GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam researcher Rüdiger Giese and his team have been awarded Technology Foundation Brandenburg’s Technology Transfer Award 2008 for their Integrated Seismic Imaging System (ISIS). The technology forecasts the geological characteristics of rock masses before tunnels are excavated, without interfering with ongoing tunnelling procedures. Based on applying seismic impulses instead of explosive charges, the innovation aims increase safety, efficiency and rapidity of tunnel excavation.
ISIS tunnel excavation technology relies on anchors cemented in metre-deep boreholes either radial or in the direction of tunnelling, which receive and process applied seismic impulses which are triggered by a pneumatic hammer or electromagnetic vibration source.
Giese said: “The idea is to use the tunnel-anchor to install a measuring system for seismic three-component receivers with their antenna in such a way that high-resolution seismic image of the rock mass during excavation is possible. Small earth-microphones (geophones) serve as receivers, which are implanted in the pinnacles of the rock anchor. Herewith the different seismic waves can be supersensitively compiled. The data gives information on changes in the rock mass and eventually on water-bearing stratum.”
Reinhard Hüttl, Scientific Executive Director of GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, said: “We are pleased that we could obtain Herrenknecht AG, the global market leader in tunnel excavation, as our partner for the market launch of the ISIS system. This is thanks to the excellent work of Herr Giese’s team. I heartily congratulate Dr Giese on receiving this award.”
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