Proven Tunnel Shotcreting Performance in Extreme Site Conditions

May 23, 25

Dharakhoh–Maramjhiri 3rd Railway Line Tunnel, Madhya Pradesh - India

 

Project Overview 

The Dharakhoh–Maramjhiri 3rd Railway Line Tunnel project, executed for RVNL, involved the construction of four railway tunnels spanning a combined length of 1.6 km. As a strategically important railway infrastructure development, the project demanded highly efficient and precisely controlled shotcreting operations capable of performing consistently under complex geological conditions. Ensuring o perational continuity, application accuracy, and daily cycle efficiency was critical to maintaining project timelines. 

  

Challenge 

Tunnel execution in demanding geological environments required: 

  • Extended boom reach for maximum coverage with minimal repositioning  

  • Stable, low-pulsation concrete flow despite mix design variations  

  • Precise additive dosing and uniform shotcrete application  

  • Reliable machine performance across all four tunnel sections  

  • Maintaining productivity while ensuring superior shotcreting quality was essential throughout the execution cycle. 

 

The Putzmeister Solution 

The Putzmeister SPM 500 was deployed as the primary shotcreting solution across the entire project. Equipped with a 17 m vertical reach, 15 m horizontal reach, and 30 m lateral coverage, the machine enabled extensive spraying access while significantly reducing operational movement inside the tunnels. 

Its advanced spraying head with 9 degrees of freedom, combined with a peristaltic additive pump, ensured precise dosing and highly uniform concrete application. The robust PM 1810 pumping unit further delivered exceptionally stable and low-pulsation concrete flow, enabling consistent shotcreting performance even under challenging site conditions. 

 

 

Performance Highlights 

  • Single SPM 500 deployed successfully across all four tunnels  

  • Optimized rebound maintained between 6–8%  

  • Stable and low-pulsation concrete flow throughout operations  

  • Reduced repositioning for improved cycle efficiency  

  • Consistent and uniform shotcrete application in demanding tunnel environments 

Impact 

The Putzmeister SPM 500 played a critical role in enhancing shotcreting efficiency and construction quality throughout the Dharakhoh–Maramjhiri railway tunnel project. 

Its extended reach capabilities, stable concrete flow, and precision-controlled application enabled faster execution with reduced material wastage and improved operational consistency. Even in highly demanding geological conditions, the machine delivered dependable performance that supported efficient tunnel progress while maintaining stringent quality standards. By combining productivity, precision, and reliability, the Putzmeister SPM 500 reinforced Putzmeister’s position as a trusted partner for complex underground infrastructure and railway tunnelling projects across India.