Summary of common geotechnical problems
Abstract
TBM tunnels differ fundamentally from other types of tunnel (drill-and-blast, road header, hand-mined) due to the high level of machine-rock-rock stability interaction. In weak rock, especially if stresses are high, mucking and rock support may be the chief source of delay, and concrete element ring building may be compromised. In hard or very abrasive (quartz bearing) rock, equipment wear and cutter wear under the necessarily high loads will usually be the chief causes of reduced utilisation. Extreme water inflows may plague both on occasion.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Tunneling and Rock Mechanics
Rock Mechanics and Modeling
Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures
Publication details
- Journal / source
- CRC Press eBooks
- Pages
- 7–8
- Publication date
- 19 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter