Earth Pressure Balance Shield Machine Research Articles

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE TRANSIENT TEMPERATURE TEST OF THE PLANETARY GEAR REDUCER OF THE EPBM

A temperature test apparatus has been designed to measure the temperature rise of the planetary gear train. The experimental platform integrated the temperature test system, siemens operating system and industrial personal computer (IPC). The temperatures of various locations have been investigated under rated condition and the oil temperature-rise time under different speed was estimated. The experimental results indicated that the temperatures of the super-speed planetary gear train (PGT) of the earth pressure balance shield machine (EPBM) rise quickly than the low-speed PGT and the speed has significant influence on the temperature of the PGT. Through comparison the oil temperatures under reverse direction and forward direction, the direction of the motor has little influence on the temperature of the PGT.

Gray Relational Analysis of Graded Gravel Base Asphalt Pavement Structure

The method to analysis the strength of planetary trains’ carriers of EPB(earth pressure balance) shield machine is presented in this paper. The structure of the shield machine trains is analyzed and the 3-D solid model of the carrier is built with Pro/E. After the load on the carrier has been dealt with, the strength of carrier is calculated by means of finite element method. The results via ANSYS show that the max stress and strain on the carriers are increasing as the increasing load on it. The max stress is lying on the joint point of the carrier and planetary gear shaft because of the bending deformation of the shaft.

Review on Modeling Control System of Earth Pressure Balance Shield Machine

Analysis and design cannot be solved until a proper model of hydraulic control system of earth pressure balance shield machine is built. There are two kinds of modeling methods in common use. (1) Dynamic mathematical modeling. Two models, transfer function and state space, are mainly included. For linear system, the two methods can be provided with a fairly complete theoretical framework. However, if the system is in the complicated working environment or it is non-linear, the modeling process needs a mass of mathematical verification. This has become a limitation for application of these methods; (2) Graphical Modeling. It is more direct for the complex hydraulic control system of earth pressure balance shield machine. First, the main components are separately modeled. Then connect them according to the flow direction of signal. Some special software, such as AMESim, can be used to simplify the simulation process.

Research on the Swinging Planetary Drive and the Swinging Planetary Pneumatic Motor

The method to analysis the strength of planetary trains’ carriers of EPB(earth pressure balance) shield machine is presented in this paper. The structure of the shield machine trains is analyzed and the 3-D solid model of the carrier is built with Pro/E. After the load on the carrier has been dealt with, the strength of carrier is calculated by means of finite element method. The results via ANSYS show that the max stress and strain on the carriers are increasing as the increasing load on it. The max stress is lying on the joint point of the carrier and planetary gear shaft because of the bending deformation of the shaft

Laboratory model tests and field investigations of EPB shield machine tunnelling in soft ground in Shanghai

In the last decades, many studies have been presented by different scholars on the environmental problems induced by the shield tunnelling in soft ground. But it mainly concentrated on ground surface settlement, tunnel surface stability and the influence to existing structures. Among them, little attention was paid to soil disturbance caused by the mismatch of machine’s operation parameters. In order to reveal this inherent relation, a series of laboratory model tests were carried out in the 1/16 scale for a field tunnel in practice where the tunnel had 6.4 m diameter. The tests to simulate earth pressure balance (EPB) shield tunnelling in soft ground were conducted with a microshield machine (0.4 m diameter). Measurements were carried out simultaneously in each test for total jack thrust force, cutting torque, chamber pressure, mucking ratio, ground surface displacement, and earth pressure. Based on the analysis of test results under different overburden ratio, cutterhead aperture ratio and screw rotation speed, the relationships between machine’s operation parameters themselves and its influence on disturbance to surrounding soil mass were discovered. Such discoveries were also verified by the field investigations. These results are useful for engineers and technicians to select suitable and serviceable machine operation parameters and reduce environmental influence at all stages of tunnel construction.

Strength Analysis of Planetary Trains’ Carrier of EPB Shield Machine

The method to analysis the strength of planetary trains’ carriers of EPB(earth pressure balance) shield machine is presented in this paper. The structure of the shield machine trains is analyzed and the 3-D solid model of the carrier is built with Pro/E. After the load on the carrier has been dealt with, the strength of carrier is calculated by means of finite element method. The results via ANSYS show that the max stress and strain on the carriers are increasing as the increasing load on it. The max stress is lying on the joint point of the carrier and planetary gear shaft because of the bending deformation of the shaft.

Experimental study on working parameters of earth pressure balance shield machine tunneling in soft ground

Deep sedimentary deposits of soft clays are widely distributed in coastal areas as well as many interior major cities in China. In order to study the stratum adaptability of earth pressure balance (EPB) shield machine tunneling in such types of soft ground, model tests of tunneling excavation, using the running tunnel of the Shanghai Metro Line M8 as a background, are carried out with different over burden ratios, opening rates of cutter head, driving speeds and rotation speeds of screw conveyor. Based on the test results, the interrelationships between chamber pressure and mucking efficiency, mucking rate and driving speed, thrust force and torque are obtained. The influences of tunnel depth, opening rate of cutter head and driving speed on thrust force and torque are revealed. Such findings can not only facilitate establishing relationships between shield working parameters and soil properties, but also serve as a guide for the design and construction of shield tunnel in soft ground.

