Various types of TBM are now available, and widely used as a substitution for the conventional tunneling method, namely drilling, blasting, and mucking. Potentially, TBM performance is far beyond the conventional method and if TBM is properly applied and used, mean penetration rate may be several times greater than that of conventional method. However, in some occasions TBM shows very poor performance if it is used in the adverse condition to TBM. Therefore, it is very important to discuss the applicability of TBM and develop the system to evaluate the performance of TBM in advance.
In this paper, knowledge concerning to TBM performances is collected and implemented in a computer program which can be called an expert system for applicability of TBM. The program consists of three part;
a. Check the fundamental requirements whether fulfilled or not,
b. Estimate the operational conditions for the site,
c. Check the proposed conditions from the various points.
The second part may be a tiny expert system and makes the several proposals for the final part. In part c., the knowledge of many authors or experts are implemented and the proposed conditions are evaluated.
In this expert system, input parameters are tunnel length, tunnel diameter, maximum curvature, dip, uniaxial compressive strength etc., and penetration rate, normal force, rolling force etc. are deduced together with the appraisal and recommendation for users. Through the several case studies, it was found that the developed expert system gives the appropriate results especially for the tunnels excavated in North America and Europe. In cases of tunnels excavated in Japan, the estimated penetration rate is far less than the actual result. Consideration for complicated environments and surroundings differing from country to country may be remained for future.
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