Cutterhead mud-caking detection method and application based on cutter wear and temperature measurement

Abstract

Mud-caking of the cutterhead in a tunnel boring machine (TBM) has been commonly encountered when a TBM is excavating through strongly weathered rock or clay. Not only the opening of cutterhead could be blocked to cause problem for muck flowing through, mud-caking of a cutterhead will also lead to the increase of thrust and torque, as well as compromise of tunneling efficiency. To predict the mud-caking status in real time, a prediction model was established based on cutter temperature characteristics, and a bus-based detection system was designed to monitor cutter wear and temperature in tunneling. Such prediction model and detection system were verified on an earth pressure balance (EPB) TBM at a Shenzhen metro project. The research demonstrated that the detection system performed its function of monitoring cutter wear and temperature changes in real time. A dynamic prediction of cutterhead mud-caking status was also proved using the prediction model.