Terratec has announced the successful delivery of two Continuously Advancing Tunnel Conveyors for Phase I Contract Package CP101 of the Metro Manila Subway Project in Manila, Philippines. These tunnel conveyors were selected by the Shimizu-Fujita-Takenaka-EEI Joint Venture, the contracting team working on behalf of the Department of Transportation in Manila.
The Metro Manila Subway Project is the first underground railway system in the Philippines. Terratec’s group company JIM Technology, will supply a total of six TBMs to the project.
The two Continuously Advancing Conveyors will assist in the construction of the 33.1km subway section, connecting Mindanao Avenue in the northern part of Metro Manila to Western Bicutan in the south. The two tunnel conveyors, delivered for CP101, will help excavate the section between the Metro Manila Subway Depot and Quirino Highway.
Designed to meet the specific demands of the project, the two conveyors have a length of 1509m and operate at a rate of 225m3/h. With a single pulley head drive power of 150kW, these conveyors are capable of efficiently handling the various materials extracted by the TBM along the entire length of the belt. The conveyed materials include sandy gravel and boulders up to 400mm in size.
The electric conveyor drives incorporate cutting-edge electronic Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) controllers for each motor, ensuring smooth starting, load sharing, and precise control.
Hydraulic tensioning is employed for horizontal cassettes, guaranteeing accurate take-up tensions and reliable control. The wider-than-standard carry and return roller sets allow for enhanced belt wander tolerance and improved control in horizontal curves. Two-roll vee-return idlers are utilized throughout the conveyors to maintain proper return belt tracking.
Terratec’s patented design of the Advancing Tail Piece levels the Tunnel Conveyor using an active hydraulic system to match the steering/rolling position of the TBM. This enables the smooth negotiation of any horizontal and vertical curves.
These conveyors are designed to handle both steady state and unsteady conditions, including acceleration, controlled deceleration, and unpowered stopping for loaded and empty conditions. This versatility ensures optimal performance and safety throughout the construction process.
The excavation is projected to yield approximately 1.2M cubic meters of soil, equivalent to the volume of 500 Olympic-size swimming pools. Overall, the alignment is anticipated to generate around 7,419,940 cubic meters of soil, equivalent to 2,500 Olympic-size swimming pools.
The Metro Manila Subway Project aims to serve up to 370,000 passengers per day and is expected to be completed in 2028.
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