World's First Maglev Shield Tunnel Starts Excavation

The connection line project between T3 Terminal of Huanghua International Airport and the Changsha maglev line in Central China's Hunan Province, the world's first medium- and low-speed maglev tunnel to be built with shield method started excavation as the tunnel boring machine (TBM) began operation on Nov 20.

A 7.18-meter diameter earth pressure balance shield machine starts operation at the connection line project linking T3 Terminal of Huanghua International Airport and the Changsha maglev line in Central China's Hunan Province on Nov 20. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

The 4.45-kilometer connection line is a main section of the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Intercity Railway and a part of the airport renovation and expansion and Changsha comprehensive traffic hub construction.

The project is surveyed and designed by China Railway 14th bureau Group Co., Ltd. and built by China Railway Siyuan Survey and Design Group Co., Ltd., both subsidiaries of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited.

Two workers inspect the earth pressure balance shield machine specially developed for the maglev tunnel project in Changsha. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

According to Yang Linghang, head of the project, the connection line will stretch through the jet fuel transmission pipeline network, the underground corridor of the T2 Terminal and the slipway of the airfield runway.

To meet tunneling requirements, two earth pressure balance shield machines with a diameter of 7.18 meters were jointly developed by China Railway 14th bureau Group Co., Ltd. and China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited and will contribute to the tunnel construction.

They have the largest diameter among the TBMs that are used in Changsha traffic projects.

Each of the machines weighs about 550 metric tons and has an installed capacity of about 2,060 kilowatts. They are equipped with composite cutters with an aperture ratio of 38 percent and an improved muck system.

When the connection line is operational, transportation between T2 and T3 terminals at the airport will be much easier, which will meet the distributing demand at the airport and contribute to building an airport-centered comprehensive traffic hub in Changsha.

A train operates on the Changsha maglev line. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

(Executive editor: Niu Yilin)