Network Rail has engaged a tunnelling and underground construction technology start-up, HyperTunnel, to test the use of digital twins, robotics and 3D printing to provide non-disruptive tunnel construction, enlargement and repair work.
Under the R&D contract hyperTunnel’s suite of repair products and services will be trialled for the maintenance and improvement of the UK’s regional railway infrastructure, which includes approximately 650 tunnels built in the Victorian era. Project delivery is well underway, with the completion of a large-scale demonstrator due soon.
UK-based HyperTunnel is developing new methods of tunnelling that enable them to be built faster, with less risk, and in a more economical and environmentally friendly way through the application of technologies that have been proven in other industries. These include digital twins, robotics, 3D printing and digital underground surveying, supported by AI and VR.
HyperTunnel’s process
HyperTunnel has revealed only a few details about its processrnrnu003cstrongu003ePart 1: preparationu003c/strongu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eProprietary geological survey techniques facilitate visualisation of the geology interfaces and obstaclesu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eCreation of digital twin supporting VR and BIM technologyu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cstrongu003ePart 2: constructionu003c/strongu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eStructural assessment and validation using complementary inspection techniquesu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eTunnel construction using AI, machine learning and swarm roboticsu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cstrongu003ePart 3: excavationu003c/strongu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eSafe excavation performed by remote workforceu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSimple recycling of spoil without need for processingu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eOption of simultaneous sprayed concrete layeru003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cstrongu003ePart 4: completionu003c/strongu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eCustom lining dependent on final applicationu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eBIM model and digital twin facilitates asset sign-offu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eEnhanced life-cycle management through IoT monitoring and predictive maintenanceu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
David Castlo, network technical head (mining and tunnels) at Network Rail, said: “Our large portfolio of Victorian tunnels requires increasing levels of work to meet the needs of the railway network. However, we want to reduce the level of disruption to our passengers, so we are constantly searching for new approaches to enlarging or repairing tunnels that reduce the length of time a tunnel will be closed to trains.”
Patrick Lane-Nott, director of engineering at HyperTunnel, said: “We are delighted that HyperTunnel’s application of the latest technologies will provide Network Rail with new methods of repairing and enlarging tunnels that see only very minimal tunnel closures. Details of our various unique methodologies are still largely under wraps. This collaboration will allow us to demonstrate more widely the time- and cost-saving benefits of our processes, as well as the safety and environmental advantages.”
The HyperTunnel concept was devised by businessmen Steve Jordan and Jeremy Hammond in 2018, both with backgrounds in the energy sector. They realised that a reimagining of the established tunnel-building process would be necessary to sufficiently reduce the cost of tunnels for a tidal energy project. HyperTunnel’s intellectual property also includes modular approaches for the maintenance, repair, monitoring and enlargement of tunnels.
HyperTunnel has converted a former oil well in the North Hampshire Downs into an outdoor learning and testing environment, complete with a laboratory.
