Pressurised TBM tunnelling in mixed face conditions resulting from tropical weathering of igneous rock

Weathering is a process that turns rock into soil. Deep weathering is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical areas. The resulting sub-surface conditions can be very onerous for tunnelling, with tunnel drives commonly encountering a significant proportion of mixed face conditions, comprising partly rock and partly soil. Problems that have been encountered have included: inability to maintain the face pressure, ground loss, sinkholes, slow rates of tunnelling, rapid tool wear, damage to tools, mixing arms and other parts of the TBM, very frequent and long interventions, clogging and blow-outs. The nature and extent of the problems on any particular tunnel have depended on the type and design of the TBM, the nature of the rock and the proportion of the tunnel in mixed ground. In Singapore this has resulted in a change from mainly EPB to mainly slurry tunnelling in weathered igneous rock; however, predominantly EPB TBMs have been used in weathered sedimentary rock. Information from EPB and slurry TBM drives is used to illustrate the issues involved.     

Theoretical prediction of wear of disc cutters in tunnel boring machine and its application

Predicting the cutter consumption and the exact time to replace the worn-out cutters in tunneling projects constructed with tunnel boring machine (TBM) is always a challenging issue. In this paper, we focus on the analyses of cutter motion in the rock breaking process and trajectory of rock breaking point on the cutter edge in rocks. The analytical expressions of the length of face along which the breaking point moves and the length of spiral trajectory of the maximum penetration point are derived. Through observation of rock breaking process of disc cutters as well as analysis of disc rock interaction, the following concepts are proposed: the arc length theory of predicting wear extent of inner and center cutters, and the spiral theory of predicting wear extent of gage and transition cutters. Data obtained from 5621 m-long Qinling tunnel reveal that among 39 disc cutters, the relative errors between cumulatively predicted and measured wear values for nine cutters are larger than 20%, while approximately 76.9% of total cutters have the relative errors less than 20%. The proposed method could offer a new attempt to predict the disc cutter's wear extent and changing time.     

高强度围岩隧洞TBM刀具磨损规律研究

刀具磨损是影响TBM掘进效率的重要因素,该文以北疆供水二期工程XEVIII标段隧洞为依托,开展高强度围岩条件下刀具磨损规律研究。该标段已掘进段围岩强度最大为160MPa,平均为120MPa。根据掘进过程中的刀具磨损统计资料,分析不同刀位的刀具磨损值、围岩强度和掘进参数对刀具磨损的影响以及不同掘进参数对刀具磨损的敏感度,结果表明：中心滚刀和正面滚刀的累计磨损量随安装半径增大呈指数式增长,边缘滚刀累计磨损量受安装角度影响,随安装半径增大先增大后减小;边缘滚刀的单刀磨损量最大,正面滚刀次之,中心滚刀最小;随着围岩强度提高,中心滚刀和正面滚刀每延米磨损量呈指数型增长,边缘滚刀每延米磨损量呈二次函数型增长,所有刀具每延米累计磨损量呈线性增长;围岩强度不变时,随着刀盘转速、刀盘扭矩、推力、贯入度增大,刀具每延米磨损量均呈二次函数型变化,先增大后减小,随着掘进速度增大,刀具每延米磨损量呈二次函数型变化,先减小后增大;刀具磨损对刀盘扭矩和推力最为敏感,为减小磨损,建议施工中将刀盘扭矩控制在1100～1300kN·m或2100～2400kN·m,将推力控制在9000～11000kN或15000～16000kN。     

基于协同破岩的TBM刀盘优化策略

岩石隧道掘进机工作时的刀具受力情况是影响刀盘破岩性能的关键。为了分析滚刀之间的协同破岩效应,提出3种基本的协同破岩模式,并将多把滚刀协同破岩过程等效为3种破岩模式的组合。不同破岩模式下,滚刀切割岩石的先后顺序不同,结合线性切割试验,证实了不同模式下3种滚刀力等级的大小关系。以引汉济渭岭北隧洞TBM工程为背景,研究得出名义磨损量与破岩模式的叠加效应具有较强的相关性,其中,由内而外模式占比与滚刀名义磨损量具有明显的正相关性,据此提出了考虑刀具磨损量的TBM刀盘刀具优化策略。     

Theoretical analysis and seismic investigation for TBM jamming in squeezing fissile slate

The S tunnel is a 4.2 km-long headrace tunnel. In the tunnelling project, the ground was assumed to be hard slate and suitable for TBM excavation based on the primary site investigation. However, TBM jamming frequently occurred with the increase of the tunnel cover, and the TBM excavation was cancelled. In order to investigate the TBM jamming, theoretical analyses and seismic investigations were conducted. It was found that analytical model proposed in this paper well explained the influence of the cover on the possibility of TBM jamming. It was also found that the depth of the loosened zone was expanded 6–8 m at the location where TBM jamming occurred.     

