Experimental and numerical study on excavation process induced by TBM disc cutter group assisted by different free faces

doi:10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.04.011

Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science)

2025, Vol. 59

Issue (4): 759-768 DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.04.011

Experimental and numerical study on excavation process induced by TBM disc cutter group assisted by different free faces

Qi GENG1(

),Zhenping ZHAO2,Jianxun CHEN3,Weiwei LIU3,*(

),Yanbin LUO3,Maoxun MA1,Dong LI2,Rubing FENG2,Teligen WU2,Kun LI2

1. Key Laboratory of Road Construction Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
2. CCCC Central-South Engineering Limited Company, Changsha 410114, China
3. Highway School, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China

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Abstract

To reveal the dynamic excavation performance of full-face hard rock tunnel boring machine (TBM) disc cutter group under free faces, laboratory excavation experiments were carried out on a concrete sample by a group of full-scale disc cutters assisted by a pilot hole, and numerical excavation simulations were conducted on a rock specimen by a group of full-scale disc cutters under the assistance of pre-cut kerfs. The characteristics and performances of the free-face-assisted rock excavation of the multi-stage-cutterhead TBM and the waterjet-assisted TBM were analyzed and evaluated. For the specimen with uniaxial compressive strength of approximately 40 MPa, the structure of the free face of the pilot hole follows a periodic evolution pattern of “vertical?inclined?horizontal?vertical”, and the affected area is concentrated in 2?4 disc cutters near the free face. The critical spacing and height of the free face are 180 and 130 mm, respectively. The total excavation thrust is reduced by 10% to 20%, and the boreability of the surrounding rock is improved by 6.7% to 21.0%. Under the condition of concentric-ring type pre-cut kerfs, the rock-breaking load first decreases and then stabilizes with increasing kerf depth, and the rock-breaking efficiency first increases and then stabilizes with increasing kerf depth. The critical value of pre-cut kerf depth is 40 mm, the excavation thrust decreases by a minimum of 36%, and the excavation efficiency increases by a minimum of 56%, compared with the simulation without the assistance of pre-cut kerfs. The rock excavation effectiveness of the multi-stage-cutterhead TBM can be improved by increasing the influence range of the free face.

Key words： full-face hard rock tunnel boring machine free face disc cutter rock breaking cutterhead excavation pre-cut kerf

Received: 28 February 2024 Published: 25 April 2025

CLC:

TU 94

Fund: 国家自然科学基金资助项目（52278390）；陕西省自然科学基础研究计划项目（2022JM-172）；中交一公局集团项目（X-GL-QSGS(J)-XIJ-WY-05-JS-80）；新疆维吾尔自治区重大科技专项（2020A03003-5）.

Corresponding Authors: Weiwei LIU E-mail: gengqi@chd.edu.cn;liuww@chd.edu.cn

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	Qi GENG
	Zhenping ZHAO
	Jianxun CHEN
	Weiwei LIU
	Yanbin LUO
	Maoxun MA
	Dong LI
	Rubing FENG
	Teligen WU
	Kun LI

Cite this article:

Qi GENG,Zhenping ZHAO,Jianxun CHEN,Weiwei LIU,Yanbin LUO,Maoxun MA,Dong LI,Rubing FENG,Teligen WU,Kun LI. Experimental and numerical study on excavation process induced by TBM disc cutter group assisted by different free faces. Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science), 2025, 59(4): 759-768.

URL:

https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.04.011 OR https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/Y2025/V59/I4/759

临空面辅助的TBM滚刀群掘进试验与数值模拟

为了揭示临空面下全断面岩石隧道掘进机（TBM）滚刀群动态掘进效果，开展中导洞辅助下全尺度滚刀群掘进围岩室内试验，进行预切槽辅助下全尺度滚刀群掘进围岩数值模拟，评价分级刀盘式和水射流辅助式TBM的临空面辅助围岩掘进特性与效果. 对于单轴抗压强度约为40 MPa的围岩，中导洞临空面结构呈“竖直—倾斜—水平—竖直”演化规律，影响区域集中在近临空面侧2~4把滚刀，临空面的临界间距和高度分别为180、130 mm，掘进推力降低10%~20%，围岩可掘进性提升6.7%~21.0%. 破岩载荷随同心环预切槽深度增大而先减小后稳定，破岩效率随切槽深度增大而先提高后稳定. 切槽深度的临界值为40 mm，与无预切槽情况相比，掘进推力减小至少36%，掘进效率提升至少56%. 增大临空面影响范围可提升分级刀盘式TBW破岩掘进效果.

关键词： 全断面岩石隧道掘进机, 临空面, 滚刀破岩, 刀盘掘进, 预切槽

Fig.1 Excavation test bench and specimen

Tab.1 Parameters of excavation experiment

Fig.2 Dynamic excavation process of disc cutter group

Fig.3 Debris and tunnel face at end of excavation experiment one

Fig.4 Normal force of disc cutter in excavation experiments

Fig.5 Field penetration index in excavation experiments

Fig.6 Relationship between particle size of rock debris and cumulative probability

Fig.7 Bubble diagram of rock debris size (excavation experiment one)

Fig.8 Characteristic particle sizes and coarseness indexes of rock debris distribution in excavation experiments

Fig.9 Numerical model of disc cutter group excavation assisted by pre-cut kerf

Fig.10 Mechanical parameter calibration of rock

Fig.11 Simulation results of disc cutter group excavation (H_C=10 mm)

Fig.12 Average disc cutter rock breaking loads at different pre-cut kerf depths

Fig.13 Excavation specific energy and specific drivage efficiency at different pre-cut kerf depths


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