Simex’s versatile tool helps in tunnel excavation duties

Italian firm Simex has developed a versatile tool for use in tunnel excavation applications. This proven piece of equipment has been used to help construct a key tunnel link in Italy, close to the border with Switzerland. Work on the Varzo Tunnel has been carried out by Italian contractor Ceprini Costruzioni (CC).
March 13, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Italian firm 1141 SIMEX has developed a versatile tool for use in tunnel excavation applications. This proven piece of equipment has been used to help construct a key tunnel link in Italy, close to the border with Switzerland. Work on the Varzo Tunnel has been carried out by Italian contractor Ceprini Costruzioni (CC).

The final phase of this three-phase project required the installation of two-hinged steel ribs every 1.75m, anchored to ties with a C-shaped fastening element (totalling 44 elements). Another task was the laying of a 10x10cm, 6mm diameter wire mesh covering up to 18cm of fibre-reinforced shotcrete. One of the major challenges of the third phase was to cut around 20cm deep and 40cm wide into the crown of the tunnel in order to create the inserts for the steel ribs.  A solution to the problem was offered by Simex, which designed a special rotary cutter derived from the model TF 800.

Attached to a 2300 Komatsu PC138 US short-radius excavator, and featuring a modified boom and special bracket (both supplied by Grifo workshops in Perugia), the rotary cutter made it possible to make the inserts for the steel ribs.  The use of a hydraulic breaker for the application was immediately discarded by CC due to the length of time associated with its use and the lack of optimum precision, with the possible introduction of dangerous vibrations into the crown near the deteriorated area. CC decided to use a pair of Komatsu PC 138 US excavators and two Simex TF 800/V rotary cutters. The cutters were equipped with drums measuring a width of 400mm and diameter of 1100mm, and fitted with 144 Betek VC 33 bits with a 22mm bit holder.  Both cutters were said to have proven productive and reliable and were operated without interruption for 164 hours each.

Stand: B3.222

www.simex.it

View more videos
View more stories

For more information on companies in this article

Simex
Komatsu

Related Content

  • Manitou extends MRT Easy range
    April 14, 2016
    Manitou has extended its MRT Easy range of rotating telehandlers with the MRT2145. Sitting above the existing MRT1840 with its 18m, 4tonne lift, the new MRT2145 offers a maximum lift height of 21m, and a 4.5tonne lift capacity. The increased capacity, said Manitou, is a result of using a new design of stabiliser that offers a wider footprint but retains a compact design when folded.
    Read More
  • New Holland upgrades dozers to Tier4i and improves control
    January 6, 2017
    New Holland is exhibiting the 17.9tonne operating weight D150CXLT dozer. It is one of a range of three dozers between 13 and 20tonnes using Tier4i engines fitted with SCR technology to achieve the emissions target and produce a 10.5% fuel saving. It is said to have the quietest cab in the industry (76dB(A)), best-in-class drawbar pull with hydrostatic transmission (311kN) and integration with GPS and laser guidance.
    Read More
  • New Holland upgrades dozers to Tier4i and improves control
    April 19, 2013
    New Holland is exhibiting the 17.9tonne operating weight D150CXLT dozer. It is one of a range of three dozers between 13 and 20tonnes using Tier4i engines fitted with SCR technology to achieve the emissions target and produce a 10.5% fuel saving. It is said to have the quietest cab in the industry (76dB(A)), best-in-class drawbar pull with hydrostatic transmission (311kN) and integration with GPS and laser guidance.
    Read More
  • Komatsu offers versatile short tail swing excavator
    January 6, 2017
    Komatsu its introducing its versatile PC228USLC-10, short tail swing excavator. The compact machine suits duties in urban applications, as well as on road or bridge jobs. Stability has been improved with the addition of an extra 1.3tonnes of counterweight. The PC228 retains the proven features of the previous model along with upgrades to the hydraulic system, as well as better operator comfort, lift capacity, stability, and improved fuel consumption.
    Read More

Highlighted Content