Erfahrungsstand im Tunnelvortrieb mit zwei 12 m Schilden für die U-Bahn Linie 9 in Barcelona

The underground railway network in Barcelona’s Metropolitan Area will be extended by the 47 km long and completely new Line 9. This will allow to connect the network to areas where until now public transportation is insufficient. Several boundary conditions such as, for instance, densely built-up areas, existing underground infrastructures as well as the complex geological conditions lead to technical and functional, specific and novel solutions. A large part of the tunnel will be driven by 12 m diameter shields and will consist in double-stacked tracks. This design allows to place the platforms inside the tunnel tube and by this way the excavation of caverns becomes unnecessary. The connection of these stations with the surface level will take place by means of vertical, round shafts of 26 m diameter. According to the present advance rates of 300 m per month, the opening and operation of the first section of the line is expected for 2005. The opening of the whole line is planned for 2008. The first experiences with the two different 12 m diameter shield machines will be outlined here and a prospect of the future construction production as well as of the research which is going on parallel to the tunnel works will be given.