Experimental study on visualisation technology around shield machines and evaluation of plastic flowability of excavated soil using new sensing technology

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4. Experimental study on visualisation technology around shield machines and evaluation of plastic flowability of excavated soil using new sensing technology

 In recent years, TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) machines have become more extensive in cross-section, and the sediment properties of the excavated soil can vary significantly in the vertical direction within the chamber of TBMs. In addition, the ground is heterogeneous, and the soil layer composition often changes rapidly as the excavation progresses. Evaluating the plastic flowability of excavated soil is qualitative, which has been a problem in the past. However, we have developed an innovative visualisation test apparatus to simulate the area around the cutter face and inside the chamber of an EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) TBM machine. This apparatus, along with a comb-type plastic flowability evaluation test apparatus, has revolutionised the field. The newly developed cutter bit strain sensor and stirring blade sensor were attached to the visualisation test apparatus to enable quantitative evaluation of the soil layer composition in front of the cutter face and the plastic flowability of excavated soil and sand, and the excavated soil can be quantitatively evaluated for its plastic flowability by the evaluation test apparatus. The results and actual field applications are reported.

5th European Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ECPMG2024)

New facilities, new equipment, measuring techniques