Tunnel construction site layout calculator
Automatically generate a prediction of a TBM size, launch shaft and surrounding worksite size needed for your tunnel project.
Free, no sign-up
Open source
Input tunnel geometry
This tool is intended for an estimate and cannot replace any design.
Tunnel internal dia.
m
Enter a number between 0 & 16.
Geology
Worksite shape
TBM specification
CalcForge has found data from - similar projects to generate a prediction.
| TBM Type | |
| TBM Diameter | -m |
| TBM Cutterhead Length | -m |
| TBM Cutterhead Weight | - tonnes |
Worksite layout prediction
Example - TBM launch site
Worksites can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, the example seen below gives a sample which can be adapted to suit your site conditions and includes all the major items of supporting plant.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum recommended site area | 16000m2 |
| Approx height | -m |
| Approx width | -m |
Minimum site layout areas
| Label | Item | Area (m2) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Launch shaft | See section below |
| 2 | Segment storage area (2 weeks supply) | 2,500 |
| 3 | Site offices + welfare | 800 |
| 4 | Temporary muck storage area | - |
| 5 | Workshop | 500 |
| 6 | Materials storage | 500 |
| 7 | Electrical sub-station | 300 |
| 8 | Testing area | 100 |
| 9 | Tunnel vent cooling tower | 50 |
| 10 | Gantry crane | 300 |
| 11 | Grouting plant | 150 |
| 12 | Tunnel ventilation fans | 100 |
| 13 | Compressed air pumps | 100 |
| 14 | Emergency assesmbly area | 100 |
| 15 | ECM Plant | 150 |
| 16 | Waste water pit | 250 |
| 17 | Slurry treatment plant | 2,000 |
Launch shaft prediction
Rectangular TBM launch shaft long mode
In an ideal case, where space surrounding the launch shaft is not a limiting factor the TBM can be launched in "long mode", whereby the TBM is launched along with it's backup gantry. This is benefitial as it means that the full assembly of supporting equipment is available to the TBM during the launch, improving speed, safety and reliability.
| Label | Property | Area (m) |
|---|---|---|
| a | Shaft Length | -m |
| b | Shaft Width | -m |
| c | TBM Diameter | -m |
| d | TBM Length | -m |
| e | Backup Length | -m |
Rectangular TBM launch shaft short mode
In many cases there is not enough space to launch the TBM with its backup gantry, in this case the contractor will typically launch the TBM in short mode (and may often mine an SCL launch chamber for the TBM depending on ground conditions), once the TBM has advanced far enough, the TBM advance is halted and the backup gantry is connected.
| Label | Property | Area (m) |
|---|---|---|
| a | Shaft Length | -m |
| b | Shaft Width | -m |
| c | TBM Diameter | -m |
| d | TBM Length | -m |
| e | Thrust frame | -m |
Circular TBM launch shaft
The minimum size of a circular shaft for launching a TBM in short mode is given as follows.
| Label | Property | Area (m) |
|---|---|---|
| a | Internal diameter | -m |
| b | TBM Length | -m |
| c | TBM Diameter | -m |
| d | Thrust frame | -m |
Method & theory
How the worksite layout is estimated
The worksite layout is generated from the tunnel geometry, predicting the TBM size, launch shaft and surrounding site footprint needed to construct and support the tunnel drive.
What's this calculator used for?
This tool can be used by Tunnel Engineers and Geotechnical Engineers to estimate the worksite layout needed for an underground TBM tunnelling project.
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