Name:	Anthony Ivansmith
Experience:	44 Years
Nationality:	Australian / Bolivian
Profession:	TBM Engineer

This tunnel was the most difficult in my over 30-years of experience. When I arrived in Cochabamba in January 2000, there was only 300 meters of bored tunnel completed since November 1997. The complexity to advance a hard-rock Robbins TBM through cataclastic fault zones, water incursion, squeezing ground with nearly a kilometer of cover proved nearly insurmountable. In one instance, the force of the water and the collapsed de-compressed fractured hard sandstone pushed the gripped TBM back over 2 meters. All of these unique conditions required the development of new singular, mining and support techniques to advance through these problematic zones.

I have been involved in the mining and tunneling industry since 1962 when I first joined Union Carbide Nuclear Research Center at Sterling Forest, Tuxedo Park New York. In 1965, I joined Geoscience Incorporated, Cambridge, MA, where I was involved in computer program evolution and the data analysis development for Induced Polarization, Seismic and Magneto Telluric techniques developed by the company. At that time, I had a top-secret security clearance with the USAF and the USN's "Project Sanguine", the low frequency communication system to submarines. Ultimately I was appointed manager of Geoscience's subsidiary Geotecnica SA in Seville Spain and then manager of their exploration division in Tucson Arizona, Geoscience then a subsidiary of Ampex Corporation. After this period, I chose to return to the University of Arizona to obtain a master's degree in Geology/Geophysics.

My first introduction to the Tunnel Boring industry was as a superintendent in 1972 for the 17.7 km (11-mile) cross-town Interceptor in Austin Texas. Afterwards I joined the Robbins Company as a Field Engineer where I was involved in over 25 tunnels. Subsequently I became Project Superintendent for Traylor Brothers $21.00 million Sacajacuada Interceptor in Buffalo New York.

In 1981 I formed Teca and was a consultant to the US Justice Department, Sandia National Laboratories, the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (NWTRB), The Robbins Company and Atlas Copco Jarva Inc as well as others. In addition, numerous other tunnel contractors worldwide such as Harrison Western Corporation, Granite Construction, Elmore Pipe Jacking, J F Shea, Dynatec and Terra Tek have employed my services. Career wise now totaling over45-t.unnels. Teca did receive funding from the USAF and the State of Utah for disc cutter development with their Small Business Incentive Research Proposals (SBIR). These included the development of polycrystalline diamond bearings, cryogenic treatment of steels for cutter discs and evaluation of petroleum and synthetic oils.

I have numerous other credits during my extended 30-year career with RBM's, Micro TBM's, EPBM's and Shields. In the early 1980´s as a Technical Consultant to Atlas Copco Jarva, Solon Ohio USA I developed the hydraulic and electrical systems for a new Raise Borers (RBM) the R-200 series. There I designed, programmed and implemented the world's first underground application of full computer control (Texas Instruments PLC) and variable frequency drives (Eaton Dynamic VFD's). I have since developed unique thrust systems for tunnel shields with gyroscopic and automated controls for steering. Lately I designed and implemented the hydraulic and controls systems for a new series of double-row rubber track, grape-picking machine, employed by Kendall Jackson Wineries of California.

I believe I am highly qualified in the design and field application of electrical, hydraulic and mechanical systems for underground excavation concepts. I introduced the PT-Tech torque limiting clutches, high efficiency AC-drive motors and a 45,000-foot PLC controlled horizontal and a 350-foot vertical conveyor mucking system. Also and in particular the longest continuous underground pumped concrete backfill at 3,250 feet: the highest utilization for a 6.5 meter TBM of 73.3% in Chicago and a tunnel at 14.5 % with a rail based mucking system.

I was the only member from the tunnel boring industry on the special committee for Cost and Scheduling for the Exploratory Shaft Facility at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, as the "Mining Consultant" to Sandia National Laboratories. I was instrumental in the change of the excavation technology from drill and blast to TBM bored tunnel and the US Department of Energy's issuance of a contract for the purchase of a conveyor mucking system at Yucca Mountain Nevada. In addition, as consultant to the NWTRB I wrote technical reports such as "An Excavation Strategy at Yucca Mountain", and contributed to their public meetings in Nevada as well as their annual reports to congress. I have also written articles on TBM's, for World Tunneling and Trenchless Technology as well a many other technical papers.

Contact

e-mail: aivansmith@msn.com