TUNNEL BORING MACHINE PERFORMANCE STUDY. FINAL REPORT

Full face tunnel boring machine "TBM" performance during the excavation of 6 tunnels in sedimentary rock is considered in terms of utilization, penetration rates and cutter wear. The construction records are analyzed and the results are used to investigate 21 downtime classes. Recommendations are made for modifications in excavation system design. Correlations between rock index properties and penetration rates are achieved when maximum TBM thrust and torque are developed. It is shown that the predicting capabilities of index tests are significantly improved when the penetration rate is normalized with respect to thrust. The interrelationship of penetration thrust and rolling forces is analyzed with a 3-dimensional model which provides a rational basis for explaining variations in cutter forces and penetration rates as a function of rock type. Rock abrasiveness is shown to be a useful parameter to predict rates of cutter abrasion wear. A fracture mechanics approach to the process of the cutting tool-chip formation is proposed as an empirical prediction of TBM performance. Seismic records of TBM's are presented in terms of peak velocity, frequency and attenuation rates. The technical and non-technical aspects of TBM planning activites are discussed. Use of 4 TBM's on a major transit project is presented as a case history for TBM planning. Recommendations are made for future work and observation records required for future performance evaluations are summarized.

• Corporate Authors:

  Goldberg-Zoino & Associates, Inc.

  30 Tower Road
  Newton Upper Falls, MA  United States  02164

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  Office of Technical Assistance & Safety, 400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Nelson, P N
  • O'ROURKE, T D
  • Flanagan, R F
  • Kulhawy, F H
  • Ingraffea, A R
• Publication Date: 1984-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 448 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Fracture mechanics; Mathematical models; Project management; Rocks; Soil penetration test; Tunneling; Tunneling machines
• Identifier Terms: Urban Mass Transportation Act
• Old TRIS Terms: Project analysis; Rock tunneling; Umta section 6
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390696
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-MA-06-0100-84-1, DOT-TSC-UMTA-83-54
• Contract Numbers: DTRS57-80-C-00107
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 30 1984 12:00AM