As the new year begins and all things renew, on January 7, the largest-diameter double-shield TBM for the Beibu Gulf water supply project, "Huanbei No. 2," jointly developed by CRCC Heavy Industry and Guangdong Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., rolled off the production line in Changsha, Hunan, and will be applied to Section A4 of the Beibu Gulf Guangdong Water Resources Allocation Project.

Roll-off ceremony

Guangdong Yuehai Yuexi Water Supply Co.,Ltd.,Yangtze RiverSurvey, Planning, Design and Research Co., Ltd., Zhongshui Pearl River Planning, Design and Survey Co., Ltd., and Guangdong Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd. attended the event. Ma Bao, Deputy General Manager of the South China Regional Command, presided over the roll-off ceremony.

The "Huanbei No. 2" TBM rolled off the line this time has an excavation diameter of 9.23 meters, an overall length of about 135 meters, an overall weight of about 2,200 tons, a minimum horizontal turning radius of 500 meters, and adaptability to a maximum gradient of 50‰. It is the largest-diameter double-shield TBM equipment in the Beibu Gulf project.

The geological conditions along the Beibu Gulf project are complex, facing multiple construction challenges such as high compressive strength, highly abrasive strata, long-distance construction, soft and broken rock strata, surrounding rock deformation, and toxic and harmful gases. It is also one of the tunnels withtunnel boring machinesthe most cluster types, the longest span, and the highest construction difficulty in China's long-distance pressurized water diversion projects.

In response to the construction risks and difficulties of the project, the development team, through innovative research, adopted targeted designs such as a small-spacing and large-range overcutting cutterhead, an ultra-high-pressure hydraulic rescue system, a high-torque and high-thrust system, and a main drive anti-surge door. The equipment is also equipped with multiple functions including an integrated advanced drilling and grouting machine and a multifunctional drilling rig, an advanced geological prediction system, a multi-level backfill grouting system, a ventilation and cooling system, and an intelligent segment assembly system, providing safe, efficient, and strong guarantees for project construction.