The status of the studies on TBM (tunnel boring machine)performance prediction models is presentedand the calculation models for the cutting forces of thedisc cutters and the calculation methods for the boring parameters are described in the paper. ATBM boring performance prediction modelis established, by which suchparameters ofdisc cutters ascuttingdepths, crosssectional areas of cutting grooves, cutting volumes,shapes of cutting grooves, cutting forces, cutter head torques, thrustforces, net penetration rates and eccentric forces can be calculated. The prediction model is usedin the simulation ofthe performance of  TB880E  TBMs used for the construction of Qinling tunnel. Acomparison is made between the prediction results and the actual performance of  TB880E TBMs in the field, which demonstrates that the prediction model has high calculation accuracy and the prediction results are reasonable. The prediction modelcan be used to optimize the arrangementof the disc cutters of TBMs,to verify the eccentric force of TBM cutterheads and to predict the boring performance of TBMs.