Penetration rate analysis for tunnel boring machine in grinding conditions

Abstract

Mechanized tunneling in hard rock is associated with various challenges and risks, one of which is the penetration rate of Tunnel Boring Machine and the occurrence of grinding and chipping in various conditions. When the strength of the rock is high and the amount of jointing is low, the penetration rate of the machine is reduced and instead of forming rock chips in the tunnel face. In these conditions, which is called grinding, tunneling is associated with wear and high consumption of cutting tools as well as a severe reduction in the efficiency of excavation operations. In this paper, the boundary between grinding and chipping processes is investigated and a criterion for determining the minimum normal force in different geomechanical conditions required to create chipping condition is presented. For this purpose, data related to Kerman Water Tunnel and Southern extension of Tehran Metro Line 6 tunnel are used. In this regard, by comparing the normal forces on the cutting tools and the resulting penetration rate, the threshold for changing conditions from the grinding phenomenon to chipping is determined. The results show that the amount of normal force required to be applied by the disc cutter to the rock mass to excavate under the chipping conditions for rocks with medium, high and very high uniaxial compressive strength are equal to 130, 210 and 225 kN, respectively. Moreover, by examining the data of Metro Line 6, the role of joints in providing the conditions for chips formation was investigated and the result showed that the boundary between grinding and chipping for medium strength rocks can be at RQD=75%. It was also found that with the penetration rate exceeding a certain threshold, a slight increase in normal force causes a significant increase in the penetration rate, which increases efficiency and reduces operating costs.