The Herrenknecht Single Shield TBM is a robust, high-precision tunnelling system engineered for rapid excavation in consolidated and hard rock formations. With a design that ensures maximum safety and stability, it delivers excellent performance in soft, brittle, and solid rock conditions, including partially water-bearing geology when paired with soil conditioning.
Capable of operating in diameters from 1.54 m (pipe jacking) up to 14 m (segmental lining), this TBM is built for efficiency, accuracy, and endurance — ideal for long-distance drives and infrastructure development in challenging geological environments.
Key Technical Specifications
- Geology: Rock and semi-consolidated formations
- Operating Range: Soft or brittle rock up to the hardest rock (> 250 MPa)
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Diameter Range:
- Segmental lining: 2.8 m – 14 m
- Pipe jacking: ≥ 1.54 m
- Support Type: Segmental lining or pipe jacking
- Drive Mode: Hydraulic thrust system with shielded housing
Main Advantages
- High advance rates in all types of consolidated rock
- Superior tunnelling safety even in brittle or fractured zones
- Compatible with partially water-bearing geology through soil conditioning
- Efficient tool replacement without entering unprotected areas
- Precise machine steering for curved alignments and complex tunnel geometries
- Integrated vibration control through hydraulic stabilizers
How It Works
The Single Shield TBM operates by pressing a disc-cutter-equipped rotating cutterhead against the tunnel face. Under immense contact force, the disc cutters chip away the rock mass, breaking it into manageable fragments.
- Rock Cutting: Disc cutters fracture the rock face under pressure exceeding 250 MPa.
- Material Removal: Buckets and chutes guide cuttings to the central muck ring, where gravity feeds them onto a conveyor system.
- Dust Control & Cooling: High-pressure water jets suppress dust and cool cutting tools.
- Material Transport: Muck is transferred via belts or haulage vehicles out of the tunnel for disposal.
This continuous cycle enables steady advance rates and efficient muck removal with minimal downtime.
Safety and Maintenance Features
- Rear-access cutter change: Disc cutters can be replaced safely from behind the cutterhead structure — no exposure to the unsupported tunnel face.
- Vibration reduction: Hydraulic stabilizers maintain smooth operation and protect components.
- Overcut design: The boring diameter exceeds the shield diameter to prevent jamming and enable flexible steering.
Precision Steering and Control
The machine incorporates fixed or displaceable drives equipped with steering cylinders, torque box systems, or longitudinal displacement cylinders, allowing operators to achieve tight curve radii and precise alignment adjustments.
The upward offset cutterhead axis further enhances guidance and prevents shield binding in uneven rock.
Overcut rollers and optional overcut housings can expand the boring diameter for custom lining requirements, while bi-directional cutterhead rotation in pipe-jacking configurations helps counteract torsional rolling.
Digital Connectivity
With HERRENKNECHT.CONNECTED, operators can access:
- Real-time performance data
- Predictive maintenance insights
- System diagnostics and operational analytics
This digital integration ensures maximum uptime, data-driven decision-making, and remote monitoring for tunnelling projects worldwide.
Applications
- Hard-rock metro and railway tunnels
- Water transfer and utility tunnels
- Road and highway tunnel construction
- Mining and hydroelectric infrastructure
- Pipe-jacking drives in solid geology
Summary
The Herrenknecht Single Shield TBM combines power, precision, and protection — achieving fast tunnelling rates and stable operation in some of the toughest geological conditions. Its ability to handle variable rock strengths, maintain consistent progress, and protect personnel makes it a trusted choice for modern underground construction projects around the globe.