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.

Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) are known that comprise a large metal cylindrical shield fronted by a rotating cutting wheel and containing a chamber where the excavated soil is deposited (and optionally mixed with slurry for extraction, depending on the type of geological/soil conditions). However, TBMs have various disadvantages including the stop-start nature of their tunnelling, and that a single TBM cannot easily transition between different rock/soil types (especially heavily fractured and sheared rock layers). The invention provides a tunnelling shield provided with jet grouting tools arranged to project from a leading edge thereof. In this way, the quality of the geological material into which the tunnel is being excavated may be improved dynamically as part of the excavation process.

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.

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 Tunnel Extraction Machine (TEM) and its alternatives is a sustainable machine to excavate the tunnel or mine or dredge seabed in a rapid, efficient and cost-effective way as it allows large parts of the rock (or soil) to be extracted and pulled out of the tunnel or mine without necessity of digging or crushing them and with significantly reduced amount of the energy. Basically, it can excavate (cut) perimeter of the tunnel section in different shapes and sizes along with some other required longitudinal and transversal cuts and then extract and pull out the untouched and undug large portions of the rock or soil out of the tunnel.

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 (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.

A tunnel tunneling system includes a bolter miner, a bolter-integrated transportation machine, a transfer machine, a self-moving tail and a belt conveyor. The bolter miner includes a rack, a cutting device, a drilling device and a control device. The cutting device is arranged on the rack and is swingable in an up-down direction, and has a lowest swing angle and a highest swing angle. The drilling device is arranged on the rack, and includes a drilling rig and a sensor. The drilling rig is configured to drill a tunnel floor and/or a tunnel roof, and the sensor is configured to monitor a set parameter of the drilling rig and generate a monitoring data signal when the drilling rig is drilling. The control device is configured to receive and analyze the monitoring data signal.

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 tunnel tunneling system includes a bolter miner, a bolter-integrated transportation machine, a transfer machine, a self-moving tail and a belt conveyor. The bolter miner includes a rack, a cutting device, a drilling device and a control device. The cutting device is arranged on the rack and is swingable in an up-down direction, and has a lowest swing angle and a highest swing angle. The drilling device is arranged on the rack, and includes a drilling rig and a sensor. The drilling rig is configured to drill a tunnel floor and/or a tunnel roof, and the sensor is configured to monitor a set parameter of the drilling rig and generate a monitoring data signal when the drilling rig is drilling. The control device is configured to receive and analyze the monitoring data signal.