In situ TBM penetration tests and rock mass boreability analysis in hard rock tunnels

Boreability is popularly adopted to express the ease or difficulty with which a rock mass can be penetrated by a tunnel boring machine. Because the boreability is related to the rock mass properties, TBM specifications and TBM operation parameters, an accurately definable quantity has not been obtained so far. In order to analyze and compare rock mass boreability, a series of TBM shield friction tests were conducted in a TBM tunneling site. Two sets of TBM penetration tests were performed in different rock mass conditions during tunneling in rock. In each step of the penetration test, the rock muck was collected to perform the muck sieve analyses and the shape of large chips was surveyed in order to analyze the TBM chipping efficiency under different cutter thrusts. The results showed that a critical point exists in the penetration curves. The penetration per revolution increases rapidly with increasing thrust per cutter when it is higher than the critical value. The muck sieve analysis results verified that with increasing thrust force, the muck size increases and the rock breakage efficiency also increases. When the thrust is greater than the critical value, the muck becomes well-graded. The muck shape analysis results also showed with the increase of the thrust, the chip shape changes from flat to elongated and flat. The boreability index at the critical point of penetration of 1 mm/rev. defined as the specific rock mass boreability index is proposed to evaluate rock mass boreability.     

A new hard rock TBM performance prediction model for project planning

Among the models used for performance prediction of hard rock tunnel boring machines two stand out and are often used in the industry. They include the semi theoretical model by Colorado School of Mines and the empirical model by Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim (NTNU). While each have their strong points and area of applications, more accurate prediction has been sought by modifying one of the existing models or introduction of a new model. To achieve this, a database of actual machine performance from different hard rock TBM tunneling projects has been compiled and analyzed to develop a new TBM performance prediction model. To analyze the available data and offer new equations using statistical methods, relationships between different geological and TBM operational parameters were investigated. Results of analyzes show that there are strong relationships between geological parameters (like UCS, joint spacing and RQD) and TBM performance parameters specially Field Penetration Index (FPI). In this study, a boreability classification system and a new empirical chart, for preliminary estimation of rock mass boreability and TBM performance is suggested.     

Influence of rock mass fracturing on the net penetration rates of hard rock TBMs

Penetration rates during excavation using hard rock tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are significantly influenced by the degree of fracturing of the rock mass. In the NTNU prediction model for hard rock TBM performance and costs, the rock mass fracturing factor (k_s) is used to include the influence of rock mass fractures. The rock mass fracturing factor depends on the degree of fracturing, fracture type, fracture spacing, and the angle between fracture systems and the tunnel axis. In order to validate the relationship between the degree of fracturing and the net penetration rate of hard rock TBMs, field work has been carried out, consisting of geological back-mapping and analysis of performance data from a TBM tunnel. The rock mass influence on hard rock TBM performance prediction is taken into account in the NTNU model. Different correlations between net penetration rate and the fracturing factor (k_s) have been identified for a variety of k_s values.     

Study on the influence of confining stress on TBM performance in granite rock by linear cutting test

Rock stress problems induced by overburden or anisotropic stresses are significant to the TBM tunneling. In this paper, the effect of different confining stressed conditions on TBM performance are investigated by using full-scale cutting tests with large intact granite specimens (1000 mm × 1000 mm × 600 mm). In these tests, the effects of confining stresses on the normal force, rolling force, the cutting coefficient and specific energy are analyzed. It is found that the confining stress has significant impact on the normal force and rolling force. Specifically, for the same cutting spacing and penetration depth, the normal force increases with increasing confining stress due to enhancement of the rock resistance strength; meanwhile the rolling force decreases gradually with increasing confining stress. The stress deviation between two confining directions affects the optimum penetration that corresponds to small specific energy. The results provide better understanding of the effect of confining stress on the TBM performance and also recommend some guidelines for TBM tunneling under stressed geological condition.     

