Tunnels form a vital element of rail networks around the world. This is especially true in urban areas such as Hong Kong , where development land is at a premium. Atkins has played a key role in the expansion of Hong Kong 's MTR and KCR networks, designing tunnels and stations using techniques including Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), drill and blast and cut-and cover. Atkins has completed all stages of the design process, from initial feasibility studies, through scheme and detailed design to construction supervision, acting variously as Client's Engineer, Designer for design-and-build Contractors, and Independent Checking Engineer (ICE). Our excellence in this field is recognised internationally, and Atkins is currently responsible for design of prestigious rail/metro tunnel schemes around the world, including in Dubai and South Africa.
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Atkins' involvement in the expansion of Hong Kong 's road networks extends over some 20 years. Due to lane and traffic geometry, road tunnels have traditionally been constructed using drill-and-blast or cut-and-cover techniques, although the use of large diameter TBM is becoming increasingly more common. Atkins has experience of all stages of road tunnel design, from feasibility study to construction, and also in subsequent long-term maintenance, and inspection and testing regimes.
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Water, electricity, gas and telecommunications are all vital to the functioning of a world leading economy. Atkins has a long and prestigious track record in the delivery of utility tunnels across Hong Kong , ranging from 12km long water tunnels to 200m long cable tunnels. The dimensions of utility tunnels vary significantly, and in addition to the use of TBM and drill-and-blast tunnel techniques, alternative construction methods such as pipe-jacking, micro-tunnelling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) are also used. Atkins has expertise in all these fields, providing Clients with the certainty that the appropriate technique will be selected to suit their specific project.
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As economies continue to develop and expand, existing developments often need to be enhanced or upgraded. The provision of pedestrian tunnels is one example of this, allowing clients and retailers to gain the benefit of increased pedestrian traffic into, and between, various discrete locations. Another example is the use of tunnels as storage vessels, on sites with limited space above ground, for high value materials or materials with special handling/storage requirements. Atkins is experienced in the study and design of pedestrian tunnels and other specialised tunnels.
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Modern Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) can be used to excavate tunnels in virtually all ground conditions. TBM's diameter is ranging from less than 2m to in excessive of 15m. Critical to the success of a TBM tunnel is the selection of a machine appropriate to the ground conditions and which facilitates timely construction of the tunnel lining. TBM's can be open face (un-pressurised), or closed face (pressurised), and suitable for hard rock, soft ground or mixed conditions. Atkins has a history of delivering innovative economic tunnel schemes using the latest techniques and technology. We also have extensive experience in the design and delivery of tunnels constructed using all methods of tunnel boring machine (TBM) techniques. These include hard and soft rock, earth pressure balance, slurry and compressed air TBM tunnels, ranging in diameter from 2.3m to over 12m, for road, rail and utility projects. Atkins has carried out various design roles on TBM projects, such as Scheme Designer, Contractor's Designer (on design-and-build schemes), Supervising Officer and Independent Checking Engineer (ICE).
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Atkins has been responsible for the design of numerous drill-and-blast tunnels, shafts and caverns. Drill-and-blast tunnelling is one of the oldest tunnel techniques, however advances in design methods and rock reinforcement and shotcrete technology (including the use of fibre-reinforced shotcrete) have ensured that drill-and-blast remains one of the most versatile and economic methods of tunnelling. One advantage of drill-and-blast is good access to the tunnel face (including for ground pre-treatment), which is particularly important when tunnel through mixed face or variable ground conditions, which can prove problematic to TBMs. Atkins design experience for drill-and-blast tunnels includes unlined tunnels, tunnels with temporary or permanent shotcrete and rockbolt support and the use of insitu concrete permanent tunnel linings. Vitally important to the successful design of a drill-and-blast tunnel is associated assessments including blasting impact, ground borne noise and vibration, hydro-geological assessment and building impact, all of which Atkins is able to carry out using our in-house expertise. Atkins is also fully conversant with various non-explosive tunnelling techniques where the use of blasting is not viable.
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Cut-and-cover tunnels can be constructed using bottom-up or top-down construction methods. Cut-and-cover tunnels are usually constructed within diaphragm wall or piled retaining walls, although they can also be constructed in open-cut excavations (e.g. at tunnel portal) where space permits. Atkins has extensive experience in the study, design and supervision of cut-and-cover tunnel construction, including on projects for metro and rail stations, road and pedestrian tunnels, emergency access and egress shafts, and as launch and retrieval pits for TBM drives. Atkins is also experienced in associated design areas including ground movement analysis, building impact assessment and monitoring.
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