Swift safety measures in solid rock.
Excellent tunnelling performance can be achieved in stable rock with gripper machines, though this depends crucially on the time required to install the rock securing devices.
The so-called L1* work area between the gripper shield and gripper plates is fitted out as a safety area, where ring erectors, independently maneuverable anchor drilling devices and wire-mesh erectors necessary for the steel support installation are stored.
The shotcrete is then applied in the back-up area using the shotcrete robot and the segments. Apart from the steel arch lining and mesh-steel lining, the shotcrete is the most important safety measure for supporting the rock where the gripper process is used. The shotcrete is applied in a dry or wet process by means of compressed air via a manipulator, compressed and allowed to set on the contact surface. The use of additives enables the properties of shotcrete to be adjusted in terms of its initial hardening, adhesion and setting behavior to be adjusted. This means that a lining can be installed in immediate proximity to the supporting devices with maximum adhesion to the rock. Shotcrete is extremely versatile and can easily be adapted to meet changing requirements, even for partial excavations of any size.
Extensive automation of the machine's operating sequences leads to excellent tunnelling performance with maximum safety for the machine operatives.
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