If you need more in-depth explanations of Robbins products, browse through our white papers. These downloadable and printable papers, written by Robbins employees, cover everything from disc cutter development to detailed TBM design on some of the largest tunneling projects in history.
White Papers | October 22, 2023
Nepal’s mountainous terrain, in particular the Himalaya, have historically been a challenge to tunnel through. That very terrain also holds great promise for hydropower – a resource that the country is now beginning to tap into. [...]
White Papers | June 21, 2023
A 13.77 m diameter mixed ground Rock/EPB TBM bored the Eşme-Salihli Railway Tunnel at rates of up to 721.8 m in one month, making it the fastest TBM ever recorded over 13 m in diameter. The machine began its bore in altered gneiss, then passed through m [...]
White Papers | June 21, 2023
The 2022 breakthrough of an 8 m diameter Main Beam TBM at China’s Yin Han Ji Wei project was a triumph of technology and perseverance – crews at the 17.5 km long tunnel encountered over 14,000 rock bursts, some with energy as high as 4,080 kJ. [...]
White Papers | June 21, 2023
The 3.5 km long Ashbridges Bay Outfall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada was a challenging drive set below Lake Ontario. After a remote machine acceptance due to the global pandemic, an 8 m diameter Single Shield machine launched in March 2021 from an 85 m deep [...]
White Papers | June 21, 2023
The incorporation and use of probe drills and pre-grouting adds capability and insurance to boring operations. Water ingress and unstable ground can be resolved before becoming a problem through the use of enhanced, 360-degree probe drilling setups. [...]
White Papers | September 14, 2022
Small hydroelectric power projects, with installed capacity up to 10 MW, are a relatively untapped but potentially game-changing source of renewable energy worldwide. In Norway, hydro projects are pioneering the use of small diameter TBMs in hard rock. Co [...]
White Papers | September 14, 2022
A novel type of non-circular boring machine is answering a need of many underground mines with its ability to cut a rectangular profile in hard rock. This cross section allows for use of typical mine trucks and other rubber-tired mine vehicles. It provide [...]
White Papers | July 20, 2022
The largest hard rock TBM ever to bore in the USA, an 11.6 m diameter Robbins Main Beam TBM, recently underwent a planned in-tunnel diameter change to a more compact 9.9 meters. The first-of-its-kind conversion process for the Main Beam TBM was undertaken [...]
White Papers | July 20, 2022
The Jefferson Barracks Tunnel runs parallel to the Mississippi River for 5.4 km in limestone, dolomite and shale with potential for karst formations. Read the paper to find out about the challenging conditions encountered by a Robbins TBM, and the new Mai [...]
White Papers | July 20, 2022
Read this paper for a look at how new improvements to Crossover machines will enable excavation of an expanded range of ground conditions. These conditions include mixed ground with low fines, mixed face rock, and fracture / fault zones with high pressure [...]
White Papers | September 9, 2020
Excavation in mixed ground conditions is always a challenge, but under a densely urban environment the stakes become even higher. At India’s Mumbai Metro, two 6.65 m hybrid-type rock/soft ground Single Shield TBMs are successfully boring parallel 2.8 km [...]
White Papers | September 9, 2020
A Double Shield TBM achieved in 17 months what was projected to have taken 12 years with Drill & Blast: The 12.2 km long Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project (BBDMP). Bored in Himalayan geology including sandstone, mudstone, and conglomerate, the [...]
White Papers | September 9, 2020
The December 2018 breakthrough of a 5.5 m diameter hybrid-type Single Shield/EPB TBM at the Gerede Water Transmission Tunnel in Central Turkey was a feat of modern construction. The Crossover XRE TBM was assembled and launched more than 7 km from the tunn [...]
White Papers | September 9, 2020
In April 2019, a 3.5 m diameter open-type, Main Beam TBM and its crew broke through at the Galerie des Janots Tunnel in La Ciotat, France after encountering two large, uncharted caverns up to 8,000 cubic meters in size. [...]
White Papers | June 2, 2020
In Norway, hydro projects are pioneering the use of small diameter TBMs in hard rock. The uniquely designed machines are engineered to take on steep gradients, up to a 45-degree angle in some cases. [...]
