157 Figure 1 –TBM entering 40° (84.7%) incline excavation, Limmern project (Switzerland) Although these inclinations exceed typical mining decline requirements, the projects provide empirical evidence that continuous mechanized excavation can be realized under steep alignment conditions. Engineering solutions developed for thrust transmission, muck handling, guidance control, braking systems, and water management under high inclination are directly transferable to mining environments. In addition to steep gradients, mechanized excavation under high overburden and squeezing rock conditions has been documented in Alpine traffic tunnelling projects (Gollegger, 2009). In these cases, unexpected ground behavior led to significant deformation demands that were not fully anticipated during the geological forecast. The applied gripper TBM concept required adaptive modification of excavation diameter and machine configuration to accommodate rock mass convergence. Ground using shotcrete, rock anchors, and steel frames were adapted to these conditions. These projects demonstrate that mechanized excavation systems can be technically adapted to high-stress conditions through operational flexibility, support strategy adjustment, and continuous deformation management. Such adaptability under unforeseen geological conditions is directly relevant for deep underground mining projects, where in-situ stress redistribution and rock mass variability frequently exceed initial predictions.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0Mzk2