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Dynamic Cutting Force Model and Vibration Analysis of the Cutterhead in TBM

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Abstract

Dynamic information about the cutting force of each cutter, such as peak and frequency of normal force, is essential to address the deformation and vibration of the cutterhead during tunnel construction using tunnel boring machines (TBM). Existing theoretical/empirical models of cutting forces and models of cutterhead deformation and vibration often use static forces for simplified analysis. It will have an impact on cutterhead design and performance analysis. In this study, a dynamic cutting force model is established based on the cavity expansion model and discretization method. This model calculates the period of the cutting force from cutter size, operation parameters and rock strength. Then, it is applied to the equation of motion of the cutterhead as the external load. The natural frequency, mode shape, deformation, and forced vibration of the cutterhead are analyzed. Finally, the cutterhead vibration response was calculated under typical geological conditions and operating parameters. The results show that increased installation radius of cutter, rotational speed and penetration of cutterhead increase the volume of rock extruded by the cutter per unit of time. The core boundary velocity and the frequency of cutting forces are also increased. Furthermore, the dynamic response of the cutterhead is significantly correlated with the geological conditions and operation parameters. Using greater advance rate and rotational speeds on stronger rocks results in most severe vibration of the cutterhead. These results demonstrate that the model provides theoretical support for cutterhead vibration analysis.

Highlights

  • The series of tests performed on the full-scale rotary cutting machine with a synchronous monitoring system for the force of the cutter and the vibration of the cutterhead reveals the significant influence of the rock and operating parameters on cutting force and cutterhead vibration.

  • The proposed novel dynamic cutting force model with rock and operation parameters is proved useful in analyze dynamic information of cutting force.

  • The presented detailed mechanistic analysis of cutterhead vibration applying dynamic forces for TBM tunneling identifies the key parameters controlling system vibration and permits transferring theoretical results to in situ applications.

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The data used in this research has been supplied in tables and figures.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFB2600800), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51978425), the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (Grant No. E2021210032), and Hebei Provincial Central Guidance Local Science and Technology Development Project (Grant No. 226Z5405G). The authors also would like to thank the State Key Laboratory of Shield Machine and Boring Technology for providing the full-scale rotary cutting machine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, China

    Hao-kai Sun

  2. Key Laboratory for Structure Health Monitoring and Control in Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang Tiedao University, Shijiazhuang, 050043, China

    Yang Gao

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  1. Hao-kai Sun
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  2. Yang Gao
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HS designed the study, conducted the tests, and wrote the paper; YG participated in the design of this study and tests.

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Correspondence to Yang Gao.

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Sun, Hk., Gao, Y. Dynamic Cutting Force Model and Vibration Analysis of the Cutterhead in TBM. Rock Mech Rock Eng 56, 7883–7903 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03470-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03470-5

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