Lovat Receives Order for TBM for Line 9 of Beijing MetroLovat recently signed a contract to supply a new RME246SE earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine to the Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG). This will be the first Lovat TBM supplied to the promising Chinese tunnelling market. It will be used in the construction of lot 6 of Beijing's metro Line 9. Read E-News Weekly 36/2007.The 6.3 m-diameter, mixed face TBM will bore a total of 3,593 metres over four drives. The tunnels will be driven at a maximum slope of 4%, with depth of cover ranging from 9 to 21 metres. Maximum groundwater heights above the tunnel invert is estimated at 23 metres. Geology along the tunnel alignments is characterized by cobbles with gravels and conglomerate, with a small portion expected to consist of silty clays and sands. Maximum EPB pressure of 4 bar is expected. To reduce wear in the abrasive geological conditions anticipated, the TBM will be equipped with chromium carbide plating on the cutting head face and rim, in addition to being outfitted with a Lovat ground conditioning system.Steel structures for the TBM will be manufactured locally through a partnership established by Lovat's offices in China. Lovat China will also provide all necessary after-sales technical assistance and on-site support. The TBM is scheduled to commence boring in mid 2008. Visit www.lovat.com 39/07.