Lovat Sells Two New TBMs for Shenzhen and Canton Metro ProjectsLovat recently signed a contract to supply two new RME246SE earth pressure balance (EPB) tunnel boring machines to the China Railway Tunnel Group (CRTG). Both TBMs will be used in the construction of Line 3 of the Canton metro and Line 5 of the Shenzhen metro. Both projects are located in Guangdong province.The 6.3 m-diameter, mixed face TBMs will bore a total of 6,251 metres of tunnel over two drives. Geology along the tunnel alignments is characterized by soft ground and soft to hard conglomerates. The soft grounds are expected to consist of clay, mucky soil, silty and medium to coarse sands. The tunnels will be driven entirely under the groundwater level, with groundwater heights above the tunnel invert varying from 7 to 16 metres. Maximum EPB pressure is anticipated at up to 4 bar. 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.Lovat will manufacture the steel structures for the twin TBMs locally in China. After-sales technical assistance and on-site support will be provided by Lovat China. Delivery of both TBMs is scheduled for mid 2008. Read E-News Weekly 36/2007. Visit www.lovat.com 03/08.