Experimental study on the wear and temperature of TBM disc cutter under different tunneling parameters

Abstract

The wear of disc cutters during tunnel boring machine (TBM) propulsion is a common issue that affects their operational efficiency. One of the important factors influencing disc cutter wear resistance is the temperature rise associated with continuous tunneling. In this study, an MH-I rolling indentation abrasion system was utilized to investigate the wear behavior of model cutter ring cutting different types of rocks, including granite, andesite, and sandstone, under varying tunneling parameters. Specifically, the wear quality of the cutter was assessed under different thrust and rotational speeds, with the surface temperature being monitored using a thermal imaging system. The experimental findings revealed that the Cerchar abrasivity index (CAI) significantly affects cutter wear, with rock strength being a crucial factor in evaluating rock wear based on the CAI coefficient. Moreover, increasing the thrust was found to increase the stable temperature of the cutter ring, with the thrust exhibiting an inverse tangent relationship with the cutter temperature. The surface wear mechanism of the disc cutter under low thrust conditions is primarily attributed to micro-cutting. As the thrust force increases, the surface temperature of the tool rises, leading to a plowing wear mechanism characterized by plastic deformation. Furthermore, increasing the cutting speed was associated with a higher cutter temperature and wear quality. Finally, it was suggested that to mitigate cutter wear, the TBM speed should be reduced when the rock strength is high to keep the cutter within a suitable service temperature range. These research results provide valuable insights into selecting appropriate TBM tunneling parameters.