Seitenbohrung

Seitenbohrung, or side drilling, is a construction and tunneling technique used to create horizontal or inclined openings from an existing main tunnel or shaft. This method is particularly useful for accessing specific locations that are not directly reachable from the main passage, such as service rooms, cross-passages, or ventilation shafts. Seitenbohrung can be performed using various boring machines, often smaller in scale than those used for main tunnel excavation.

The process typically involves advancing a tunnel boring machine (TBM) or a specialized drilling apparatus from a pre-established opening in the main tunnel wall. The equipment is designed to operate in confined spaces and to precisely control the direction and alignment of the side tunnel. The excavated material is then removed, and the side tunnel is supported using standard tunneling methods like shotcrete, rock bolts, or segmental lining, depending on the geological conditions.

Advantages of Seitenbohrung include minimizing disruption to the main tunnel's operation during construction, reduced overall project cost compared to constructing separate access shafts, and improved safety by avoiding prolonged surface work. This technique is commonly employed in urban tunneling projects where space is limited and in underground infrastructure development requiring intricate network connections. The precision required for Seitenbohrung necessitates careful planning and execution by experienced engineering teams.