(From left) Manager Jae-Hoon Jung, General Manager Se-Jin Lee, Team Leader Dae-Young Kim, Assistant Manager Han-Byul Gang, Hyundai E&C Civil Engineering Solutions Team

In the fast evolving global economy, technological leadership can provide an enormous advantage against the competition. The advanced TBM-related technologies of Hyundai E&C were made possible thanks to six years of dedicated work from the Civil Engineering Solutions team.

Q Please provide a brief introduction to the Civil Engineering Solutions team.

As the name suggests, the Civil Engineering Solutions team is responsible for developing technological solutions for major civil engineering projects including underground construction and tunneling as well as bridge and port construction work. We have been researching TBM methods since 2013.
Up until now, the more conventional NATM dominated the market with about a 98% market share. Recently, public complaints relating to noise and vibration have led to significant delays in projects and secondly, the number of underground projects at depths below 40m have increased, which together has created opportunities for TBM methods. The team has worked hard on the R&D in TBM-related technologies.

Q What kind of TBM technologies has the team developed and patented?

The first thing that comes to my mind is the Rotary Cutting Machine tester, which is the first of its kind. The equipment is designed to cut through rock strata by mimicking the operating mechanism of TBM tunneling. This patented technology allows accurate evaluation of digging performance.
Other patented technologies we have developed include Micro EPB TBM and Soil Abrasion Penetration Tester. The team has filed patent applications for nine technologies it had developed

Q What are the sites where the patented technologies developed by the team are currently employed?

Hyundai E&C has completed a number of projects using TBM methods; the Yulchon II combined cycle power plant in 2014, construction of the Jinhae-Geoje main natural gas pipeline in 2018, and the Juam Dam water tunnel reinforcement work in 2019. We are currently working on the Daegok-Sosa double track railway using the same method. The success of the earlier projects has helped us win many projects; including the section two of the Gimpo-Paju expressway circling the capital area and section one of the Incheon Metro Line No. 1 Geomdan Extension in South Korea. In Singapore, we also successfully applied the TBM method to the MRT6 C931 construction in 2016 and the Southern Power District NS3 construction in 2018. The TBM method is currently being used in the T308 construction for the MRT Eastern Line in Singapore.
The Juam Dam water tunnel reinforcement project is a good example of using our patented technologies. We successfully completed the project thanks to the New Abrasion tester and the rotary cutting machine tester, which together accurately predicted the speed of TBM and the cutter replacement timings. The project is a great showcase of how the various patented technologies developed by the Civil Engineering Solutions team were applied in a successful TBM operation.

Team Leader Dae-Young Kim, Hyundai E&C Civil Engineering Solutions Team

Q It sounds like Hyundai E&C has plenty of patents already. But I heard that there are more patents pending related to the TBM method?

We recently filed applications for two patents for TBM operation which are the ”Optimal TBM Operation System and Optimal Operation Method for rock strata” and ”Optimal TBM Operation System and Optimal Operation Method for soil strata”. The TBM method inherently makes it difficult for operators to visually check the type of surface being excavated. To date, TBM operators have had to make an educated guess using the information available to them, such as rotation speed, load and torque and make adjustments accordingly.
The two new technologies we have developed analyze the available inputs and TBM specifications in real time and communicate the optimal TBM operating parameters. For example, the system can analyze information in real time to assess compressive strength and suggest the ideal rotation speed and load based on the specifications of the TBM. It can also suggest the ideal excavation and dirt removal volume for operation stability in real time. Operators can achieve the best possible excavation speed within the load limits of the TBM. Autonomous operation of a TBM similar to autonomous driving cars could become a reality if further advancement is made. It is possible that TBM operation could become the first autonomous machine in the construction industry.

Manager Jae-Hoon Jung, Hyundai E&C Civil Engineering Solutions Team

Q What were the key challenges the team experienced while developing the patented technologies? What was the motivation behind these achievements?

The devices we developed were made using in-house developed technologies which make them extra valuable. We certainly faced many sizable challenges trying to develop something that did not already exist. We had to make many of the parts from scratch and experienced many setbacks along the way. Realizing every new idea and verifying it requires a great deal of effort. Yet, the six of us have been able to accomplish some really remarkable achievements over the past six years.
The patents were more of a byproduct of our hard work rather than being the goal. Our main objective was to win more contracts with advanced TBM methods and to find ways to complete TBM operation in a quicker and more effective manner. Consequently, we have not yet publicly announced our new TBM operation technologies. However, we expect to earn royalty fees in the future by licensing our patents and advanced technologies. The Civil Engineering Solutions team will continue to do our best to navigate the future with proactive attitude.