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

References

[1] Feng K, He C, Fang Y, Jiang Y C. Study on the mechanical behavior of lining structure for underwater shield tunnel of high-speed railway. Advances in Structural Engineering, 2013, 16(8): 1381–1399

[2] Huang H W, Zhang D M. Resilience analysis of shield tunnel lining under extreme surcharge: Characterization and field application. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2016, 51: 301–312

[3] Shi C, Cao C, Lei M, Peng L, Ai H. Effects of lateral unloading on the mechanical and deformation performance of shield tunnel segment joints. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2016, 51: 175–188

[4] Huang L C, Ma J J, Lei M F, Liu L H, Lin Y X, Zhang Z Y. Soil−water inrush induced shield tunnel lining damage and its stabilization: A case study. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2020, 97: 103290

[5] Gong C, Ding W, Mosalam K M. Performance-based design of joint waterproofing of segmental tunnel linings using hybrid computational/experimental procedures. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2020, 96: 103172

[6] Jin D, Yuan D, Li X, Su W. Probabilistic analysis of the disc cutter failure during TBM tunneling in hard rock. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2021, 109: 103744

[7] Jin D, Zhang Z, Yuan D. Effect of dynamic cutterhead on face stability in EPB shield tunneling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2021, 110: 103827

[8] Elbaz K, Shen S L, Zhou A, Yin Z Y, Lyu H M. Prediction of disc cutter life during shield tunneling with AI via the incorporation of a genetic algorithm into a GMDH-type neural network. Engineering, 2021, 7(2): 238–251

[9] Lei M, Lin D, Huang Q, Shi C, Huang L. Research on the construction risk control technology of shield tunnel underneath an operational railway in sand pebble formation: A case study. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 2020, 24(10): 1558–1572

[10] Yang J, Zhang C, Fu J, Wang S, Ou X, Xie Y. Pregrouting reinforcement of underwater karst area for shield tunneling passing through Xiangjiang River in Changsha, China. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2020, 100: 103380

[11] ShenXChenXFuYCaoCYuanDLiXXiaoY. Prediction and analysis of slurry shield TBM disc cutter wear and its application in cutter change time. Wear, 2022, 498–499: 204314

[12] Chen T, Pang T, Zhao Y, Zhang D, Fang Q. Numerical simulation of slurry fracturing during shield tunnelling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2018, 74: 153–166

[13] Mooney M A, Grasmick J, Kenneally B, Fang Y. The role of slurry TBM parameters on ground deformation: field results and computational modelling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2016, 57: 257–264

[14] Li X, Yuan D. Creating a working space for modifying and maintaining the cutterhead of a large-diameter slurry shield: A case study of Beijing railway tunnel construction. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2018, 72: 73–83

[15] Wu H N, Shen S L, Yang J, Zhou A. Soil-tunnel interaction modelling for shield tunnels considering shearing dislocation in longitudinal joints. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2018, 78: 168–177

[16] Shirlaw J N, Henderson T O, Haryono I S, Dudouit F, Salisbury D. The effect of altering the slurry circulation system on TBM tunnelling in weathered Kowloon granite. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2022, 124: 104474

[17] Li Y, Emeriault F, Kastner R, Zhang Z X. Stability analysis of large slurry shield-driven tunnel in soft clay. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2009, 24(4): 472–481

[18] Xu C, Chen Q, Luo W, Liang L. Evaluation of permanent settlement in Hangzhou Qingchun Road crossing-river tunnel undertraffic loading. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2019, 19(2): 06018037

[19] Wang S, Ruan L, Shen X, Dong W. Investigation of the mechanical properties of double lining structure of shield tunnel with different joint surface. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2019, 90: 404–419

[20] Zhang L, Feng K, Gou C, He C, Liang K, Zhang H. Failure tests and bearing performance of prototype segmental linings of shield tunnel under high water pressure. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2019, 92: 103053

[21] Min F L, Zhu W, Lin C, Guo X J. Opening the excavation chamber of the large diameter size slurry shield: A case study in Nanjing Yangtze River Tunnel in China. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2015, 46: 18–27

[22] Zhou S, Li X, Ji C, Xiao J. Back-fill grout experimental test for discharged soils reuse of the large-diameter size slurry shield tunnel. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 2017, 21(3): 725–733

[23] Tang S H, Zhang X P, Liu Q S, Chen P, Sun XT, Sun L, Dai Y, Chen S T. Prediction and analysis of replaceable scraper wear of slurry shield TBM in dense sandy ground: A case study of Sutong GIL Yangtze River Crossing Cable Tunnel. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2020, 95: 103090

[24] ThewesM. Adhäsion von Tonböden beim Tunnelvortrieb mit Flüssigkeitsschilden. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Aachen: University of Wuppertal, 1999

[25] Thewes M, Burger W. Clogging risks for TBM drives in clay. Tunnels & Tunnelling International, 2004, 36: 28–31

