By Ashley Karen
The Metro Manila Subway Project begins with TERRATEC’s Continuously Advancing Tunnel Conveyors implementation.
TERRATEC is delighted to reveal the successful delivery of two Continuously Advancing Tunnel Conveyors for Phase I Contract Package CP101 of the Metro Manila Subway Project in Manila, Philippines.
The Shimizu-Fujita-Takenaka-EEI Joint Venture, the contracting team working on behalf of the Department of Transportation in Manila, has chosen these advanced tunnel conveyors.
It is worth mentioning that the project is the first underground railway system in the Philippines. As a considerable infrastructure endeavor, TERRATEC’s group company, JIM Technology, will deliver six Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
The two TERRATEC Continuously Advancing Conveyors will play a critical role in the 33.1-kilometer subway section construction, linking Mindanao Avenue in the northern part of Metro Manila to Western Bicutan in the south.
The two tunnel conveyors were delivered for CP101 and will bore the section between the Metro Manila Subway Depot and Quirino Highway. They were designed to meet the specific demands of the project, have an exceptional length of 1509m, and work at a rate of 225m3/h.
With a single pulley head drive power of 150kW, these conveyors are qualified to efficiently handle the diverse materials pulled by the TBM along the entire length of the belt. The conveyed materials incorporate sandy gravel and boulders up to 400mm in size, showcasing the potent capabilities of TERRATEC’s conveyors.
Apart from their outstanding performance, these tunnel conveyors offer reliable operation, swift and easy installation, and optimal space utilization.
The electric conveyor drives include cutting-edge electronic Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) controllers for each motor, guaranteeing smooth starting, load sharing, and precise control.
Hydraulic tensioning is utilized for horizontal cassettes, ensuring precise take-up tensions and reliable control. The wider-than-standard carry and return roller sets enable improved belt wander tolerance and enhanced control in horizontal curves. To maintain proper return belt tracking, two-roll vee-return idlers are employed throughout the conveyors.
TERRATEC’s unique and patented design of the Advancing Tail Piece levels the Tunnel Conveyor utilizing an active hydraulic system to match the steering/ rolling position of the tunnel boring machine. This technology allows the smooth negotiation of any horizontal and vertical curves.
The conveyors are developed to handle steady-state and unsteady conditions, containing acceleration, controlled deceleration, and unpowered stopping for loaded and empty conditions. This versatility secures optimal performance and safety throughout the construction process.
The boring is predicted to produce about 1.2 million cubic meters of soil, equivalent to the volume of 500 Olympic-size swimming pools. The alignment is expected to yield roughly 7,419,940 cubic meters of soil, equivalent to 2,500 Olympic-size swimming pools.
The Metro Manila Subway Project intends to serve up to 370,000 passengers daily and is envisioned to be complete by 2028. TERRATEC, a leading provider of innovative tunneling solutions, stays committed to providing innovative and reliable solutions, supporting the development of efficient and safe underground transport systems worldwide.
