Tunnel Technologies and Tunnelling Methods | Casagrande Group

Tunnelling

Drilling and reinforcement solutions for tunnel excavation and underground works.

Overview

Tunnelling includes a set of specialised drilling and ground reinforcement techniques used to ensure stability and safety during underground excavation.
These solutions are applied to support tunnel faces, reinforce the surrounding ground and control deformation in weak or fractured rock and soil.
Typical applications include rock bolts and forepoles, which are essential during sequential excavation methods.
Tunnelling technologies enable precise installation with low vibration, reduced disturbance and high operational safety, even in complex geological conditions or confined underground environments.

Available technologies

Forepoles

Forepoles are steel tubes or bars installed ahead of the tunnel face to create a pre-support canopy. This technique is used in soft ground, mixed face conditions or shallow tunnels where ground stability is critical during excavation. Forepoles reduce deformation and collapse risk by forming a protective umbrella that supports the ground until the final lining is installed. Installation involves drilling inclined holes and inserting steel elements, often followed by grouting.

Rock bolts

Rock bolts are structural reinforcement elements installed in drilled holes within rock masses to stabilise tunnel crowns, walls and faces. They work by binding fractured or jointed rock into a single load-bearing structure. Rock bolts are installed by drilling, inserting steel bars or bolts and grouting them in place. This technique provides immediate support, improves overall rock mass strength and is commonly combined with shotcrete or mesh for tunnel support systems.

Comparison table

TechnologyIdeal ground conditionsMax. length / depthVibrationsResulting materialIdeal for
Rock bolts Competent or fractured rock Up to ~6–8 m (typical) Very low Grouted steel bars or bolts Tunnel crown and wall stabilisation, rock mass reinforcement
Forepoles Soft soils, mixed face, weak rock Up to ~12–15 m (typical) Very low Steel tubes or bars with grout Tunnel face pre-support, shallow and urban tunnels

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