The Big Dig Challenge

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Introduction
Location
Machine
Transportation
Shifts
Challenges
Variables
Expectations
ThingstoConsider:Teamsafety6memberteam
Logisti
cs
Equipment
Realities
Timeline
Distance
Pictures

Introduction

NamesandRoles
Katelyn Truong

Cost,Shifts,Equipment,
Megan Ramaswami

Introductions,Expectations,Timeline
DanaMin

Variables,Location,Machines
Karen Park
-
Challenges,Logistics
Bianca Gao -
TeamSafety,Distance,Realities
Sally Swine-Burger
(sixthperson)

Location
Salton City- We are going to pick Salton City because, Salton City is a Divergent Boundary
and is in CaliforniaA divergent boundary is where the tectonic plates are moving apart forming a
gap in the middle of the two plates. We can dig through the divergent boundary. Salton City is
266 feet below sea level so we can get a head start compared to other teams, who are starting in
higher elevation.

Machine
For this project we will need the following equipment / machines. We are going to use Mom
Chung ( tunnel boring machine). Mom Chung will cost $618.29 million. We are also going to use
mining trucks that will cost $200.00 per truck , for a total of $400.00 because we are going to buy
2 mining trucks. We are going to buy 3 toro electric power shovel ( TEPS ) which costs $130.00
each. If we buy 3 TEPS it is going to cost $390.00.
Total machinery cost is $61,829,790.00.

Transportation
We are going to use a airplane to transport our supplies to Salton City. Salton City is in
California so we will probably be at Salton City soon. Mom Chung was currently working on a
project in San Francisco, CA so all the equipment will come probably at the same time.

Shifts
Each sub-team will work 8 hours a day as we get further down it will become more
dangerous. For safety each person will pair up with a partner. On the first day we will all work
together since we are new and need to get used to it. Then on the next day we would split up and
take shifts.

Challenges
While we are digging there would be a lot of challenges we have to face. While we are
digging underground there could be big and hard rock that we cannot break through. If we dig
down, little pieces of dirt and rocks will fall while we are digging so we have to dig diagonally.

Variables
What can possibly go wrong?
What things are in/out of your control?
Some of our group members can get hurt because something can drop on them or little bits
of dirt can cave in while we are digging diagonal.We can control how long we are going to work
and when we are going to have a break. But, we can not control how fast the machine goes and
how far down we can dig.

Expectations
As we are digging down into the lithosphere if nothing happens, and we get deeper into the
Earth, it will get hotter because of the mantles hotness. To keep cool, we would bring cool water
and take breaks so we dont faint because of the heat.

Things to Consider:Team safety

- 6 member team
How will you keep your team safe as they go deeper into the Earth?
How many people does it take to operate the machinery? Will you be in sub-teams?
As we go farther into the earth, it will be hotter and harder to breathe so we would bring oxygen
tanks and water with us.

Each TBM required a team of 22 operators at all times, 24 hours a day, seven days per week. - City
North Infrastructure
If we need 22 operators for our TBM,and we only have 6 people, it will take a lot more work
than a regular team. We would all work together in the morning,when we are all awake and
energized. Then, in the afternoon,one team will work together while the other team rests. Then,
at dusk, the team that was working will stop and the team that was resting will start working. At
12 oclock,midnight,that team stops to rest and the whole team can sleep.

Logistics
We will start the dig at Salton City. Salton City is 226 feet below sea level because of the
advantage. We will start in the morning at 6 am so we dont have to work in the boiling hot sun.
We will start on April 1st because April is in the spring time so it would be cool and breezy and easy
to work. In the spring time it is cool at Salton City because in the summer it is over 100 degrees.

Equipment
:
1. Electric shovels to dig out the excess dirt
2. Mining trucks
3. Wheelbarrows to carry out the minerals if found

Realities
Limitations (physical, psychological, etc.)
We wont get past the lithosphere since once we get way down, part of the mantle
will be there and it will be very hot.
The absolute limit of your project (point of no return)
Since it is too hot, we will die because of the heat.
Cost and scale/scope of the project
the total will be $162,370.57 million

Timeline
We are going to be digging 1,240 feet in a month with Mom Chung. Each day we are going to
be digging 40 feet each day.

Distance
- depth to get to certain layers
At what point are you digging down vs. digging your way out?
We are digging down at Salton City on April 1, 2014 at 6:00 am.
We are going to dig our way out once we reach the mantle.
What challenges will you run into at certain depths?
In the crust there are rocks and dirt and it might fall down on us and we will get
hurt.
In the mantle,it is too hot to be in so we will not get past the mantle
What exactly are you digging through at different depths? (composition of layer)
In the lithosphere, we will be digging through soil, dirt, sedimentary rocks,
igneous, and metamorphic rocks are deeper in the mantle.

Pictures

{Machine: TBM - Mom

Chung}

{Dirt Holder:Minetruck}-

{Starting Point: Salton City}

{TEPS Shovel}

{Wheelbarrow}