JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS

JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS

Presenting an experimental model for predicting the blade consumption rate of full-section tunnel boring machines (TBM)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The efficiency of mechanized drilling in hard rocks is directly related to the efficiency of the drilling blades. Blade wear is an important factor affecting the capability of full-length tunnel boring machines (TBMs). When these machines advance in a resistant and hard rock, blade wear will severely affect the drilling process. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the blades, it is necessary to understand the rock cutting mechanism by them and identify the key parameters affecting the blade wear process (condition). In this paper, based on the results of the survey, monitoring and analysis of a statistical population of more than 1000 pieces of drilling blades that have been used in the mechanized drilling of the Sib Mineral Water Transfer Tunnel, an experimental model was presented to determine the blade consumption rate in 3 types of rocks with different lithologies, such as granite (high resistance and medium to high abrasion), quartzite (medium resistance and very high abrasion), and limestone (medium resistance and medium to low abrasion). Finally, the presented empirical model was compared with common models such as NTNU, and the results showed a high correlation between them.
Keywords