Lovat Machine Launches in Spain
 Contractor Constucciones Sando S.A. recently held a TBM launch ceremony to mark the start of mining on the Coslada Sewer tunnel project in Coslada, Spain.
A Lovat RME185SE Series 20202 EPB TBM will be utilized for excavation of the tunnel.
The 4.7-m diameter, Mixed Face TBM will bore the 2,250- and 1,400-m long tunnels through geology consisting of gypsum on the first drive, and highly plastic clays with interlayers of silty sand and fractured gypsum on the second drive.
The TBM was refurbished locally at the job site, including modification to European ‘CE’ conformity. Following the successful completion of testing the TBM and backup are now nearly fully assembled, with 3 complete rings mined and erected on the first day of construction. In addition to the TBM, Lovat is also supplying spare parts and technical assistance on an ongoing basis for the duration of the project.
Arup Scoops Two Industry Awards for U.K.’s Largest Salt Mine Stabilization Scheme
The Northwich Salt Mines Stabilization Scheme recently won the 2008 ICE North West Merit award. The accolade celebrates the completion of the largest project of its kind in the United Kingdom and the first time brine filled workings have been filled with a low cement grout.
Wrekin Construction was Arup’s client for this design-build project, which was carried out for Vale Royal Borough Council and funded by English Partnerships under its Land Stabilization Programme.
Unregulated salt extraction had left the Northwich Salt Mines were unstable and in danger of collapse. Arup provided design work for the scheme, which involved the stabilization of four abandoned salt mines. With extensive experience of infilling methods and the use of 3D modelling technology, Arup was able to reduce the spacing of boreholes required, presenting considerable cost savings to the client.
“We used computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis to model the way in which the grout flowed into the mines and how it supported the mine roof once it had set,” explains Arup project manager, Tom Brooks. “Much of the project’s success is due to teamwork and the technical expertise of the Arup specialists involved. Also the trust that developed between the Arup team, Wrekin, Vale Royal Borough Council and English Partnerships.”
The project team drew on Arup’s multidisciplinary expertise to solve the problems of grout design and dispersion, as well as working closely with the contractor to enable the works to progress in parallel with the design development.
The announcement was made at the 81st annual ICE North West Awards, held in Liverpool on Feb. 8. The Northwich Mines Stabilization Project also won the Sustainability Award at the 2008 Ground Engineering Awards, held in London, where Arup Engineer Troy Melhuish also received a high commendation for the Young Geotechnical Engineer of the Year Award.
Sandvik Consolidates Brand
Finland-based Sandvik is currently merging its many products and brands under one banner. Brands such as Beltreco, Broyt, EJC, Gurtec, Prok and Toro will now all bear the Sandvik name. With the new all-in-one identity, Sandvik provides comprehensive tunneling and underground engineering solutions.
The company has been a pioneer throughout its long history, providing knowledge, innovation, world-class equipment, tools and service. Sandvik asserts itself as the world’s most complete supplier in the underground and construction sectors.
|
EXPO Ferroviaria and INTERtunnel, leading international exhibitions held in Italy and dedicated to all sectors of the railway industry and tunnel construction and management, return to Lingotto in Turin from May 20 to 22 for three days of shows, conference and meetings.
A new Robbins Double Shield TBM will tunnel underneath the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, calling for innovative changes to the tunneling operations and extensive site monitoring. 
