly contacts with the soil is cutting disc. (Herrenknecht tunneling

systems)

EPBM‘s Cutting Wheel (Overruns and delays, 2009)

Attached to the rotary cutting head are several components which can be mentioned as cutting

disc, cutting bits, injection system, sensors,…

The cutting knifes or discs are tools which provide the transmission of energy generated by

the machine to the rock in order to cause fragmentation (M. Cigla, 2001)

Sensors are attached at the tips of some tools on the surface of the cutting wheel and function

as a kind of alarm when wear is reached, so that the mechanics can replace the cutting tools

(EPB Shield)

The injection system works on the cutting wheel as a support for the excavating especially

when the machine goes through the hard layer of rock


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II. Hydraulic Jack

1. What Is Hydraulic Cylinder Jack?

A hydraulic cylinder (also called a linear hydraulic motor) is a mechanical actuator used to

give a unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke. (The Free dictionary, 2013). It has

many applications, notably in construction equipment (engineering vehicles), manufacturing

machinery, and civil engineering.

A hydraulic cylinder jack in TBM is a jack that uses a liquid to push against a piston and it is

placed behind the chamber. (Richard C. Milton, 1999)

Components of TBM (2009)

2. Hydraulic cylinders in TBM

Cylinder barrel

The main function of cylinder barrel is to hold cylinder pressure. The cylinder barrel is mostly

made from a seamless tube. The cylinder barrel is ground and/or honed internally with a

typical surface finish of 4 to 16 micro-inched. Normally hoop stress is calculated to optimize

the barrel size. (A.Lexis, 2010)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_motor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actuator

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_vehicles

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Richard_C._Milton

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoop_stress


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Cylinder base or cap

The main function of the cap is to enclose the pressure chamber at one end. The cap is

connected to the body by means of welding, threading, bolts, or tie rod. Caps also perform as

cylinder mounting components [cap flange, cap trunnion, cap clevis]. Cap size is determined

based on the bending stress. A static seal / o-ring is used in between cap and barrel (except

welded construction).

Cylinder head

The main function of the head is to enclose the pressure chamber from the other end. The

head contains an integrated rod sealing arrangement or the option to accept a seal gland. The

head is connected to the body by means of threading, bolts, or tie rod. A static seal / o-ring is

used in between head and barrel. (C.S Harris, 1997)

Piston

The main function of the piston is to separate the pressure zones inside the barrel. The piston

is machined with grooves to fit elastomeric or metal seals and bearing elements. These seals

can be single acting or double acting. The difference in pressure between the two sides of the

piston causes the cylinder to extend and retract. The piston is attached with the piston rod by

means of threads, bolts, or nuts to transfer the linear motion. (Thomasnet, 2012)

Piston rod

The piston rod is typically a hard chrome-plated piece of cold-rolled steel which attaches to

the piston and extends from the cylinder through the rod-end head. In double rod-end

cylinders, the actuator has a rod extending from both sides of the piston and out both ends of

the barrel. The piston rod connects the hydraulic actuator to the machine component doing the

work. This connection can be in the form of a machine thread or a mounting attachment....

Seal gland

The cylinder head is fitted with seals to prevent the pressurized oil from leaking past the

interface between the rod and the head. This area is called the seal gland. The advantage of a

seal gland is easy removal and seal replacement. The seal gland contains a primary seal, a

secondary seal / buffer seal, bearing elements, wiper / scraper and static seal. In some cases,

especially in small hydraulic cylinders, the rod gland and the bearing elements are made from

a single integral machined part.

Seals

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-ring

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-ring

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastomer


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The seals are considered / designed as per the cylinder working pressure, cylinder speed,

operation temperature, working medium and application. Piston seals are dynamic ones, and

they can be single acting or double acting. Generally speaking, Elastomer seals made

from nitrile rubber, Polyurethane or other materials are the best in lower temperature

environments, while seals made of Fluorocarbon Viton are better for higher temperatures.

Metallic seals are also available and commonly use cast iron for the seal material. Rod seals

are dynamic seals and generally are single acting.

3. What Is The Principle Of Hydraulic Cylinder Racks In TBM?

a. Operation Of Hydraulic Cylinder Jack:

The hydraulic pressure in these cylinders is in the form of hydraulic fuels that are stored under

pressure in these cylinders. The energy stored in these oils is converted into motion. In a

complete hydraulic system, a hydraulic motor consists of one or more hydraulic cylinders. A

pump regulates the oil-flow in the hydraulic system. The pump is a part of the generator of a

hydraulic system. The hydraulic cylinders initiate the pressure of the oil, which cannot be

more than that required by the load. (H. Boelter, 2010)

A hydraulic cylinder consists of a cylindrical barrel, piston, and a piston rod. The piston that

is placed within the barrel is connected to the piston rod. The cylinder bottom, and the

cylinder head, closes the bottom and the head of the barrel respectively. The cylinder head is

the side from where the piston rod exits the cylinder.

A Cylinder

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrile_rubber

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viton


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The cylinder bottom and the piston rod are mounted with mounting brackets or clevises. The

piston in the hydraulic cylinder consists of sliding rings and seals. The piston rod chamber

and the bottom chamber are the two chambers within the cylinder.

The piston rod starts moving outwards, as the hydraulic fluid is pumped into the bottom side

of the hydraulic cylinder. In the reverse process, the hydraulic fluid is pushed back into the

reservoir by the piston. The pressure in the cylinder is the ratio of unit force per unit piston

area.

The pressure generated in the piston rod chamber is the ratio of the unit load per the

difference in the unit piston area and unit piston rod area. This calculation is used when the

hydraulic fluid is let into the piston rod chamber as well as the fluid flows smoothly (without

pressure) from the piston area to the reservoir. In this way, the expansion and retraction (push

and pull) action of the hydraulic cylinder is generated.

b. The Effect Of TBM Hydraulic Piping System

The characteristics of the hydraulic piping system in Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) are large

slenderness ratio, high fluid pressure and low flow velocity. With the work conditions of

TBM, the beam model of long straight pipe was established. Under consideration of fluid

structure interaction (FSI) and simple supported conditions, oscillation equation of piping

system was solved by vibration formation decomposition. Having analyzed the effect of

piping system parameters on the first order inherent frequency by the method of sensitivity

analysis, pipe length was the most significant effective factor on inherent frequency of pipe

system. Considering the relation between fluid pressure wave frequency and pipe inherent

frequency, oscillation criteria based on the first order inherent frequency was put forward.

Finally, optimized design was given for piping system design.


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III. Discharge Systems

There are some types of mud discharge systems for TBMs. For example, the open-type TBM uses

conveyor belt, the Slurry has the pipe system or the shield TBM and the EBPM extract the excavated

material by using screw conveyor. In this report, we will go thru some kinds of discharge systems,

which are the most popular and significant ones.

1. Cutter head

2. Shield

3. Belt conveyor


removal trolley

Conveyor belt in the open-type TBM (NFM technologies)

1. Cutter head

2. Shield

3. Bentonite injection

4. Air regulation

5. Air bubble

6. Extraction of slurry with

soil

The pipe system in Slurry machine (NFM technologies)


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1. Cutter head

2. Shield

3. Screw conveyor

(extraction worm)

4. Belt conveyor and

excavated material

removal trolley

Screw conveyor system in EPBM (NFM technologies)

1. Screw Conveyor

In the single shield TBM or the EBPM, the excavated material is removed from the

excavation chamber by a screw conveyor. The screw conveyor conveys the excavated

material to one of the ends of an open conveyor belts (Federal Highway Administration 2011).

It was also found that the excavated material is conveyed on this reversible conveyor from

which the transportation structure in the backup areas is loaded. And then the excavated

material is removed from the tunnel by mud car, train or conveyor system.

Screw conveyor in EPBM (Federal Highway Administration 2011)

The amount of material removed is controlled by the speed of the screw conveyor driver.


