Abstract
The utility tunnels used for electricity transmission are in high demand these days. The literature presents many limitations in the currently used cutterhead drive design procedure while using a shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the excavation of these relatively small diameter tunnels. In order to develop an appropriate design method specially for cutterhead drive, experimental data obtained through the operation of a 3560 mm diameter shield TBM were used in this research work. For experimental purpose, an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield TBM was manufactured and a facility was established for performing the full-scale tunneling tests. Numerous tests were performed through the variation of TBM operational parameters such as thrust force and the rotational speed of the cutterhead at four UCS (Uniaxial compressive strength) levels of artificial rock mass. The relationships between thrust force and torque were mainly established and the effects of UCS and rotational speed of cutterhead on these relationships are analyzed through a representative case of 100 MPa UCS. A novel torque estimation method is also presented in this study which can be conveniently used in the cutterhead drive design while using small diameter shield TBMs.
Highlights
The choice of excavation method in any tunnel construction project directly affects the project cost
The main purpose of this study is to suggest the estimation of torque for its use in the design of cutterhead drive of shield tunnel boring machine (TBM), the details of relationships between thrust force and penetration depth were not focused upon in this study
In order to cater the increasing demand of utility tunnels for the purpose of electricity transmission, full-scale tunneling tests were performed for developing an indigenous design method using a 3560 mm diameter shield TBM
Summary
The choice of excavation method in any tunnel construction project directly affects the project cost. South Korea because the specific testing and uses of indices for TBM design with different rock mass properties using these approaches is not completely apprehended Keeping these limitations in view, KEPCO research institute established a full-scale tunneling test facility for the purpose of designing the TBM cutterhead drive. A new torque estimation method was developed for use in the construction of small diameter utility tunnels considering rock mass strength and TBM operational parameters. For this this study, study, an an earth earth pressure pressure balance balance (EPB).
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