TERRATEC has completed the production of a 6.44m EPBM for the Bangkok Metro blue line extension project. The machine was designed and produced in cooperation with Japan Tunnel Systems Corporation (JTSC), subsidiary of Japanese-Giant IHI Group.
The tunnel borer was delivered to Thai leading contractor Italian-Thai Development, in a ceremony which was held on 27 March in Guangzhou, China, in presence of officials of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).
The EPB shield has been specifically designed for this project, with a unique IHI design of a cone-type cutterhead for positive cutting of any concrete piles which may be encountered on the way.
TERRATEC has produced the machine in Guangzhou using IHI's design and key parts for the shield, as well as its own design and parts for the back-up system. In addition to this, TERRATEC has been awarded the continuous conveyor system for muck removal from the TBM. TERRATEC uses its own design and supply of all hardware components and is manufactured, assembled and tested in Guangzhou.
This is the first TBM to bore for Bangkok Metro for 10 years, an important milestone for MRTA. The machine has already been shipped to Bangkok and excavation is expected to begin by the end of June 2012.
Twitter