THE EFFECT OF HYDRAULIC STIFFNESS ON TUNNEL BORING MACHINE PERFORMANCE

Hydraulic rams are the most common method of providing thrust on tunnelling machines. However, due to the compressibility of the fluid, hydraulic systems are flexible and the axial stiffness of the machine is reduced as the stroke is increased. To study the effect of stiffness on the mechanical cutting characteristics of rock, a programme of laboratory experiments has been performed. The tool forces and specific energies at various spacing, penetration and stiffness levels using a single disc cutter in sandstone, granite and dolerite have been analysed and simple relations produced. Results show that as the stiffness decreases both the rolling and normal forces acting on the disc and the specific energy increase. The application of the results to full-face and partial-face tunnelling machines is discussed. A simple stiffness model is also presented. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/01489062
• Corporate Authors:

  Pergamon Press, Incorporated

  Headington Hill Hall
  Oxford OX30BW,    
• Authors:
  • SNOWDON, R A
  • RYLEY, M D
  • TEMPORAL, J
  • CRABB, G I
• Publication Date: 1983-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 203-214
• Serial:
  • Intl J of Rock Mech & Mining Sci & Geomechanic Abs
  • Volume: 20
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Pergamon Press, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0148-9062

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Dolerite; Full face tunneling; Granite; Hydraulic fluids; Hydraulics; Mathematical models; Pendulum tests; Rocks; Sandstones; Sawing; Stiffness; Tests; Tunneling machines
• Uncontrolled Terms: Partial face tunneling machines
• ITRD Terms: 3383: Full face tunnelling machine; 4101: Granite; 5431: Hydraulics (fluid); 3393: Partial face tunnelling machine; 4154: Rock; 4104: Sandstone; 5128: Sawing; 5931: Stiffness; 6255: Test
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I43: Rock Mechanics; I54: Construction of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00384535
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 30 1984 12:00AM