Preparing “claudia” for a new barrier

The legendary tunnel-boring complex Lovat-242SE, which started in June behind the dead ends of Seligerskaya, continues its journey to the north. Our correspondent found out how the construction of the tunnel is progressing and why the shield is being stopped.

Foreman of mechanics Gennady Marenov, mechanic Rushan Utemishev, shift mechanic Evgeny Shamrin, TPM operator Dmitry Aldokhin, mining foreman Vitaly Fedorenko, deputy. section chief Kirill Valnyukov and section chief Evgeniy Bachurin 

"Claudia" has a break today. The shield, which has traveled 600 meters, must be inspected and worn cutters must be replaced in order to successfully continue work. Ahead is the second enclosing wall of the future station “Ulitsa 800 Letiya Moskvy” of the Lyublinsko-Dmitrovskaya line. 

To strengthen the structure due to the large water inflow, the first 128 rings of the tunnel are mounted from cast iron. Next come the usual reinforced concrete rings.

New cutters for TBMs

– The geology is complex, there is water. There are boulders. We take out those that pass through the rotor and store them on the site,” says Evgeniy Bachurin, head of section No. 2 of TO-6, about the features of the tunneling.

Along the tunnel to “Claudia” there are communications for supplying and draining water, which is necessary for cooling the shield equipment. As you approach the excavation site, the noise in the tunnel increases. The transformer is running and supplies the switchboard with electricity. There is also a small warehouse where barrels of lubricant are stored in cold weather. It is used for brush sealing of the rotor and its bearings.

Communications are increasing as the tunnel boring complex progresses. The rail track is also being lengthened. Reinforced concrete blocks are delivered along it, rock is unloaded, or, as now, new cutters are brought in to replace the previous ones.

Boulders that pass into the rotor are stored on the surface

The inspection of the complex's condition will last one shift. Tomorrow “Klavdia” will continue its journey to the future Lianozovo station. She has 1800 meters to go.

At the same time, a technical inspection of a diesel locomotive, which is used for hauling away rock and delivering reinforced concrete blocks, is being carried out in the installation chamber. Like any equipment, a diesel locomotive requires regular maintenance. It is produced approximately once a month.

– 45 liters of oil go to the engine for replacement, 50 to the box. This amount is enough for 500 engine hours,” explained one of the most experienced TO-6 employees, electrician Vladimir Tkachev. He is doing maintenance. – We wind up 14 to 17 engine hours per day.

One of the most experienced TO-6 employees, Vladimir Tkachev, performs maintenance on a diesel tanker.

By the way, the TBM has already been stopped. For the first time in front of site No. 33, on the approach to the Ulitsa 800 Letiya Moskvy station. This boundary can be seen in the tunnel lining. It is reinforced with metal rings.

“It’s hard to believe that they managed to restore the car.” She moves well. We do 250 meters per month. The penetration speed is 25-30 mm per minute. There are no problems with the new lining – Evgeniy Bachurin shared his impressions of “Claudia”.

Let us remind you that the Lovat-242SE TBM was completely restored in 2018. After the last excavation from Seligerskaya to Verkhniye Likhobory in 2015, due to difficult hydrogeological conditions, the shield shell was left inside the tunnel. The modernization carried out improved the shield, adjusting its parameters to modern construction. The new shell made it possible to supply the solution behind the lining through the tail part of the complex.