THE THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE OF THE EXCAVATION SYSTEM OF THE RECTANGULAR FACED TBM

Abstract

The excavation mechanism of TBM with rectangular face consists out of hydraulic jacks connected to an extendable cutter spoke, which is operated through a computer-controlled system.
In the present study, the performance of excavating system at the cutter face is evaluated by observing the excavation torque, quality of excavation of corners, and the stability of the cutter face. The performance of cutter bit was tested in the laboratory, and a fluid flow of soil in the cutter face was simulated by numerical analysis. These results were compared with the actual data obtained from a tunnel with a cross section of 40m².