Successful Placement of TE8

The second-to-last tunnel element is now in place: a massive 60,000-ton concrete section positioned with millimetre precision: made possible by a lot of hydraulic jacks.

How it works:

• Primary Jacks (Front)
  Three heavy jacks are installed between the new element and the previous one, combined into a single virtual support point. Divers install these jacks in the steel catching structure before the element is lowered. The structure centers the new element and sets the height at the front.
• Secondary Jacks (Rear)
  Two pins in the floor are equipped with eight 100-ton jacks per pin. These jacks precisely adjust the height of the element after sinking and ensure exact positioning.
• Pulling Jacks
  The pulling system, operated from the primary sinking pontoon, pulls the element tightly against the previous one, ensuring an optimal seal of the rubber joint.
• Waggle System
  At both walls, 3,000 tons of jacks push the rear of the element into place.

Why all the hydraulic jacking?

Immersing tunnel elements isn’t just sinking and connecting. Millimetre precision, strict planning and work under changing currents are needed for 60,000-ton sections. The jacks ensure each element fits perfectly. Step by step, we are building a durable, watertight tunnel.

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