全断面隧道掘进机(TBM)在设备选型及隧洞选线设计中应注意的问题

全断面隧道掘进机(TBM)因其独特优越的技术性能,广泛应用于长隧道掘进中,为克服其自身的不足,避免产生施工缺陷,本文就TBM设备选型、隧洞设计规划方面需要注意解决的相关问题,进行了研究探讨。     

TBM掘进技术在软岩隧洞中的应用

通过单护盾、双护盾TBM掘进技术在甘肃引洮供水工程总干渠7^#、9^#隧洞中的应用,证明了TBM掘进设备的选型依据,说明了超前地质预报、合理选择注浆技术的重要性,提出了对设备改进的建议。     

空地联合反导预警技术探讨

由于战术弹道导弹作战方式的特殊性,要求建立一个多层次的、完善的预警系统。指出了地基相控阵雷达探测战术弹道导弹的优点与存在的局限性,对空基预警机系统预警探测的特点作了分析。提出了地基相控阵雷达和预警机空地联合反导预警方式,按照系统集成的方法,建立了联合反导预警装备系统的数学模型,仿真分析了系统的探测效能,为联合反导预警体系的构建提供了参考依据。     

TBM试验台支撑推进节能系统设计与仿真分析

针对全断面硬岩隧道掘进机(hard rock tunnel boring machine,简称TBM)在撑靴以设定压力撑紧围岩后支撑推进系统存在较大流量损失的问题,设计出一种具有负载敏感、恒压控制和蓄能器辅助支撑功能的支撑推进(简称LSCPGT)系统。利用AMESim软件搭建了LSCPGT系统模型,仿真分析了LSDRGT系统在变推进负载下的压力流量响应,并对比分析了在支撑工况下LSCPGT系统和恒压控制泵型支撑(constant pressure gripper,CPG)系统,以及在推进工况下LSCPGT系统与负载敏感泵型推进(load-sensing thrust,LST)系统和定量泵型推进(ration thrust,RT)系统的压力流量响应.结果表明:LST系统和LSCPGT系统在推进过程中都没有流量损失;CPG系统在支撑工况下存在流量损失,而LSCPGT系统由于蓄能器的保压作用没有流量损失;相对于LST系统+CPG系统的支撑推进系统,LSCPGT系统在撑靴达到设定压力后效率至少可提高43.5%。所设计的LSCPGT系统在满足支撑推进要求的同时,避免了流量损失,具有较好的节能效果。     

Options and methods for instrumentation of Test Blanket Systems for experiment control and scientific mission

Europe is currently developing two reference breeder blankets concepts for DEMO reactor specifications that will be tested in ITER under the form of Test Blanket Modules (TBMs): the Helium-Cooled Lithium-Lead (HCLL) concept which uses the eutectic Pb-16Li as both breeder and neutron multiplier; the Helium-Cooled Pebble-Bed (HCPB) concept which features lithiated ceramic pebbles as breeder and beryllium pebbles as neutron multiplier. Each TBM is associated with several sub-systems required for their operation; together they form the Test Blanket System (TBS). This paper presents the state of HCLL and HCPB TBS instrumentation design. The discussion is based on the systems functional analysis, from which three main categories of instrumentation are defined: those relevant to safety functions; those relevant to interlock functions; those designed for the control and scientific exploitation of the devices based on the TBM program objectives.     

Status of ITER TBM port plug conceptual design and analyses

The test blanket module port plug (TBM PP) consists of a TBM frame and two TBM-sets. However, at any time of the ITER operation, a TBM set can be replaced by a dummy TBM. The frame provides a standardized interface with the vacuum vessel (VV)/port structure and provides thermal isolation from the shield blanket. As one of the plasma-facing components, it shall withstand heat loads while at the same time provide adequate neutron shielding for the VV and magnet coils. The frame design shall provide a stable engineering solution to hold TBM-sets and also provide a mean for rapid remote handling replacement and refurbishment. This paper presents main design features of the conceptual design of TBM PP with two dummy TBMs. Also analysis results are summarized to evaluate shielding, hydraulic, and thermal and structural performances of the TBM PP design.     

Assessing the ability of rock masses to support block breakage at the TBM cutter face

