An experimental research on the rock cutting process of the gage cutters for rock tunnel boring machine (TBM)

This paper proposed an experimental method to investigate the rock cutting process of TBM gage cutters based on the full-scale rotary cutting machine (RCM). The key point of this method is to reconstruct the RCM by inserting three wedges with angles of 10°, 20° and 30° respectively into the space between the cutter base and cutter box. As a result, the rock cutting process of gage cutters with tilt angles of 10°, 20° and 30° can be proceed. Using this method, rock cutting experiments were conducted with penetrations of 2 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm and 8 mm respectively. The testing results were analysed on the rock cutting force, rock debris dimension, specific energy and cutting surface profile, and it was found that: (1) the cutting forces and specific energy of the gage cutter were lower than those of the normal cutter respectively; and (2) the depth of the rock broken zone was smaller than the cutting depth. The testing results can also be used to validate corresponding numerical models and design the layout of gage cutters.     

Experiences in Barcelona with the use of fibres in segmental linings

This paper presents the most outstanding experiences regarding the use of fibres as the main reinforcement in precast segmental linings in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. It is known that the addition of structural fibres improves, on the one hand, the mechanical behaviour of the structure during its construction, especially in cases such as the thrust of the jacks, and on the other hand it leads to a reduction of the global costs by reducing the conventional passive reinforcement. The aim of this paper consists in presenting three real experiences that are representative of the application of FRC in urban tunnels and a design methodology to take into account the structural contribution of the fibres. Two particular cases of the application of this design method are presented. In the first case, the use of 25 kg/m³ of fibres has led to a reduction of 70% of the conventional reinforcement initially proposed in the project. In the second one, which was planned to employ fibres but without considering its structural contribution, the parametric study reflected the possibility of reducing up to a 38% of the rebars adding 25 kg/m³ of steel fibres in the concrete mixture. In light of good results, construction companies in Spain have become aware of the advantages of using fibres in these structures and have carried out experimental stretches. This attitude has also been influenced by the approval of the new Spanish Code, which includes the FRC as a construction material with design purposes.     

Study on rock mass boreability by TBM penetration test under different in situ stress conditions

Rock mass boreability is a comprehensive parameter reflecting the interaction between rock mass and a tunnel boring machine (TBM). Many factors including rock mass conditions, TBM specifications and operation parameters influence rock mass boreability. In situ stress, as one of the important properties of rock mass conditions, has not been studied specifically for rock mass boreability in TBM tunneling. In this study, three sets of TBM penetration tests are conducted with different in situ stress conditions in three TBM tunnels of the Jinping II Hydropower Station. The correlation between TBM operation parameters collected during the tests and the rock mass boreability index is analyzed to reveal the influence of in situ stress on rock mass boreability and TBM excavation process. The muck produced by each test step is collected and analyzed by the muck sieve test. The results show that in situ stress not only influences the rock mass boreability but also the rock fragmentation process under TBM cutters. If the in situ stress is high enough to cause the stress-induced failure at the tunnel face, it facilitates rock fragmentation by TBM cutters and the corresponding rock boreability index decreases. Otherwise, the in situ stress restrains rock fragmentation by TBM cutters and the rock mass boreablity index increases. Through comparison of the boreability index predicted by the Rock Mass Characteristics (RMC) prediction model with the boreability index calculated from the penetration test results, the influence degree of different in situ stresses for rock mass boreability is obtained.     

Tritium and heat management in ITER Test Blanket Systems port cell for maintenance operations

Three ITER equatorial port cells are dedicated to the assessment of six different designs of breeding blankets, known as Test Blanket Modules (TBMs). Several high temperature components and pipework will be present in each TBM port cell and will release a significant quantity of heat that has to be extracted in order to avoid the ambient air and concrete wall temperatures to exceed allowable limits. Moreover, from these components and pipes, a fraction of the contained tritium permeates and/or leaks into the port cell. This paper describes the optimization of the heat extraction management during operation, and the tritium concentration control required for entry into the port cell to proceed with the required maintenance operations after the plasma shutdown.     