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During the excavation process, the ground material or excavated soil move thru the cutter face

to the working chamber. Inside the chamber, the mud is pressurized. The different pressure

between the chamber and the screw conveyor forces the excavated material to the screw

conveyor.

A TBM operator can control the pressure in the chamber continuously (TheRobbinsCo 2010).

The pressure in the excavation chamber is controlled by balancing the rate of advance of the

machine and the rate of extraction of the excavated material by the screw conveyor.

TheRobbinsCo (2010) showed that in order to raise pressure, the operator can either increase

the machine raise of advance or decrease the rotation of the screw conveyor. To lower the

pressure, the operator does the opposite. It decreases the machine raise of advance or increase

the rotation of the screw conveyor.

2. Slurry Line

This type of muck discharge system is used in the Slurry TBM. The treated slurry is fed into the

working chamber thru slurry feed pipe and the excavated material is taken out thru the discharge pipe

(EFNARC 2005). The excavated ground material and suspension liquid is mixed by hydraulic

conveyance via tubes with separation of the two materials.

(1) Cutter head

(2) excavation chamber

(3) bulkhead

(4) slurry feed line

(5) air cushion

(6) wall

(7) Segmental Lining

(8) segment erector

Slurry pipes system in Slurry machine (Federal Highway Administration, 2011)

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRobbinsCo?feature=watch



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Toan (2006) displayed the fact that depending on the subsoil permeability, density and viscosity can

be varied, pressure can be regulated by controlling the speed of the delivery and feed pumps. For

slurry type tunneling machine, operation of pumps and valves for slurry transportation is computerized

based on the data fed by pressure gauges, flow meters and other measuring devices for fluid

transportation. Thus, steady pressure of slurry is maintained throughout the tunneling.

IV. Tunnel Lining System

Tunnel lining is highly mechanized process. The purpose of this process is to support the

exposed ground, providing and maintaining the required operational cross-section and provide

a barrier against liquids. There are many types of lining system. However, as automatic

processes is applied more and more in TBM, many TBMs now using fully automatic system

such as The Fully Automated System for shield tunneling under Integrated Control (FASTIC).

FASTIC (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996) comprises an automatic lining

system, which in turn, consist of three most important components:

Automatic Segment Conveying System

Automatic Segment Erection Robot

Multi - Function Ancillary Robot

1. Automatic Segment Conveying System

The system provides full automation of the segment conveying operation without manual

labor.


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Automatic Segment Conveying System (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996)

a. AGV System

AGV System (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996)

The segment is automatically conveyed by the AGV system from the site to the position of

erector device in a segment wagon where it is unloaded by the segment handling equipment

and delivered to the segment feeder.

b. Segment handling equipment

The segment handling equipment uses a suction pad to hold the segments conveyed by the

AGV system and deliver them to the segment feeder.

Segment Handling Equipment (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996)


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2. Automatic Segment Erection Robot

The robot comprises erector equipment, and a segment feeder

Automatic segment erection robot (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996)

a. Segment Feeder

Segment feeder transports the segments received from the handling equipment. The segments

are slowly delivered on a conveyor to the segment erector system.

b. Segment Erector

The segment erector is a rotating ring type erector. Attached to the rotating ring is a crane

arm. The crane arm is equipped with vacuum pads to pick up the segments from the segment

feeder and build up the ring using precise sensor.


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3. Multi - Function Ancillary Robot

The purpose of this robot, unlike the systems and robot described above that were developed

for automation of the main shield tunneling tasks, is to perform shield construction incidental

work such as retightening of segment bolts or the laying of sleepers and rails.

Multi - Function Ancillary Robot (Ohno, Kazama, Higashide, & Tomioka, 1996)


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Week 3 Working Method

In this section, we mainly focused on the working method of Earth Pressure Boring Machine (EPBM).

Some notable projects which have used Tunnel Boring Machine as an useful tool will be mentioned as

well.

CONTENT:

I. MACHINE ASSEMBLY

II. WORKING METHOD

III. BACKUP SYSTEM

IV. NOTABLE PROJECTS


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I. Assembly

TBM assembly is a very sophisticate process which requires a great amount of time and

human force. To assemble a TBM‘s components, a large assembly site has to be prepared as

the size of the TBM and the assembly equipment are very large. Second, a crane system is

required to lift the components up. The crane system must be strong enough to carry the

heavy weight of the components. Assembly operations must be carried out under the

supervision of skilled technicians including those from the supplier of the machines (Roby &

Willis, 2010)

1. Traditional Assembly Method

Traditionally, the delivery of Tunnel Boring Machines started by the full assembly and

testing of the TBM at the manufacturer‘s facility before dismantling and shipping to site. The

tradition method of assembly consists of 6 steps:

Factory assembly

No-load testing

Dismantle

Deliver components to site

Assemble

Test run

Once the assembly and the cold testing are completed the TBM is ready for the hot testing,

that is the checking of the TBM during the excavation of a tunnel length agreeing with the

TBM supplier. The phase of assembly can last up to three months. (Roby & Willis, 2010)


32

2. OFTA (Onsite First Time Assembly)

In order to shorten overall delivery time to supply these machines some suppliers have

recently introduced the so called OFTA (Onsite First Time Assembly), consisting of

only one direct assembly at site. This procedure, allowing the saving of several weeks, clearly

increases the risks of possible problems arising during the testing (Roby & Willis, 2010)

II. The Working Method

According to an instruction manual about TBM from Herrenknecht, a German manufacturer

of tunnel boring machines of all sizes. The working method of a tunnel boring machine

basically consists of 2 phases:

Tunneling phase

Ring building phase

In the tunneling phase, the cutting wheel rotates, and then it is pressed against the tunnel face

by means of hydraulic cylinders. The cutting wheel is driven by 24 hydraulic motors via a

gear ram. The high strength steel disc cutters and the cutting knifes loosen the material of the

tunnel face quickly.

The Tunneling Phase (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)


33

The soil can be conditioned with water, bentonite, or foam through the injection system. After

which, the soil is pressed into the excavation chamber and then transported from the bottom

of the chamber to a belt conveyor by a screw conveyor.

Injection system of EPBM (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

Along with all these processes, a number of pressure sensors are used to measure the change

of geological condition such as pressure sensors, cutting wheel torque sensors, screw

conveyor torque sensors, monitoring of excavated material sensors and cutting wheel torque

sensors.

EPBM‘s Inner Sensors (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

After the tunneling phase, cutting wheel and the conveyors will stop their operation, and the

ring building phase begins. The ring building phase starts in the shield area under atmospheric

pressure condition. Segments are transported from the outside to the building place by mine

cars.


34

Segment Manufacture (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

A complete tunnel ring consists of several segments, or lining segments. These prefabricated

reinforce concrete elements are produced with millimeter precision in a specialized factory

In the front section of the backup, the lining segments are lifted individually by special

transfer crane. It lifts them onto the segment feeder which transport the elements to the front

of the tunnel

Here the heavy ring segment are picked up and positioned by a hydraulic controlled crane arm

called the erector, using vacuum plates. The erector is installed in 2 rails and can be moved

rotated and telescoped

The Erector (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)


35

Each completed tunnel ring consists of several segments: 2 later elements and the key

segment which is installed last. The position of the segments always follows the same routine.

The erector lifts the stone from the segment feeder, the hydraulic cylinder are then retracted

from the corresponding installation point

The segment is then positioned precisely, holding side contact next to the previous installed

ring using a remote control. Now the hydraulic cylinders are extended again to secure the

segment and its position

The cylinders are being extended again (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)

During this process, machine and tunneling personnel are protected by the shield skin against

the earth pressure and any possible ground water. In this way, the lining segments are

installed on each side alternately. The key segment is positioned last, and distributes the load

of the ring, completing the ring building

The key segment is being installed (Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems)


36

Again, the next tunnel ring can start. The tunneling phase and the ring building phase alternate

continuously. In this way, the tunnel grows ring by ring


37

III. Backup System

1. Grouting

EFNARC (2005) stated that during the segment lining process, all parts of the machine and

segment rings are protected inside the shield against pressure or ground heave. Backfill

grouting is the grouting work to fill the annular (ring-shaped) void (a completely empty

space) between segments and the ground.

