Abstract: To explore the interaction between the disc cutter of tunnel boring machines (TBMs)/ shields and rocks, rationally select equipment types for different rocks and select cutterheads and cutter configuration, and improve the rockbreaking efficiency, the wear mechanism of disc cutters is analyzed according to the wear shape of the disc cutter edge of TBMs/shields in hard rocks in various locations in China. From the obtained results, the following conclusions are drawn: (1) the wear shape of disccutter edges varies with different boring modes, parameters, rock strengths, and disccutter hardness gradients when different TBMs/shields are used in hard rocks; (2) the wear shape of cutter edge results from specific boundary conditions, which affect the boring efficiency; (3) the rational selection of equipment, boring modes, parameters, and cutter configuration according to the analytical results of disccutter edge wear shape could improve rockbreaking efficiency and increase the service life of disc cutters.

Key words: shield, TBM, disc cutter edge wear shape, wear mechanism, rockbreaking efficiency