Maxim Shmal, Deputy General Director for Operations of Mosinzhproekt
The construction of the Big Circle Line does not only involve high professionalism and personal courage of the workers, it also requires sufficient material and technical resources as well as the most advanced tunnelling techniques. At our company, we instrumentalize cutting-edge tunnelling technologies.
For the construction of underground tunnels, we use fully-automated heavy-duty equipment called a tunnel boring machine. It bores through hard rocks like a huge worm of steel, leaving a smooth tunnel in its wake. The tunnel boring machines used by Mosinzhproekt can be rightfully called works of engineering art.
The job is usually done in two phases: first we excavate the tunnel, then we do the lining. The average velocity of tunnelling today is 250 to 300 meters a month. Since we usually work in harsh engineering and geological conditions, modern machines are designed to bore through various types of rock and soil, including unstable soils.
Previously, we only used six-meter tunnelling machines. Now we also have huge boring shields ten meters in diameter. If a six-meter machine is for boring what would become a single-track tunnel, with a ten-meter you can build double-track tunnels in which trains run on parallel tracks in both directions. The Big Circle Line will have eight such tunnels connecting the Aminevskaya station to Mnevniki, and Kashirskaya to Tekstilshchiki.
Double-track tunnels are quicker in construction and also 30% cheaper, but it is not only about speed. One large machine requires less soil removal equipment than two smaller ones, and you only have to arrange lighting, ventilation and tubing supply in one tunnel.
The efficiency and safety of tunnel construction is also facilitated by the constant remote monitoring of tunnelling machines from the control room.
We are in constant search for new technical solutions, new technologies and new materials that would enhance our performance and increase the speed of our work. For instance, we have recently implemented new techniques for control of noise and vibration; we use the most advanced waterproofing materials, admixtures for concrete, and composite fittings. We also mastered the so-called top-down method, in which a station is constructed from the ground level down. It means that the above-ground structures are built at the same time as we do our work in the tunnels.
Mosinzhproekt puts great emphasis on the safety of construction works. It performs constant geotechnical monitoring of all buildings and structures in the area and provides R&D support. It also ensures total quality control of all the equipment and materials delivered to the construction site.
We are aware that metro is a structure of an increased level of responsibility, and pay close attention to the safety of millions of passengers that travel by metro every day. That is why Mosinzhproekt implements best global standards of labor protection, industrial safety and environmental engineering.
Double-track tunnels are quicker in construction and also 30% cheaper.
Recently, we have passed a QHSE certification audit by Lloyd’s Register. Our methods of project management, geotechnical investigation, planning, construction and installation as well as supervision of capital facilities, including metro, roads and public housing, have received an unequivocal thumbs-up.
The fact that Mosinzhproekt has successfully passed a certification audit by a well-established multinational firm shows how serious we are about labor protection and environmental safety. An approval by Lloyd’s Register will also give us a competitive advantage on domestic and global markets.
In the last seven years, our experts took part in preparing five codes of federal regulations on design and construction of underground structures. Due to our labor-saving technological developments, new segments of the Moscow Metro are put into operation on a timely basis and occasionally even ahead of time.
Mosinzhproekt also intends to implement innovative environmental technologies at its construction sites and facilities. For instance, in the future it will be possible to install the so-called smart energy floors in the new stations of the Moscow Metro. Smart energy floor tiles are made of flexible material that gives five to six millimeters under the weight of passengers’ feet, and as the pressure is off electric power is generated.
Mosinzhproekt implements best global standards of labor protection.
By the estimated passenger traffic of 380 million people a year, the Big Circle Line will be able to generate up to 6 MW of net energy daily. Footsteps of millions of passengers will power fare gates, ticket vending machines, information show cases and signs. This project was presented at the 10th Moscow Urban Forum. It also participates in the nationwide “Ecology Is a Reliable Partner” contest.
Floor tiles that turn kinetic energy of passengers’ footsteps into electric power are the innovation of the near future.
We also implement other environmental solutions, for example, custom aerators that help save up to 70% of water resources. And automated lighting control systems in common areas are instrumental in saving electricity alongside with replacing incandescent and fluorescent lamps with low-energy LED lightbulbs.
From “The Big Circle Line of the Moscow Metro”. Newsletter of the Moscow Construction Complex