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

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.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

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

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the 2nd Engineering Co., Ltd. of the China Railway Tunnel Group, especially Mr. Zhaoyong Zhou and Dong Xu, whose kind help and data support for this study were invaluable. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of funds from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52090084 and 52208400). The insightful comments and suggestions from anonymous reviewers and editors are sincerely appreciated.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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