Grouting (EFNARC 2005)

From the website of Colcrete Eurodrill, grout is the important link between the surroundings

(soil or rock) and the structure (pre-cast segments). It‘s the composition of Cement, Water and

some other Additives.

The reasons for using grout can be summarized as follows (EFNARC 2005):

To prevent flotation and heave

To prevent surface subsidence

To prevent misalignment of the segment rings

To bond the soil and segments into a single component.


38

There are 2 types of grout inlets. The grout may be pumped into position either through the

tail shield or through holes in the segments (EFNARC 2005). The type of grout inlet in each

TBM will be chosen depended on the required shape and size of the grouted body as well as

the type of grout.

In the case of segmental TBMs, the lining and its backfill grouting are inseparable from the

operation of the machine (Colcrete Eurodrill). Because of their interfaces with the machine,

they must be designed in parallel and in interdependence with the TBM.

Grouting process (Colcrete Eurodrill)

In this typical system, the Grout pump takes its supply from a rail car, and pumps it through a

flow meter and pressure transmitter to the inline mixer (Colcrete Eurodrill). The grout then is

measured by sensors, controlled and adjusted by a processor and continuously taken to the

back of the ring segments. And then it will be fed into the void by grout injector.

2. Complex Logistic Solution

The backup system is required in the TBM, which accommodates all the facilities required

such as hydraulic power unit, pump, controlling cabinet, ventilation, laser instrumentation,

storage containers, … (Central Subway 2011).

Backup system (Nguyen D. Toan 2006)

http://www.youtube.com/user/MuniCentralSubwaySF?feature=watch


39

The whole system is set in a wheel house. With each advance movement of the machine, the

backup is pull ahead. Also the logistic structures for excavated material discharge system and

the delivery of the lining process are here (Central Subway, 2011). As in the previous part

such as belt storage system, soil containers or mine car line.

Backup system (Central Subway 2011)

According to Central Subway (2011), controlling cabinet can be seen as the brain of the

machine. All important, up-to-date information and diagrams are gathered in the central

control cabin. There, they are visualized on monitor, make available for the machine operator.

The operator can control the processes and interfere if necessary.

3. Maintenance

In the Central Subway ‗s video (2011), the cutting tool must be maintained or replaced in

regular depended on the hardness and the abrasiveness of the geology. Sensor is attached to

the tips of some tools which send the signal to the control cabin when a certain degree of wear

happens. The tool must be replaced. The excavation chamber is partially emptied. At the same

time the cavity of the chamber is supplied with compressed if necessary to stabilize the tunnel

face. Then the excavation chamber can be mannerly accessed to maintenance work such as

disc cutter tools or sensor replacement.






40

IV. Notable Projects

1. Longest and Largest Tunnels Using TBM

TBM is the most modern machine applied in digging tunnel. Reported in 2012, in a document

of American technology center, researchers listed the list of top 5 longest and largest tunnel

using TBM on the world. This is a great achieve in the development of technology and

intelligence of human being:

1.1- Gotthard Tunnel

1.2- Channel Tunnel

1.3- Seikan Tunnel

1.4- Channel Tunnel

1.5- Guadarrama Tunnel

2. Channel Tunneling Project

Channel Tunnel Project Construction (NFM Technologies)

This tunnel is a typical one with cross section, a service tunnel between twin rail tunnels.

Shown linking the rail tunnels is a piston relief duct, necessary to manage pressure changes

due to the movement of trains

Tunneling between England and France was a major engineering challenge, with the only

precedent being the undersea Seikan Tunnel in Japan. A serious risk with underwater tunnels

is major water inflow due to the water pressure from the sea above under weak ground

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eurotunnel_schema_(empty_service).svg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seikan_Tunnel


41

conditions. The Channel Tunnel also had the challenge of time—being privately funded, early

financial return was paramount.

According to ―Channel Project‖, JJennifer Rosenberg (2005) reported that: Precast segmental

linings in the main TBM drives were used, but different solutions were used on the English

and French sides. On the French side, neoprene and grout sealed bolted linings made of cast

iron or high-strength reinforced concrete were used. On the English side, the main

requirement was for speed and bolting of cast-iron lining segments was only carried out in

areas of poor geology. In the UK rail tunnels, eight lining segments plus a key segment were

used; on the French side, five segments plus a key segment. On the French side, a 55-metre

(180 ft) diameter 75-metre (246 ft) deep grout-curtained shaft at Sangatte was used for access.

On the English side, a marshalling area was 140 meters (459 ft) below the top of Shakespeare

Cliff, and the New Austrian Tunneling method (NATM) was first applied in the chalk marl

here. On the English side, the land tunnels were driven from Shakespeare Cliff, the same

place as the marine tunnels, not from Folkston. (UK News, 2010). The platform at the base of

the cliff was not large enough for all of the drives and, despite environmental objection,

tunnel spoil was placed behind a reinforced concrete seawall, on condition of placing the

chalk in an enclosed lagoon to avoid wide dispersal of chalk fines. Owing to limited space,

the precast lining factory was on the Isle of Grain in the Thames estuary.

On the French side, owing to the greater permeability to water, earth pressure balance TBMs

with open and closed modes was used. (Jennifer Rosenberg, 2009). The TBMs were of a

closed nature during the initial 5 kilometers (3 mi), but then operated as open, boring through

the chalk marl stratum. This minimized the impact to the ground and allowed high water

pressures to be withstood, and it also alleviated the need to grout ahead of the tunnel. The

French effort required five TBMs: two main marine machines, one main land machine (the

short land drives of 3 km allowed one TBM to complete the first drive then reverse direction

and complete the other), and two service tunnel machines. On the English side, the simpler

geology allowed faster open-faced TBMs. Six machines were used, all commenced digging

from Shakespeare Cliff, three marine-bound and three for the land tunnels. Towards the

completion of the undersea drives, the UK TBMs were driven steeply downwards and buried

clear of the tunnel. These buried TBMs were then used to provide an electrical earth. The

French TBMs then completed the tunnel and were dismantled. A 900 mm gauge railway was

used on the English side during construction.

http://history1900s.about.com/bio/Jennifer-Rosenberg-7900.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Austrian_Tunnelling_method


42

3. The Largest TBM In The World

Bertha is shipped to Seattle (Foley, 2012)

According to the newest information from Amanda Foley, a famous American journalist, the

largest TBM on the world- ‗Bertha‘ the world‘ largest TBM is ready to be shipped to Seattle.

Following testing at Hitachi Zosen‘s manufacturing plant in Osaka, Japan; ‗Bertha‘ – the

world‘s largest-diameter TBM to date – is ready to be shipped to Elliot Bay, in Seattle,

Washington. The 57ft (17.5m) EPB machine will begin excavation of Washington State

Department of Transportation‘s (WSDOT) US$1.35bn (State Route-99) Alaskan Way tunnel,

beneath downtown Seattle, this summer.

Crews in Japan began disassembling the five-story-tall, US$80 million machine last week. By

mid-month, Bertha – which is owned by Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP), the Washington State

Department of Transportation‘s contractor for the project – will be loaded aboard the Jumbo

Fairpartner in 41 pieces.

The ship will leave Japan in mid-March and arrive in Seattle by the end of the month, if the

weather cooperates. ―We‘re entering an exciting stage of this project,‖ said Linea Laird,

WSDOT‘s administrator for the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program. ―While we

have a lot of work to do once Bertha arrives, we can‘t wait to introduce her to the people of

Washington.‖

http://tunnellingjournal.com/files/2013/03/8293616533_9a72f17bd5.jpg


43

STP is responsible for ensuring the TBM functions properly at all times. Accordingly, she‘s

been put through a succession of rigorous tests at the Sakai Works factory in Osaka, where

manufacturer Hitachi Zosen Corporation built the machine. One of the tests revealed a

problem with the machine‘s main drive unit, and crews made appropriate repairs.