In order for tunnel boring machines to efficiently cut or break rock, it is necessary that the block of rock in contact with the cutter be adequately supported by the surrounding rock mass. This support is provided by the interlocking of blocks and the friction of the surfaces. If blocks are inadequately supported or become free without breakage the result can be jamming at the TBM face. Such blocky ground conditions are typically assessed according to the spacing and orientation of discontinuities (including joints) within the rock mass, typically using a rock mass classification system. In laboratory tests on cuttability or abrasivity of rocks, test samples are typically supported securely in a frame or jig. Numerical models of rock breakage also assume boundary conditions in which the sample is completely supported. Therefore the applicability of the results from laboratory and numerical studies depends on the same degree of support of blocks in the ground. The conditions required to adequately support a block for breakage are investigated and related to rock mass parameters, in particular, the three-dimensional patterns of discontinuities. A rock mass can be capable of providing adequate support to a block of rock such that the cuttability is adequately described by conventional methods. However, there are some rock mass conditions where support of blocks is not well developed, potentially resulting in otherwise unexpected poor TBM progress or jamming of TBM with loose blocks. Three-dimensional discontinuity patterns can be assessed using stereographic methods or borehole (α–β) methods. It is proposed that problematic conditions may occur where: two or more oblique (α between 20° and 70°) discontinuity sets are present (and over-represented relative to a uniform distribution); one or more of these discontinuity sets are dipping into the opening (β = 180° ± 90°) and additional discontinuities (in sets or randomly oriented) are present to form complete tetrahedral wedge blocks.     

Analysis on the damage behavior of mixed ground during TBM cutting process

Accurate prediction of rock cutting forces of disc cutters is especially significant for the design and construction of tunnel boring machine (TBM). Through the analysis of motion trajectory of TBM disc cutters, a three-dimensional model of rock breaking process of disc cutters is established. In terms of the rock strain which is resulted from the interaction between disc cutters and rock during the process of rock breaking, a three-dimensional cutting forces model is proposed with disc cutters set at certain parameters and in certain sizes. Subsequently, the equation of contacting forces between rock and disc cutter is derived. Moreover, a new method has been presented for the study of the rock breaking theory of the disc cutter and it also provides guidance for the design and application of TBM in tunnel excavation. The three-dimensional model for the rock breaking mechanism is used for predicting the cutting force for the situation of mixed ground.The damage field and the rock failure zone induced by disc cutter for mixed ground are also discussed in this study. In detail, the rock damage zones are divided into two parts, one is the left damage field which located in the outside of disc cutter. The other is the right damage field which located in the outside of disc cutter. The influence of the rock ground dip on the rock failure zone was also studied by parameter analysis.     

Effect of replacing disc cutters with chisel tools on performance of a TBM in difficult ground conditions

A summary of a research program covering a period of two years on the performance of a TBM in a very complex and difficult geology is presented in this study. The formations in the study area varied from alluvium, sludge, mudstone, shale and limestone to quartzite with strengths from soft to very hard. The dykes frequently intruded the sedimentary rocks resulting in different degrees of weathering and fracturing in the country rock causing tremendous delays in progress rate of the TBM. The disc cutters started cutting inefficiently in clayey medium strength ground with extreme water income, at where also excessive disc consumptions started due to insufficient friction between the disc cutters and very soft (sludgy) formation, and it was decided to replace all disc cutters with chisel tools (ripper, scraper). Before making this important decision that could affect totally the excavation efficiency and production rate, some theoretical estimations were performed using the Evans’ cutting theory after some modifications based on the previous experimental studies for relieved cutting mode and wear flat, front ridge and vee-bottom angles found in complex shapes of chisel tools to estimate deterministically the torque and thrust requirements of the TBM.Field measurements of the torque and thrust requirements of the TBM equipped with the chisel tools validated the theoretical considerations and the deterministic model used for predicting the performance. Statistical analysis indicated that the model could be used reliably for performance prediction. This study also gave a unique opportunity to compare the performance of disc cutters and chisel tools used on the same TBM at variety of grounds and to analyze the effect of replacing disc cutters with chisel tools on the performance of the TBM. The field measurements indicated that the chisel tools were superior to the disc cutters in especially soft to medium strength rocks.     

A Closer Look at the Design of Cutterheads for Hard Rock Tunnel-Boring Machines

The success of a tunnel-boring machine (TBM) in a given project depends on the functionality of all components of the system, from the cutters to the backup system, and on the entire rolling stock. However, no part of the machine plays a more crucial role in the efficient operation of the machine than its cutterhead. The design of the cutterhead impacts the efficiency of cutting, the balance of the head, the life of the cutters, the maintenance of the main bearing/gearbox, and the effectiveness of the mucking along with its effects on the wear of the face and gage cutters/muck buckets. Overall, cutterhead design heavily impacts the rate of penetration (ROP), rate of machine utilization (U), and daily advance rate (AR). Although there has been some discussion in commonly available publications regarding disk cutters, cutting forces, and some design features of the head, there is limited literature on this subject because the design of cutterheads is mainly handled by machine manufacturers. Most of the design process involves proprietary algorithms by the manufacturers, and despite recent attention on the subject, the design of rock TBMs has been somewhat of a mystery to most end-users. This paper is an attempt to demystify the basic concepts in design. Although it may not be sufficient for a full-fledged design by the readers, this paper allows engineers and contractors to understand the thought process in the design steps, what to look for in a proper design, and the implications of the head design on machine operation and life cycle.