A performance-oriented adaptability assessment method for TBM tunneling

TBM tunneling performance depends on the complex mutual adaptability between TBM machine and engineering geological conditions. Therefore, a performance-oriented adaptability assessment method for TBM tunneling is established. Firstly, the geological conditions and engineering factors are considered. Rock saturated uniaxial compressive strength, rock integrity coefficient, rock wear resistance, groundwater development and water inflow state, combination relationship between tunnel axis and poor structural plane, cutter head thrust, cutter head torque, and rock slag shape are selected to assess TBM adaptability. Values of these eight influencing factors can be quickly obtained during TBM tunneling. Secondly, weights of these factors are analyzed and a TBM adaptability assessment factor system is constructed by using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Based on membership function, a performance-oriented adaptability assessment method for TBM tunneling is established. Finally, taking the tunnel of TBM section II of Yellow River diversion project in Shanxi as the engineering background, assessment results are in good agreement with excavation results. The results show that this method considers the subjectivity and fuzziness of factors, realizes the conversion of accurate value and qualitative evaluation value, and is suitable for TBM adaptability assessment with complex influencing factors, and assessment results are in good agreement with excavation results, which verifies the feasibility and rationality of this method.