A major milestone has been achieved in the Shiyan City water resource allocation project, an initiative aimed at improving water supply and revitalizing the ecological environment in the Bai’er River urban section. The project, which is set to benefit 747,000 residents, has made significant progress with the successful completion of the Ma Bai branch line water diversion tunnel, thanks to the utilization of innovative construction techniques and the deployment of two small cross-section rock Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) made by CRCHI.
The Shiyan City water resource allocation project focuses on the utilization of the Zhu Mountain-Pan Kou Reservoir as the primary water source. The newly constructed water diversion tunnel, spanning over 70 kilometers, transporting water from the reservoir to the Ma Jia He River reservoir. One of the critical sections of the project, the Ma Bai branch line water diversion tunnel stretching 4,155 meters, was completed with precision and efficiency.
To overcome the challenges posed by the long-distance and small cross-section of the tunnel, project engineers introduced the “Shui Yuan” TBM. With its compact size, 60m length and 2.5m excavation diameter, the “Shui Yuan” TBM has redefined tunneling operations. Equipped with automated features, the TBM offers remote operation capabilities, ensuring efficiency and minimizing human intervention.
The project has witnessed remarkable progress since the arrival of the “Shui Yuan” TBM at the construction site in September 2021. With meticulous planning and efficient execution, the TBM assembly was completed in a record time of just over ten days, enabling the immediate commencement of tunnel excavation. The impressive performance of the “Shui Yuan” TBM has propelled the project’s progress, achieving an average monthly advancement of 200 meters. It has set a new record for small cross-section TBMs, achieving a maximum daily progress of 23.68 meters and a monthly footprint of 343.38 meters.
The Shiyan City water resource allocation project holds immense promise for the region’s ecological restoration and the well-being of its residents. By reallocating water resources and optimizing water conditions, the project aims to enhance the ecological environment in the Bai’er River urban section. The estimated 747,000 residents are expected to experience improved water supply and a more sustainable ecosystem, benefiting from the project’s environmental initiatives.
With the successful completion of the Ma Bai branch line water diversion tunnel, the Shiyan City water resource allocation project moves closer to its vision of a thriving, sustainable urban center. The combination of innovative construction techniques, exemplified by the “Shui Yuan” TBM and “Wu Dang” TBM, and the remarkable progress achieved, signifies a significant step forward in the region’s water management and ecological restoration efforts.
Overcoming challenges such as long distances, small cross-sections, and difficulties in micro TBM cutterhead design, slurry removal, equipment layout, and long-distance rail transport, CRCHI TMBs successfully advanced the construction of the Ma Bai Branch Tunnel in the Shiyan City Water Resource Project.
