In-situ Measurements of Cutter Forces on Boring Machine at Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory Part I. Laboratory Calibration and In-situ Measurements

Abstract

This paper presents the testing methods used and the results obtained in an investigation of the cutter forces on a Boretec DS 1.6 boring machine during field boring in Aspo Hard Rock Laboratory. Two button cutters, one front cutter and one gauge cutter, were used in the field measurements. A total of 6 strain gauges were bonded on the shaft of each cutter. And each group of two gauges was used to measure a one-orthogonal cutter force component, i.e. the normal force, tangential force, and side force, respectively. In order to measure the cutter forces successfully, a telemetry system composed of a transmitter and a receiver was employed to transfer the signals from the strain gauges to a computer. A three-direction-loading system was employed in the laboratory calibration so as to solve the force-coupling problem appearing in the cutter force measurements. Correspondingly, a mathematical treatment of the force-coupling problem was performed. Then, by means of the established testing system, which was proved successful in the laboratory, the normal force, tangential force, and side force of the two button cutters on the boring machine were measured in the field. In addition, the penetration rate, thrust, and rotation speed of the boring machine were also recorded in the field. The results show the following. (1) A force-coupling phenomenon really exists and it should be considered. (2) All three directional force components always show quite a high peak value every few seconds. (3) The cutter forces of the front cutter are always much larger than the respective cutter forces of the gauge cutter. Moreover, as expected, the normal force of each cutter is much larger than the tangential force and side force of the cutter in question.