自由面对滚刀破岩机制影响的数值模拟研究

为了研究自由面对滚刀破岩机理的影响,运用UDEC方法建立了滚刀贯切岩石的二维数值系列模型,对TBM滚刀破岩过程进行了仿真。分析表明：在合理的刀间距和贯人度情况下,破碎坑自由面的存在使裂纹扩展能耗降低,裂纹密度增大,起裂方式增多,容易实现体积破碎,提高滚刀破岩效率。     

简单复合岩体中TBM多滚刀破岩机理离散元分析

采用引入考虑胶结尺寸的微观接触模型的PFC^2D离散元软件,对全断面岩石掘进机（TBM）盘形滚刀作用下简单形式的复合岩体破岩机理进行数值模拟研究。进行了单滚刀、双滚刀和三滚刀作用下的复合岩体破碎过程的模拟。模拟结果表明：滚刀破岩过程可以分为三个阶段：加载阶段、卸载阶段和残余跃进阶段。通过双滚刀和三滚刀侵入复合岩体的推力-侵深曲线分析,软岩上的滚刀比硬岩上的滚刀进入各阶段稍慢,略有滞后;不同滚刀间的峰值法向推力相差较大,易造成滚刀磨损。对于花岗岩-绿片岩复合岩体,破岩时接触力链被岩体分界面分割,硬岩区胶结破坏数目较多,双滚刀、三滚刀侵入时易形成贯通裂缝;破岩效率由大到小为双滚刀效率、三滚刀效率、单滚刀效率,而且双滚刀能够将效率提高一倍左右。     

基于虚拟样机的盾构掘进机多领域建模仿真实现策略

提出了盾构掘进机多学科虚拟样机仿真测试平台的实现策略。从系统的角度研究了盾构掘进机虚拟样机子系统建模及模型集成技术。利用CATIA、ADMAS等支撑软件建立盾构掘进机数字化虚拟样机各子系统模型,运用基于接口的多领域建模方法,利用参数关联和系统集成技术,将多个子系统模型在仿真环境中集成为虚拟样机,代替实际物理样机进行性能评价与测试。     

上公山隧洞TBM掘进主要工程地质问题及施工对策

阐述了上公山隧洞TBM掘进过程中遇到的诸如断层破碎带、节理密集带、软岩大变形、岩溶、地下水等主要工程地质问题，并详细地介绍了相应的工程处理措施。     

Performance prediction of hard rock Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) in difficult ground

Performance prediction of TBMs is an essential part of project scheduling and cost estimation. This process involves a good understanding of the complexities in the site geology, machine specification, and site management. Various approaches have been used over the years to estimate TBM performance in a given ground condition, many of them were successful and within an acceptable range, while some missing the actual machine performance by a notable margin. Experience shows that the best approach for TBM performance prediction is to use various models to examine the range of estimated machine penetration and advance rates and choose a rate that best represents the working conditions that is closest to the setting of the model used for the estimation. This allows the engineers to avoid surprises and to identify the parameters that could dominate machine performance in each case. This paper reviews the existing models for performance prediction of TBMs and some of the ongoing research on developing better models for improved accuracy of performance estimate and increasing TBM utilization.     

Development of TSACO and application to Chinese HCCB TBM cooling system

In this study, a thermal-hydraulic and safety analysis code (TSACO) for helium cooling system has been developed using Fortran 90 language, and the simulation has been performed for the cooling system of the Chinese helium cooled ceramic breeder test blanket module (CH HCCB TBM). The semi-implicit finite difference technique was adopted for the solution of the dynamic behavior of helium cooling system. Furthermore, a detailed illustration of the numerical solution for heat structures and critical model was presented. The code was verified by the comparison of RELAP5 code with the same initial condition, boundary condition, heat transfer and flow friction models. The TBM inlet/outlet temperatures and pressure drop were obtained and the results simulated by TSACO were shown in good agreement with those by RELAP5. Thereafter, the design basis accident in-vessel loss of coolant accident (LOCA), was investigated for the CH HCCB TBM cooling system. The critical flow model was also verified by comparing with RELAP5 code. The results indicated that the TBM can be cooled down effectively. The vacuum vessel (VV) pressure and the mass of helium spilled into the VV maintained below the design limits with a large margin.