Big Bertha Stopped In Her Tracks.

[two_bit_score]

> Unstoppable Force, Immovable Object: Seattle’s Big Bertha halted by mystery object | Equipment World | Construction Equipment, News and Information | Heavy Construction Equipment


> Big Bertha remains idle after hitting mystery object | Local & Regional | Seattle News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KOMO News

Has Big Bertha met her match? She has, at least for the time being. The worldç—´ largest tunnel-boring machine was recently brought to a halt 60 feet beneath the streets of Seattle, Washington when it hit an unknown object and could move no farther, reported KOMOnews.com. The five-story head of the machine was completely brought to a halt by the object and, erring on the side of caution, Washington State Department of Transportation officials decided to shut her down until they could figure out what was in the way. 展eæ±*e being really cautious, WSDOTç—´ KaDeena Yerkan told CBS News. 展e want to make sure we don稚 damage this $80 million machine. Officials say it could take up to two weeks to figure out just what is obstructing the machine. It could be a large boulder. 展e致e got a general idea of how many boulders there might be and what size they might be, deputy project manager Gregory Hauser told CBS. 釘ut, thereç—´ no guarantee that there couldn稚 be a 20-footer sitting in the way. - See more at: Unstoppable Force, Immovable Object: Seattle’s Big Bertha halted by mystery object | Equipment World | Construction Equipment, News and Information | Heavy Construction Equipment

 

[3930dave]

A railway tunnel was being enlarged here for double-stack cars, I think it was at Sarnia.

They broke something major in the boring machine - had to pull it out for off-site repair. And, we think tractors are a PITA to fix ! :laughing:

At the end of the job, somebody did a comparison. The original tunnel had been dug (by hand, way back !) a lot quicker than the re-bore was accomplished. Progress ?

Rgds, D.

 

[BeezFun]

They probably hit an ancient burial site for congressmen. Even when they're dead they're stopping progress.

 

[two_bit_score]

A railway tunnel was being enlarged here for double-stack cars, I think it was at Sarnia.

They broke something major in the boring machine - had to pull it out for off-site repair. And, we think tractors are a PITA to fix ! :laughing:

At the end of the job, somebody did a comparison. The original tunnel had been dug (by hand, way back !) a lot quicker than the re-bore was accomplished. Progress ?

Rgds, D.

They probably hit an ancient burial site for congressmen. Even when they're dead they're stopping progress.

It does make you wonder doesn't it.

.

 

[Depmandog]

Interesting. The little I know about TBM's (tunnel boring machines) is from watching television programs documenting other tunnel projects.

I am positive I recall another project where they (the other TBM's crew) preferred hard granite to bore through. Might not make record speed, but the solid surface created less stability issues. I am surprised they are saying a "boulder" would stop this. I could possibly see a boulder losing grip in the fill, and rotating with the cutter head - perhaps that's what is happening.

Other than that - I think it would have to be a massive iron object. Old ships hull or boiler. Surprised they haven't brought in a magnetometer already.

Keep us informed.

 

[two_bit_score]

Interesting. The little I know about TBM's (tunnel boring machines) is from watching television programs documenting other tunnel projects.

I am positive I recall another project where they (the other TBM's crew) preferred hard granite to bore through. Might not make record speed, but the solid surface created less stability issues. I am surprised they are saying a "boulder" would stop this. I could possibly see a boulder losing grip in the fill, and rotating with the cutter head - perhaps that's what is happening.

Other than that - I think it would have to be a massive iron object. Old ships hull or boiler. Surprised they haven't brought in a magnetometer already.

Keep us informed.

Reading some of the comments on that KOMO article is interesting what locals are saying about the projects and their speculations about what it might be.

 

[sparc]

A railway tunnel was being enlarged here for double-stack cars, I think it was at Sarnia.

They broke something major in the boring machine - had to pull it out for off-site repair. And, we think tractors are a PITA to fix ! :laughing:

At the end of the job, somebody did a comparison. The original tunnel had been dug (by hand, way back !) a lot quicker than the re-bore was accomplished. Progress ?

Rgds, D.

But how many lives were lost hand-digging and how many injuries?

 

[sparc]

They probably hit an ancient burial site for congressmen. Even when they're dead they're stopping progress.

that's priceless, gotta remember that one.

 

[3930dave]

But how many lives were lost hand-digging and how many injuries?

Understood, acknowledged, and don't know.

I just like to keep in mind what was accomplished in the past, with less advanced techniques.

Rgds, D.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Two possibilities. Ancient alien space ship with an unobatium hull or a Godzilla Egg.