Analysis on the damage behavior of mixed ground during TBM cutting process

Accurate prediction of rock cutting forces of disc cutters is especially significant for the design and construction of tunnel boring machine (TBM). Through the analysis of motion trajectory of TBM disc cutters, a three-dimensional model of rock breaking process of disc cutters is established. In terms of the rock strain which is resulted from the interaction between disc cutters and rock during the process of rock breaking, a three-dimensional cutting forces model is proposed with disc cutters set at certain parameters and in certain sizes. Subsequently, the equation of contacting forces between rock and disc cutter is derived. Moreover, a new method has been presented for the study of the rock breaking theory of the disc cutter and it also provides guidance for the design and application of TBM in tunnel excavation. The three-dimensional model for the rock breaking mechanism is used for predicting the cutting force for the situation of mixed ground.The damage field and the rock failure zone induced by disc cutter for mixed ground are also discussed in this study. In detail, the rock damage zones are divided into two parts, one is the left damage field which located in the outside of disc cutter. The other is the right damage field which located in the outside of disc cutter. The influence of the rock ground dip on the rock failure zone was also studied by parameter analysis.     

Effect of replacing disc cutters with chisel tools on performance of a TBM in difficult ground conditions

A summary of a research program covering a period of two years on the performance of a TBM in a very complex and difficult geology is presented in this study. The formations in the study area varied from alluvium, sludge, mudstone, shale and limestone to quartzite with strengths from soft to very hard. The dykes frequently intruded the sedimentary rocks resulting in different degrees of weathering and fracturing in the country rock causing tremendous delays in progress rate of the TBM. The disc cutters started cutting inefficiently in clayey medium strength ground with extreme water income, at where also excessive disc consumptions started due to insufficient friction between the disc cutters and very soft (sludgy) formation, and it was decided to replace all disc cutters with chisel tools (ripper, scraper). Before making this important decision that could affect totally the excavation efficiency and production rate, some theoretical estimations were performed using the Evans’ cutting theory after some modifications based on the previous experimental studies for relieved cutting mode and wear flat, front ridge and vee-bottom angles found in complex shapes of chisel tools to estimate deterministically the torque and thrust requirements of the TBM.Field measurements of the torque and thrust requirements of the TBM equipped with the chisel tools validated the theoretical considerations and the deterministic model used for predicting the performance. Statistical analysis indicated that the model could be used reliably for performance prediction. This study also gave a unique opportunity to compare the performance of disc cutters and chisel tools used on the same TBM at variety of grounds and to analyze the effect of replacing disc cutters with chisel tools on the performance of the TBM. The field measurements indicated that the chisel tools were superior to the disc cutters in especially soft to medium strength rocks.     

Disc cutter wear prediction for a hard rock TBM cutterhead based on energy analysis

Disc cutter wear is a crucial problem that influences the working efficiency and security of hard rock tunnel boring machines (TBMs). This wear results from friction energy accumulation and conversion. In this study, the process of hard rock TBM disc cutter wear is identified and analyzed by quantifying the collective energy change. This study starts with an analysis of the friction process between the disc cutter and hard rock. The relationship between the rolling force work and thrust force work of the disc cutter is examined. As a result, the disc cutter energy equation is determined, and the meaning of the upper and lower bounds of this equation are discussed. Based on the above results, the hard rock TBM cutterhead energy equation is then deduced. A method to identify the friction work is developed. According to the energy wear theory, the cutter wear law on hard rock for a TBM cutterhead is revealed, and a method for predicting disc cutter wear for a hard rock TBM cutterhead is advanced. Furthermore, the validity of this prediction method is confirmed by utilizing data from project cases.     

盾构隧道施工盘形滚刀推力分布规律研究

 盾构掘进时,刀盘由油缸推压到工作面上,滚刀与岩石之间产生相互作用。为研究各滚刀推力分布规律,分析影响滚刀与岩石相互作用的影响因素,指出掘进过程中滚刀推力分布主要与岩石刚度有关。假设滚刀与岩石弹性点接触,建立刀盘与岩石相互作用的三维弹性支点力学模型并进行了简化,运用有限元方法对其进行分析与比较。研究表明,刀盘上各滚刀的推力分布并不均匀,滚刀布置稀少处的推力较高,面刀推力均比边刀推力高出40%～60%。相同的刀盘形式,滚刀布置方式不同,其推力分布差异较大。最后,运用蒙特卡罗有限元方法,分析岩石刚度变化对滚刀推力分布的影响,岩石越软,滚刀推力分布越均匀;反之,滚刀推力分布的均匀性越差。在硬地层中掘进时,个别推力高的滚刀磨损严重,换刀频繁,影响了施工进度。因此,该部位的滚刀布置值得进一步研究。     

