Sewer Culvert Installation Method to Accommodate Underground Construction in an Urban Area with Narrow Streets (The Development of Shield Switching Type Micro-Tunneling Method and the Introduction of Construction Examples)

Authors: Osamu Igawa, Hiroshi Kouchiwa, Yuji Ito

Abstract:

In recent years, a reconstruction project for sewer  pipelines has been progressing in Japan with the aim of renewing old  sewer culverts. However, it is difficult to secure a sufficient base area  for shafts in an urban area because many streets are narrow with a  complex layout. As a result, construction in such urban areas is  generally very demanding.  In urban areas, there is a strong requirement for a safe, reliable and  economical construction method that does not disturb the public’s  daily life and urban activities. With this in mind, we developed a new  construction method called the “shield switching type micro-tunneling  method,” which integrates the micro-tunneling method and shield  method.  In this method, pipeline is constructed first for sections that are  gently curved or straight using the economical micro-tunneling  method, and then the method is switched to the shield method for  sections with a sharp curve or a series of curves without establishing  an intermediate shaft.  This paper provides the information, features and construction  examples of this newly developed method.

 

Keywords: Micro-tunneling method, Secondary lining applied RC segment, Sharp curve, Shield method, Switching type.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1336212

References:

[1] Japan Society of Civil Engineers, "Standard specifications for tunneling 2006 shield tunnels” Japan Society of Civil Engineers Tunnel Engineering Committee, The Standard Specifications for Tunneling Subcommittee, 2007.
[2] Japan Sewage Works Association,” Design Standard for Sewerage Micro-Tunneling Method”, Japan Sewage Works Association, 2010.
[3] Japan Sewage Works Association,” JSWAS Rainforced Pipe (RCP) for Sewerage Micro-Tunneling Method (A-2)”, Japan Sewage Works Association, 1999.
[4] Japan Sewage Works Association,” JSWAS Glass Fiber Rainforced Pipe for Sewerage Micro-Tunneling Method (A-8)”, Japan Sewage Works Association, 2013.
[5] Japan Sewage Works Association, "Standard Segment for Shield Tunneling Method (A-3, 4)”, Japan Sewage Works Association, 2001.