The construction of the eastern section of the Big Circle Line (BCL) of the Moscow Metro required special scientific and technological observations of the ground and methods of tunneling interactive control. The innovation won the advanced technologies competition of the Russian Tunneling Association. Andrey Bochkarev, Deputy Moscow Mayor for Urban Planning Policy and Construction reported this. 

"Construction of Pechatniki station and tunnel boring of a two-track main line tunnel to Nagatinsky Zaton station faced difficult engineering and geological conditions: the site is close to the operating Pechatniki station of the Lyublinsko-Dmitrovskaya line and the Nishchenka River. During tunnel construction, we made some geodetic observations of earth surface deformations and a georadar monitoring to spot leaks from the collector of the Nishchenka River," Andrey Bochkarev explains.

Before construction began and after tunnel boring was over, specialists inspected work sites using a low-frequency georadar. The inspection found no leaks.

According to Deputy Mayor, the condition of the soil mass in the tunnel intersection zone was evaluated using radio-wave geointroscopy technology, which records changes in electrical characteristics of ground between the existing tunnels and those under construction. This method can help us detect and prevent adverse technological and natural processes that can affect structure safety at an early stage.

Yuri Kravtsov, Mosinzhproekt CEO, adds that during tunnel construction of the eastern section of the BCL, specialists used the interactive technology to control work parameters of tunnel boring machines. They adjusted pressure of shield counterweight in real time. This helped minimize the ground settlement, so the collector of the Nishchenka River settled only by 4.2 millimeters.

Scientific methods of geotechnical control ensured the structure safety. It guarantees further safe operation of facilities of Pechatniki station of the BCL and Lyublinsko-Dmitrovskaya line, as well as the Nishchenka River collector. We also managed to avoid attracting additional resources or increasing the construction period.

The interactive control system of technological parameters of tunnel boring made the Mosinzhproekt Group the winner of "Safety in the construction and operation of underground structures" award in the competition on the best application of advanced technologies in construction of tunnels and underground structures of the Russian Tunneling Association.

The eastern section of the BCL is about 11 kilometers long and includes Nagatinsky Zaton, Klenovy Bulvar, and Tekstilshchiki stations in addition to Pechatniki station.

The Big Circle Line is the major domestic mechanical engineering project. It is 70 kilometers long and has 31 stations. The Big Circle Line connects the existing and future lines of the Moscow metro as well as MCC and MCD platforms.