Abstract: The cutterhead principal parameter design is one of the key issues of full face rock tunnel boring machine (TBM) and is a crucial factor in influencing the performance of TBM. The mechanism of cutterhead cutting rock is complex and the cutterhead needs to be adaptable and designed for specific rock characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to make full use of successful experiences and data accumulated in TBM cutterhead design. A case-based reasoning approach is proposed for TBM cutterhead principal parameter design. The representation of cutterhead design case is given. According to the characteristics of local attributes in each case, the calculation method of local similarities are provided correspondingly. For the local attribute whose value is at interval, an interval similarity calculation method is presented on the basis of attribute value probability distribution in the interval range. A combined case modification method is used to obtain the final solution of the new design issue. The application of an engineering case shows the design results with the proposed method are better.

Key words: Combined case modification, Case-based reasoning, Cutterhead principal parameter design, Full face rock tunnel boring machine, Similarity