Bertha has since passed all of her tests, and will officially become the property of STP once

she‘s tunneled approximately 1,000ft (300m) without any issues. ―Construction is going well,

both in Japan and in Seattle,‖ said Chris Dixon, Seattle Tunnel Partners project manager.

―We‘re on track to open the tunnel in late 2015.‖

Crews in Seattle are about 80% finished with the launch pit where Bertha will start her

journey and are currently preparing the surrounding site for tunneling. That work includes

strengthening the soil and building protected areas along the initial section of the tunnel route

so crews can perform scheduled inspections of the machine before it begins tunneling beneath

the city. Work is also under way near the north end of the Battery Street Tunnel to prepare the

area where Bertha will emerge at the end of tunneling.

Bertha‘s 41 pieces – the largest weighing up to 900 tons – are being loaded on a single ship.

Once she arrives in Seattle, crews will unload the pieces and transport them a few hundred

yards to the 80ft (25m) deep launch pit, where she will be reassembled and launched this

summer.


44

Reference


45

Xie Jinghua Tian Ke Key Laboratory of Modern Complex Equipment Design and Extreme

manufacturing, Central South University, Ministry of Education, Changsha, China Yang

Dawei . (2010). The effect of TBM hydraulic piping system parameters on FSI vibration.

Pages 363-371 .

Xie Jinghua, Tian Ke Yang Dawei. (2010). The effect of TBM hydraulic piping system

parameters on FSI vibration. Retrieved April 2, 2013, from Digital Library.

Foley, A. (2013, March 7). ‘Bertha’ the world’s largest TBM is ready to be shipped to

Seattle. Retrieved 5 15, 2013, from tunneling journal.

Grandori, R. (2006). Abdalajis East railway tunnel (Spain)- Double shield universal TBMs.

Hard Rock Shield, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2013,

from Attiko Metro S.A.

Jenkins, C. ( 2011, Apr 13). The 17 Longest Tunnels In The World. Retrieved April 8, 2013,

from Business Insider .

Kelly, L. (2013, April 04). 7 record-breaking tunnels from around the world. Retrieved 04

16, 2013, from FoxNews.com.

Michael Spencer, Zurich London (Chairman) . (2009). Tunnel Boring Machines.

Ohno, H., Kazama, K., Higashide, A., & Tomioka, A. (1996). Fully automated system for

shield tunnelling under integrated control. OBAYASHI CORP.

Roby, J., & Willis, D. (2010). Onsite, First Time Assembly of TBMs: Merging 3D Digital .

Washington.

Rosenberg, J. (May 6, 1994). The Channel Tunnel.

Single Shield TBM. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2013, from The Robbins Company Website:

http://www.therobbinscompany.com/our-products/tunnel-boring-machines/single-

shield/

The British Tunnelling Society and The Institution of Civil Engineers. (2004). Tunnel

lining design guide. London: Thomas Telford Publishing.

To raise a tunnel boring machine. (2013 , Jaunuary 29). Retrieved April 2013, from OCH

Magazine: http://www.ochmagazine.com/features/to-raise-a-tunnel-boring-machine/

Tunnelling & Pipelines. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2012, from Herrenknecht AG Website:

http://www.herrenknecht.com/products/tunnel-boring-machines.html

Tunnelling by EPB Tunnel Boring Machine in DMRC. (2012, June). Retrieved febrary 15,

2013, from NBM Media.

Central Subway (2011) TBM/Tunneling Video. [video file]. Retrieved from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx_EjMlLgqY


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx_EjMlLgqY


46

Colcrete Eurodrill. Tunnel Grouting System. Retrieved from http://www.colcrete-

eurodrill.com/products/tunnel-grouting-system

EFNARC (2005) Specification and Guidelines for the use of specialist products for

Mechanized Tunnelling (TBM). Retrieved March 10, 2013 from

ITA-WG14 (2000) Recommendations and Guidelines for Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).

International Tunnelling Association, Working Group No. 14 - Mechanized Tunnelling.

NFM technologies. Underground work. Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.nfm-

technologies.com

Nguyen D. Toan (2006) TBM and Lining Essential Interfaces. Retrieved March 10, 2013

from http://www.ita-

aites.org/fileadmin/filemounts/general/pdf/ItaAssociation/ProductAndPublication/Th

esis/ThesisToan.pdf

TheRobbinsCo (2010) Robbins EPB TBM Excavation with Screw Conveyor [video file].

Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4XGQ9H2YP4

Federal Highway Administration (2011) Technical Manual for Design and Construction

of Road Tunnels - Civil Elements. Retrieved March 10, 2013 from

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/tunnel/pubs/nhi09010/appd.cfm

http://www.colcrete-eurodrill.com/products/tunnel-grouting-system

http://www.colcrete-eurodrill.com/products/tunnel-grouting-system

http://www.nfm-technologies.com/

http://www.nfm-technologies.com/

http://www.ita-aites.org/fileadmin/filemounts/general/pdf/ItaAssociation/ProductAndPublication/Thesis/ThesisToan.pdf




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4XGQ9H2YP4

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/tunnel/pubs/nhi09010/appd.cfm


47

Appendix


48

Week 1 POST ACTIVITIES

I. Choose the best answer:

1. What are the 2 main elements that make a subway system work?

A. Tunnels and Trains

B. Tunnels and Cars

C. Passengers and Cars

D. Passengers and Trains

Answer: A

2. What is true about the purpose of tunnels?

A. Tunnels can be used for foot, vehicular traffic

B. Tunnels can be used for air traffic

C. Tunnels can be used for rail traffic

D. Both A and C are true

Answer: D

3. According to our presentation, what methods could be used in building tunnels?

A. Digging by hand

B. Using explosives

C. Using excavating machine

D. All the above choices

Answer: D

II. True or Fault:

1.Sir Marc Isambard Brunel developed the first successful tunneling shield.

2. The Wilson‘ Patented Stone – Cutting machine was built to dig the Hoosac Tunnel

Answer: 1. T

2. T

III. Classification Matching

a. Single shield TBM 1. sensitive to poor rock conditions

especially in large diameter range

b. Double shield TBM 2. sensitive to squeezing ground and

face instabilities

c. Gripper TBM 3. can achieve very good

performance in good to fair rock

Answer: c-1 b-3 a-2


49

WEEK 2 POST ACTIVITIES

I, True or false:

1, There‘s just only one kind of cutting disc in TBM

2, Rotary cutting head is driven by a series of hydraulic motors

3, The EPBM gets its name because it is capable of holding up soft ground by maintaining the

unbalance between earth and pressure

4, In urban tunneling, maintaining the soil pressure during and after construction can avoid

ground subsidence

Answer: F,T,F,T

II, Matching:

1. open-type TBM a. screw conveyor

2. the Slurry TBM b. reversible conveyor belt

3. the shield TBM and the EBPM c. pipe system

Answer: 1-b, 2-c, 3-a

III, choose the correct answers:

1. Where is put hydraulics Cylinder Jacks in TBM?

A. Behind the chamber of TBM.

B. Before the chamber of TBM

C. On the top of chamber of TBM

Answer: A

2. Hydraulics cylinder jack in TBM using ….. to push against a piston.

A. Water

B. Oil

C. Both A and B

Answer: B

3. How many main parts in Hydraulics cylinder rack of TBM?

A. 3

B. 4

C. 6

Answer: 6


50

IV, Fill in the blanks:

1. Automatic Segment Erector System comprises of Segment feeder and Segment erector

2. Segment handling equipment provides full automation of the segment conveying

operation

-------- END ---------


51

WEEK 3 POST ACTIVITIES

Part 1: Arrange in the right order

1. Traditional method process

a. No-load testing

b. Test run

c. Deliver components to site

d. Dismantle

e. Factory assembly

f. Assemble

Answer: _e_>_a_>_d_>_c_>_f_>_b_

2. OFTA process

a. Test run

b. Assemble

c. Deliver components to site

Answer: _c_>_b_>_a_

Part 2: Fill the words into order to make a process of the tunneling phase of EPBM

1.Soil is transported to belt conveyor

2.Soil is pressed into excavation chamber

3.The cutting wheel rotates

4.Disc cutters and cutting knifes loosen the material

Answer: 3421


52

Part 3: Choose the correct answers:

5. Grouting is the process that provides the seal between:

a. cutting face and the outer ground

b. the shield and the segments

c. the segments and the outer ground

Answer: C

6. Grout is made of:

a. cement

b. water

c. additives

d. all of above

Answer: D

7. The backup system is:

a. controlling cabinet

b. logistic structure for excavated material discharging

c. logistic structure for segment lining

d. all of above

Answer: D

Part 4: True or Fail:

8. Channel Tunnel is the longest rail tunnel in the world.

9.On the French side, The Channel Tunnel began digging near Shakespeare Clift outside of

Dover with using 5 TBMs.