Numerical modelling of in situ stress calculation using borehole slotter test

Accurate determination of in situ stress magnitude and orientation is an essential element of the design process of all underground openings. A stress calculation method was proposed for the new stress measurement technique using the borehole slotter device. Two major objectives were the focus of this research work. The first goal was to simulate the slotter test process numerically and delve into the mechanisms involved in this test. A precise 3D numerical model of a typical slotter test condition was constructed using the FLAC3D code. The effects of variations in rock mass deformation modulus on the strain/stress relieve, and thus borehole slotter test results, were investigated numerically. The second objective of the work was to employ 3D modelling in the interpretation of slotter field tests conducted at Bakhtiari dam site. These tests were aimed at determining the stress magnitude and orientation to be used in the design of underground chambers and tunnels associated with Bakhtiari dam. The stress regimes measured in field were applied as boundary condition on the constructed 3D model and a backward analysis was conducted. For each case the actual strain field measured was compared against strain field calculated numerically. Accordingly, the boundary condition (stress magnitude and orientation) associated with the model results that provided the best fit to the measured data was determined as the governing stress regime. A good agreement was achieved between numerical and field test results. The obtained numerical results provided valuable insights in selecting the governing in situ stress condition from a set of recorded field data.     

Study on the influence of joint spacing on rock fragmentation under TBM cutter by linear cutting test

Joint spacing is one of the most important geological factors influencing rock fragmentation by TBM cutters and TBM performance. In order to study the influence of joint spacing, full-scale linear cutting tests have been conducted for the Beishan granite samples with different joint spacing (i.e. one intact sample, two jointed samples with joint spacing of 100 mm and 400 mm). For different joint spacing, the influence of penetration depth on rock fragmentation was also explored by varying the penetration depth with an interval of 0.5 mm. During the test process, the three directional forces acting on the TBM cutter were recorded, and the rock chips formed by each cutting pass were weighed, respectively. By analysing the cutting force, crack initiation/propagation and rock chips, the influences of joint spacing on rock fragmentation process by TBM cutter were investigated. The test results showed that the increase of penetration depth cannot improve the TBM breakage efficiency after reaching a certain value for the intact rock sample, and the normal force for intruding the intact rock is larger than that for intruding the rock jointed samples. It is also found that the sample part below the joint plane is intact, thus joint can restrain the crack propagating cross the joint plane and facilitates the chips formation on the cutting surface. For the rock sample with joint spacing of 100 mm, two rock fragmentation modes were found during the cutting process. One mode is that the cracks initiate from the crushed zone under TBM cutter, and the cracks propagate to the joint plane, consequently form large rock chips. The other one is that the cracks initiate from the joint plane and then propagate to the rock cutting surface, and the cracks initiate before the formation of the crushed zone under the cutter. For the rock sample with joint spacing of 400 mm, there are two rock fragmentation stages, i.e., the normal rock fragmentation stage and the joint-controlled rock fragmentation stage. There is a transitional process between these two stages, and also the median crack can be promoted to propagate vertically to joint plane due to the joint existence. This study can provide useful guidance for operation optimization and performance prediction for TBM operating in jointed rock masses.     

围压对TBM滚刀破岩影响规律的线性切割试验研究

 随着TBM技术在深埋隧道工程领域的应用及发展,TBM开挖过程中由高埋深或各向异性引起的岩石应力问题越来越受到人们的重视。应用北京工业大学自行研制的大型机械破岩试验平台,对4组双向等围压水平下(0,5,10和15 MPa)的大尺寸(1.0 m×1.0 m×0.6 m)北山花岗岩岩样进行线性切割试验,研究不同围压条件下滚刀破岩时作用力的曲线特征,分析围压对滚刀法向力、滚动力、岩体特征掘进指数、破岩岩片厚度和破岩比能的影响效应,并探讨围压对TBM现场掘进速率的影响。研究结果可为不同地应力条件下TBM开挖时刀盘动力参数设计与施工运行参数优化提供参考。     

不同地应力下爆炸应力波在节理岩体中传播规律模型试验研究

 通过模型试验研究不同地应力下应力波在节理岩体中的传播规律,同时考虑节理数量的影响,并推导地应力作用下应力波在多条非线性节理处的传播方程。首先,通过导爆索产生爆炸应力波,监测不同位置的应力,研究地应力下节理岩体中应力波传播的衰减组成,并分析地应力以及节理数量对应力波衰减的影响,其次,考虑地应力对非线性节理模型的影响,结合时间递归分析法,得出地应力作用下应力波在多条非线性节理处的传播方程,并将计算结果与试验数据进行对比分析。研究结果表明,高地应力下,爆炸应力波在节理岩体中传播时,其衰减主要由岩石材料和节理两部分分别引起的衰减叠加组成,随着地应力增加,节理岩体对应力波的衰减增强,其中岩石材料对应力波的衰减作用加强,而节理引起的衰减减弱。     

