Trenchless construction of Phase IIIA district cooling system (DCS) by TBM pipejacking and hand-dug tunnelling on Kai Tak Development: part I – design and construction considerations

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this paper, the design and construction of 1.75 km of 1200 mm, 1500 mm and 2800 mm diameter concrete sleeve pipelines, using slurry operated tunnel boring machines (TBM), for installation of district cooling system (DCS) pipelines, in highly variable ground conditions in the Kowloon Bay area are discussed. This was the first time that TBM pipejacking has been used in Hong Kong to construct pipelines below the seabed. The construction techniques for working pits to suit site constraints are also discussed. Hand-dug tunnels, constructed with hand-mining shield and horizontal pipe-piles, for DCS pipeline installation, due to the constraints by utilities and interfacing contracts, are highlighted.