10. The world ‗largest TBM is Bertha made in Japan

Answer: T,T,T


53

Glossary of terms


54

No. Term Explanation Vietnamese

equivalent

1. Abrader To rub the surface of something, such as rock or skin,

and damage it or make it rough

Mài

2. Abreuvoir The joint or interstice between stones, to be filled

with mortar

Mạch nối kín

3. Accelerant A substance added to concrete or shotcrete to

accelerate setting.

Chất xúc tác

4. Accurate correct and true in every detail Tính chính xác

5. Additive

A chemical substance added in a small amount,

usually to a fluid, for a special purposes Ph gia

6. Adit A horizontal or nearly horizontal entrance to a tunnel

or mine (as opposed to a vertical shaft).

Lối v o m

7. Adjustment A small change made to something in order to correct

or improve it

Bình sai, trắc địa

8. Adsorbent ( of a substance or material ) able to adsorb gases or

liquids

Chất hút, bám

9. Advance Forward progress in the construction of a tunnel. S ti n l n

10. Aelotropy The property of some chemical elements to exist in

two or more different forms, known as allotropes of

these elements

Tính dị hướng

Chất l m dị

hướng

11. Ancillary providing necessary support to the primary activities

or operation of an organization

ph trợ

12. Annular ring-shape hình tr n

13. Arch Underground ground support, typically steel. Khung tò vò

14. Backfill A material used to replace excavated material. V t li u lấp

15. Backup system a vast array of supporting mechanisms such as dirt H thống ph trợ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_element


55

removal, control rooms, rails, transporting system,

pipelines, etc

16. Band A thin flat strip or circle of any material that is put

around things, for example to hold them together or

to make them stronger

Băng

17. Bar A unit for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere,

equal to a hundred thousand newtons per square

metre

Thanh

18. Barrel

A large round container, usually made of wood or

metal, with flat ends and, usually, curved sides

Barrel

19. Bearing a part of a machine that allows one part to rotate or

move in contact with another part with as little

friction as possible

ổ tr c

20. Bentonite A processed form of a particular naturally-occurring

clay mineral. It has a high swelling capacity when

dissolved in water.

S t bentonit (loại

đất s t có giá trị

dễ thấm nước)

21. Bits Replaceable cutting tools on the cutting head of a

TBM

M i khoan

22. Bolt a large metal pin chốt

23. Bolt hole/pocket A pre-formed recess or penetration within the tunnel

segmental lining used for the installation of bolts to

hold the segments together

Ổ chốt

24. Boring The dislodging or displacement of spoil by a rotating

auger or drill string to produce a hole

Quá trình khoan

25. Boulder

Geological obstacles (mostly single large pieces of

rock encountered in sandy or clayey soils).

Đá cuội

26. Bricklayer a person whose job is to build walls, houses, and

other structures with bricks

Thợ nề

27. Buckle to bend under compression Làm cong

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#bend

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#compression


56

28. Bulkhead A fixed structure within the head of a TBM used to

divide two compartments: the working chamber or

cutting head from the rest of the machine.

C ngăn, vách

ngăn

29. Buttress a support that transmits a force from a roof or wall to

another supporting structure

tr tường

30. Bypass

The bypass is a part of the feed and slurry circuit

connected to the slurry line so that the flow in the

slurry circuit can be maintained when the TBM is

stopped without flushing the tunnel face.

ống nối v ng

31. Cable tunnel A tunnel constructed for the installation of power or

communications cables.

Hầm cáp

32. Cantilever The part of a structure that extends beyond its

support.

Dầm chìa

33. Carriage The mechanical part of a non-split boring machine

that includes the engine or drive motor, the drive

train, thrust block and hydraulic cylinders.

giá chuy n chở

34. Casing A pipe to support a bore V khoan

35. Cast Iron a brittle alloy with high carbon content Gang

36. Cavern A cave Hang động

37. CCTV Closed Circuit Television used to carry out internal

inspections and surveys of pipelines

Truyền hình

mạch kín

38. Cement a binding material, or glue, that helps concrete harden Xi măng

39. Chamber A space in the body, in a plant or in a machine, which

is separated from the rest

Bể

40. Chip cut or break (a small piece) from a hard material Đ c

41. Compaction The densification of a soil by means of mechanical

manipulation.

đầm lèn

42. Concrete a mixture of water, sand, small stones, and a gray

powder called cement

Bê tông

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#force

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#brittle

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#concrete

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#cement


57

43. Cone crusher

Cone-shaped part of a tunnel boring machine behind

the cutterhead. Due to its special form, it crushes the

excavated material into conveyable grain sizes during

rotation of the cutterhead

máy nghiền kiểu

côn

44. Construction the process or method of building or making sth,

especially roads, buildings, bridges, etc

Xây d ng

45. Conventional

tunneling

Methods of tunnel construction ranging from manual

excavation to the use of self-propelled tunnel boring

machines

Đ o hầm kiểu

truyền thống

46. Conveyor A continuously traveling belt used in tunneling to

remove excavated material from the shaft.

Thi t bị t i truyền

47. Conveyor system

A series of conveyors and associated equipment that

is used to remove spoil (or muck) from the TBM

heading to an outside location

H thống băng t i

48. Corrosion The destruction of a material or its properties because

of a reaction with its (environment) surroundings.

S xói mòn

49. Cracks Fracture lines visible in a tunnel lining around the

circumference and its length.

V t nứt

50. Crane arm A mechanized lifting devise used to pick up segments Tay cẩu

51. Crown The highest part of a circular- or horseshoe shaped

tunnel. Also called the ―roof‖ or ―back‖

Đỉnh v m

52. Cutter Head The turning part at the front of the TBM which

supports the cutting tools.

Đầu kho t

53. Cutting plane The surface received after going through a cutting

process

Mặt phẳng cắt

54. Cylinder head

the end cover of a cylinder in an internal combustion

engine, against which the piston compresses the

cylinder‘s contents.

Đầu xi lanh

55. Data logger Device used to electronically record data, such as

geotechnical, noise, survey or vibration data.

máy ghi dữ li u


58

56. DCRM Disc Cutter Rotation Monitoring System for the real-

time measurement of the rotation and temperature of

disc cutters during tunneling.

H thống giám

sát đầu kho t

57. Debris scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked

or destroyed

Đá v n

58. Deform to change shape Bi n dạng

59. Dereliction The negligence of effective maintenance. S sao nhãng

60. Disc Cutter A wheel-like cutting tool on the front of a tunneling

machine which rotates and pushes onto the rock face

as the cutter head turns, fracturing the rock.

Đ a cắt

61. Dismantle To take apart a machine or structure so that it is in

separate pieces

Tháo dỡ

62. Diurnal To vary during the day. Một ng y đ m

63. Double shield TBM A TBM with a full-face cutter head and two sets of

thrust rams that react against either the tunnel walls

(radial gripper)

Máy khoan hầm

hai khi n đ o

64. Dowels

Steel or glass fibre rods used for ground

reinforcement, or plastic or steel inserts used to

connect tunnel or shaft lining segments.