White Papers | June 2, 2020
n May 23, 2019, the last of six 8.93 m diameter EPBs completed excavation at Mexico City’s Túnel Emisor Oriente (TEO), a feat marking the completion of ten years and 62.1 km of tunneling. The six EPB TBMs excavated some of the most complex geology on e [...]
White Papers | June 2, 2020
The Metropolitan St. Louis Water District’s Project Clear is a 28-year program targeting water quality and wastewater capacity throughout St. Louis, MO. The extensive program involves multiple tunnels, including Deer Creek, a 6.3 km long tunnel being bo [...]
White Papers | July 15, 2019
Much has been made worldwide of the difference in performance between new and rebuilt TBMs. Worldwide, a bias exists that seems to favor new machines, but is the bias warranted? The reuse of machines can, if done to exacting standards, reduce costs and ti [...]
White Papers | July 15, 2019
This paper highlights the first TBM in Nepal and how it is managing to bore at an exceptional advance rate of over 700 m per month, with a high of 1202 m in one month. It examines which design features of the Double Shield TBM are contributing to the grea [...]
White Papers | July 15, 2019
EPB TBM tunneling in mixed face conditions—partially in both rock and soil—is inherently problematic for even the most experienced crews. Over-excavation, excessive damage to cutter tools and regular cutterhead interventions are major challenges when [...]
White Papers | July 15, 2019
In May 2018, a 7.93 m diameter open gripper (Main Beam) TBM completed the 24.3 km long Jilin Lot 3 tunnel under a maximum overburden of 272.9 m. The tunneling operation for the water transfer project, located in northeastern China, achieved a national rec [...]
White Papers | July 15, 2019
In 2016, the contract to refurbish the TBM at Vietnam's Thuong Kon Tum and excavate the remaining 10.45 km of tunnel was awarded to a joint venture of Robbins and a local contractor. Robbins was fully responsible for the TBM operation, including supplying [...]
White Papers | July 15, 2019
With modern and advanced techniques to underground tunneling, rescuing and rebuilding TBMs is possible to save the project. This paper discusses methods and tools for modern TBM service and maintenance using present case studies about TBM rebuilds in extr [...]
White Papers | July 15, 2019
Managing water inflows is not new to TBM tunneling, but today there are an increasing number of methods and best practices to handle potentially high water inflows efficiently and safely. High volumes of water can be safely contained or managed in hard ro [...]
White Papers | July 15, 2019
India’s Sleemanabad Carrier Canal is a prime example of just how challenging mixed face conditions can be, although other examples exist. The water transfer tunnel is being bored using a 10 m diameter hybrid-type rock/EPB TBM. However, in 6.5 years of t [...]
White Papers | June 29, 2018
Risk management in the world of TBM tunneling is, in itself, a risky business. The underground often presents obstacles and complex projects spanning miles of tunnel multiply those risks. However, there are ways to manage and reduce risk in our industry. [...]
White Papers | June 29, 2018
Atlanta, Georgia’s water supply program is a priority project involving a 5.0-mile long tunnel connecting up with the Chattahoochee River, which will establish an emergency water supply for the city. A 12.5 ft diameter Main Beam TBM is boring the area's [...]
White Papers | June 29, 2018
The abrasive nature of glacial geology generally results in Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) cutting tool inspection and replacement needs that may require hyperbaric interventions and are a cost and risk factor. This paper presents findings from various TBM d [...]
White Papers | June 29, 2018
The Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel (OCIT) below the city of Akron is utilizing the first large diameter Dual Mode, “Crossover” type TBM in the United States. The 30.4 ft diameter machine is excavating in variable conditions including soft ground and sh [...]
White Papers | May 4, 2018
At the Gerede Water Transmission Tunnel in Central Turkey, a 31.6 km long water supply line has been designated a national priority due to severe and chronic droughts in the capital city Ankara. Drawing water from the Gerede River, it will be the longest [...]
