ABSTRACT
Tunneling applications present a wide range of opportunities for high powered and compact remote controlled demolition robots (RCDRs). Robots are utilized in utilities, cables, water, railways, metro and road tunnels for excavation of tunnel faces, cross passages, substations, safety niches, shaft sinking and lining renovation in addition to other duties. RCDRs substitute for or work together with traditional equipment and working methods generally intended as drill & blast (D&B) procedure or the use of diesel-powered excavators. RCDRs combine power and accessibility where space limitations make it impossible or impractical to use large machines or where traditional methods slow down the workflow or are forbidden for safety reasons. RCDRs provide remote-controlled operation, small size, flexibility, reach and capability in confined spaces. RCDRs can be equipped with different types of attachments and can handle tasks such as drilling, rock breaking, excavating, scaling, rock splitting, removal of debris, and shot-creting. In this paper three case studies are presented where robots substituted for or coordinated with traditional working methods in cross passages and safety niche development.