Chốt

65. Drift A small tunnel driven ahead of the main tunnel bore Hầm ph

66. Drill a tool or machine with a pointed end for making

holes

Khoan

67. Drive

To excavate horizontally, or at an inclination as in a

drift, tunnel, adit, or entry; distinguished from

sinking or raising

Lái hướng

68. Dual-mode TBM a machine can dig through very different geologies Máy khoan hầm

đa năng

69. Duct A pipe or tube carrying liquid, gas, electric or

telephone wires, etc

Ống


59

70. Dynamite a blasting explosive, based on nitroglycerin Thuốc nổ

71. Earth Pressure

Balanced

Machines (EPBM)

Closed shield TBM with active face support by the

pressurized soil.

Máy khoan hầm

địa áp

72. Embankment A bank of earth, rock or other material constructed

above the natural ground surface

bờ kè

73. Erector

A mechanical arm present in a tunnel boring machine

that is used to put the tunnel lining segments into

place

Tay lắp ráp

74. Excavation Boring process under thrust from longitudinal rams

reacting against the tunnel lining

S đ o bới

75. Excavation The activity of digging in the ground to look for old

buildings or subjects that have been buried for a long

time

Đ o

76. Expander A tool which enlarges a bore during a Pull-Back

operation by compression of the surrounding ground

rather than by excavation.

Bộ ph n giãn

77. Face Vertical wall at the farthest advance of the excavation

in a tunnel

Mặt hầm

78. FASTIC The Fully Automated System for shield tunneling

under Integrated Control

H thống đ o

hầm t động tích

hợp điều khiển

79. Fault A fracture in rocks. Lỗi

80. Flexible Readily bent or deformed without permanent

damage.

Uốn được, linh

hoạt

81. Flotation the action of floating in a liquid or gas S nổi l n, lồi l n

82. Flow meters an instrument for measuring the rate of flow of water,

gas, or fuel, especially through a pipe.

Lưu lượng k

83. Foam Soil conditioning material made from a foaming

solution and air.

B t xốp

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#nitro


60

84. Foaming Solution Mixture of water and surfactant. Dung dịch b t

85. Geotechnical Related to the branch of civil engineering concerned

with the study and modification of soil and rocks.

Thuộc địa kỹ

thu t

86. Granular the uniform size on grains of crystals in rock Dạng hạt

87. Grinding To break or crush sth into very small pieces between

two hard surfaces or using a special machine

Mài

88. Grippers The shoes that press radically against the walls of the

excavated tunnel.

Bộ k p

89. Ground arch The ground located immediately above a tunnel

which transfers the overburden load onto ground

located on both sides of the tunnel

V m hầm

90. Grout A construction material, usually composed of water,

sand and cement, and a large number of other

materials, used to improve ground conditions or fill

voids in the ground

Vữa

91. Grouting The process that provides the seal between the

segment rings and the ground

Chát vữa

92. Guidance system A system help showing the correct

Position of TBM in correspondence with the

designed tunnel axis.

H thống d n

đường

93. Hand excavation The technique used to remove the material (rock, dirt,

sand, etc.) by hand held tools (pick, shovel, etc.) from

the tunnel face or open ditch.

Đ o b ng tay

94. Hoop A large ring of plastic, wood or iron Dạng đai

95. Hydraulic jack a mechanical actuator that is used to give a

unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke

Động cơ thủy l c

96. Hydraulically

actuated supports

Roof and side supports powered by hydraulics that

stabilize the cutter head during boring and keep it

centered.

Hỗ trợ d n động

thủy l c

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actuator

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force


61

97. Hydraulics That branch of science or engineering which treats

water or other fluid in motions

Thủy l c

98. Hydro-geological the branch of geology concerned with water

occurring underground or on the surface of the earth.

Thuộc địa chất

thủy văn

99. Hydrophilic/Hydrot

ite

A material which expands on contact with water to

many times its previous size

Háo nước

100. Idlers guide the belt through curves Bánh xe d n

hướng

101. Impact Stress in a structure caused by the force of a

vibratory, dropping,, or moving loads. This is

generally a percentage of the live load

L c xung

102. Inclinometer An instrument for measuring angles or slope (or tilt),

elevation or depression of an object with respect to

gravity

Máy đo độ

nghiêng

103. Invert

In a circular-shaped tunnel, this is the bottom portion

of the arc. In a horseshoe-shaped tunnel, this is the

flat bottom

Đáy hầm

104. Jacking The actual pushing of pipe or casing in an excavated

hole. This is usually done with hydraulic cylinders

Kích

105. Jetting

The process of applying water or air under pressure

to remove debris or laitance from structural surfaces

Phun rửa

106. Joint a device connecting two or more adjacent parts of a

structure

Khớp nối

107. Key segment the last segment to be inserted in a lining ring Đoạn khóa

108. Lagoon A lake of salt water that is separated from the sea by

a reef or an area of rock or sand

Đầm

109. Laser

instrumentation

A device emitting coherent radiation which produces

a highly focused light source. Used in tunneling to

visibly define the design excavation direction

Thi t bị định

hướng laze


62

110. Lining protective covering that protects the inside of tunnel V hầm

111. Load weight distribution throughout a structure T i tr ng

112. Lubricate apply a substance such as oil or grease to (an engine

or component) so as to minimize friction and allow

smooth movement

Bôi trơn

113. Main bearing

The bearing on which the cutter head rotates, located

between the cutter head and cutter head support

Ổ bi chính

114. Main jacking

station

A jacking system, installed in the launch shaft which

is often called

jacking frame (pipe jacking)

C m kích chính

115. Man accessible Description of a pipe or excavation which can be

physically entered by an operative.

Có thể ti p c n

116. Mesh Steel bars in a grid which when encased in concrete

or shotcrete act to strengthen lining

Mắt lưới

117. Metro

An underground public rail transportation system. It

is also called a subway system

T u đi n

118. Metropolitan Connected with a large or capital city of a country or

region.

Đô thị

119. Mole (TBM) A tunnel boring machine which excavates a tunnel of

circular cross-section

Máy đ o hầm

120. Monitoring and

control

Record of the TBM-drive history (graphic and

numeric) and calculation, storing and analysis of all

TBM and ring data

Theo d i v điều

khiển

121. Muck Mixture of excavated ground or rocks with or without

any conditioning agent (EPBM method)

Đất tạp

122. Muck bucket A scoop shaped part of the front and gage area of the

cutterhead that picks up the freshly cut rock/soil or

―muck‖ and drops it onto the muck extraction system,

usually a conveyor belt on hard rock TBMs

Xô bùn


63

123. Muck wagon

One muck removal system used to remove spoil in

tunneling operations involves a train of muck wagons

running on a railway within the tunnel.

Xe goòng

124. Mud Cake Fine membrane of dewatered slurry in or at the

surface of the soil to stabilize the excavation

V b n

125. Natural constraint The stress pattern in the ground is very

important in deep tunnels or in cases of

high anisotropy

R ng buộc môi

trường

126. OFTA On-site First Time Assembly Lắp đặt tại chỗ

127. Overcut

Difference between the excavation diameter and the

diameter of

the shield skin or pipe string

Kho ng thoáng

128. Percussion The act of percussing, or striking one body against

another;

forcible collision, esp. such as gives a sound or report

Bộ g

129. Permeability

The rate of flow of a liquid or gas through a porous

material

Độ thấm

130. Pig A hard foam rubber ball which is pushed or blown

through a concrete or grout pipe to clean it.

D ng c nạo

131. Piston rod a rod or crankshaft attached to a piston to drive a

wheel or to impart motion.

Cần piston

132. Pit a mine or a quarry Hầm m

133. Polyethylene a tough, light, flexible synthetic resin made by

polymerizing ethylene, chiefly used for in

construction for plastic sheeting and pipes

Poli-etylen

134. Portal Entrance or structure that forms the entrance to a

tunnel.

