• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.68-86
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• 2016

Understanding the frictional properties of rock discontinuities is crucial to ensure the stability of underground structures. In particular, the frictional behavior at depth depends on the complex interaction among mechanical, hydraulic, thermal and chemical characteristics and their coupled effects. In this study, a series of shear tests were carried out in a triaxial compression chamber to investigate the shearing behavior of saw-cut granite surface and rough shear surface of synthetic rocks. The test results were analyzed using Coulomb's shear strength criterion. The frictional behavior of saw-cut granite surface showed little variation at different confining, water pressures and temperature conditions, however in case of synthetic rocks, the frictional behavior showed different trend depending on normal stress level. In addition, the variation of stiffness and dilation at different testing conditions were analyzed, and the stiffness and dilation showed little variation at different water pressures and temperature conditions.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.484-495
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• 2020

To numerically simulate the advance of EPB TBM, various type of numerical analysis methods have been adopted including discrete element method (DEM), finite element method (FEM), and finite difference method (FDM). In this paper, an EPB TBM driving model was proposed by using coupled DEM-FDM. In the numerical model, DEM was applied in the TBM excavation area, and contact properties of particles were calibrated by a series of triaxial tests. Since the ground around the excavation area was coupled with FDM, the horizontal stress considering the coefficient of earth pressure at rest could be applied. Also, the number of required particles was reduced and the efficiency of the analysis was increased. The proposed model can control the advance rate and rotational speed of the cutter head and screw conveyor, and derive the torque, thrust force, chamber pressure, and discharging during TBM tunnelling.