围压对TBM滚刀破岩影响的数值模拟研究

采用一种新的无网格数值计算方法—广义粒子动力学法(GPD),研究了水平方向围压为0,5,10,15,20 MPa条件下,全断面隧道掘进机(TBM)滚刀的破岩过程及破岩模式,分析了围压对岩体可掘性的影响。得到:(1)围压的存在抑制中央裂纹的扩展;(2)随着围压的增加,赫兹裂纹的扩展方向发生偏转,与水平面的夹角变小;(3)相同贯入度下,随着围压的增加,滚刀法向力及其掘进指数均增加。利用GPD法分析了锦屏二级水电站隧道施工中,含节理的岩层中高地应力对TBM滚刀破岩的影响,成功模拟出高地应力下节理岩体的板裂化现象,得到高地应力能够使岩体产生板裂化促进滚刀破岩。     

A new model for TBM performance prediction in blocky rock conditions

The term “blocky rock conditions” is generally associated with face instabilities in blocky/jointed rock masses. These events are generally promoted by unfavorable rock mass structural conditions, in terms of joint frequency and orientation, and acting stresses. As a result, rock blocks are formed and then detach from the excavation face which becomes “blocky”, with a markedly irregular and uneven profile. This condition may have a paramount effect on TBM tunneling, leading to a high maintenance frequency and a low TBM advancement rate. Based on the TBM performance data recorded during excavation of tunnels in blocky rock conditions, a TBM performance prediction model has been developed. The model is based on the Field Penetration Index for blocky rock conditions, FPI_blocky, which was previously introduced to analyze the TBM performance in blocky grounds at the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. Through a multivariate regression analysis, a new expression has been introduced to predict the FPI_blocky based on the volumetric joint count (J_v) and the intact rock uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). An attempt has also been made to quantify the downtimes that may occur in blocky rock conditions and to estimate a reliable value of TBM daily advance.     

Influence of rock brittleness on TBM penetration rate in Singapore granite

Brittleness is one of the most important rock properties, which affects the rock fragmentation process induced by TBM cutters, and then the TBM penetration rate. This paper presents the different measurements of rock brittleness. The ratio of uniaxial compressive strength to Brazilian tensile strength was adopted to quantify the rock brittleness. By the laboratory tests, the brittleness indices of more than 100 samples cored in Bukit Timah granite along the tunnel alignments of T05 and T06 tunnels of DTSS in Singapore were obtained. The brittleness index varies in a large range from less than 10 to more than 25. The tendency shows that the brittleness index decreases with the increase of the weathering grade of granite. A series of models were then set up to simulate the effect of rock brittleness on rock fragmentation process using UDEC. With the decrease of the brittleness index, the crushed zone decreases and the number and length of the main cracks outside the crushed zone also decrease. It is obvious that with the increase of the rock brittleness index the cutter indentation process gets easier. Through the statistical analysis of correlation between rock mass properties and the corresponding TBM performance in tunnel projects, it was noted that TBM penetration rate increases with increasing rock brittleness, which is consistency with the numerical simulation results.     

Empirical estimation of rock mass modulus

The deformation modulus of a rock mass is an important input parameter in any analysis of rock mass behaviour that includes deformations. Field tests to determine this parameter directly are time consuming, expensive and the reliability of the results of these tests is sometimes questionable. Consequently, several authors have proposed empirical relationships for estimating the value of rock mass deformation modulus on the basis of classification schemes. These relationships are reviewed and their limitations are discussed. Based on data from a large number of in situ measurements from China and Taiwan a new relationship, based upon a sigmoid function, is proposed. The properties of the intact rock as well as the effects of disturbance due to blast damage and/or stress relaxation are also included in this new relationship.     

