By rosebell
Considering the advancements in TBM design, highly effective soil conditioning products, improved backfilling grout techniques, and more, tunnel digging process using EPB-TBMs has achieved remarkable productivity, whereas the chemicals used in EPB have pushed this tunneling method to its highest performance levels in history. While these technical achievements are in access, TBM operations still require substantial water, largely driven by soil conditioning, especially in cohesive ground formations. 40-45% of the excavated soil volume is the amount of liquids (pure water and water for foam) that can be used for soil conditioning.Because the water is a vital resource for communities and the environment, decreasing this water demand is essential for more sustainable tunneling.
By presenting a solution, new conditioning agents from the MAPEI ECO WSP (Water Saving Program) line helps reducing liquid requirements by almost 25-35% without compromising soil conditioning performance. This improvement has been validated through extensive testing at the laboratory of the Politecnico di Torino and initial applications on TBM sites. Reducing water use—especially pure water—saves thousands of tons of water in tunnel excavation, providing multiple benefits: technical, economic, and environmental.
With the aim of lower CO₂ emissions, lower water usage means reduced tunnel muck volume and fewer trucks needed to transport due to scaled-down logistics. These advantages are especially important today, particularly in regions where water is a precious resource. These new conditioning agents represent a key step forward in sustainable tunnel construction.
For further information please connect Mapei UTT, Milan, tel +39-02-37673073
Email: hq.utt@utt.mapei.com
