Tunnel construction is now inevitable in both rail and road transportation. Tunnel boring machines which are also known as moles are the advanced machines used nowadays by construction companies. Tunnel boring machines are capable of loosening the earth and breaking the rock continuously in the entire stretch of the tunnel. This leads to the cutting of the rock parts which are sent to the rear end of the machine which with the help of conveyor belts can be loaded into trucks and disposed. Dismantling and assembly of tunnel boring machines are easy and hence can be transported to any site of work easily. Supporting facilities such as workshop facilities, electric power, lighting, ventilation, drainage, compressed air supply, water supply etc. are very much required for the smooth functioning of tunnel boring machines. During operation, front head is rotated against the rock face. The circularly shaped head is provided with fixed sharp cutters. Buckets which are mounted around the cutter head collects cut rocks. These buckets discharge the rock parts into a hopper to feed it into the belt conveyor leading to the rear of the machine. Rate of tunneling depends on the type of earth or rock excavated, operator’s skill, capacity of the machine and method employed. Tunnel boring machines are expensive, takes longer time for delivery and repair and maintenance is time consuming.
No comments:
Post a Comment