Recently, the construction project for the No. 2 and No. 3 underpass passages of the Phase III Expansion Project of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport conducted a special emergency rescue drill for shield tunneling construction, in order to effectively improve the emergency response and support capabilities for unexpected incidents during shield tunneling construction of the airport underpass passages.

The Phase III Expansion Project of Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is the largest reconstruction and expansion project in China's civil aviation sector to date, and the shield tunneling construction for the No. 2 and No. 3 underpass passages is also the first case in the industry of shield tunneling beneath an operating taxiway and runway. Runway safety is a critical part of airport operations. To test the operability and practical effectiveness of the emergency plans for shield tunneling construction of Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and the construction unit, this drill was specially conducted.

The drill simulated a scenario in which, during construction of the project, when the shield machine on Line B had advanced to ring 135 (30 meters from the east outer runway), soil collapsed in the runway strip area above the cutterhead. After the incident occurred, the emergency response was handled in three stages. In the initial response stage, when the collapse occurred, the shield machine continued tunneling without stopping so that the shield tail could pass through the collapse area, preventing the collapse area from expanding; personnel and materials were deployed according to the emergency plan, pipeline handling measures were coordinated, and the corresponding runway and taxiway were closed. In the comprehensive response stage, forces from all parties arrived at the site and a site command center was established. Airport security inspection, airport fire services, the Construction Management Department, the Flight Management Department, the Engineering Construction Command, and the construction unit immediately carried out analysis of the repair plan and conducted rapid repairs according to the plan. In the later response stage, after pipeline repairs were completed and soil backfilling and leveling were finished, the Flight Management Department conducted an applicability inspection of the site and reported the restoration status to the site general command center and the operations control center. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Co., Ltd., the command center, and the construction unit continued to properly manage public opinion related to the incident. After the general commander announced the termination of the emergency response, the airport operations control center completed the reporting of incident handling information according to the plan, and the Safety Supervision Department of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Co., Ltd. organized incident investigation, evaluation, and summary work. The drill then concluded.

Next, the project team will, in light of the project's unique characteristics, conduct regular review and summary sessions focused on the milestones and key processes of shield tunneling construction, establish a resource database, engage in deep collaboration with relevant units, and continue to carry out emergency training to enhance emergency management capabilities, ensure construction safety, and lay a solid foundation for subsequent construction.