{"id":693,"date":"2024-02-02T06:43:51","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T06:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eurohinca.es\/?page_id=693"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:54:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:54:29","slug":"closed-shield-epb","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/eurohinca.com\/en\/escudo-cerrado-epb\/","title":{"rendered":"EPB Tunnel Boring Machine"},"content":{"rendered":"
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EPB earth pressure tunnel boring machine<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Eurohinca<\/strong> (Europea de Hincas Teledirigidas, S.A.), Trenchless specialist since 1996 - 14 TBMs and >120 km executed.<\/p>\n

The closed shield (EPB)<\/strong> allows for excavation in saturated, fine-grained soils with control over face pressure, alignment, and watertightness \u2014 ideal for crossings and service tunnels<\/strong>. \n View pipe jacking (microtunneling)<\/a>, \n segment tunnel<\/a>, \n choice of tunnel boring machine<\/a>, \n technical assistance and engineering<\/a> y \n references<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Excavation with EPB earth pressure tunnel boring machines (TBMs)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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At Eurohinca, our EPB earth-pressure balancer tunnel boring machines<\/strong> are designed to effectively address the challenges of excavation in soft or low-cohesion soils. This type of closed shield<\/strong> It works by stabilizing the excavation face using balanced pressure, making it an ideal solution for urban tunnels.
This technique is complemented by other advanced methods, such as the Direct Pipe<\/strong><\/a>, which combines features of directional drilling and microtunneling, or the horizontal directional drilling<\/strong><\/a>, ideal for trenchless projects in sensitive areas.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Advantages of using a tunnel with an earth pressure shield<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Choose a EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) tunnel boring machine<\/strong> It offers significant advantages: control of forward pressure, safe advancement in complex soils, and minimal surface disturbance.
This type of machinery has played a decisive role in numerous projects involving urban sewage systems<\/strong><\/a>, drainage works<\/strong><\/a> y gas pipeline tunnels<\/strong><\/a>.
For more extreme conditions, such as saturated soil or soil with a high water table, you may opt for a hydro shield<\/strong><\/a>, another type of closed-shield method using slurry injection for stabilization.<\/p>

This technology is supported by the ITA-AITES Guidelines on Mechanized Excavation<\/strong><\/a>, an international benchmark for the planning and operation of containment structures.<\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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EPB Closed-Shield Service Specifications<\/strong><\/h2>

The EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) closed shield is a tunnel boring machine designed to maintain pressure balance at the excavation face using the excavated material itself, which has been pre-conditioned. The application of this technology in microtunneling and mechanized tunneling is defined by the following technical parameters:<\/p>

\u2022 Main applications:<\/strong> Sensitive urban intersections, tunnels in areas with nearby buildings, underpasses beneath roads or railways, work on soft or unstable ground, sites at risk of settlement, and projects involving the water table.<\/p>

\u2022 Compatible land conditions:<\/strong> Cohesive soils, silts, clays, fine sands, or materials that exhibit plastic behavior after conditioning. In granular or highly permeable soils, conditioning the detritus and controlling pressure are essential to prevent losses.<\/p>

\u2022 Pressure control mechanism:<\/strong> The EPB cutterhead operates under pressure using the excavated material itself, which is treated with foam, polymers, or additives. This helps stabilize the cutting face, control the advance, and prevent voids that could cause surface movements.<\/p>

\u2022 Construction method:<\/strong> Excavation using a cutting head, mixing and conditioning in a pressurized chamber, removal of material via an auger, and installation of the lining (driven pipes or segments) depending on the type of project.<\/p>

\u2022 Range of diameters and lengths:<\/strong> Suitable for microtunnels and tunnels of medium and large diameters. The permissible lengths depend on the thrusting power, soil resistance, site logistics, and lining design.<\/p>

\u2022 Civil works prerequisites:<\/strong> Launch and reception shafts or portals with space for the tunnel boring machine, foam and additive injection systems, a lining assembly area, ventilation, and auxiliary equipment. In urban areas, the project requires coordination with existing utilities.<\/p>

\u2022 Guidance and Control System:<\/strong> Continuous monitoring of chamber pressure, torque, thrust, feed rate, and excavated volume. Guidance is provided by laser or gyroscope, depending on the alignment tolerances.<\/p>

\u2022 Excavation and Management of Excavated Material:<\/strong> The processed tailings are discharged via the screw conveyor onto conveyor belts, dump cars, or pumping systems, depending on the diameter and the project's logistics plan.<\/p>

\u2022 Quality control and safety:<\/strong> Monitoring of pressure balance, inspection of the worm screw\u2019s condition, shield tightness, adequate ventilation, safe access protocols, and geometric verification of the casing after each advance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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