Lining design for the district heating tunnel in Copenhagen with steel fibre reinforced concrete segments

The 3.9 km long district heating tunnel carries heating pipelines from a power plant on the island Amager into the centre of Copenhagen. A shaft on Amager and two shafts in the city centre provide access to the tunnel, which is located within the Copenhagen limestone at a depth between 25 and 38 m below the ground surface. The tunnel is excavated with an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield machine and is lined with steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) segments without any conventional steel bar reinforcement. This represents an advantageous and innovative technical as well as cost-efficient solution. This paper presents the methods applied in the structural and durability design of the SFRC segmental lining for a specified service life of 100 years. Special attention is required due to the temperature increase in the tunnel to approximately 50 °C during operation of the pipelines. The experiences with the SFRC segments during construction of the tunnel are discussed.

Construction of three vertical shafts using upward shield machine - the Bandai∼Hannan sewer tunnel construction works

The Bandai-Hannan Sewer Tunnel which is about 2 km long and has a finished inner diameter of 3.25 m was constructed in the southern part of Osaka City, Japan to mitigate a flooding problem in the area. A total number of seven vertical shafts were installed within the tunnel route. These vertical shafts are for the purpose of draining water from existing sewer mains, ventilation and inspection purposes. Three of the said vertical shafts (finished diameter 2 m; with depths ranging from 13.5 to 25.9 m) are located adjacent to a narrow and heavily trafficked road within an area of low-rise timber houses. The traditional method of constructing vertical shafts is from ground level downwards which disrupts traffic flow and affects the daily activities of local residents. An ''Upward Shield Construction Method'', which excavates upwards from the tunnel, was adopted. An Earth Pressure Balance shield machine was specially designed and manufactured for construction of the three vertical shafts. The dome shape cutter was equipped with four cylindrical spokes and blades for mixing spoil were installed inside the cutter chamber. A funnel shape chamber was designed to increase the efficiency of channelling excavated spoil to the central spoil discharge pipe, hence minimising the accumulation of residual spoil inside the chamber. Two pinch valves were installed in the spoil discharge pipe to stabilise the earth pressure at the cutting face and to control spoil quantity. In order to simplify and expedite the shaft excavation operations, special concrete segments reinforced with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) were installed in the sewer tunnel at the launching point of the vertical shaft. These special segments could be cut through directly by the shield machine. In general, a stable state of excavation was achieved for the vertical shaft irrespective of excavation speed and geological layers, except at the launching and arrival points. It was also demonstrated that the method could be used at a depth of 50 m below ground during a trial investigation. Settlement and displacement of the surrounding ground and sewer tunnel was also monitored. The settlement and displacement was found to be negligible and caused no surface settlement problems. Steel segments (8 segments/ring) weighing about 40 kg each were erected manually to support vertical shafts. In conclusion, the Upward Shield Construction Method introduced in this project successfully shortened the construction period by one third and surface operations by one sixth compared with traditional construction methods. In addition, noise pollution and vibration resulting from work activities, as well as disruption to the traffic flow and daily activities of local residents were minimised. (A). Reprinted with permission from Elsevier. For the covering abstract see ITRD E124500.

Earth pressure balanced shield machine to cope with boulders : Nishitake, S Proc 1987 Rapid Excavation and Tunnelling Conference, New Orleans, 14–17 June 1987V1, P552–572. Publ Litleton: Society of Mining Engineers, 1987

Earth pressure balanced shield machine to cope with boulders : Nishitake, S Proc 1987 Rapid Excavation and Tunnelling Conference, New Orleans, 14–17 June 1987V1, P552–572. Publ Litleton: Society of Mining Engineers, 1987

Earth Pressure Balanced Shield Tunneling

The principles of earth pressure balanced (EPB) shield tunneling techniques are reviewed, whereby the face is stabilized without using compressed-air, and ground settlement is successfully kept to a minimum level. A general description of the mechanical structure of the EPB tunneling machine is given. The shield advancement control concept, which has a great influence on the successful achievement of soft ground tunneling, is examined. Even an EPB shield machine's merits and characteristics cannot be maxmized without appropriate shield advancement control. The concepts for the application of a shield machine with a closed face and mechanical excavation system are also discussed.

Some applications of ultrasonics: Brockelsby, C.F. J. sci. Instrum., 40, no. 4, p. 153 (1963)

This study aims to find a non-equidistant arrangement configuration that allows the even application of forces on rear segments under specific geological conditions. While providing an allowance for stagger-jointed segmental lining, the thrust system in an earth pressure balance shield machine with a diameter of 6.34 m and 24 jacks is optimized in a non-uniform arrangement based on the force transmission and deformation characteristics of a non-equidistant driving system. The contour of the force ellipse eccentricity of the optimized uneven system demonstrates that segments are effectively protected when the forces applied by the jacks are almost equal. The deformation differences prove that the optimized driving system has high control accuracy in tunnel construction. Frequency analysis shows that the optimized driving system can also avoid resonance. The results of this work can provide a theoretical foundation and support for the design of uneven driving systems in shield tunneling machines.