It sinks under the city of Santiago de Compostela.

Eurohinca has executed a curve jacking project in Santiago de Compostela, an urban environment with geotechnical and heritage constraints. The work allowed the installation of a subway pipeline under historic buildings, avoiding any impact on the surface and guaranteeing the structural safety of the area. For this purpose, the tunnel boring machine DN2000 Hydroshielddesigned to operate in complex soils and perform high-precision excavations.

Location and context of the project

The work was developed in Santiago de CompostelaThe project was carried out in a city known for its historic center and its high number of visitors. The intervention took place in a sector with heritage buildings, which required meticulous planning to minimize vibrations and guarantee the stability of the terrain.

Characteristics of the work

Construction method: Hydroshield DN2000 remote-controlled cornering thruster
Total length of the tunnel: 216 meters
Radius of curvature: 600 meters
Type of soil: Rock and clays with controlled water tables
Environment: Urban infrastructure with crossings under historic buildings

Technical challenges

The main difficulty of the project lay in the driving in a highly protected environmentThe excavation had to be carried out with the utmost precision to avoid deviations in the trajectory and ensure the safety of the subsoil. In addition, the excavation had to be carried out with the utmost precision to avoid deviations in the trajectory and ensure the safety of the subsoil.

Another challenge was the complexity of the terrainThe excavation was carried out in a rock formations and mixed soils that required continuous pressure control at the excavation face.

Solutions implemented

To meet the challenges of the project, Eurohinca implemented the following solutions:
✔️ Use of Hydroshield DN2000 tunnel boring machineideal for rocky terrain and in need of high precision.
✔️ Real-time geotechnical monitoringensuring the stability of the soil at all times.
✔️ Detailed planning in coordination with local authorities and heritage expertsThe project was designed to ensure that the work complied with all conservation regulations.
✔️ Trenchless excavation techniquesavoiding the need for superficial interventions that could compromise the aesthetics and stability of the historic area.

Results and benefits

The project was successfully completed without affecting the structural integrity of the historic buildings. Thanks to the application of advanced technologies, the work was executed with minimal impact on the surfaceThe installation of the subway pipeline will allow the installation of the pipeline without generating alterations in the daily life of the city.

This project demonstrates that the remote-controlled curve driving is an effective solution for the modernization of infrastructures in urban heritage environments, allowing the improvement of sanitation and supply networks without affecting the architectural legacy of historic cities.

References of executed works

In Eurohinca we are specialists in the execution of tunnels for pipelines with tunnel boring machines. Since its foundation in 1996 Eurohinca has executed different types of works:

International Experience