Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jay Dee Contractors, Inc.
During the construction of an underground tunnel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) encountered large obstructions which caused damage to the machine and suspended tunnel progress. Ground freezing, using liquid nitrogen to create a strong watertight frozen earth envelopes around the TBM.
Field crews worked around the clock to install the necessary freeze pipes. The extremely low temperature of liquid nitrogen formed the frozen wall in less than four days. After freezing, excavation proceeded from the ground surface, enabling crews to perform the necessary repairs.
This project demonstrated the ability of the field crews to respond quickly to an emergency situation, and exhibited the potential of liquid nitrogen to freeze ground rapidly when the need for immediate groundwater control is necessary.
