IMPROVING UNDERGROUND EXCAVATION THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF HYDRAULIC WATER JET ASSISTED MECHANICAL TUNNEL BORING

Field tests were conducted in a granite quarry near Skykomish, Washington, to verify the concept of improving tunneling rates with water jet assisted mechanical cutting. Three different jet patterns were investigated, with only the configuration of jets between cutters being successful. Machine torque requirements were reduced approximately 25 percent when the water jets were used due to reduced cutterhead friction in the presence of the water. A comprehensive economic analysis was undertaken to determine the degree of cost benefits attainable from increased advance rates. Significant savings were seen to be possible depending on the percentage improvement assumed. Two complementary studies for insuring the rapid development and application of the technology are suggested: a laboratory optimization study and a field implementation program. The laboratory study should produce design parameters which take advantage of the two systems and the interaction between the two. The field implementation of water jet assisted tunneling should reveal the capabilities and benefits of the system and indicate any system design modifications required based on field experience.

• Corporate Authors:

  Colorado School of Mines

  Excavation Engineering and Earth Mechanics Institute
  Golden, CO  United States  80401

  National Science Foundation

  Research Applied to National Needs
  Washington, DC  United States  20550

  Bureau of Mines

  C Street Between 18th and 19th Streets, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20241
• Authors:
  • Wang, Fujian
  • ROBBINS, R
  • Olson, J
• Publication Date: 1976-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 184 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Cutting; Cutting tools; Excavation; Excavation and tunneling; Field tests; Hydraulic jetting; Laboratory studies; Nozzles; Rock mechanics; Torque; Tunneling; Tunneling machines; Waterjets
• Old TRIS Terms: Cutting fluids; Excavation technology; Hydraulic jets; Tunnel excavation
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00143089
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NSF/RA-760092
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 6 1976 12:00AM