Case Study of the Largest Concrete Earth Pressure Balance Pipe-Jacking Project in the World

Pipe jacking has been the dominant trenchless technology for constructing small (<2 m) to medium-diameter (<4 m) tunnels. Uncertainties and construction difficulties increase significantly when the diameter of the tunnel exceeds 4 m. This paper presents a case study of the largest concrete pipe-jacking tunnel project in the world, the sewerage tunnel along Jinshan Lake, Zhenjiang, China. In this project, an underwater tunnel with a diameter of 4.67 m was constructed by the earth pressure balance (EPB) pipe-jacking method. The case study reports project background, and geological and hydrogeology conditions. The key techniques such as the selection of pipe-jacking machine, jacking force estimation and control, design of intermediate jacking station, grouting process control, launching, and reception of the tunnel boring machine, trajectory control of pipe jacking, and ventilation and gas monitoring during the construction period were investigated and discussed. Furthermore, to overcome the technical difficulties associated with the oversized jacked tunnel, the corresponding countermeasures were adopted point by point, so that the safety of the whole project could be guaranteed. This study filled the knowledge gap of technical know-how for large-diameter (over 4.5 m) pipe-jacking tunnel and is expected to provide practical guide for future large-diameter pipe-jacking tunnels.