About Joe

30 Years of TBM experience


I am a mechanical engineer with 30 years of experience in the design, manufacture and application of hard rock and earth pressure balance tunnel boring machines.  For nearly 20 years I was a vice president at The Robbins Company and through the years managed virtually every division of the company, including; engineering, field service, sales, marketing and operations.  I have published more than 25 technical papers on subjects as diverse as: 


  • The importance of a well planned and executed ground conditioning program for successful EPB operations,
  • Design of an EPB for effective injection of ground conditioning agents,
  • Coping with difficult ground and 2000 m of cover in Peru, 
  • How to select the correct TBM for the geology,
  • An engineered approach to TBM modification and refurbishment, 
  • Development of large diameter, high capacity disc cutters for rock

I left Robbins in mid-2014 to start an independent consulting company working for tunnel project owners, civil engineering consultants, contractors, mines, attorneys and others.   


For owners and consultants I can write TBM & EPBM technical specifications for tender documents or advise on the suitability of contractor-selected TBMs, as well as review the selected TBM design, manufacture, operation and maintenance practices. 


For contractors I assist with estimating costs for TBM purchase, transportation, assembly and operation.  I can provide estimates of performance as well as monitor the TBM supplier during machine design & manufacture, and assist the contractor with machine startup, maintenence and performance improvement on the job. 


When disputes arise, I can assist attorneys in understanding tunnel boring machines and the tunneling process, and can provide expert witness reports and testimony.


My professional experience and extensive industry contacts are powerful tools, ready to be put to work on your project.  Please, contact me to discuss your TBM & EPBM tunneling challenges and how I might assist you in overcoming them.


Member: 

International Tunnelling Association

Underground Construction Association of the SME