Tunnel construction with Box Jacking for airports

VSL Box Jacking: building two tunnels under a live railway in Hong Kong

Minimizing disruption during tunnel construction under live airport infrastructure

Box jacking is a trenchless tunneling method ideally suited for constructing tunnels under critical airport infrastructure—such as live railways or taxiways—without interrupting operations. VSL combines ground engineering, structural works, and jacking technology to offer a fully integrated solution.

Why use Box Jacking for tunnel construction in airport zones

Airports demand uninterrupted operation of runways, railways, and service roads. Box jacking allows the construction of large underground passages without open-cut excavation, ensuring safety, minimizing disruptions, and reducing environmental impact.

Box jacking eliminates the need for open-cut works, allowing tunnel installation while runways, railways, and service roads remain fully operational.

The method maintains strict control over ground movements, protecting sensitive airport assets and ensuring compliance with settlement criteria.

Guided jacking systems and synchronized hydraulic equipment ensure accurate positioning of the tunnel box throughout the entire jacking sequence.

Box jacking integrates ground improvement techniques that stabilize weak or heterogeneous soils, ensuring safe and reliable advancement of the structure.

The compact footprint of jacking operations enables construction in areas with limited access, minimizing disruption to surrounding facilities and ongoing works.

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Discover VSL's integrated Box Jacking services

VSL provides a turnkey approach that covers ground treatment, tunneling, and heavy civil works—coordinated under a single contract.

Ground improvement

Using TAM grouting, jet grouting and/or compensation grouting.

Horizontal pipe pile canopy installation

With micro TBMs or horizontal Odex method.

Design and construction of jacking slabs and tunnel boxes

Jacking operations

With combination of ram jacks strand jacks, and synchronized control systems.

Excavation

Staged sequences with face stabilization by soil nail.

Why Choose VSL for Box Jacking operations?

Drone view of box jacking tunnel construction at Hong Kong International Airport

  • Single-source delivery

    Ground treatment, structural design, and jacking—all managed by one team.

  • Airport-ready operations

    Works conducted under live railways with strict ground settlement control.

  • Advanced engineering

    Design and execution of jacking slabs with post-tensioning and anchoring.

  • Precision execution

    Jacking monitored in real-time with centralized control systems.

Frequently asked questions about Box Jacking

These are some of the most common questions we receive. Got another one? Reach out to us!

Yes. Box jacking minimizes ground disturbance, making it ideal for tunnels beneath sensitive assets.

Using hydraulic ram jacks and strand jacks in synchronized sequences, guided by kerbs and aided by low-friction interfaces.

Through pre-treatment (grout blocks), canopy support with pipe piles, and compensation grouting if needed.

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Planning a tunnel under active airport or rail infrastructure?

Contact VSL to learn how box jacking can deliver fast, safe, and disruption-free tunnel construction.