By lyndamyer
As a remarkable landmark for the Tideway project, the secondary lining on the western section of London’s new super sewer with 7km length has been completed.
In order to providing additional strength for the super sewer as well as creating a smooth surface over which flows will travel once the sewer is operational in 2025, applying the secondary lining is required.
While the type of primary lining is precast concrete segments that is locating into place to form a ring, secondary lining is poured wet, in situ, around a huge machine called a shutter.
March 2021, was the date of commencing secondary lining works in the western section, whereas the number of required individual concrete pours to make the journey from Acton to Fulham in south-west London, was more than 800.
Being collected on site at the Carnwath Road Riverside site in Fulham, the concrete delivered to the six shutters by concrete trains known as bullets to a pump located on a logistics crossing within the tunnel.
Also the approximate quantity of needed concrete for creating the secondary lining in this section of tunnel was 48,000 m3.
According to Tideway Project Director Sally Cox: “This is fantastic achievement for everyone involved. I am in awe of the endless spirit and perseverance from the team to overcome challenges to deliver this phase of work. It is amazing what you can achieve when you have such a brilliant team.”
The tunnel boring machine Rachel in late 2020, completed the main drive of the 6.9m internal diameter, 7km tunnel and currently the team are preparing the site to undertake the secondary lining of the main shaft at Carnwath Road Riverside.