Cửa hầm

135. pressure gauges an instrument showing the pressure of fluid Áp k


64

136. Pressurized To pump or force a liquid at a higher rate than that

achievable under normal open channel or free surface

conditions

Được tăng áp,

n n

137. Radial joint Joints in a pre-cast concrete segmental tunnel lining

perpendicular to the circumference.

Mối nối hướng

tâm

138. Radon gas A radioactive gas that can build up in tunnels and

mines in certain types of ground. It requires

monitoring to ensure that safe levels are maintained.

Khí Radon

139. Ram

A hydraulic operated thrusting cylinder on a piece of

machinery, such as on a TBM that assists in moving

it forward by shoving off the tunnel lining

Búa máy p thủy

l c

140. Reinforced

Concrete

concrete with steel bars or mesh embedded in it for

increased strength in tension

B tông cộn l c

141. Retract The motion of the machine away from the face of the

entrance pit.

L i lại

142. Ring Pre-cast concrete segmental lining of finite length v ng

143. Ring beam Circular steel beams that are erected to support the

tunnel where the rock is not self-supporting

rầm hình xuy n

144. Rolling Having gentle slopes

Done in regular stages or at regular intervals over a

period of time

Cán

145. Screw conveyor Screw-shaped conveyor Băng t i guồng

xoắn, vít t i

146. Sea outfall

General term for the construction of pipelines from

the coastline into the open sea

Cửa x biển

147. Seamless With no spaces or pauses between one part and the

next

Đúc, không có

mối h n (ống kim

loại)

148. Segment Arc shaped preformed component that forms part of Đoạn hình vi n

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#concrete

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#steel

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#strong

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#tension


65

the tunnel or shaft lining phân

149. Segment erector A mechanized system used to install tunnel lining

segments

Tay lắp v hầm

150. Segment feeder A mechanized system used to transport lining

segments

Băng t i v hầm

151. Segmental lining Tunnel lining method using individual precast

concrete segments

Lót v hầm dạng

tấm

152. Settlement Sinking of the ground surface due to loosening and

disturbance of the natural layering around the void

Độ lún, bi n dạng

153. Sewer An underground pipe or conduit for transporting

storm water and/or wastewater

Cống ngầm

154. Shield Shelter system, made by a metallic structure, to

protect the working area

Khi n đ o

155. Shotcrete Concrete that is sprayed onto a surface. The mixture

is often reinforced with rebar, steel mesh, or fibers

B tông l ng

156. Shove The act of advancing the shield with hydraulic jack Đẩy l n

157. Sidewall The sides of a tunnel Tường hầm

158. Silt sediment particles ranging from 0.004 to 0.06 mm in

diameter

Phù sa

159. Site Any location where work has been or will be done Công trường

160. Sleepers

A steel or timber member used to fix and to maintain

the spacing between two railway tracks

T v t

161. Slurry A clay-like semi-solid suspension of bentonite in

water with appropriate additives.

B n quặng

162. Slurry line

A series of hoses or pipes that transport the slurry

spoil in and out

Đường ống d n

b n

163. Slurry Shield Closed shield TBM with active face support by the Máy khoan hầm


66

Machine pressurized slurry ………

164. Soft ground Normally consisting of sands/gravels or clays Nền đất y u

165. Specifications The portions of the contract documents consisting of

written technical descriptions of materials,

equipment, construction systems, standards and

workmanship as applied to the work.

Đặc điểm kỹ

thu t

166. Spike to push a sharp piece of metal, wood, etc. into sb/sth;

to injure sth on a sharp point

Spike

167. Spoil Earth, rock and other often waste materials displaced

by a tunnel or casing, and removed as the tunnel or

casing is installed.

đất b n nạo v t

lên

168. Squeezing rock

Difficult tunneling ground conditions characterized

by the rock being strongly jointed and fractured,

having low strength and moving towards the

excavation

Đá n n

169. Steering Corrections of the TBM-drive resulting from real

deviation

Điều hướng

170. Stress The load applied per unit area of material (psi). ng suất

171. Subsidence The settlement of the ground, pipelines or other

structures

S lún nền

172. Subsoil The layer of soil that under the surface layer Tầng đất gốc

173. Suction pad A mechanical suction device, used to lift segments of

a tunnel into position

Giác hút

174. Surveillance Activities including audit, monitoring/inspection,

investigation, data capture/trend analysis, and

document review.

S giám sát

175. Suspension

Mixture of substances consisting of a liquid and the

fine particles of solid substances suspended in it.

Thể keo

176. Tail seal A seals placed between the rear of the tail skin and

the segmental lining to prevent the inrush of water

H n đuôi


67

and ground

177. Tail skin

The rear section of a shield within which segmental

rings are built, protecting the workforce from the

ground

V sau

178. TBM (Tunnel

Boring Machine)

Machines designed to create bored tunnels. They

perform several functions, from the excavation only

to the application of the final lining

Máy khoan hầm

179. TBM survey Measuring and calculation of the real TBM-position

and direction in relation to the designed tunnel axis.

Điều tra trước thi

công

180. Telescopic having or consisting of concentric tubular sections

designed to slide into one another

kiểu ống lồng

181. Theodolite A surveying instrument to measure both horizontal

and vertical angles, as used in triangulation networks

Máy kinh v

182. Torque The rotary force available at the drive chuck Mô men xoắn

183. Truss a rigid frame composed of short, straight pieces

joined to form a series of triangles or

other stable shapes

đỡ b ng gi n, kèo

184. Tunnel lining

The system which responsible for the building of the

tunnel body

thi công vách

hầm

185. Tunnel section Outline of tunnel as measured at right angles to

centerline or any portion of the tunnel measured

parallel to the direction of the tunnel

Khúc hầm

186. Uncased bore

Any bore without a lining or pipe inserted, i.e, self-

supporting, whether temporary or permanent.

Khoan không v

187. Underground

A location beneath natural (or man-made) ground

level

Dưới l ng đất

188. Urban Tunneling building an underground tunnel beneath a city Đ o hầm trong

khu đô thị

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#rigid

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary.html#stable

http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/civil/articles/44938.aspx


68

189. Vent duct Ducting through which air passes to the tunnel

face or heading.

Đường thoát khí

190. ventilation General term for the fresh air supply in the tunnel H thống thong

gió

191. Vibration A continuous shaking movement or feeling Rung

192. viscosity the state of being thick, sticky, and semi-fluid in

consistency, due to internal friction

Độ nhớt

193. Voids Holes on the outside of the tunnel lining that

normally require grouting

Kho ng chống, lỗ

rỗng, khe hở

194. Waling A horizontal steel or timber section providing support

to a series of piles or faceboards

thanh ngang

gi ng c c

195. Water stop

A rubber elastomeric or rigid device placed and

anchored across a joint cast in concrete to impede

passage of water through the joint

Gioăng

196. Water table The level of groundwater beneath which the ground

is wholly saturated with water.

Gương nước, mặt

nước ngầm

197. Wear damage or deterioration sustained from continuous

use

Cùn, mòn

198. Weeper (Weep

hole)

A pipe or drilled hole in rock or concrete designed to

relieve groundwater pressure through the tunnel

lining

Lỗ thoát áp suất

199. Wire brush seals Seals installed in the tail shield where segments are

erected to protect the work area from water inflows

and to prevent grout or other back filling materials

from migrating forward.

H n b ng b n

ch i kim loại

200. Working Chamber The pressurized area of the TBM immediately behind

the cutting head and in front of the bulkhead

Buồng l m vi c


69

Self-reflection


70

Nguyen Hoang Quan

The Course And The Supervisor

I think I have achieved a lot from this course. We have learned more about what to be called

as English for Material and Engineering. It is quite effective giving lectures on students‘ own.

We had to decide everything from choosing the topic, forming the outlines, creating the

working schedule, to deciding how to deliver the presentations effectively. All the works are

supervised by the teacher, thanks to which we felt safe because everything won‘t be going the

wrong way.

