Recently, there was good news from the Italian CEPAV railway project that CREC 699 shield machine successfully passed through the first section of the project. This machine is the first shield machine exported to Italy by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. under CRHIC, and it is also the first time that China’s high-tend tunneling equipment has been successfully applied in Italy.

The CEPAV project is a high-speed railway connecting Brescia to Vernna in Italy, which is an important high-speed railway line running through the Italian mainland and connecting France. The project consists of two sections, the total length of the tunnel is 9.6 kilometers, and the main crossing strata are sandy pebbles, clayey silt, etc.

Given the complex geological characteristics, the earth pressure balance TBM with a diameter of 10.03 meters tailored by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group for the project is equipped with a series double-screw machine system, which not only enhances the adaptability to high water pressure and large-size pebble strata but also ensures the construction safety and improves the tunneling efficiency. The machine has achieved a maximum excavation mileage of 28 meters per day and 504 meters per month.