[26] ThewesMBurgerW. Clogging of TBM drives in clay—identification and mitigation of risks. Underground Space, 2005, 1–2: 737−742

[27] Thewes M, Budach C. Soil conditioning with foam during EPB tunnelling. Geomechanics and Tunnelling, 2010, 3(3): 256–267

[28] Mohammadi S D, Firuzi M, Asghari Kaljahi E. Geological–geotechnical risk in the use of EPB-TBM, case study: Tabriz metro, Iran. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 2016, 75(4): 1571–1583

[29] Peila D, Martinelli D, Todaro C, Luciani A. Soil conditioning in EPB shield tunnelling—An overview of laboratory tests. Geomechanics and Tunnelling, 2019, 12(5): 491–498

[30] Yang Y, Li X, Jin D, Su W, Mao J. Transient temperature field model for a cutterhead during slurry shield tunneling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2021, 117: 104128

[31] Ryu Y M, Kwon Y S, Kim T H, Lee I M. Slurry clogging criteria for slurry shield tunnelling in highly permeable ground. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 2019, 23(6): 2784–2793

[32] Zhai J, Wang Q, Yuan D, Zhang W, Wang H, Xie X, Shahrour I. Clogging risk early warning for slurry shield tunneling in mixed mudstone–gravel ground: A real-time self-updating machine learning approach. Sustainability, 2022, 14(3): 1368

[33] Li X, Yang Y, Li X, Liu H. Criteria for cutting head clogging occurrence during slurry shield tunneling. Applied Sciences, 2022, 12(3): 1001

[34] Hollmann F S, Thewes M. Assessment method for clay clogging and disintegration of fines in mechanised tunnelling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2013, 37: 96–106

[35] Peila D. Soil conditioning for EPB shield tunnelling. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 2014, 18(3): 831–836

[36] Peila D, Picchio A, Martinelli D, Negro E D. Laboratory tests on soil conditioning of clayey soil. Acta Geotechnica, 2016, 11(5): 1061–1074

[37] Alberto-HernandezYKangCYiYBayatA. Clogging potential of tunnel boring machine (TBM): A review. International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 21018, 12(3), 316–323

[38] Thewes M, Hollmann F. TBM-specific testing scheme to assess the clogging tendency of rock. Geomechanics and Tunnelling, 2014, 7(5): 520–527

[39] Thewes M, Hollmann F. Assessment of clay soils and clay-rich rock for clogging of TBMs. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2016, 57: 122–128

[40] Alberto-Hernandez Y, Kang C, Yi Y, Bayat A. Mechanical properties of clayey soil relevant for clogging potential. International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2018, 12(6): 529–536

[41] Kang C, Wu Y, Yi Y, Bayat A. Assessment of the clogging potential of two clays. Applied Clay Science, 2019, 178: 105134

[42] Kang C, Yi Y, Bayat A. Laboratory test of assessing TBM clogging potential and evaluating the performance of additives. International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2020, 14(5): 463–472

[43] KooistraAVerhoefPBroereWNgan-TillardDTolA. Appraisal of stickiness of natural clays from laboratory tests. In: Proceedings of the National Symposium of Engineering Geology and Infrastructure. Netherlands: Delft, 1998, 101–113

[44] ZimnikRBaalenR WVerhoefP N WBroereWNgan-TillardD J M. The adherence of clay to steel surfaces. In: Proceedings of GeoEng 2000—An International Conference on Geotechnical and Geological Engineering. Australia: Melbourne, 2000, 1–6

[45] Sass I, Burbaum U. A method for assessing adhesion of clays to tunnelling machines. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 2009, 68(1): 27–34

[46] FeinendegenMZieglerMSpagnoliGFernndez-SteegerT. Evaluation of the clogging potential in mechanical tunnel driving with EPB-shields. In: Proceedings of the 15th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering: Geotechnics of Hard Soils–Weak Rocks. Greece: Athens, 2011, 1633–1638

[47] Zumsteg R, Puzrin A M. Stickiness and adhesion of conditioned clay pastes. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2012, 31: 86–96

[48] Zumsteg R, Plötze M, Puzrin A. Reduction of the clogging potential of clays: New chemical applications and novel quantification approaches. Geotechnique, 2013, 63(4): 276–286

[49] Zumsteg R, Puzrin A M, Anagnostou G. Effects of slurry on stickiness of excavated clays and clogging of equipment in fluid supported excavations. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2016, 58: 197–208

[50] YeXWangSYangJXiaoCZhouC. Soil conditioning for EPB shield tunneling in argillaceous siltstone with high content of clay minerals: Case study. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2017, 17(4): 05016002–1-8

[51] Wang S, Liu P, Hu Q, Zhong J. Effect of dispersant on the tangential adhesion strength between clay and metal for EPB shield tunneling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2020, 95: 103144

[52] Cui J, Xu G, Fang Y, Chen Z, Yao Z, Tao L, Qu L. Experimental assessment of soil/metal interface adhesion behaviours of EPB shield machines. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2023, 13: 104835

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press