Abstract:

Shield machines are commonly used in tunneling. In the paper, the main difficulties, technical requirements, required techniques, features, main equipment and general guidelines for the diving operations under pressure in shield tunneling are studied, so as to solve the problems in the application of diving operation in shield tunneling. Conclusions drawn are as follow: 1) Diving technology is suitable for shield tunneling; 2) In the case of diving in shield tunneling, in addition to the equipment, procedures and decompression tables, the divers and the diving operation management are also key factors for the success of the diving; 3) Compared to the diving in shield tunneling, marine diving faces more severe environment, more complexity and more demanding personnel and equipment; 4) Regarding diving in shield tunneling in China, the priority is to transplant the marine diving technology into the shield boring rationally and effectively. 

Key words: shield tunneling, operation in pressurized chamber, diving techniques, saturation diving