Welcome to the July issue of T&T International, heralding in the middle of summer or winter, depending on which hemisphere you live in!
This month we focus geographically on T&TI’s home country, the UK.
In the first of three very different articles, T&TI reports from the Dartford Cable Tunnel under the River Thames, where contractor Amec has bored 2.4km through fissured chalk under 3.5 bar pressure without the use of compressed air. We also explain in depth the innovative shaft lining design used, and how the contractor successfully dealt with a severely damaged EPBM cutterhead with little consequence to the contract schedule.
Next up, T&TI paid a visit to Heathrow Airport where construction of one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects is well under way. Mainly due to its position between major road networks and limited surface space, the new Terminal 5 includes the boring of some 13.5km of tunnels. We’ve already covered the large ART tunnel in detail and now T&TI returns to site to describe progress on the Heathrow Express and Piccadilly Line extensions.
This month’s focus wraps up with one of our occasional trips into the past, with a description of how the now legendary civil engineer, Robert Stephenson completed the Kilsby Tunnel in 1838 on the London & Birmingham Railway line. Not only did the young engineer battle against quicksand and troublesome groundwater, but also a sceptical public and a jealous adversary!
Into the main body of the issue and off to Singapore, where T&TI talks exclusively with Rajan Krishnan, director of MRT works for Singapore’s Land Transit Authority, about the recent fatal collapse of the Circle Line and how it will affect the project’s future construction.
A swift flight on to Atlanta in the US, and T&TI touches down in the world of Geotechnical Baseline Reports. The article, based on recent talks within the US tunnelling fraternity, makes for interesting reading and includes some frank discussions on the current state of GBR’s in the US! If you are a BTS member take special note, as this discussion is being brought to London on the 16 September.
Well, I’m running out of space, but there’s plenty more in the issue for everybody, including pipe jacking in Asia, high altitude tunnelling in China and an innovative shaft sinking method.
Hope you enjoy it!
Tris Thomas
