An Experimental Study of Cutting Resistance in Simulated Shield Tunneling
模拟盾构掘进过程中的刀盘受力研究

In order to investigate the tunneling mechanism of cutter head and force characteristics of cutters in shield tunneling machine, a scaled-down experimental apparatus of simulated shield tunneling was developed, based on earth pressure balance shield. A cutter sensor was also developed, which is mounted inside the cutter and can measure both cutting resistance force and axial resistance force. The functions of the apparatus are to measure axial thrust, torque of cutter head and resistance forces acted on the cutters, respectively. The validity of the cutter sensor that can measure the cutting resistance force and axial resistance force without coupling between them was demonstrated by experiments. Experimental results indicate that the cutting resistance and axial resistance force of cutter increase linearly with the increase of the radius of cutter location.