MasterRoc SLF 325

Foaming Agent for Heterogeneous Grounds with Low to Medium Permeability,
Readily Biodegradable for Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) Applications

Material Description

MasterRoc SLF 325 is a highly biodegradable, cost-effective, high-performance foaming agent, specifically designed to improve contractor’s tunnelling performance. It will be easier for the TBM Operator to control the rheology of the soil without altering the construction performance. MasterRoc SLF 325 guarantees a new improved foam stability that guarantees proper EPB counter pressure. Its improved foam properties will ensure better control of the ground pressure, reducing the risk of additional ground settlement at the surface and over excavation. MasterRoc SLF 325 is an eco-friendly foaming agent, based on readily biodegradable raw materials.

Areas of Application

MasterRoc SLF 325 is designed for silt to sandy soils in environments above 11 °C. MasterRoc SLF 325 creates a highly stable foam to hold the face pressure and maintain the rheology of the excavated ground longer than conventional foaming agents. MasterRoc SLF 325 can be used with the standard foam generators installed in all EPB machines. It can be injected at the cutterhead to the front, into the TBM working chamber and in the screw conveyor.

Characteristics and Benefits

Operational

• Due to the high foaming capacity, it will be possible to work with high FER values avoiding the collapse of the foam, compared to standard foaming agents.

• You will work with lower FIR values to obtain the desired soil rheology, compared to standard foaming agents.

• Improved face excavation support pressure and control.

• Improved TBM excavation cycle’s time, quality, and cost.

• Facilitated muck extraction from tunnel and from the muck pit area.

• Improved overall tunnel performance.

• Reduced tunnel excavation time.

• Reduced TBM maintenance costs.

• Optimized muck logistics outside job site.

• Minimized over excavation and contractual disputes.

• Reduced risk of surface settlement.

Technical

• Improved soil behavior.

• Reduced soil permeability.

• Creation of plastic deformation properties in the soil, which increases face stability.

• Lower inner friction and lower abrasiveness of the soil at the cutterhead and shield.

• Reduced stickiness of soils with high fines contents (i.e. < 0.063 mm), which would lead otherwise to clogging and blockage problems.