• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.517-528
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• 2012

Inserting a nozzle assembly into a removed cutting space during a continuous cutting operation is necessary in rock excavation using an abrasive waterjet. In this study, a combined two nozzle assembly is used to secure enough removal width. The shape of the cut space is affected by the geometric parameters (standoff distance, nozzle angle, and vertical distance between the nozzle tips) of the combined nozzle assembly. Abrasive waterjet cutting tests are performed with various geometric parameters for granite rock specimens. Optimized geometric parameters for the nozzle inserting process are determined and verified through the experimental tests.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.395-409
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• 2022

To overcome the limitation of conventional rock excavation methods, the excavation with abrasive waterjet has been actively developed. The abrasive waterjet excavation method has the effect of reducing blasting vibration and enhancing the excavation efficiency by forming a continuous free surface on the rock. However, the waterjet cutting performance varies with rock fracturing characteristics. Thus, it is necessary to analyze the cutting performance for various rocks in order to effectively utilize the waterjet excavation. In this study, cutting experiments with the high pressure waterjet system were performed for basalt and granite specimens. Water pressure, standoff distance, and traverse speed were determined as effective parameters for the abrasive waterjet cutting. The cutting depth and width of basalt specimens were analyzed to compare with granite results. The averaged cutting depth of basalt was shown in 41% deeper than granite; in addition, the averaged cutting width of basalt was formed by 18.5% narrower than granite. The results of this study are expected to be useful basic data for applying rock excavation site with low strength and high porosity such as basalt.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.763-778
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• 2019

Abrasive waterjet cutting technology has been used for rock excavation of tunnels and underground structures due to various advantages. In order to cut rocks by using the abrasive waterjet system, abrasive is essential to enhance impact energies for fracturing the target rock. Since garnet abrasives are not produced in Korea, alternative abrasives, instead of garnets, are needed to achieve the economical waterjet cutting. This study is to analyze cutting performance for rocks with sandy particles as alternative abrasive. Cutting tests were carried out on granite specimens at the constant waterjet energy (e.g., water pressure or water flow rate). The five kinds of sands, sampled by construction fields and natural sites, were prepared to perform the experimental tests. When sea sand was used as an alternative abrasive, cutting performance was secured to be 60~70% compared to the commercial garnet abrasive. Thus, it is expected that sand abrasives can be applied on the waterjet cutting process for the economical excavation construction.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.244-254
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• 2023

The disc cutter mounted on the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is subjected to cutting forces in three dimensions during rock excavation process. It is widely known that the cutting forces increased with the strength of the rock mass, while the rolling force can be significantly increased when the disc cutter encounters abnormal rotation. Therefore, the cutting force acts on the disc cutter provides important information because it represents the conditions of the rock mass and the disc cutter. For these reasons, several studies have been conducted to measure the cutter forces in real-time. This paper introduces the current status of research on the cutter force measurement of TBM disc cutters, which has been reported in the literature. It is judged that this paper can be a useful reference material when similar technologies are developed in Korea in the future.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.173-180
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• 2009

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.508-517
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• 2011

The linear cutting test is the most reliable and accurate approach to measuring cutting forces and cutting efficiency using full-size disc cutter in various rock types. The result of linear cutting tests can be used to obtain the key parameters of cutter-head design (i.e. optimum cutter spacing, cutter forces). In Korea, LCM (Linear Cutting Machine) tests have been performed for typical Korean rock types, but these studies focused on the isotropic rocktypes. For prediction of TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) performances in complex geological conditions including a bedded and schistose rockmass, it is important to consider the effects of anisotropy of rockmass on cutting performances and cutting efficiency. This study discusses a series of LCM tests that were performed for Asan Gneiss having two types of anisotropy angles to assess the effect of the anisotropy angle on rock-cutting performances of TBM. The result shows that the rock-cutting performances and optimum cutting conditions are affected by anisotropy angle and the effect of anisotropy on rock strength should be considered in a prediction of the cutting performances and efficiency of TBM.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.247-258
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• 2001

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.1069-1077
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• 2015

In tunnel excavation using blast, the wire saw rock cutting method generates a discontinuity perimeter around the center cut, and thus prevents blast vibration propagation to reduce vibration and noise. Therefore, the method is expected to be easy to use and economical compared with other methods. In this paper, the cutting mechanism of wire saw in tunnel excavation is investigated. A model describing the changes in cutting depth and wire saw shape inside a rock during cutting is established and validated for this purpose. Through a simulation using the model, the important characteristics of wire saw cut are investigated, and the influences of cutting conditions, such as wire saw tension, wire saw speed, feed speed, depth, and diameter of boring, on cutting performance are also examined. A method to improve the cutting performance is proposed based on the results.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.148-156
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• 2019

In urban area, the use of mechanical excavators (e.g., TBM and roadheader) has been increasing in construction of tunnelling and underground space. The undercutting technology, which is modified from the conventional rock-cutting concept, has been developed by advanced countries. Therefore, research on the latest technology of mechanical excavation is required, and keeping carrying out research on conventional mechanical tunneling methods at the same time. In this study, as a fundamental study of the undercutting technique, the principle and concept of the undercutting were introduced, as well as the current status of the research of advanced countries. The undercutting is applicable as a full-face excavation method for the tunnels and underground spaces, as well as an auxiliary(partial-face excavation) method for extension of the existing tunnels.