• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.299-311
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• 2023

Continuous excavation technologies are developed to improve the excavation rate of shield TBM. Continuous excavation is a technology that provides thrust to segments, excluding being installed one, to reduce tunneling downtime. This paper investigated the prior technology related to continuous excavation segments. The main technology was classified into helical segment, honeycomb segment, and conventional segment methods. The helical segment method has not been applied in actual construction yet, and the honeycomb segment method has not succeeded in commercialization. The continuous excavation method using conventional segments has been successfully demonstrated. The thrust force and operation method of the thrust jacks for the semi-continuous technology were analyzed. Continuous excavation TBM research is also progressing in Korea, and through the analysis of successful cases, the need to develop independent continuous excavation methods has been identified.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.345-352
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• 2022

The existing NATM (New Austrian Tunneling Method) has induced civil compliants due to blasting vibration and noise. Machanized excavation methods such as TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) are being adopted in the planning and construction of tunneling projects. Shield TBM method is composed of repetition processes of TBM excavation and segment installation, the machine has to be stopped during the later process. Consecutive excavation technology using helical segment is under developing to minimize the stoppage time. The modification of thrust jacks and module are planned to ensure the advance force acting on the inclined surface of helical segment. Also, the integrated system design of hydraulic circuit will be remodeled. This means that the system deactivate the jacks on the installing segment while the others automatically act the thrusting forces on the existing segments. This report briefly introduces the mechanical research part of the current consecutive excavation technological development project of TBM.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.167-181
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• 2021

New type of rock excavation method using a waterjet system is being developed to secure economic feasibility and to reduce vibrations during excavation. In waterjet rock excavation, overlapping of cutting width is essential for high efficiency. In this study, cutting experiments for granite specimens were performed using abrasive waterjet system according to the overlapping ratio and standoff distance. Based on the experimental results, the granite cutting performance was analyzed according to the overlapping ratio. In addition, removal shapes of the cross-section were analyzed in terms of the cutting depth, width, and volume after waterjet cutting. When the overlapping ratio is less than 58%, rock specimens are partially removed due to the insufficient overlapping ratio. However, when the overlapping ratio exceeds 67%, overcutting phenomenon is observed. For the partial overlapping ratio (i.e., 25~75%), cutting efficiency is increased in the removal volume. This study is expected to be used as the important basic data for determining the optimum overlapping ratio when the waterjet system is applied for rock excavation.