基于耦合FDM-DEM方法的TBM滚刀最优化研究

为确定TBM盘型滚刀的最优布置,结合有限差分法(FDM)和离散元法(DEM)的优点,采用FDM-DEM耦合的数值模拟方法,对不同刀间距和贯入度条件下TBM双滚刀破岩过程进行三维动态仿真模拟,分析研究了不同滚刀配置对岩石破碎效果的影响。为了验证所提出方法的可行性和准确性,利用线性切割机(LCM)对科罗拉多红色花岗岩进行了切割试验,通过对比分析线性切割试验数据,验证了所提出方法的可行性。数值模拟结果表明：对于科罗拉多红色花岗,滚刀法向力和切向力会随着刀间距和贯入度比值的增加先减少后增大,当刀间距和贯入度的比值为20左右,滚刀法向力和切向力最小。线性切割试验和数值模拟结果均表明,当间距和贯入度的比值在17～20左右,岩石切割的比能量最低,此时TBM切割效率最高。文章提出方法的方法可以为TBM滚刀刀头配置提供重要依据。     

Comparison and discussion on fragmentation behavior of soft rock in multi-indentation tests by a single TBM disc cutter

This paper is to investigate the mechanical responses and failure characteristics of soft rock in multi-indentation tests by a single TBM constant cross section (CCS) disc cutter. Different pre-set penetration depths and totally three cycles of indentation processes were employed in the repeated indentation tests conducted on the cubic cement mortar specimens. The load-penetration depth curve, penetration load, peak-load penetration depth, rock breakage work and compacted zone depth for the three indentation processes were analyzed. The strength and deformation properties and failure behavior of soft rock under different indentation conditions were revealed. The rock breakage behavior after several indentation processes still presents brittle failure characteristic with small pre-set penetration depths, but the specimens with large pre-set penetration depths appear obvious plastic failure mode. Approximately equal leap loads are obtained from both the intact specimen in direct indentation failure test and the weakened specimens after several indentation processes with different pre-set penetration depths, but the peak-load penetration depths for specimens with different pre-set penetration depths are varying. Curves of the cumulative penetration depth and cumulative rock breakage work both reach the corresponding peak values for one certain pre-set penetration depth. Along with this most unfavourable pre-set penetration depth, rock breakage efficiency is the lowest and energy consumption is the highest.     

A statistical evaluation of intact rock failure criteria constrained by polyaxial test data for five different rocks

In this study we examine seven different failure criteria by comparing them to published polyaxial test data (σ₁>σ₂>σ₃) for five different rock types at a variety of stress states. We employed a grid search algorithm to find the best set of parameters that describe failure for each criterion and the associated misfits. Overall, we found that the polyaxial criteria Modified Wiebols and Cook and Modified Lade achieved a good fit to most of the test data. This is especially true for rocks with a highly σ₂-dependent failure behavior (e.g. Dunham dolomite, Solenhofen limestone). However, for some rock types (e.g. Shirahama Sandstone, Yuubari shale), the intermediate stress hardly affects failure and the Mohr–Coulomb and Hoek and Brown criteria fit these test data equally well, or even better, than the more complicated polyaxial criteria. The values of C₀ yielded by the Inscribed and the Circumscribed Drucker–Prager criteria bounded the C₀ value obtained using the Mohr–Coulomb criterion as expected. In general, the Drucker–Prager failure criterion did not accurately indicate the value of σ₁ at failure. The value of the misfits achieved with the empirical 1967 and 1971 Mogi criteria were generally in between those obtained using the triaxial and the polyaxial criteria. The disadvantage of these failure criteria is that they cannot be related to strength parameters such as C₀. We also found that if only data from triaxial tests are available, it is possible to incorporate the influence of σ₂ on failure by using a polyaxial failure criterion. The results for two out of three rocks that could be analyzed in this way were encouraging.     

