ABSTRACT
Tunnelling is becoming an increasingly frequent solution to the need to provide services and infrastructure in growing urban environments. Engineers must be able to predict the effects of the construction of new tunnels on surrounding structures both at surface and at depth. The interaction between new tunnels and existing structures has been investigated extensively in the past by physical and numerical modelling. However, physical models have been limited by the methods used to simulate tunnel construction, often ignoring the complex three-dimensional effects of tunnelling processes. This paper describes the design and development of a novel miniature tunnel boring machine to be used in the Cambridge geotechnical centrifuge in soft ground. When driven in-flight, the model tunnel boring machine will permit to simulate the main processes occurring around the shield, thus allowing real-time study of the development of ground movements and their effect on nearby structures.
