HS2 is using a robot to improve safety and efficiency on the high-speed rail project’s first two giant tunnelling machines, set to launch early next year
The Krokodyl robot, working in a similar manner to the robotic arms used in a car factory production line, will carry out simple repetitive tasks – removing wooden spacers between tunnel segments and inserting connection dowels – that people would normally do.
Each of the segments weighs up to eight tonnes and are delivered to the tunnel boring machines (TBM) with wooden spacers between them which are generally removed by hand.
By fully automating this process, the Krokodyl removes the need for people to work in this potentially hazardous area and helps with the installation of the 112,000 tunnel segments.
The tunnel segments are erected – as the TBM moves forward – in order to form a structural watertight ring designed to support the ground loads.
A second feature of the robot, known as the Dobydo, then places the dowels into position ready for the segment to be slotted into place.
The Align joint venture – a team made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick – built on their experience of delivering major tunnelling project across the world to develop the Krokodyl.
The two 2,000 tonne TBMs – named ‘Florence’ and ‘Cecilia’ – are due to be launched early next year from a site close to the M25.
The TBMs will convert the spoil into slurry which will be pumped back to the Align main site where it will be treated before being used for landscaping on-site, removing the need for additional HGVs on local roads.
Innovation reducing accidents and injuries
Eddie Woods, HS2 Ltd’s head of tunnelling, said: “Safety is a key priority for HS2 and the introduction of these innovations that essentially remove personnel from harm’s way, is an excellent example of the sort of initiatives we are pleased to see implemented on the project.
“It is one of the ways that ‘safe at heart’ can be achieved by minimising exposure in high-risk locations.”
Didier Jacques, Align’s underground construction director, commented: “Safety is a key value that is shared by everyone working on HS2, including the client, Align itself and our supply chain partners.
“A lot of work has been undertaken by all concerned that has enabled us to develop and introduce this robot, thereby reducing the risk to our personnel, operating in our state of the art TBMs.
“We are very proud of these innovations which we would be happy to share with tunnelling teams working on other projects across the world, to help reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries.”