White Papers | May 4, 2018
Mexico's largest infrastructure project, Túnel Emisor Oriente (TEO), features a 62 km long tunnel that will be connected to the first wastewater treatment plant in Mexico City to alleviate flooding. A total of six TBMs are excavating the tunnel in some o [...]
White Papers | May 4, 2018
Extreme conditions for cutters can result in poor advance rates, catastrophic disc cutter failure, or unacceptable wear life of a disc cutter. For TBMs in hard rock, two of the most important parameters to consider are the cutter performance and the penet [...]
White Papers | May 4, 2018
A Robbins Single Shield TBM was chosen to bore the Bahce-Nurdag Railway and encountered some of the hardest rock ever tunneled in Turkey. [...]
White Papers | June 12, 2017
The Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) TBMs chosen for the Jaipur Metro project were required to bore under extremely low overburden, alongside and beneath several culturally sensitive historic structures. [...]
White Papers | June 12, 2017
In many TBM-driven tunnels, the occurrence of squeezing ground, high inrushes of water, blocky rock, and other challenges is a real possibility. Difficult Ground Solutions (DGS) reduces risk to contractors and owners in these conditions while providing ac [...]
White Papers | June 12, 2017
The TBM that broke though at Røssåga HEPP in December 2015 was the first to breakthrough in Norway in more than 20 years. During the excavation the TBM encountered extremely hard rock (over 280 MPa), which posed an extreme challenge for both the TBM and [...]
White Papers | June 5, 2017
Optimization of disc cutter life and penetration rate in hard rock can be one of the biggest predictors of project success. With hard rock TBMs being used today in ever more difficult conditions and longer tunnels, the question of which type of disc cutte [...]
White Papers | June 5, 2017
TBM operator cabs and controls are often a long way down the list of priorities when it comes to the overall design of a Tunnel Boring Machine. However, their proper design and inclusion of the latest technology can mean the difference between a successfu [...]
White Papers | June 5, 2017
A single shield hard rock tunnel boring machine is set to bore in hard rock, high water inflows and high water pressure in New York State. The TBM will bore a tunnel to replace a damaged portion of the Delaware Aqueduct that supplies half the raw water to [...]
White Papers | June 5, 2017
In mechanized tunneling, continuous information from the excavation face is essential. The ultimate goals of cutter instrumentation are to monitor real-time individual cutter operation, acquire more realistic cutterhead thrust force values, and gain a bet [...]
White Papers | June 5, 2017
The Andes Mountain range is among the youngest and most complex in the world, geologically speaking. Two new projects utilizing very different tunnel boring machines and excavation strategies are now providing a testing ground for modern underground const [...]
White Papers | June 5, 2017
The history of Mexico City is inextricably linked to the issue of its geographic location. In the last 100 years, Mexico City has sunk by nearly 12 m. As a result, the city’s buildings, main streets, sewage systems, etc. have been extensively damaged. [...]
White Papers | June 5, 2017
The Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel (OCIT) Project involves construction of a conveyance and storage tunnel system to control combined sewer overflows for several regulators in the downtown Akron area. The 9.26 m diameter Robbins XRE TBM will feature chara [...]
White Papers | November 17, 2016
Turkey’s geologic framework, seated on an active tectonic belt, is made up of older rocks mixed with younger igneous rock. More than 80% of the country’s surface is rough and mountainous, and the ground conditions can be highly variable and unpredicta [...]
White Papers | October 17, 2016
Montreal, Quebec, Canada’s Rosemont Reservoir tunnel travels for 4.0 km below city streets, faulted rock, a disused quarry, and active subway. The story of the 3.0 m diameter Double Shield TBM’s successful breakthrough involves a careful analysis of g [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2016
The Indianapolis Deep Rock Tunnel Connector (DRTC)—first in a vast network of storm water storage tunnels below Indiana, USA—was a wildly successful endeavor. The novel conveyor system, manufactured by The Robbins Company, enabled continuous tunnelin [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2016
Mixed ground tunnels come in all kinds. In rock tunnels with possible faults and high pressure water, the challenges are many. With the advent of Crossover TBMs, contractors can minimize risk in such conditions while maximizing efficiency. [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2016
TBMs have been used in mining in decades past, but their use has been limited and sporadic, due to both perceived and actual application difficulties. With new technology and mounting success stories, this is changing. [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2016
The success of a tunnel project relies on many factors, but one of the most important is also the most overlooked: coordination by all parties involved during the design stages. This is particularly true of segment design and TBM design. [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2015
Delivery of a machine can often be the critical path affecting project schedule, cost, manpower, and other factors. Onsite First Time Assembly (OFTA) has been developed and used on dozens of projects around the world to pass on cost and time benefits to c [...]
