PROCESS FOR THE DRIVING OF A TUNNEL AND TUNNEL BORERS THEREFORE

摘要

A process for the driving of a tunnel into geological rock formations including hard rock obstacles includes the steps of cutting rock in forward direction from the head wall of the tunnel being driven, stopping the cutting operation when a hard rock obstacle is encountered, firing an explosive charge at the hard rock obstacle encountered for disintegration thereof and removing the disintegrated hard rock. A self-propelled tunnel borer is used which includes a loose rock removal arrangement. The tunnel borer includes at least one explosive charge launcher which is loaded with an explosive charge. When a hard rock obstacle is encountered in the head wall, the explosive charge launcher is aimed at the obstacle and the explosive charge fired at the obstacle for the disintegration thereof. The size and type of the explosive charge, the distance of the explosive charge from the hard rock obstacle upon detonation (blasting) and the explosive charge detonation itself are selected in such a way that the disintegrated hard rock can be removed with the rock removal arrangement of the tunnel borer. Thus, when a hard rock obstacle is encountered, it is no longer necessary to back the borer off the head wall for the employment of special obstacle removal equipment so that the cost and time associated with the tunnel driving operation are reduced.