During tunnelling with Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machines (EPB-TBMs) huge amounts of soil are removed for the tunnel construction with foams and polymers mixed in during excavation to modify its characteristics. This process, which is directly linked to TBM performance, is called soil conditioning and is an important factor in achieving a project’s target advance rate.

The potential environmental impacts of the soil conditioning regime also require close consideration, as the conditioning agents can encounter underground water and remain in the excavation spoil for a period, so repurposing of tunnel spoil depends upon the material being non-toxic, a major commercial consideration. Soil conditioning products should therefore be selected for performance with minimal potential for environmental impact—considering their toxicity and biodegradability.

Join Richard Schulkins and Luke Foyster for an overview of soil conditioning fundamentals, new environmentally friendly technology, and learn from the shared experience of MAPEIs Underground Technology Team (UTT) on EPB projects worldwide, including Europe’s largest EPB project—Santa Lucia in Northern Italy.

Speakers

Richard Shulkins

Richard has worked in the tunnelling industry since graduating from Camborne School of Mines in 1989. He has worked for Mapei since 2005 in sales and whilst he enjoyed working as a contractor, he has come to realise that working in sales, his knowledge base has risen as exponentially as his air miles. This is due to being called to projects worldwide in a problem-solving capacity. He is firmly of the belief that tunnelling is the most interesting and satisfying career choice he could have made. He is also leading a working group within ITA to provide guidelines on responsible disposal of tunnelling waste.

Luke Foyster

Luke Foyster is a third generation civil and mining engineer with seven years’ experience in underground works. Starting his career as an undergraduate on the Amaroo Main Sewer developed his keen interest in mechanised tunnelling. In his current position as Technical Engineer with Mapei’s Underground Technology Team, Luke has been privileged to have an opportunity to expand his knowledge of construction products and materials while being trained at the Group’s headquarters in Milan, Italy. By working with clients in Australia and New Zealand he has developed specialist knowledge in annulus grouting, ground conditioning and TBM slurry additives, while continuing to expand his knowledge in technologies for waterproofing, ground consolidation and shotcrete.