Predicting Tbm Performance for Pila Spi Formation in Qara Dagh Anticline, NE Iraq

There are a few studies on the engineering properties of the Pila Spi Formations in scattered areas of Northern Iraq, but there is no study on predicting the performance of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), which is of great importance in future large engineering projects in Iraq. The study area is located on the Takya about 50 km south the center of Sulaimania City. Field and laboratory studies were conducted on five (5) selected sites situated in the southwestern flank of the Qara Dagh anticline. The axis of the anticline extends from NW-SE of Iraq with a length of roughly 116 km. The engineering and field results of the samples collected from different locations indicate that the compressive strength of the rocks having a fine texture and slightly weathered characteristics ranges between strong to very strong with high dry density and low moisture content. In addition, the average Schmidt hammer rebound and weight losses percentages of Lose Angeles values are 48 and 22%, respectively the sizes of the blocks range from large to very large, the spacing of the discontinuities is medium to wide. The performance of TBM in terms rate of advance is generally determined based on these geological rock materials and masses. To estimate the rate advance of boring machine (TBM) in this study, the method depends on the total hardness. After applying the total hardness method, it was estimated that the predicted rate of advancement of the TBM would be very slow (approximately 1.57 -1.86 m/hr) due to the strong hardness of the rocks of Pila Spi Formation.