The world's first open-type trackless transport hard rock tunnel boring machine (TBM), developed by CITIC Heavy Industries and the Shanghai Research Institute of the China Coal Technology & Engineering Group, successfully completed trial operation on September 28. Professor Wang Mengshu, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and expert in tunnel and underground engineering, stated that the successful development of China's new 5-meter open-type trackless transport hard rock TBM broke foreign technological monopoly in this field, led the development of the domestic TBM industry, and established China's independent intellectual property rights R&D platform for hard rock TBMs.

World's First Open-Type Trackless Transport Hard Rock TBM

　　According to reports, the hard rock tunnel boring machine (TBM) is a large-scale tunnel excavation complete equipment integrating mechanical, electronic, hydraulic, laser, control and other technologies, featuring high mechanization and automation. It has construction advantages such as high automation, fast construction speed, labor savings, safety and economy, and immunity to external climate conditions, making it the most promising mechanical equipment for rock tunnel excavation. Internationally, TBMs have been widely used in water conservancy and hydropower, mining, transportation, municipal, national defense and other projects, with highly mature technology. Currently, domestic research in this area has just started, and almost all hard rock TBMs used in projects are imported from abroad.

　　It is reported that the hard rock TBM that successfully completed trial operation is mainly used for the construction of railway, highway, subway tunnels and water diversion project tunnels in stable surrounding rock of Grade V and above. The equipment has a total length of about 200 meters and a total weight of about 800 tons, can achieve a minimum horizontal turning radius of 235 meters, adapt to a maximum tunnel gradient of 9°, a single excavation stroke of 1.5 meters, and a maximum cutterhead thrust of 9,000 kN.

　　"China now has an independent intellectual property rights hard rock TBM, priced at only 1/2 of similar imported products," Wang Mengshu said. The successful development of the product stems from CITIC Heavy Industries' advantages in equipment, excellent researchers, and high-level technicians.

　　It is reported that the 5-meter open-type trackless transport hard rock TBM is more convenient for transportation and installation. The open-type design ensures timely support during operation to prevent deformation after excavation, and the "trackless" design makes the equipment a tool that requires no steel rails at the work site, reducing project costs. It is expected that in the next 5 to 10 years, the domestic market demand for hard rock TBMs will be 500-800 units, with broad market prospects.