On April 12, the “CREC No. 1559” earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine (TBM), independently developed by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group under China Railway Hi-Tech Industry (both subsidiaries of China Railway Group Limited), passed acceptance and rolled off the production line at its Zhengzhou base. The TBM will be deployed in the Karay Dam transmission line tunnel project in Türkiye.
The Karay Dam transmission line tunnel, located in Çermik District of Diyarbakır Province, Türkiye, has a total length of 9.5 kilometers and a maximum burial depth of 410 meters. Planned as a single-drive excavation, the project faces complex geological conditions including long stretches of rock strata and multiple fault-fracture zones, placing stringent demands on equipment wear resistance. To address key challenges such as long-distance tunneling and great depth, the engineering team customized the “CREC No. 1559” TBM. With an excavation diameter of 5.37 meters and a total length of 93 meters, the machine features optimized cutterhead structural strength and enhanced wear resistance of the screw conveyor, ensuring efficient long-distance tunneling.
Upon completion, the Karay Dam transmission line tunnel project is expected to further enhance agricultural productivity in the region and support the sustainable utilization of water resources.
