A new tunnel boring machine, or TBM, is ready for the Suzhou East Tunnel project of the Nantong-Ningbo high-speed railway, which is expected to accelerate construction of China's first tunnel for an intercity high-speed railway.
A view of the new tunnel boring machine, or TBM, which is ready for the Suzhou East Tunnel project of the Nantong-Ningbo high-speed railway [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The TBM uses a set of advanced technologies like pushing-splicing simultaneous technology, synchronizing double-liquid grouting technology and integral prefabricated box culvert assembling technology, which represent their first application in ultra-large-diameter tunneling equipment in China.
With the aid of these technologies, the TBM is expected to ensure safe and efficient construction while improving the quality of the tunnel.
The Nantong-Ningbo high-speed railway is a key part of China's "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" high-speed railway network.
Starting from Nantong West Station in East China's Jiangsu Province, the railway stretches southward through Suzhou and Jiaxing in East China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, and terminates in Ningbo of Zhejiang.
The entire line is 301 kilometers and has a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour.
Workers pose with the newly operating TBM at the construction site of Suzhou East Tunnel project [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Once operational, it is expected to play a crucial role in optimizing the layout of the high-speed railway network in the Yangtze River Delta region, improving the national transportation network, boosting high-quality integrated development in the region, and realizing the comprehensive and coordinated development of the regional resource advantages.
China Railway 14th Bureau Group Corp Ltd, a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corp Ltd (CRCC), takes part in the tunnel construction.
(Executive editor: Zhu Zeya)
