Abstract:

Material transport is a crucial auxiliary process when employing a hard rock tunnel boring machine(TBM) for tunnel construction. Currently, the main transport methods are rail and trackless transport. To rationally select a proper material transport method under various working conditions, the authors use railway tunnels as an example, and summarize the characteristics and applications of rail and trackless transport. Typical working conditions are set based on years of construction practice, and the transport scheme and equipment configuration are investigated. In addition, a detailed comparative analysis of these two methods regarding the construction period and cost is conducted. The research results are as follows: (1) Both rail and trackless transport are technically feasible for railway tunnels constructed with hard rock TBM, and they do not affect the total construction period. (2) The quality of internal combustion locomotives produced by China is still low, necessitating improvements in engineering applicability, feasibility, and durability. The equipment configuration, rail laying, and maintenance should be highly standardized to enhance rail transport efficiency. (3) Specialized or universal trackless transport equipment suitable for the working conditions of tunnel projects bored with hard rock TBMs and at low cost should be designed and developed.

Key words: railway tunnel, tunnel boring machine, material transport, rail transport, trackless transport