Experimental study on working parameters of earth pressure balance shield machine tunneling in soft ground

Deep sedimentary deposits of soft clays are widely distributed in coastal areas as well as many interior major cities in China. In order to study the stratum adaptability of earth pressure balance (EPB) shield machine tunneling in such types of soft ground, model tests of tunneling excavation, using the running tunnel of the Shanghai Metro Line M8 as a background, are carried out with different over burden ratios, opening rates of cutter head, driving speeds and rotation speeds of screw conveyor. Based on the test results, the interrelationships between chamber pressure and mucking efficiency, mucking rate and driving speed, thrust force and torque are obtained. The influences of tunnel depth, opening rate of cutter head and driving speed on thrust force and torque are revealed. Such findings can not only facilitate establishing relationships between shield working parameters and soil properties, but also serve as a guide for the design and construction of shield tunnel in soft ground. © 2008 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH.