Prediction of geological conditions for a tunnel boring machine using big operational data

A multidisciplinary design optimization model is developed in this article to optimize the performance of the hard rock tunnel boring machine using the collaborative optimization architecture. Tunnel boring machine is a complex engineering equipment with many subsystems coupled. In the established multidisciplinary design optimization process of this article, four subsystems are taken into account, which belong to different sub-disciplines/subsytems: the cutterhead system, the thrust system, the cutterhead driving system, and the economic model. The technology models of tunnel boring machine’s subsystems are build and the optimization objective of the multidisciplinary design optimization is to minimize the construction period from the system level of the hard rock tunnel boring machine. To further analyze the established multidisciplinary design optimization, the correlation between the design variables and the tunnel boring machine’s performance is also explored. Results indicate that the multidisciplinary design optimization process has significantly improved the performance of the tunnel boring machine. Based on the optimization results, another two excavating processes under different geological conditions are also optimized complementally using the collaborative optimization architecture, and the corresponding optimum performance of the hard rock tunnel boring machine, such as the cost and energy consumption, is compared and analysed. Results demonstrate that the proposed multidisciplinary design optimization method for tunnel boring machine is reliable and flexible while dealing with different geological conditions in practical engineering.

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The multi-objective optimization of tunneling boring machine control based on geological conditions identification

Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing and Special Equipment ◽

10.1108/jimse-07-2020-0005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 87-105

Author(s):

Hongyuan Wang ◽

Jingcheng Wang

Keyword(s):

Objective Function ◽

Nearest Neighbor ◽

Tunnel Boring Machine ◽

Geological Condition ◽

Content Type ◽

Multi Objective ◽

Tunnel Boring ◽

Geological Conditions ◽

Optimization Control ◽

Accuracy Of Prediction

PurposeThe purpose of this paper aims to design an optimization control for tunnel boring machine (TBM) based on geological identification. For unknown geological condition, the authors need to identify them before further optimization. For fully considering multiple crucial performance of TBM, the authors establish an optimization problem for TBM so that it can be adapted to varying geology. That is, TBM can operate optimally under corresponding geology, which is called geology-adaptability.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopted k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm with modification to identify geological conditions. The modification includes adjustment of weights in voting procedure and similarity distance measurement, which at suitable for engineering and enhance accuracy of prediction. The authors also design several key performances of TBM during operation, and built a multi-objective function. Further, the multi-objective function has been transformed into a single objective function by weighted-combination. The reformulated optimization was solved by genetic algorithm in the end.FindingsThis paper provides a support for decision-making in TBM control. Through proposed optimization control, the advance speed of TBM has been enhanced dramatically in each geological condition, compared with the results before optimizing. Meanwhile, other performances are acceptable and the method is verified by in situ data.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an optimization control of TBM considering several key performances during excavating. The optimization is conducted under different geological conditions so that TBM has geological-adaptability.

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Influence of geology on tunnel boring machine performance: A review

Journal of Mining and Metallurgy A Mining ◽

10.5937/jmma2001001p ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

P.K. Pandey ◽

A.K. Raina ◽

S. Deshmukh ◽

R. Trivedi ◽

R. Vajre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dynamic Properties ◽

Circular Cross Section ◽

Tunnel Boring Machine ◽

Intact Rock ◽

Joint Spacing ◽

Tunnel Boring Machines ◽

Tunnel Boring ◽

Machine Performance ◽

Geological Conditions ◽

Boring Machines

Tunnel boring machines are used for excavating a variety of soils and rocks for circular cross-section tunnels. Several published studies examined the role of rockmass in determining the cutting and advance rate of tunnel boring machines. A comprehensive review of literature was conducted to ascertain the influence of geological conditions on the performance of tunnel boring machines and revealed that different rock characteristics were used to define the tunnel boring machine performance. The progress of the tunnel boring machine was ascribed to the inherent properties of the rockmass, intact rock properties, and surrounding geological conditions. Several authors found that extreme geological conditions strongly influence the advance of the machine. The review revealed that joint spacing, angle between plane of weakness and tunnel axis, rock quality designation, and number of joint sets were the most important variables that influenced the advance rates of the tunnel boring machine. At least 12 intact rock variables were used to define tunnel boring machine performance with one to seven such variables used in combination. The compressive strength, tensile strength, and brittleness index emerged as most crucial intact properties. Rockmass classifications or indices of tunnel boring machine performance were used by different authors to predict their performance and even to define their selection methodology. Use of dynamic properties of rock/rockmass was identified as a grey area for future research by scientists.

