• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.221-243
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• 2023

The use of roadheaders has been increasing to mitigate the problems of noise and vibration during tunneling operations in urban area. Since lack of experience of roadheader for hard rock, the selection of appropriate machines and the evaluation of cutting rates have been challenging. Currently, empirical models developed overseas are commonly used to evaluate cutting rates, but their effectiveness has not been verified for domestic rocks. In this paper, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to assess the rock cutting force, cutterhead capacity, and cutting rate to select the appropriate machine and evaluate its performance. The cutterhead capacity was reviewed based on the literature results for the site. Furthermore, a new empirical model and simplified method for predicting cutting rates were proposed through data analysis in relation to operation time and rock strength, and compared with those of the conventional model from the manufacturer. The results show good agreement for high strength range upper 80 MPa of uniaxial compressive strength.

• 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.9 no.2
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• pp.158-167
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• 1999

There are substantial difficulties in assessing the volume of soill/rock to be excavated and the cost thereof, which is attributable to the subjective and qualitative methods of rock mass classification prevailing at the moment. This paper intends to introduce more objective and quantitative rock mass classification method easily applicable to the excavation of granites in Muakjae, Seoul. As a result of such study it is proven that Schmidt hammer and point load strength tests are fairly reliable and easily applicable to estimate and quantify uniaxial compressive strength of granitic material in Seoul. In an efforts to confirm the granitic rock mass conditions in 12 meters underground, seismic refraction surveys were made on the top of vertical exposures from where underlying rock mass conditions could be directly inspected. Rock mass boundaries determined by seismic refraction methods were found to agree within a 1m variance with visible differences in rock mass conditions in the vertical exposure beneath the test site. Thus it can be concluded that detailed geotechnical mapping on cutting slopes is a most efficient, dependable and cost-effective technique in assessing likely excavation conditions of shallow granitic mass in Seoul.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.345-356
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• 2013

Numerical simulation on rock cutting by a TBM disc cutter was carried out using SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics) code. AUTODYN3D, a commercial software program based on finite element method, was used in this study. The three-dimensional geometry of a disc cutter and a rock specimen were modeled by Lagrange and SPH code respectively. The numerical simulation was carried out for Hwangdeung granite for 10 different cutting conditions. The results of the numerical simulation, i.e. the relation between cutter force and failure behavior, had a good agreement with those from LCM test. The cutter forces measured in the numerical simulation had 10% deviation from the LCM test results. Moreover, the optimum cutter spacing was almost identical with the experimental results. These results indicate that SPH code can be successfully used had applicability for simulation on rock cutting by a TBM disc cutter. However, further study on Lagrange-SPH coupled modelling would be necessary to reduce the computation time.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.141-149
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• 2023

Recently, as the demand for urban underground space increases, urban tunnel planning is actively progressing. In particular, the application of the roadheader excavation method, which has favorable applicability to urban tunnel, is increasing. However, it is known that the roadheader excavation method has a limitation in that excavation efficiency for high strength rock with a Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) of 100 MPa or more is lowered. In this study, The pre-cracked method was presented as a method to improve the excavation efficiency of roadheader for high strength rock and its applicability was evaluated. The net cutting rate was evaluated using the Bilgin prediction formula, which can calculate the net cutting rate by considering the UCS and RQD (Rock Quality Designation). It was found that the net cutting rate increased as the RQD decreased under the rock condition with the same UCS. This is judged to increase the excavation efficiency of the roadheader in the jointed high strength rock. Additionally, the field applicability of the pre-cracked method for high strength rock was verified through field tests. It was confirmed that the crack zone was formed around the charging hole, and it is considered that the pre-cracked method can be applied to the high strength rock.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.531-555
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• 2011

This study aims to derive the statistical models for the estimation of the required specifications of a rock TBM as well as for its cutterhead design suitable for a given rock mass condition. From a series of multi-variate regression analysis of 871 TBM driving data and 51 linear rock cutting test results, the optimum models were newly proposed to consider a variety of rock properties and mechanical cutting conditions. When the derived models were applied to two domestic shield tunnels, their predictions of cutter penetration depth, cutter acting forces and cutter spacing were very close to real TBM driving data, showing their high applicability.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.59-79
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• 2006

The successful execution of shield tunnelling depends on the cutting ability of cutter. So the selection of shape, size and material of cutter according to geology condition is important work. Since shield tunnelling method was first invented in 1881, the cutting tool for rock has been developed owing to various experiments and researches, the study for soil, however, is insufficient. This paper introduces the shield tunnelling that will be carried out on weathered rock section (920m) of Seoul Subway Line 7 Extension C703. The shape and the material of cutter are discussed required for execution without replacement of cutter tool as well as for advance of excavation efficiency. In addition the estimation method of cutter abrasion in case of excavation on weathered soil is proposed and verified. Specially, the coefficient of abrasion for different soil and cutter is proposed by means of investigation into construction example of foreign country.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.992-1006
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• 2008

The tunnel type spillways is under construction to increasing water reservoir capacity in Dae-am dam. Cutting-slope adjacent to outlet of spillways had been originally designed to be 63 degrees and about 65m in height. Examination is carried out in preceding construction that it is caused to some problems possibility which of machine for slope cutting couldn't approach to the site, blasting for cutting slope might have negative influence on highway and roads nearby, and fine view along the Tae-hwa river would be eliminated. In order to establish stability of tunnel and more friendly natural environment that we are carry out detailed geological surface survey and analysis of slope stability. So, we are design and construct for tunnel excavation with possible method that it is keep up natural slope. The result of survey and analysis that natural slope was divided 3 zone(A, B, C zone). In A and B zone, in first removed floating rock, high tensile tension net is install that it prevent of release and falling of rock, in order to security during under working. In addition to, pre-stressed rock anchor is install purpose of security during tunnel excavation because of fault zone near vertical developed above excavation level. Zone C is relatively good condition of ground, design is only carry out random rock bolt. All zone are designed and constructed drainage hole for groundwater and surface water is easily drain. Desinged slpoe is harmony with near natural environment. Successfully, construction is completed.

• 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.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 2023

This study focused on understanding the relationship between the design of a tunnel boring machine disc cutter ring and its rock-breaking efficiency, as well as the applicable conditions of different cutter ring types. The discrete element method was used to establish a numerical model of the rock-breaking process using disc cutters with different ring types to reveal the development of rock damage cracks and variation in cutter penetration load. The calculation results indicate that a sharp-edged (V-shaped) disc cutter penetrates a rock mass to a given depth with the lowest load, resulting in more intermediate cracks and few lateral cracks, which leads to difficulty in crack combination. Furthermore, the poor wear resistance of a conventional V-shaped cutter can lead to an exponential increase in the penetration load after cutter ring wear. In contrast, constant-cross-section (CCS) disc cutters have the highest quantity of crack extensions after penetrating rock, but also require the highest penetration loads. An arch-edged (U-shaped) disc cutter is more moderate than the aforementioned types with sufficient intermediate and lateral crack propagation after cutting into rock under a suitable penetration load. Additionally, we found that the cutter ring wedge angle and edge width heavily influence cutter rock-breaking efficiency and that a disc cutter with a 16 to 22 mm edge width and 20° to 30° wedge angle exhibits high performance. Compared to V-shaped and U-shaped cutters, the CCS cutter is more suitable for soft or medium-strength rocks, where the penetration load is relatively small. Additionally, two typical case studies were selected to verify that replacing a CCS cutter with a U-shaped or optimized V-shaped disc cutter can increase cutting efficiency when encountering hard rocks.