Using Super Water Absorbers for Soil Conditioning in EPB Tunneling

During excavation beneath the water table, the water flow towards the tunneling work alters the pore water pressure distribution around the tunnel and changes the hydraulic–mechanical system in the ground, which can cause problems for both the works and the tunneling operatives.¹

In situations like this where the soil lacks cohesion, reduced TBM cutter head torque and tool abrasion and increased advance rates can be achieved with the correct use of soil conditioners such as foams and polymers. Different types of foam deliver varying properties, from foaming capacity to stability, anti-clay capacity, rheological impact (liquefaction/stiffening), and drying-up capacity. In tricky grounds and slurry conditioning, highly stable foaming agents such as MasterRock SLF 325, MasterRoc 419, or MasterRoc 543 can be used to overcome the challenges by:

• Helping to stabilize excavation pressure
• Increasing front-face stability (EPB TBMs work more effectively when the soil directly ahead of the cutter and in the excavation chamber forms a 'plastic' plug, stopping water inflows and providing face support²)
• Supporting the extraction of the spoil outside the tunnel

During excavation beneath the water table, the water flow towards the tunneling work alters the pore water pressure distribution around the tunnel and changes the hydraulic–mechanical system in the ground, which can cause problems for both the works and the tunneling operatives.¹

In situations like this where the soil lacks cohesion, reduced TBM cutter head torque and tool abrasion and increased advance rates can be achieved with the correct use of soil conditioners such as foams and polymers. Different types of foam deliver varying properties, from foaming capacity to stability, anti-clay capacity, rheological impact (liquefaction/stiffening), and drying-up capacity. In tricky grounds and slurry conditioning, highly stable foaming agents such as MasterRock SLF 325, MasterRoc 419, or MasterRoc 543 can be used to overcome the challenges by:

• Helping to stabilize excavation pressure
• Increasing front-face stability (EPB TBMs work more effectively when the soil directly ahead of the cutter and in the excavation chamber forms a 'plastic' plug, stopping water inflows and providing face support²)
• Supporting the extraction of the spoil outside the tunnel

The role of super water-absorbent polymers in foaming agents

Super water-absorbent polymers (SWAs) are widely used to support the performance of foaming agents, thanks to their water-retaining and yield-increasing capacity. These characteristics allow SWAs to act as binding agent, restructuring soils with poor grading and low fines content, particularly in coarse clean sands and gravels below groundwater.³

Ready-to-use SWAs can be easily applied; they assist by:

• Increasing the soil’s plasticity and cohesion

• Reducing the soil’s permeability, turning the loose material into a soil paste

• Modifying the soil’s physical and mechanical properties to improve the balance of pressure in the TBM’s working chamber

• Lubricating inner friction within TBMs and reducing torque

• Avoiding costly downtime and reducing TBM mechanical wear

This approach to soil conditioning means that contractors can work more safely, achieving a higher level of quality at the same time. SWAs’ use in multiple applications in TBM tunneling means that the demands placed on these agents are constantly increasing.

Using SWAs as an anti-clogging solution

Excavation in soft soil can lead to clogging of the cutter head, cutting tools, and transportation system during mining through diaphragm walls. Clogging causes blockages and stoppages – issues that necessitate halting operations to clean the affected parts. This problem slows the advance rate and increases project costs⁴. Using SWAs in foams like MasterRock SWA 710 to prevent clogging is an innovative approach with two key benefits:

1. Addressing wear of metal parts in the cutter head, especially the cutting teeth
2. Decreasing clogging caused by cement fines becoming dust as the TBM passes

Both of these factors can be more problematic when the ratio of cutting teeth to peripheral roller disc cutters is higher.

SWAs can be used in a number of ways throughout the excavation process. Beforehand, they can be applied as a gel on the tools located in the cutter head’s center and via an IBC oil pump, with polymer lines being primed with biodegradable oil. Once the excavation is in progress, SWAs can be injected continuously through a single line within the chamber as well as using an oil pump.

Using SWAs as an anti-dispersion agent

SWAs can be used to limit dispersion when boring in fast-dissolving hard clay/shale rock with changing face conditions. In such challenging geology, regular cutter head interventions and the high specific gravity of the slurry are sure to affect TBM operations and overall tunneling progress. In addition, the range of the specific gravity of the mixed slurry in the mixing chamber is likely to vary widely as the crushed rock’s fine particles dissolve in water. Employing a foam containing an SWA like MasterRoc SWA 710 addresses both of these issues.

Soil-conditioning agents play an important role in reducing machine wear, increasing tunneling rates, and improving Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) control. Correctly used, SWAs have a multitude of applications to help to achieve continuous, efficient construction in difficult ground conditions.

Find out more about our range of MasterRoc solutions here.

References:

1) El Houari, Nesrine & Allal, Mohammed. (2014). The Settlement of Soft Soil Caused by Tunneling in Presence of Flow. EJGE. Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. Z. 9160 -9173.

2) Psomas, Sotirios (2001), Properties of foam/sand mixtures for tunnelling applications

3) Mike A. Sposetti, Mike A & Montalban Vicente, Daniel Multiple Use Applications of Super Water Absorber Polymer, ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress, WTC2022 and 47th General Assembly Bella Center, Copenhagen 2022

4) Avunduk, Emre & Copur, Hanifi. (2019). Effect of Clogging on EPB TBM Performance: A Case Study in Akfirat Waste Water Tunnel, Turkey. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering. 37. 10.1007/s10706-019-00938-6.