White Papers | May 22, 2015
Multiple fault zones and squeezing ground requiring extensive bypass tunneling were just a few of the challenges to be overcome to successfully complete Turkey’s Kargı Kızılırmak Hydroelectric Project. [...]
White Papers | May 22, 2015
Today’s Tunnel Boring Machines are often required to bore longer tunnels in harder rock at a faster pace—a trio of challenges that can be daunting for any contractor. With proper design, operation, and maintenance, however, modern TBMs are very capabl [...]
White Papers | May 22, 2015
This paper reviews the fundamentals of cutterhead design and how particular attributes interact with the geology and other machine features to achieve efficient excavation. When possible, comparisons between EPB and Slurry technology are addressed. [...]
White Papers | May 22, 2015
The Grosvenor Decline Tunnel is an ASD $1.95 billion Greenfield metallurgical coal project owned by Anglo American in Moranbah, Central Queensland, approximately 180 kilometers southwest of the coastal port city of Mackay and about 1000 kilometers north o [...]
White Papers | May 20, 2015
In October 2012, New York City’s Harbor Siphons Project and its 3.6 m CAT EPB ground to a halt when hit by Superstorm Sandy. A team of Robbins and OHL personnel were able to document, reverse engineer, and refurbish severely corroded components of the T [...]
White Papers | May 20, 2015
Dual Mode, “Crossover” type machines are edging TBMs into new territory by employing design elements from both EPB and Hard Rock Single Shield Machines. Where multiple machine types might have once been used, a Crossover Rock/EPB machine can excavate [...]
White Papers | June 2, 2014
Diminishing surficial mineral deposits, increasing environmental regulation and advanced geological exploration techniques are ushering in a new era of mining. This paper discusses why competitive mining operations will become increasingly dependent on Tu [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2014
In April 2009, tunnel boring started on the Tunnel Emisor Oriente (TEO) sewer project after decades of deliberation. The infrastructure will replace an open, untreated canal that conveys wastewater from Mexico City. [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2014
In this paper, the authors examine recent metro projects, searching for clues as to why some EPBMs perform at higher rates than others and attempt to determine which causes are in the control of contractors, which in control of the machine designers and h [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2014
This paper analyzes recent record-breaking and high-performing projects seeking to identify factors that contribute to fast machine advance. These factors are then discussed and an effort made to form simple, high level guidelines for optimal TBM excavati [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2014
Invariably tunnels of any length run into varying geology, some of which will fall outside the traditional range of any one machine type. On projects where the majority of the drive is rock with a short percentage of a softer formation, selection of a har [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2014
At Singapore’s metro construction, 21 km of tunnel for the Downtown Line 3 are underway using 29 TBMs boring between 16 station sites in short bores often less than 1.5 km each. This paper details six earth pressure balance machines on the project, ana [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2014
When boring through the earth, even extensive Geotechnical Baseline Reports can miss fault lines, water inflows, squeezing ground, rock bursting, and other types of extreme conditions. This paper draws on the considerable field service experience within R [...]
White Papers | June 1, 2010
Soft ground, EPB TBM-driven tunnels provide a challenging environment for continuous conveyors due to the variety of materials present. The design of both horizontal and vertical soft ground conveyors will vary depending on the types of excavated material [...]
White Papers | April 17, 2010
This paper discusses the project challenges and solutions at the Central Subway project, with a focus on TBM and continuous conveyor logistics. Two 6.3 m diameter Earth Pressure Balance Machines (EPBs) excavated parallel 2.5 km long tunnels under low cove [...]
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