MatDEM-based study of disc cutter force model in open TBM tunnels: Incorporating installation radius and synergistic effects
b. Department of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
c. School of Railway Transportation, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China
d. China Railway Eryuan Kunming Survey, Design and Research Institute Co. Ltd., Kunming 650200, China
Abstract: The prediction of rock cutting force is critical for tunnel boring machine performance and cutterhead design. This paper presents a novel model for rock cutting force prediction based on the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) model, which incorporates the installation position of disc cutters by introducing installation radius and synergistic effect factors. Linear cutting tests in the laboratory and largescale rotary cutting simulations in MatDEM software were conducted to examine the impact of these factors. Results indicate that the normal and rolling forces increase and stabilize as the installation radius increases. The synergistic effect produces three force modes in a cutting circle, with mode a having the largest cutting force, mode b having a smaller force, and mode c having the smallest force. The impact of installation radius and synergistic effect varies with rock-cutter parameters. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the introduced factors. The proposed model was validated with rock strength and operation data from the Irtysh River conveyance project. The results demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms the CSM model in predicting cutting force in field conditions.
Keywords: Tunnel boring machine; Rock cutting force; Disc cutter; Synergistic effect; Discrete element method
Fig.7 Stress–strain curves and failure forms of Beishan granite sample. (a) Uniaxial compression test, and (b) direct tension test.
Fig.8 DEM models. (a) Single disc cutter linear cutting, and (b) three disc cutters rotary cutting.
Fig. 9 Z-displacement of particles in the numerical linear cutting test.
Fig. 15 Z-displacement of particles in the numerical rotary cutting test.
Yadong Xue, Lushan Shu, Lan Zhao, Wei Luo, Yongfa Guo, MatDEM-based study of disc cutter force model in open TBM tunnels: Incorporating installation radius and synergistic effects, Underground Space, Volume 20, 2025, Pages 293-310, ISSN 2467-9674.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.undsp.2024.02.008.