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An evaluation of generated source signals from machinery in conventional tunnelling and their possible application in a tunnel seismic while drilling (TSWD) system

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-2500 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Irene Hartl ◽

Ingrid Schlögel ◽

Robert Wenighofer ◽

Jakob Gallistl

Keyword(s):

Construction Projects ◽

Geophysical Methods ◽

Tunnel Boring Machine ◽

Tunnel Face ◽

Pilot Signal ◽

Noise Interference ◽

Tunnel Boring ◽

Working Face ◽

Geological Conditions ◽

Source Signal

Geological conditions and their uncertainties are a major risk factor in underground construction projects. To ensure a fast, smooth and save completion of the excavation, a prediction of the geological conditions in front of the working face during tunnelling is a topic of great importance.Various geophysical methods for a prediction of the conditions ahead of the tunnel face have been developed over the past years, yet, most of them being seismic techniques, which require a short interruption of the excavation to minimise noise interference. However, there is also the approach with TSWD which uses the working TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) as a source signal and can thus work simultaneously with the excavation. Up to now, this concept has been applied primarily in mechanised tunnelling and there are hardly any applications in conventional tunnelling.In the course of several practical experiments at the &#8220;Zentrum am Berg&#8221; in Eisenerz (Austria), different concepts for a transfer of TSWD from mechanised to conventional tunnelling were developed and tested at scale in an underground research facility. Three machines were used for these tests, an excavator with a hydraulic hammer attached as well as two different drilling jumbos. The devices were equipped with an accelerometer to pick up the source signal at its origin (pilot signal). Different sensor positions were tested using a sledge hammer as a source and evaluated in detail. Moreover, omnidirectional geophones of different sensitivities (4.5 Hz and 27 Hz) were tested and compared as transducers in the adjacent rock mass.An essential part of the experiment analysis consisted of the evaluation of the source characteristics as well as the generated spectral bandwidth of the source signal from typical construction machines in conventional tunnelling. Consequently, the outcomes will be another step forward in the development of a TSWD exploration system also applicable to conventional tunnelling projects.

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Monitoring and Reinforcement Technology of Passing Weak and Broken Rock Strata for Tunnel Boring Machine

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.204-208.2819 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 204-208 ◽

pp. 2819-2823

Author(s):

Tao Li ◽

Kai Bin Liu ◽

Wei Hong Yang ◽

Bo Liu ◽

Ying Chao Liu

Keyword(s):

Tunnel Boring Machine ◽

Stability Control ◽

Surrounding Rock ◽

Tunnel Boring ◽

Rock Stability ◽

Tunnel Convergence ◽

Geological Conditions ◽

The Stability ◽

Large Tunnel ◽

Rock Strata

The stability control of surrounding rock is a relatively important problem in tunnel boring machine (TBM) construction. The tunnel convergence deformation value was monitored in field while TBM passing weak and broken section of hydraulic tunnel. The correlation between tunnel convergence and surrounding rock stability is analyzed. The monitoring results show that: the characteristic of weak and broken Strata is closely correlated with some geological conditions, such as fault development, intrusive contact of orthophyre and lamprophyre veins. These supporting measures can well ensure the stability of surrounding rock in weak and broken section, such as sealing the inverted arch by using concrete of C25,reinforcing the inverted arch by steel arch of I10 and anchor construction in the roof. There is great difference between the properties of the weak and broken rocks on both sides, which is the main reason of the large tunnel convergence deformation. The monitoring results can provide reference for similar engineering in the future.

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The Process Hypothesis and Feasibility Study on Drilling-Blasting Machine Method in Tunnel Excavation

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.256-259.1316 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 256-259 ◽

pp. 1316-1319

Author(s):

Feng Shan Hao ◽

Gui Zhong Tian ◽

Tu Long Wang

Keyword(s):

New Technologies ◽

Tunnel Boring Machine ◽

Action Mechanism ◽

Tunnel Face ◽

Machine Method ◽

Tunnel Excavation ◽

Tunnel Boring ◽

Geological Conditions ◽

Economic Technology ◽

Blasting Method

This paper was based on many pre-existing or being successful tunnel projects for study. Through in-depth investigation and analysis of the action mechanism on rock and the construction control under complex geological conditions, the author synthesized the technical advantages of the drilling-blasting method and tunnel boring machine technology into integration as a new drilling-blasting machine method applied in tunnel (lane) excavation. If this method intended by conventional process, it’s difficult to realize mechanized continuous excavating. In this problem, the author put forward two new technologies named helicoid tunnel face and shallow blasthole close blasting to improve. Respectively from the theory, economic, technology and safety, the paper demonstrates the feasibility of drilling-blasting machine method.

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