不同围压条件下TBM刀具破岩模式的数值研究

为了研究不同围压条件下TBM刀具在掘进施工过程中的破岩机理,基于2-D离散单元法,利用UDEC仿真软件建立了双把TBM刀具侵入岩石的仿真模型。在此基础上设计了一组数值试验,成功地模拟出了不同围压条件以及不同刀间距下岩石裂纹生成,扩展和岩石破碎的全过程。仿真结果表明：TBM刀具作用下岩石存在四种基本的破碎模式,它们的出现与围压以及刀间距有关;破碎模式对刀具的破岩效率,岩石破碎块度均有影响;随着围压的增加,最优刀间距增大,但围压超过一定值后,最优刀间距反而减小。     

Seasonal influence on cone penetration test: An unsaturated soil site example

Interpretation of electric cone penetration test (CPT) based pore water pressure measurement (CPTu) is well established for soils with behavior that follows classical soil mechanics. The literature on the interpretation of these tests performed on unsaturated tropical soils is limited, and little is known about the influence of soil suction on in situ test data. In this context, the CPT data are presented and discussed to illustrate the seasonal variability in an unsaturated tropical soil site. The test data show that soil suction significantly influenced CPT data up to a depth of 4 m at the study site. It shows the importance of considering seasonal variability in unsaturated soil sites caused by soil suction, which was related to water content through a soil-water retention curve (SWRC). It is also important to consider this aspect in the interpretation of CPT data from these soils.     

Real-time prediction of rock mass classification based on TBM operation big data and stacking technique of ensemble learning

Real-time prediction of the rock mass class in front of the tunnel face is essential for the adaptive adjustment of tunnel boring machines(TBMs).During the TBM tunnelling process,a large number of operation data are generated,reflecting the interaction between the TBM system and surrounding rock,and these data can be used to evaluate the rock mass quality.This study proposed a stacking ensemble classifier for the real-time prediction of the rock mass classification using TBM operation data.Based on the Songhua River water conveyance project,a total of 7538 TBM tunnelling cycles and the corresponding rock mass classes are obtained after data preprocessing.Then,through the tree-based feature selection method,10 key TBM operation parameters are selected,and the mean values of the 10 selected features in the stable phase after removing outliers are calculated as the inputs of classifiers.The preprocessed data are randomly divided into the training set(90%)and test set(10%)using simple random sampling.Besides stacking ensemble classifier,seven individual classifiers are established as the comparison.These classifiers include support vector machine(SVM),k-nearest neighbors(KNN),random forest(RF),gradient boosting decision tree(GBDT),decision tree(DT),logistic regression(LR)and multilayer perceptron(MLP),where the hyper-parameters of each classifier are optimised using the grid search method.The prediction results show that the stacking ensemble classifier has a better performance than individual classifiers,and it shows a more powerful learning and generalisation ability for small and imbalanced samples.Additionally,a relative balance training set is obtained by the synthetic minority oversampling technique(SMOTE),and the influence of sample imbalance on the prediction performance is discussed.     

Rock mass response for lined rock caverns subjected to high internal gas pressure

The storage of hydrogen gas in underground lined rock caverns (LRCs) enables the implementation of the first fossil-free steelmaking process to meet the large demand for crude steel. Predicting the response of rock mass is important to ensure that gas leakage due to rupture of the steel lining does not occur. Analytical and numerical models can be used to estimate the rock mass response to high internal pressure; however, the fitness of these models under different in situ stress conditions and cavern shapes has not been studied. In this paper, the suitability of analytical and numerical models to estimate the maximum cavern wall tangential strain under high internal pressure is studied. The analytical model is derived in detail and finite element (FE) models considering both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) geometries are presented. These models are verified with field measurements from the LRC in Skallen, southwestern Sweden. The analytical model is inexpensive to implement and gives good results for isotropic in situ stress conditions and large cavern heights. For the case of anisotropic horizontal in situ stresses, as the conditions in Skallen, the 3D FE model is the best approach.     

The effects of joints on rock fragmentation by TBM cutters using General Particle Dynamics

In this paper, a novel meshfree numerical method known as General Particle Dynamics (GPD) is proposed to reveal the mechanism of the rock fragmentation by TBM cutters. Rock fragmentation by two cutters in consecutive joints rock is investigated using GPD. The numerical results obtained from GPD are in good agreement with the field observed results. Moreover, the effects of the length of intermittent joints on rock fragmentation by two cutters are investigated using GPD. It is found from the numerical results that the length of intermittent joints can significantly influence the crack initiation and propagation and coalescence as well as the fragmentation pattern, and hence affect the penetration rate of the TBM. It indicates that GPD has the potential in simulating rock indentation and fragmentation by TBM cutters.