Tunnel boring machine (TBM) Florence continues excavating the Snowy 2.0 headrace tunnel at Tantangara following successful reinforcement works.

As anticipated, the ground conditions encountered by the TBMs on Snowy 2.0 have been highly variable, ranging from soft, sandy ground to extremely hard rock. 

The Snowy 2.0 teams have been working collaboratively to safely navigate the softer ground conditions experienced at Tantangara, including high groundwater inflows.

As part of the tunnelling process we probed in advance of the TBM, identifying the soft ground ahead, and then consulted with our expert design consultants to plan for stabilisation works. TBM Florence has been specifically designed to encounter these variable ground conditions.

Consolidation grouting around the perimeter of the headrace tunnel, and internally, the installation of steel ribs to reinforce the concrete segmental lining in the soft zone, have been carried out to ensure stability and manage groundwater inflows. Additional instrumentation to monitor ground performance has also been installed.  

Successful execution of the reinforcement works by Snowy 2.0 principal contractor Future Generation Joint Venture (FGJV) is enabling the TBM to carefully thrust off the segments and move forward.

Snowy Hydro expects variable and soft ground conditions to occur in sections of the very long 17-kilometre headrace tunnel. Further ground improvement works – a typical tunnelling process – will be carried out where required so the TBM can safely advance.

Snowy Hydro and its Future Generation Joint Venture partners are working towards the successful delivery of Snowy 2.0.

Click here for images of TBM Florence and the reinforcement works.