Abstract: There is a large range of crosssection diameter variation in pumped storage power stations and underground caverns, which cannot be effectively dealt with by conventional tunnel boring machine cutterhead. Accordingly, a continuously variable cutterhead diameter technology is developed. The mechanical properties of the cutterhead are analyzed and checked by theoretical calculation and finite element analysis. The results show that the maximum stress and deformation of the cutterhead with continuously variable diameter technology under typical working conditions do not exceed the yield stress and maximum deformation conditions, and has good mechanical properties. It is proved that the continuously variable diameter technology will not affect the overall structural strength of the cutterhead, and further engineering application verification research can be carried out.

Key words: tunnel boring machine, cutterhead, continuously variable diameter, mechanical properties