An evaluation of cutting head design of current tunnel Boring machines and suggestions to improve machine Performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper evaluates cutterhead design of current tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in considerations with the actual cutting action of discs observed on the most common cutter heads. The discs on the current TBM cutter heads were found to predominantly perform asymmetrical cutting action, which generates excessive sideway forces impairing steering action of the machine. The effective s/p ratios related to actual cutting action of discs emerge to be significantly higher than those of the laboratory-determined values, and this consequently leads to adverse cyclic deepening effect. The gross lateral loads arising from excessive side forces were stated to be minimised if the adjacent discs are arranged to cut in symmetrical position by adopting appropriate cutterhead design methods suggested in this paper. Furthermore, a dynamic analysis was carried out in terms of reaction forces on cutter heads of different geometries, and it was indicated that flat face cutter heads have better steering abilities than conical or domed types, in mixed face conditions. Similar analysis on disc angular spacing also inferred that scattered type disc arrangements with equal angular spacing are preferable to cutterheads with spoke or star type lacing, in terms of cutterhead balance.