Category: Videos

Overcoming Mountainous Geology at Nepal's Sunkoshi Marin Project

Learn more about the Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project (SMDMP) in this in-depth video featuring a record-setting Robbins Double Shield TBM. Find out how the crew were able to bore through mountainous geology at an impressive 1,503.3 m in one month and 72.6 m in one day.

---

Unprecedented Diameter Change: The Mill Creek Tunnel

At the Mill Creek Drainage Relief Tunnel in Dallas, Texas, USA, a Robbins Main Beam TBM underwent an in-tunnel diameter change for the first time in the industry. The machine went from 11.6 m diameter to 9.9 m diameter through teamwork, perseverance, and top-notch engineering. Watch the video to find out more about the ground-breaking process and unique project.

---

Mine Development Machine: Successful Rectangular Rock Bore in Fresnillo, Mexico

A rectangular tunnel boring machine, known as the MDM5000, has successfully bored a hard rock tunnel with flat invert in Fresnillo, Mexico. Watch the video to find out more from Robbins personnel, mine officials, and those operating the new machine on a daily basis.

---

Encountering Caverns in France: TBM Tunneling in Karst Conditions

France’s recently completed Galerie des Janots featured some unexpected challenges: Karst cavities large and small were found throughout the bore as well as two large, uncharted caverns. During excavation with a Main Beam TBM, crews encountered an 8,000 cubic meter cavern studded with stalagmites and a 4,500 cubic meter cavity directly below the bore path. How did the crew overcome the conditions and continue past the voids?

---

48 Fault Zones and 26 Bar Pressure: Boring Turkey's Gerede Water Transmission Tunnel

Difficult ground doesn’t begin to describe the challenges overcome at a recent tunnel in central Turkey. The breakthrough of a 5.5 m diameter Robbins Crossover XRE TBM at the Gerede Water Transmission Tunnel was a feat of modern construction.

---

High-Speed Tunneling in the Himalayas: Over 1,200 Meters a Month at Bheri Babai

Nepal’s first TBM-driven tunnel was a success by any standard: The Robbins Double Shield machine bored up to 1,200 meters a month and finished the Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project nearly a year early. Listen in on our conversation with Brad Grothen P.E., Robbins Technical Director, and Missy Isaman P.E., Robbins Project Engineer, as we discuss the challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for future tunnels in mountainous geology.

---

When the Going Gets Tough: Thuong Kon Tum Hydroelectric Project

Take a trip with Robbins to the scenic Thuong Kon Tum project in Vietnam where a 4.5 m Main Beam TBM has completed boring. After being left in high humidity and groundwater for 14 months, it was up to Robbins and contractor CC47 to step in and turn this project around. Watch the video for an inside look at how Robbins crews tackled multiple fault zones and major water influxes, all while maintaining the required advance rates.

---

The Crossover in 3D: Robbins XRE TBMs

Robbins Crossover TBMs are the adaptable solution to the world’s most challenging tunnel projects. This video explains how Robbins Crossover XREs, a hybrid of Hard Rock and EPB TBMs, work and why they are the solution for mixed ground tunnels worldwide.

---

Akron’s Crossover TBM: Powering Through Tough Geology

Watch a 9.26 m Robbins Crossover XRE TBM, dubbed “Rosie” in honor of Rosie the Riveter, tackle tough ground on the Akron Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel (OCIT).

---

Overcoming Fault Zones and Water Inflows: Thuong Kon Tum Hydro Project

In this short clip, Robbins Field Service personnel discuss how they handled boring through hard rock, fault zones, and water inflows at the Thuong Kon Tum Hydro Project in Kon Tum Province, Vietnam.

---