Apr 17 2025
Lone Star Texas Grill - 930 Dixon Rd, Toronto, Ontario
TAC Ontario Chapter Event: The role of mechanized shaft sinking with VSM in inner-city applications

Title:
The role of mechanized shaft sinking with VSM in inner-city applications

Presenter:
Stefan Frey
Product Manager VSM – Shaft Sinking
Business Unit Utility Tunnelling
Herrenknecht AG

Abstract:
Space on the surface is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. Safe and economic construction of underground infrastructure in steadily increasing depths requires mechanized tunnelling and shaft sinking solutions. Shafts are needed for tunnelling operations, sewer systems, storage or for ventilation and rescue purposes in traffic tunnels.

The Vertical Shaft Sinking technology (VSM) is a mechanized approach developed to overcome challenging mixed ground conditions with high groundwater tables, and safety or economic limits of conventional methods. Since 2004, far more than 100 circular shafts have been sunk with VSM, in depths of up to 115 meters and an inner shaft diameter range from 4.5 to 12 meters. The VSM is remote-controlled from the surface, thus, it is a completely unmanned sinking procedure without personnel required in the shaft during the sinking process. It meets the key requirements for shaft construction in inner cities: no groundwater lowering, maximum production accuracy and safety, and flexible arrangement of jobsite equipment.
Due to the electrified operation of the overall VSM equipment with the possibility to be powered by the local grid, the CO2 footprint and noise emissions can be considerably reduced compared to conventional construction methods. When using prefabricated concrete segments, shaft sinking with VSM requires up to 40% less concrete for the shaft structure.

This presentation will introduce the VSM technology, with international project references in urban infrastructure projects.

About Stefan Frey:
Stefan Frey was born in 1977 in Freudenstadt, Germany. After his degree in Mechanical Engineering he started working for Herrenknecht AG in 2007 as a Project Manager in the Business Unit Utility Tunnelling, in charge of worldwide Shaft Sinking and Utility Tunnelling projects. In 2016 he has become the Product Manager for Vertical Shaft Sinking Equipment (VSM). His focus is on the further development of mechanized shaft sinking and the evaluation of its applicability in international underground projects.