Using Air Pressure to Stabilize Tunnel

[Mike00]

Fellow Engineers,

I am researching the feasibility of using air pressure to stabilize a tunnel during excavation. The tunnel is small in size, not very deep (5') and the soil unit weight is about 107 pcf, sandy clay. This will be a temporary solution until a permanent structure can be built.

Any Ideas or references?

Thanks

 

[BigHarvey]

Mike

CSM BESSAC is a specialized french contractor who has been using only this technique for a long time. They have now extended their expertise to other tunnelling techniques but it has been their core business. They have a website with an english version :

http://www.csmbessac.com.

They are working outside France, their manager is Didier Verrouil and you can contact him on my behalf, he will be happy to help you