About the field of material and engineering, I felt excited to learn about new things that we

might not know before, or things we might be familiar with but still did not know about a

deeper aspect of which. We have gained knowledge about Tunnel Boring Machine, which is a

useful one for construction. I think this topic is a practical one especially when Vietnam is

going to use this kind of machine in the future to build subways

Team Work And Team Mates

About the team work, I think I have learned many things from this. Organizing what must

come first and what comes next is essential, otherwise everyone will get stressed with this one

along with other courses. I have learned that the leader of the team is very important. The

leader should try not to be a boss, whereas he must be the one who encourage all the members,

organizes who should be doing this one, who should be doing that one. I know sometimes I

was a noisy person, showing unexpected anger with others, which shouldn‘t be let out; but

overall I did it for the good of the team. And I hope the other members could understand that.

About my team mates, one thing that cannot be avoided doing teamwork is conflict. At first I

thought that this team could not go to the end of the road as we had conflicts among team

members even with the smallest thing like choosing a topic. But what is done has to be passed,

we realized that what important was not the individual but the whole.

About Hoang Thi Thu: Basically, she was a good student. But having herself off for several

important lessons made her behind the schedule of the whole team. Sometimes, things

couldn‘t be solves because of her absence. Eventually, her lacks of reading the guidance and

instruction didn‘t keep her following the team works. But overall, she will be better if these

small lacks are fixed. But we have come to the end together.


71

About Nguyen Trung Hieu: He is another good member of the team. He obeys the punctuality.

Overall he was doing fine with the team work except I felt that he was a little bit passive

during the meetings. It would be great if he spoke up his own voice instead of listening to

others. But we have come to the end together.

About Hoang Anh Thu: She was a creative student, always worrying about what the team is

doing. She was the one who solve the conflict between members. Except sometimes she was

passive with other members, which shouldn‘t be expressed, she was good. But finally we have

come to the end together.

Nguyen Trung Hieu

About you

I must say that you are a very caring and responsible teacher. You have helped us a lot when

issues come up and we find your instructions very useful. We learnt a lot from you.

About our group

Our group consist of 4 people, despite that we haven‘t work with each other before and I

don‘t know much about Quân and Thư, our group work surprising well.

About Quân

Quân is a responsible group leader. His teamwork ability is good, as the group leader,

he did a good job in orienting and distributing the work for members. He also helped

and encouraged other members a lot.

About Thư

Thư is a very hard working member of our group. She always get her part done

splendidly and contributed some very useful ideas to the group.

About Thu

Thu is an energetic member, she has taken part in the activities of group

enthusiastically and contributed a lot to ourt work.

About the subject


72

Firstly, it‘s a difficult but interesting subject. Due to the complication of our topic, we faced a

lot of difficulties in research. However, we acquired a great amount of knowledge not only

from our research but from other group‘s research as well.

Hoang Anh Thu

Teamwork is a beautiful work; I would like to use ‗team‘ than ‗group‘. That is the most

favorable time for one to find out the real personal characteristics of your teammate and

yourself. It is also a nice time for one to get new friends. In this subject, I‘m lucky to have

worked with new friends. However, due to this fact, I faced a lot of difficulties and I also

gained a lot.

About me, I and myself:

I am glad that I learned something after all. I learned to accept the group ideas eventhough

I‘m not interested in. But the more important things which I learned is that you can do much

better if you like what you are doing. At the beginning, it was very hard for me to totally

focus on the topic. If I could start again, I will keep my opinion rather than accepted

everything my teammate said. However, the more I studied this topic, the more I‘m interested

in it. One more thing that I realized is that new knowledge is never boring.

About my teammates:

Quân: My team leader. He is an enthusiastic and dedicated person, always help me

and other members. People say ‗team leader is the one work most‘, and yes he is.

Hi u: The vice team leader. He understand deeply, work hard and do well. It is

pleasure to get to know and work with him.

Thu: I am very worried about her health; however, she is always very dynamic when

she appears, so I feel very comfortable. She always contribute her ideas.

Finally, I want to send my sincerely thanks to my teacher Nguyễn Vân Khanh for being not

only an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher but also a friend.

Hoang Thi Thu


73

This course is an exciting and interesting experience, a long trip to get, to cultivate new and

necessary knowledge, valuable information, essential experiments. After about 5 months of

learning the subject, I have three opportunities to present our topic, 9 times to be listened

presentation of other groups, I feel comfortable and happy, especially, I express deeply this

subjects.

To do the success of the course, there are three key elements of which are: dedicated teachers,

the spirit of teamwork and efforts of each person.

First, we are really lucky and excited when received the guidance of our teacher - Nguyen

Thi Van Khanh. The first lesson is also the important lesson with us. In the first days of the

course, we are very worried and stressed with many questions such as: ―what we have to do‖?

―What can we do‖? ―How to get high great results this subject‖? It is the teacher who helped

us to answer all questions. But the most important thing is that we feel comfortable and

interesting instead of worry or afraid gelatinous. Thanks for the stories about last experiment‘

students and his/ her achievements, we feel confident and motivating. By the way of telling

the stories, our teacher motivated sprit of our learning. In the first lesson, I especially express

with my teacher because she is very friendly, active and enthusiasm.

Many students said that she always has high requirements for her students. In fact, that is

true. She always highly demands from us but this focus on English skills because we are

foreign students. I am interested because it it is essential and important for us. We like the

way of scientific working as well as the way to arrange timeline for students in the whole

course. We love her comments and questions after our presentation. Her requires help us to

become more professional. Of course, we need understand our topic or my problem deeply

and widely so that we can present more perfect and efficient in next time.

We proud of our teacher and thank for her help. We are attracted by her method training and

her characteristic such as friendly, intelligent and psychological.

The second element which makes the success of the course is members of each group. I am

proud of working with members in my group. Working together in the long time, of course it

is so difficult to avoid controversy or even intense discussion. But the discussion bases on

responsibility of each member in the group and forward only one purpose: We understand

each other and try our best to do success of the team work.

The first member – the most intelligent member - Mr Quan is leader of our group. He is

considered as our older brother because he is smart, logical, creative, and very hard. He is also


74

a person who responsible for connecting all members in the group, summarizing all comments

and dealing with any conflicts.

Mr Hieu is a smart and creative person. I express by the patience and his way of approach

problems when we study new topic or get new information. Of course, I admire his

mechanical knowledge base.

Miss Hoang Anh is a studious girl. Anyone who works with her also attracted by her

characteristic such as scientific working and very effective team work. She has ability of

dealing with problem quickly and suitably, so she is always completes the task soon and

perfectly.

We are proud to be an close-knit group in daily life and an professional group in working.

Thirdly, it is the experiences of myself. Like many other girls, I have to face to many

disadvantages in the subject because my knowledge of technical is so poor. In the first days, I

am so stress and disappointed. However, until now I proud of what we do and what I do. I feel

comfortable, motivating and full of love with this course. with but what I do, and I love

academic subjects this really. My motto is: ―practice makes perfect; diligence is the mother

of success‖. Thanks for helping of our teacher, friends, other member in my group, I got many

interesting experiences and improve so many skills.

Firstly, I remember so many vocabularies about terms of TBM – Tunnel Boring Machine- our

topic and terms of mechanical topic from other groups. Secondly, I get a lot of knowledge

related to my major. For example, I know furthermore a new topic – TBM – the most modern

machine to digging tunnel which so may developed countries applied. It is a symbol of

developing in science and technology and intelligence of human being. Besides, I can

understand deeply to some topic as: Glass, Air, Motorbikes… from other groups. It is so

happy and really necessary. Thirdly, my presentation skills, my language skills are also

improved markedly after the course. Finally, I feel more confident and comfortable when

working in groups or study a problem related to mechanical topic in the future.

The course is a pleasant experience and I will never forget the course. A sincere thank I

would like to send a sincere thank to teachers, members of the group and my friends.

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Documents

Tunnel Boring Machine - Brief information