Theoretical Study on Deformation of Cutterhead of Full Face Rock Tunneling Machine

doi:10.3901/JME.2025.11.386

Abstract

Abstract: The cutterhead is the key core component of the full face rock tunnel boring machine (TBM). In the process of TBM operation, the theory of cutterhead deformation is the basis for improving its design and application technology. The arrangement pattern of disc cutters on the cutterhead and the connection relationship between the cutterhead and the main body of the full-face rock tunnel boring machine are thoroughly considered. Based on the objective characteristic that the central cutters are integrated with the cutterhead and can be regarded as either a solid disc body without holes or a disc body with clearance, theoretical models for both the solid-center and hollow-center cutterheads have been established. Furthermore, the research has proposed unified calculation theories for the deformation of the cutterhead as well as subdomain calculation theories. Finally, the theories proposed were applied to calculate the deformation of the cutterhead for a full face rock tunnel boring machine in a specific engineering project, and the results were compared with those from digital loading simulations. It was found that the results from the subdomain calculation theory are in good agreement with the simulated values within the support domain. Outside the support domain, the average of the values from the integrated calculation theory and the subdomain calculation theory, or a combination of 58% of the subdomain calculation theory value with 42% of the integrated calculation theory value, shows good consistency with the simulated values. The methodologies and theories presented in the text offer insights for the refinement of the design theory and application techniques for the cutterhead of a full face rock tunnel boring machine.

Key words: tunnel boring machine, cutterhead, deformation, support

CLC Number:

U455

ZHANG Zhaohuang, JI Wei, HAN Jialin, QUAN Xingyu, XU Chengfa, SU Cuixia. Theoretical Study on Deformation of Cutterhead of Full Face Rock Tunneling Machine[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2025, 61(11): 386-395.

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