Long tunnels of many kilometres are likely to pass through a range of geologies which may cause problems. The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by: drilling a first bore 10 along a first predetermined path, the first bore having a length of at least 25 m; drilling a plurality of second bores 20 along respective second predetermined paths, each substantially parallel to the first predetermined path in order to define a substantially prism-shape region therebetween; and excavating material within the substantially prism-shape region to form a tunnel. In this way, data from drilling the first bore 10 and the plurality of second bores 20 can be recorded and used to inform operators as to the types of material through which they will be excavating. Thus, a more complete view of the underlying geology can be achieved before beginning excavations.

A method and apparatus for forming a tunnel structure at a relatively shallow depth from the surface, which tunnel can be used as a replacement or additional transport route to an existing transport route (2) which is already formed on the surface. The method comprises the steps of forming two spaced apart access tunnels, installing piles (15), installing slide tracks (17) in each of the tunnels, removing a part of the tunnels (hatched portion) to expose the tracks, introducing units (22) comprising side walls portions (26, 28) and a roof section (30) by moving the units along the tracks while excavating the soil in which the tunnel is to be formed is in advance of the leading edge of the units.

Long tunnels of many kilometres are likely to pass through a range of geologies which may cause problems. The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by: drilling a first bore 10 along a first predetermined path, the first bore having a length of at least 25 m; drilling a plurality of second bores 20 along respective second predetermined paths, each substantially parallel to the first predetermined path in order to define a substantially prism-shape region therebetween; and excavating material within the substantially prism-shape region to form a tunnel. In this way, data from drilling the first bore 10 and the plurality of second bores 20 can be recorded and used to inform operators as to the types of material through which they will be excavating. Thus, a more complete view of the underlying geology can be achieved before beginning excavations.

An integrated jacking pipe comprising a concrete jacking envelope integrally-formed with and encircling a metal pipe, wherein said metal pipe comprises a spigot protruding from said concrete jacking envelope and a bell whose diameter is larger than a diameter of said spigot.

A tunneling apparatus for use in a pipe jacking method including an excavating apparatus, a head front-end track, a middle-section track, and a rear device. The excavating apparatus includes a transmission device and a chain blade. The transmission device includes a driving device and a sprocket. During construction, the chain blade for excavating rock and earth runs on the head front-end track and the middle-section track. The shape of a head excavation face is the same as that of the cross-section of a pipe section. The rear apparatus includes a jacking device mounted in a construction well. The front end of the middle-section track is connected to the head front-end track, and the tail end of the middle-section track is connected to the rear device. During construction, the driving device drives the chain blade, so that the chain blade runs along the tracks. Blades on the head front-end track excavate the ring-shaped rock and earth in a projection part of the cross-section of the pipe section.

Long tunnels of many kilometres are likely to pass through a range of geologies which may cause problems. The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by: drilling a first bore 10 along a first predetermined path, the first bore having a length of at least 25 m; drilling a plurality of second bores 20 along respective second predetermined paths, each substantially parallel to the first predetermined path in order to define a substantially prism-shape region therebetween; and excavating material within the substantially prism-shape region to form a tunnel. In this way, data from drilling the first bore 10 and the plurality of second bores 20 can be recorded and used to inform operators as to the types of material through which they will be excavating. Thus, a more complete view of the underlying geology can be achieved before beginning excavations.

Disclosed herein are new tunnel forming shanks and methods of using the same that are configured to lessen the damage done to soil and crops, and to overcome underground obstacles in comparison to prior art tunnel forming shanks.

Systems and methods for installing pipe underground are disclosed. The system includes a pneumatic rammer configured to provide a percussive force to a section of pipe. The system also includes a main jacking frame coupled to the pneumatic rammer, the main jacking frame including a surface for contacting the section of pipe. The system also includes one or more hydraulic jacks coupled to the main jacking frame and configured to provide a hydraulic force to the section of pipe. The system also includes a set of tracks coupled to the main jacking frame, the set of tracks permitting the main jacking frame to slide in a longitudinal direction. An independently displaceable soil-clearing system can be included to clear dirt coming inside the pipe during the installation and add extra jacking force as needed.

A construction method of a rectangular working well includes steps of: (I) designing functional requirements for the rectangular working well; (II) constructing a caisson of an enclosing structure of the rectangular working well; (III) constructing an edge protector; (IV) excavating earthwork of the rectangular working well; (V) forming a bottom cover for the rectangular working well, and pre-embedding a sliding track, a pull ring and a back wall anchor; (VI) installing a ladder for entering the rectangular working well; (VII) preventing joint leakage; (VIII) installing a water-proof pressure plate at an entrance of the preset pipe jacking hole; (IX) constructing the sliding back wall; (X) lifting the sandwich concrete slab wall at a top of the preset pipe jacking hole; and (XI) performing pipe jacking. The structure system constructed by the present invention has many advantages such as clear function, safety, quickness, and flexible design.