Abstract:

Cutterhead is the key component of tunnel boring machine (TBM) and the deformation and stress distributions of cutterhead are the keys to the safe operation of TBM. In this paper, the static mechanical performances of TBM cuttterhead with different geometries are analyzed, and the domed cutterhead and cone cutterhead with the same diameter and the same cutters number are designed based on flatface cutterhead of TB880E TBM used in Qinling tunnel. The deformation and stress distribution of three types of cutterheads under the same construction conditions and boring parameters are analyzed by means of finite element models. The analysis results show that the stress of flatface cutterhead is smaller than that of domed cutterhead and that of cone cutterhead, and the deformation of domed cutterhead and that of cone cutterhead are smaller than that of flatface cutterhead. It is illustrated that the strength of flatface cutterhead is much higher than that of domed cutterhead and that of cone cutterhead, and the cutterhead rigidity can be effectively improved by using domed/cone cuttehead.

Key words: fullface rock tunnel boring machine (TBM), flatface cutterhead, domed cutterhead, cone cutterhead, static mechanical performance