• 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.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.526-532
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• 2000

The uniaxial compressive strength of rock mass is known as the major factor in the assessment of drillability and the optimum excavation design in full-face tunnel excavation by TBM. Referring to worldwide cases, TBM has been applied mostly to the rock mass within the strength range of 80~250 MPa. Recently, a water way tunnel has been constructed as a part of Milyang dam project by TBM within the rock masses where the rock type is mainly granite with some granophyre, hornfels and andesite. Their uniaxial compressive strengths in extended area are estimated higher than 260 MPa. In this paper, the relation between the penetration rate and the rock mass properties is analyzed and TBM application to the very hard rocks is discussed. As a result that three suggestions to predict the TBM net penetration rate are analyzed, NTH method seems a better approach than other methods in the extremely hard rocks. NTH prediction matches with the results of actual values with the variations of 2~20%. Hardness measurement by Schmidt hammer and RMR estimation are carried out along the L = 5.3 km entire TBM tunnel alignment. The net penetration rate measured monthly is shown to be reciprocally proportional to Schmidt rebound hardness and RMR where coefficients of correlation, $R^2$are 0.705 and 0.777 respectively. As a result, they are good quantitative indices for the prediction of TBM net penetration rate in the extremely hard rocks. Magnitude of in-situ stress has a certain effect on TBM performance, and it is required to measure the in-situ stresses in TBM excavation design.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 2020

The use of cable tunnels for electric power transmission as well as their construction in difficult conditions such as in subsea terrains and large overburden areas has increased. So, in order to efficiently operate the small diameter shield TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine), the estimation of advance rate and development of a design model is necessary. However, due to limited scope of survey and face mapping, it is very difficult to match the rock mass characteristics and TBM operational data in order to achieve their mutual relationships and to develop an advance rate model. Also, the working mechanism of previously utilized linear cutting machine is slightly different than the real excavation mechanism owing to the penetration of a number of disc cutters taking place at the same time in the rock mass in conjunction with rotation of the cutterhead. So, in order to suggest the advance rate and machine design models for small diameter TBMs, an EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) shield TBM having 3.54 m diameter cutterhead was manufactured and 19 cases of full-scale tunneling tests were performed each in 87.5 ㎥ volume of artificial rock mass. The relationships between advance rate and machine data were effectively analyzed by performing the tests in homogeneous rock mass with 70 MPa uniaxial compressive strength according to the TBM operational parameters such as thrust force and RPM of cutterhead. The utilization of the recorded penetration depth and torque values in the development of models is more accurate and realistic since they were derived through real excavation mechanism. The relationships between normal force on single disc cutter and penetration depth as well as between normal force and rolling force were suggested in this study. The prediction of advance rate and design of TBM can be performed in rock mass having 70 MPa strength using these relationships. An effort was made to improve the application of the developed model by applying the FPI (Field Penetration Index) concept which can overcome the limitation of 100% RQD (Rock Quality Designation) in artificial rock mass.