长大煤矿斜井TBM刀具磨损影响因素与规律研究

TBM刀具的磨损是影响TBM施工效率的重要因素。以TBM掘进中的围岩磨蚀性、围岩强度、刀盘转矩和刀盘转速为研究对象,研究了长大煤矿斜井施工过程中TBM刀具磨损的影响因素和规律。依托国内首条TBM施工的神华神东补连塔煤矿斜井工程,通过对掘进过程中现场数据的实时监测,获取了刀具单周磨损量、围岩磨蚀性、围岩强度、刀盘转矩和刀盘转速等技术指标。研究结果表明,在其他因素参数一样的条件下,TBM刀具的单周磨损量与围岩的磨蚀性CAI值、强度基本呈线性关系。刀具的单周磨损量随围岩强度和磨蚀性的增大而增大。而当刀盘扭矩和刀盘转速增大时,刀具的单周磨损量先增大后减小。     

Periodic inspection of gauge cutter wear on EPB TBMs using cone penetration testing

Cutterhead maintenance is usually required when the gauge cutters (over-cutters) wear down to the shield diameter. In soft ground pressurized shielded TBMs, inspection of gauge cutters usually involves complete stoppage of the operation. This can be a dangerous, costly, and time consuming process. In this study, a novel approach has been developed to monitor gauge cutter wear by considering the relationship between the overcut length and the length of the gauge cutters. By using the proposed testing system, frequent monitoring of gauge cutter length is possible at appropriate intervals during ring builds or maintenance without the need to enter the harsh environment of the excavation chamber. This monitoring system was used within an EPB TBM during the excavation of the University Link Light Rail Tunnel (U230) in Seattle, WA.     

Examining the influence of TBM-ground interaction on electrical resistivity imaging ahead of the TBM

Tunnel excavation by means of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) is susceptible to unknown changes ahead of the tunnel face. Geophysics offers a technique called electrical resistivity that can continuously, in real-time, spatially map the formation in front of the TBM. Electrical resistivity has been successfully established for many applications including vadoze zone hydrology, oil/gas location, mineral location and failure detection in geo-structures. Yet it has not been well-established for TBM excavations. This is in part due to the complexity of the TBM tunneling environment and the uncertain influence this environment may have on the success of TBM-integrated-electrical resistivity to predict changes ahead of the tunnel face. One significant uncertainty lies in the interface region that exists around the TBM created during the modification of the virgin formation by a mechanical mixing action of the rotating cutterhead and the injection of additives used to aid in the extraction of the muck and protect the cutting tools from frictional wear. In this study, we investigate the influence of this interface region on TBM-integrated-electrical resistivity for both hard rock and soft ground tunneling conditions through finite element modeling. Regarding the performance of TBM-integrated-electrical resistivity to detect changes ahead of the cutting face, the interface region holds significant influence for both earth pressure balance (EPB) and open mode tunneling conditions. Electrical resistivity for slurry based tunneling is not influenced by the interface region. Simulations suggest that TBM-integrated-electrical resistivity can be sensitive to a formation change that is located up to five diameters in front of the TBM.     

Machine tunnelling in the twenty-first century

In the coming decades, versatile machines will be developed that will be capable of boring through both hard rock and wet soil conditions. These machines will be able to pass from hard rock through a water-filled fault zone and in a soil tunnel under a river: they will make the transition with ease into a mixed face of rock and boulders. Machines will incorporate state-of-the-art electronics that will give the operator the information needed to maintain a high level of availability and utilization. This will be an important factor in reducing machine tunnelling costs. The new materials that will be used to build cutters will increase cutter life while reducing costs of tunnelling in the hardest rocks. New types of machines will cut non-circular tunnels in hard rock, providing highway and railroad builders the advantage of high-speed machine tunnelling. There will remain for the twenty-first century unlimited opportunities for development to solve difficult tunnelling problems such as undersea tunnels in weak rock conditions. If tunnel owners and builders utilize the resources of the machine developers effectively, technology will be developed rapidly and will dramatically reduce the cost of underground construction.     

