 |
| Tunnel Boring Machines of Cross Island Line Phase 1. Top (L - R) : Contract CR102, Contract CR106 Middle (L - R) : Contract CR105, Contract CR115, Contract CR110 Bottom (L - R) : Contract CR109, Contract CR116 |
Tunnel Boring Machines, also known as TBMs, have been described as mechanical moles or earthworms that dig through the ground, leaving behind hollow concrete tubes through which trains eventually run. These huge machines often work their way along the future MRT lines, most members of the public unaware of their existence right beneath them.
TBMs used on previous MRT projects were huge at approximately 6.3m in diameter. The ones used on the Cross Island Line (CRL) are even bigger, owing to the extra space required to run an additional rail supplying the trains with power along the top of the eventual tunnel. These will measure at around 7.22m for single tube tunnels that carry one track and 12.66m for large diameter tube tunnels that carry several tracks within.
The machines also come in several configurations - the most commonly used in Singapore being the Earth Pressure Balancing (EPB) and Slurry models. Here's a break down of the types of configurations being used for each contract along the CRL Phase 1:
|
Contract |
TBM Type |
Quantity |
|
CR102 |
EPB |
4 |
|
CR105 |
Slurry [Large
diameter] |
1 |
|
CR106 |
EPB |
2 |
|
CR108 |
EPB |
1 |
|
CR109 |
EPB |
2 |
|
CR110 |
EPB [Large
diameter] |
1 |
|
CR111 |
EPB |
2 |
|
CR112 |
EPB |
2 |
|
CR115 |
EPB |
2 (To be confirmed) |
|
CR116 |
Slurry |
1 |
|
CR117 |
Slurry |
1 |
Typically, for previous rail projects, the individual contractors would have made arrangements to procure their own TBMs individually. However for the CRL, the Land Transport Authority adopted a different approach by procuring the TBMs on behalf of the contractors for certain contracts using the smaller 7.22m diameter EPB TBMs to reap the benefits of economies of scale, helping to keep project costs low.
Contract CR102 - Tunnels between Aviation Park station & Changi East depot
Approximately 4 TBMs will be used to bore 5 tunnels between the Aviation Park station, Changi East depot & a stub that will link towards the future Terminal 5 station at Changi Airport. Three (3) of the these tunnels will be for the reception tracks allowing trains to be launched into or withdrawn from service while the remaining two (2) tunnels will be for main line service. At least one (1) of the TBMs will perform double duty, conducting two drives instead of just one. The TBMs are currently being assembled within the launch shaft.
 |
| 8 July 2024 Source: LinkedIn |
 |
| 8 July 2024 Source: LinkedIn |
 |
| 8 July 2024 Source: LinkedIn |
Contract CR105 - Large diameter single bored tunnel from Aviation Park to Loyang stations
This TBM was the first of several large diameter TBMs to be used on the CRL project - others being for the tunnels underneath Paya Lebar Air Base, along the Punggol Extension and tunnels underneath the Central Catchment Nature Reserve along Phase 2. The machine was launched from a shaft at the western end of Aviation Park station in March 2024.
 |
| 3 February 2023 Source: China Railway Engineering Equipment Group |
 |
| 3 February 2023 Source: China Railway Engineering Equipment Group |
Two (2) EPB machines will be used for this contract, digging tunnels from Pasir Ris East to Loyang station. A launch shaft is currently being constructed by neighbouring contract CR107 at the eastern end of the station and will be handed over to contract CR106's contractor. Tunneling works are expected to commence in 2025.
 |
| July 2024 Source: YouTube |
 |
| July 2024 Source: YouTube |
The two (2) EPB TBMs under this contract were the first TBMs constructing twin bored tunnels to be launched along the CRL1 last month. Both TBMs will perform double duty, boring the tunnels towards Pasir Ris station first before being re-launched from the opposite end of Tampines North and ending their drives at the site of the facility building along Tampines Road.
 |
| 20 October 2023 Source: CCM News |
 |
| 20 October 2023 Source: CCM News |
 |
| 20 October 2023 Source: CCM News |
Where the journey for the contract CR109 TBMs end is where the journey begins for the TBM under contract CR110. Cutting underneath the existing Paya Lebar Air Base, a single bored tunnel design using a large diameter machine is to be employed. Works are currently underway to assemble the machine within the launch shaft.
 |
| 24 May 2024 Source: Hunan Daily New Media |
At the moment, it is unclear how many TBMs are to be used for this contract which will see tunnels bored from an intermediate launch shaft at Teck Ghee Park to Ang Mo Kio and Serangoon North stations on either side. As part of the tunnel drives, the machines are expected to bore through Tavistock station while it is still being excavated and push on towards Serangoon North. The temporary tunnel ring segments constructed through Tavistock station will later be dismantled once excavation has reached the desired level. Works are currently underway to prepare the launch shaft for the first TBM to be lowered.
 |
| December 2023 Source: LinkedIn |
A ceremony was recently held by manufacturer China Railway Engineering Equipment Group (CREG) to handover the slurry TBM to contractor Gammon-Bachy Soletanche joint venture. The sole TBM will be used for a total of four (4) drives from an intermediate launch shaft located next to block 324 along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 towards Teck Ghee station and then towards Ang Mo Kio station. It will take some time for the machine to be shipped to Singapore, with tunneling works anticipated to commence before the end of the year.
 |
| 8 July 2024 Source: Bastille Post |
- Contract CR108 - Pasir Ris station & tunnels to Pasir Ris East
One (1) EPB TBM is to be used for these tunnels, with works scheduled to begin in 2025. The launch shaft is to be located just before the vehicular bridge across Sungei Tampines, along Pasir Ris Drive 1. - Contract CR111 - Defu station & tunnels to Hougang
Two (2) EPB TBMs are to be used for the twin bored tunnels connecting Defu station with Hougang. Work on the launch shaft is currently underway along Tampines Road, near the junction with Hougang Avenue 7 and Defu Avenue 1. - Contract CR112 - Hougang station & tunnels to Serangoon North
Two (2) EPB TBMs are to be used for the twin bore tunnel drives towards Serangoon North station. Excavation of the launch shaft has been ongoing for close to a year and tunneling works are anticipated to begin by the end of the year. - Contract CR117 - Bright Hill station & tunnels to Teck Ghee
One (1) slurry TBM is to be used for the twin bored tunnels towards Teck Ghee station. The single TBM will perform double duty for the journey between the two stations. Work has been underway for the construction of the launch shaft at the eastern end of the Bright Hill station site along Sin Ming Avenue.
No comments:
Post a Comment