Tunnel Boring Machines

Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are large machines that excavate below the ground surface, while simultaneously installing concrete lining units (segments) to build a tunnel. Two TBMs have been specifically designed for the Forrestfield-Airport Link by German company Herrenknecht, the world’s leading supplier of TBMs.

There are various types of TBMs to cater for different ground conditions and project requirements. For this project, the TBMs are Mixshield which use the latest dual-mode technology capable of adapting to variable ground conditions (such as sand, rock and clay) as the machine progresses.

Key components for our TBMs were manufactured in various places around the world before an in-depth nine-month assembly and testing program was conducted in China. Once testing was finished, they were disassembled and shipped to Henderson Port. The TBMs were then transported to site, reassembled and lowered into the dive structure at Forrestfield, where they began their journey towards Bayswater in 2017. 

During their 8km journey, the TBMs will excavate under Perth Airport and the Swan River reaching up to 26m depth below the surface.

To find out more about how these machines operate, view the TBM fact sheet.

TBM tracker

As at 8am, Monday March 30, 2020:

	Metres tunnelled	Number of tunnel rings installed	Status
TBM Grace	7458m	4468	Tunnelling complete.
TBM Sandy	7163m	4279	Tunnelling alongside Tonkin Highway in Bayswater.

Naming the TBMs

Like ships, TBMs are named before they begin work to bring good luck. Traditionally, a TBM cannot start work until it is given a name. TBMs are generally given female names as underground workers look to Saint Barbara for protection.

Our first TBM is named Grace, in honour of pre-primary student Grace McPhee who was nominated by her classmates at Edney Primary School in High Wycombe. The students said Grace, who is undergoing treatment for leukaemia, was the toughest person they knew - a toughness the TBM would need to bore through the earth. This TBM was decorated with artwork by Year 6 Walliston Primary School student Georgia Fields.

Our second TBM is named Sandy as suggested by High Wycombe Primary School Year 4 student Sarah Spratt. Sarah was inspired after finding a sandgroper in her backyard, as the local insect (which is also a colloquial name for Western Australians) is 'excellent at tunnelling, just like the TBM'. This TBM was decorated with artwork by Rossmoyne Primary School Year 5 students Faith Brand and Jood Al Jashammi.

Will I hear the TBMs?

Despite their huge electric and hydraulic-powered motor drives, TBMs create little noise at the surface and cause only minor vibrations as they cut through the soil and rock in their path. If you are living near the tunnel route, you’ll be given plenty of notice and information before the tunnels are bored, but most people will not notice when the boring machines are close by.

Frequently Asked Questions

Perth presents challenging geological conditions for tunnelling, with some elements of uncertainty to be expected in adapting the TBMs to varying ground conditions.

However, the machines purchased for the Forrestfield-Airport Link use advanced technology to help ensure high performance tunnelling.

Experienced tunnelling staff have been brought in from across the globe to operate the highly specialised TBMs. An extensive network of ground monitoring equipment has also been installed along the route to provide updates in near real time regarding any ground movement at the surface. 

Yes. The TBM is designed to protect the tunnelling crew from any ground movement around the machine.

The TBMs have been manufactured by one of the best manufacturers in the world. On board they have a refuge chamber, fire suppression equipment, gas detection facilities, an emergency communication system and a first aider is rostered onto every shift. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking is also used for all workers so that their position in the tunnel can be quickly identified in case of an emergency.

Furthermore, strict international procedures are in place for all work performed under hyperbaric conditions. The TBMs have a man lock on board and another medical lock is on standby at the surface. The closest hospital is also advised when works are to occur under hyperbaric conditions. 

Yes. An extensive network of ground monitoring equipment has been installed along the route to provide updates in near real time regarding any ground movement at the surface. If anomalies occur in the TBMs readings a precautionary spotter is deployed to the surface to survey the area. As an added precaution the area may be cordoned off until it can be confirmed that no ground disturbance will occur. 

Yes. The reinforced tunnelling segments have been specifically designed to withstand external ground pressure along the Forrestfield-Airport Link alignment. The concrete used for the segments has also undergone a series of tests to ensure it meets the required standards for strength and durability.

Once formed, the tunnels are regularly surveyed to confirm no movement of the segments has occurred. Strain gauges are also being installed at each cross passage to monitor the tunnels' stability.

The tunnels are being designed and built to have 120-year durability. They are being constructed to Australian and international standards and undergo quality assurance and independent verification checks at every step.

Yes. Operation of the two tunnel boring machines for the Forrestfield-Airport Link was ceased temporarily in mid-February and late-March 2018 respectively. The temporary suspension was to allow for the processes associated with the tunnelling to be independently reviewed and validated.

Upon completion of the review, TBM Grace was restarted on April 17, 2018. TBM Sandy was restarted shortly after on April 24, in order to maintain a safe distance behind TBM Grace. 

It was anticipated that there may be some minor ground disturbance issues as the TBMs entered and exited Airport Central Station. This is because of changes to the pressure at the face of the TBMs when they reach the concrete station box wall. As a result, comprehensive contingency and management plans were in place should any issues arise. No ground disturbance occurred when TBM Grace arrived at the Airport Central Station box on May 8, 2018. With TBM Sandy, a minor ground disturbance issue was recorded on Friday May 18, 2018.

There was no damage to infrastructure, and the PTA and SI-NRW worked closely with Perth Airport throughout the process.

Since this time, the TBMs have successfully cleared both major airport runways and have completed more than four months of tunnelling without any ground disturbance issues.

In September 2018, a leak developed at the first tunnel-to-tunnel cross passage located approximately 200m north of the Forrestfield Station site. As a result, water and silt entered Tunnel One (TBM Grace’s tunnel) leading to the formation of a sinkhole at the surface alongside Dundas Road.  In this instance the ground disturbance did not occur as a result of TBM-powered tunnelling which had been completed some 12 months prior. Cross passage construction works were the catalyst to the incident and future cross passage construction methodologies have since been comprehensively reviewed.