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。     

上软下硬地层盾构机滚刀磨损特性研究

以广州地铁某盾构区间为工程背景,结合上软下硬地层的强度特性,提出了硬地层所占面积与掌子面面积之比来评估上软下硬地层中地层分布情况的方法,确定硬地层对开挖面强度特性的影响。根据地层特性和分布情况,提出了适应不同均一地层的刀盘合理转速以及适用于上软下硬地层的刀盘设计转速。通过监测盾构机掘进过程中的刀盘扭矩变化,提出根据刀盘扭矩变化幅度制定刀盘转速调整时机的预警机制,实现刀盘转速提前调整。结合实际应用效果,上软下硬地层会使盾构滚刀产生过快磨损,超前调整刀盘转速可有效降低滚刀受冲击荷载的影响,延长滚刀正常工作时的掘进距离,显著提高上软下硬地层中盾构施工效率。     

Earth pressure balance tunnelling in rock masses: Laboratory feasibility study of the conditioning process

Earth pressure balance (EPB) shield tunnelling is considered to be an effective tunnelling method when surface settlements must be avoided by controlling face stability and underground water inflow. EPB technology is applied increasingly to the conditioning of rock masses in which the presence of polluting material is foreseen and must be controlled, or when explosive gases from the rock mass must be prevented from entering in the machine. The use of an EPB machine in ‘closed mode’ can prevent the dispersion of dangerous materials in the underground environment. This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of using EPB technology in rock masses and the effectiveness of this tunnelling process in terms of soil conditioning, conditioned soil permeability, pressure transmission on the tunnel face, and the ability to extract the material with a screw conveyor. The research was developed with a set of laboratory tests carried out on three different types of rock masses where tunnelling with EPB machines are planned to be constructed in Italy but the results can be easily applied to similar rock mass types. The tests have been carried out both with slump tests and with a specially constructed screw conveyor extraction device. In the paper the most important results are presented and discussed.     

Evaluating D&B and TBM tunnelling using NTNU prediction models

Drill and Blast (D&B) and Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) are the two dominating excavation methods in hard rock tunnelling. Selection of the cost effective excavation method for a tunnel is a function of tunnel cross section area, rock conditions, tunnel length, availability of skilled labour and proper equipment, and project schedule. Over the past few decades, major technological development and technical advances have been achieved in both methods. Yet, in many tunnelling projects, choosing the excavation method is still a challenge and requires considering pros and cons of each method and estimating construction time, costs, as well as post construction and operation & maintenance, and related risk in the planning phase. In this study, the productivity and efficiency of the D&B and TBM options for excavating certain size tunnels have been examined. The analysis is based on recent NTNU prediction models for advance rate and unit excavation cost for given ground conditions and tunnel geometry. For excavation of large size tunnels in very hard rock, the D&B method seems to be the cost effective choice irrespective to tunnel geometry. This is compared to smaller long tunnels with good boreability were the TBM has higher advance rate. The tunnel size and rock conditions have higher impact on the TBM performance and costs than for D&B. This refers to lower risk of using D&B where the use of this method is otherwise justified.     

Thrust and torque components on mixed-face EPB drives

In this communication we propose a method to estimate net thrust and torque applied at the excavation front by cutting tools from EPB machines when they are working in mixed faces constituted by soils and soft rock. The method is inspired by similar simplifications used for the analysis of TBM drives in rock. The proposal is validated using a database of EPB registers which were gathered from more than 35 km of tunnel drives excavated in soils, soft rock and heterogeneous media. The results allow us to assess the influence of the type of ground excavated and its geotechnical properties on the net thrust and torque applied.     

An appraisal of TBM performances in Turkey in difficult ground conditions and some recommendations

The geology of Turkey is very complex and major Northern and Eastern Faults including minor faults associated to these faults create tremendous problems, like squeezing of the TBM, excessive water ingress, TBM face collapses, as encountered in the Kargi power tunnel, the Dogancay energy tunnel, the Gerede water tunnel, and the Nur Dagi railway tunnel. Mixed ground conditions with ophiolites, graphitic schists and melanges with boulders are other fundamental difficulties leading to squeezing and blocking of the TBMs or even causing complete failures of the segments and abandoning of the tunnel. A typical example for tunnel abandoning is the Kosekoy high speed tunnel and an example for excessive TBM squeezing is the Uluabat energy tunnel. The affects of dykes in the Istanbul region is known well by practicing tunnel engineers. These andesitic rocks, make fractures in the country rock and cause several problems during TBM excavation like blocking the cutterhead and excessive disc cutter consumption. Typical examples are the Goztepe-Kadıkoy Metro tunnels, and the Melen water tunnel. The Beykoz utility tunnel is one of the most difficult tunnelling projects in Istanbul. Presence of clay minerals existing within the geologic formations is also one of the main reasons clogging the cutterhead of TBM as encountered in the Suruc water project. The effects of complex geology on the excavation efficiencies of different type of TBM’s used in the ten projects mentioned above are explained in this paper and some recommendations with a ground classification system for proper use of TBMs in faultyzones are given.