Mechanised tunnelling
Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) are very advanced pieces of equipment used as an alternative to “drilling and blasting” through rock and “conventional mechanical excavation” in soft ground. TBMs reduce disturbance in the excavation area which makes them ideal for use in heavily urbanised areas. They will also produce a smooth tunnel wall that reduces the cost of the final lining. The total excavation time of long tunnels is also significantly reduced with TBMs in comparison to conventional excavation methods. Sika provides a wide range of products that are designed specifically for use with all of these different variants of TBM, and throughout the whole of their tunnel excavation and construction process.