Clogging of slurry-shield tunnel-boring machine drives in sedimentary soft rock: A case study

doi:10.1007/s11709-023-0984-8

Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (10) : 1502-1516 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-023-0984-8

Clogging of slurry-shield tunnel-boring machine drives in sedimentary soft rock: A case study

Chengyong CAO^1,², Xiangsheng CHEN^1,²(

), Chenghua SHI³, Yanbin FU^1,², Chenjie GONG³, Zuxian WANG³

¹. College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
². Key Laboratory of Coastal Urban Resilient Infrastructures of Ministry of Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
³. School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China

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Abstract

This paper presents a case study of the clogging of a slurry-shield tunnel-boring machine (TBM) experienced during tunnel operations in clay-rich argillaceous siltstones under the Ganjiang River, China. The clogging experienced during tunneling was due to special geological conditions, which had a considerably negative impact on the slurry-shield TBM tunneling performance. In this case study, the effect of clogging on the slurry-shield TBM tunneling performance (e.g., advance speed, thrust, torque, and penetration per revolution) was fully investigated. The potential for clogging during tunnel operations in argillaceous siltstone was estimated using an existing empirical classification chart. Many improvement measures have been proposed to mitigate the clogging potential of two slurry-shield TBMs during tunneling, such as the use of an optimum cutting wheel, a replacement cutting tool, improvements to the circulation flushing system and slurry properties, mixed support integrating slurry, and compressed air to support the excavation face. The mechanisms and potential causes of clogging are explained in detail, and the contributions of these mitigation measures to tunneling performance are discussed. By investigating the actual operational parameters of the slurry-shield TBMs, these mitigation measures were proven to be effective in mitigating the clogging potential of slurry-shield TBMs. This case study provides valuable information for slurry-shield TBMs involving tunneling in clay-rich sedimentary rocks.

Keywords slurry-shield TBM geological investigation clogging argillaceous siltstone TBM performance mitigation measures

Corresponding Author(s): Xiangsheng CHEN

Just Accepted Date: 14 August 2023 Online First Date: 28 December 2023 Issue Date: 15 January 2024

Cite this article:

Chengyong CAO,Xiangsheng CHEN,Chenghua SHI, et al. Clogging of slurry-shield tunnel-boring machine drives in sedimentary soft rock: A case study[J]. Front. Struct. Civ. Eng., 2023, 17(10): 1502-1516.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/10.1007/s11709-023-0984-8
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/Y2023/V17/I10/1502

Fig.1 Cross section of the segmental tunnel.

Tab.1 Main characteristics of two slurry-shield TBMs

Fig.2 Cutterhead structures of slurry-shield TBMs: (a) NFM-07; (b) S-367.

Fig.3 Geological cross section along the tunnel route.

symbol	soil layer	unit weightγ (kN/m³)	porosity ratio e	cohesion c (kPa)	friction angle $φ$ (° )	hydraulic conductivity k (cm/s)	water content W_n (%)	liquid limit W_L (%)	plastic limit W_P (%)
I	backfill soil	17.5	0.82	–	13.0	5.0 × 10^?3	–	–	–
II	silt	17.6	1.78	5	3.0	1.5 × 10^?5	66.4	39.6	24.2
III	fine sand	18.4	0.90	1	25.0	6.0 × 10^?3	23.1	–	–
IV	coarse sand	19.1	0.63	1	30.0	1.0 × 10^?1	25.2	–	–
V	gravelly sand	19.2	0.71	0	31.0	1.5 × 10^?1	25.4	–	–
VI	pebble	19.6	0.65	0	31.5	4.5 × 10^?1	–	–	–
VII	argillaceous siltstone	23.8	–	240	37.0	6.0 × 10^?6	11.4	28.4	18.2

Tab.2 Physical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks at the study site

Tab.3 Geological descriptions of weathered argillaceous siltstones

Tab.4 Quantitative indices of weathered argillaceous siltstones

Fig.4 Performance of slurry-shield TBM NFM-07: (a) advance speed; (b) total thrust; (c) torque; (d) penetration per revolution.

Fig.5 Assessment of the clogging potential of natural soil sample using universal diagram.

Fig.6 Clogging and clusters of soils: (a) clogging of cutter housing; (b) clogging on the cutterhead panel; (c) clogging in the excavation chamber; (d) clusters of soils from a separation plant.

Tab.5 Physical properties of slurry materials

Fig.7 Schematic of a mixed support system for slurry-shield TBMs.

Fig.8 Cutting tools and cutterhead installation: (a) shield cutterhead; (b) double-edged tearing cutters; (c) spherical-tooth disk cutters.

Fig.9 Location plan of the flush pipeline: (a) NFM-07; (b) S-367.

Fig.10 Improved nozzles of two slurry-shield TBMs: (a) multi-nozzles on the upper left (NFM-07); (b) multi-nozzles on the upper right (S-367); (c) nozzle at the center of cutterhead (S-367).

Fig.11 Mechanism of clogging: (a) soil aggregation; (b) cohesion and adhesion; (c) water film.

Tab.6 Mineral composition test

Fig.12 Performance of two slurry-shield TBMs: (a) advance speed; (b) total thrust; (c) torque; (d) penetration per revolution.

Fig.13 Performance conditions of the cutting tools: (a) disk cutter (NFM-07); (b) disk cutter (S-367).

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