CHINESEJOURNALOFMECHANICALENGINEERING

Vol.26,aNo. *,a2013
DOI:10.3901/CJME.2013.**.***,availableonlineatwww.springerlink.comwww.cjmenet.comwww.cjmenet.com.cn

DesignTheoryofFullFaceRockTunnelBoringMachineTransitionCutter Edge AngleandIts Application

1,* 2 2 ZHANGZhaohuang ,MENGLiang ,and SUNFei

1SchoolofEnergy,PowerandMechanicalEngineering,NorthChinaElectricPowerUniversity,Beijing102206, China 2SchoolofForeignLanguages,NorthChinaElectricPowerUniversity,Beijing102206, China

Received October24,2012revised January 29,2013 accepted February,2013

Abstract: Atpresent,theinnercuttersofafull facerocktunnel boring machine (TBM) andtransitioncutteredgeanglesaredesignedon thebasisofindentationtestorlineargroovingtest.Theinnerandouteredgeanglesofdisccuttersarecharacterizedassymmetricto eachotherwithrespecttothecutteredgeplane.Thisdesignhassomepracticaldefects, suchassevereeccentricwearandtipping,etc. In thispaper, thecurrentdesigntheoryofdisccutteredgeangle isanalyzed,andthecharacteristicsoftherockbreakingmovementofdisc cuttersarestudied.Theresearchingresultsshowthattherotationalmotionofdisccutterswiththecutterheadgivesrisetothedifference betweentheinteractionsofinnerrockandouterrockwiththecontactareaofdisccutters,withshearingandextrusionontheinnerrock andattritionontheouterrock.Thewearofdisccuttersatthecontactareaisunbalanced,amongwhichthewearinthelargestnormal stressareaismostapparent.Therefore,athreedimensionalmodeltheoryofrockbreakingandanedgeangledesigntheoryoftransition disccutterareproposedtoovercometheflawsofthecurrentlyusedTBMcutterheads,suchasshortlifespan,camberwearing,tipping. Andacorrespondingequationisestablished.Withreferencetoaspecificconstructioncase,theedgeangleofthetransitiondisccutter hasbeendesignedbasedonthetheory.TheapplicationofTBMinsomepracticalprojectprovesthatthetheoryhasobviousadvantages in enhancing disc cutter life, decreasing replacement frequency, and making economic benefits. The proposed research provides a theoreticalbasisforthedesignofTBMthreedimensionaldisccutterswhoserockbreakingoperationtimecanbeeffectivelyincreased. Keywords: disccutter, threedimensionalmode, edgeangle, fullfacerocktunnelboring machine (TBM), flatfacecutterhead

University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Based on [7] fielddatacollectedfromNorwegiantunnels,LISLERUD [8] [910] andBRULAND improvedthismodel.NELSON,etal , Thetheoryofrockbreakingmechanismoffullfacerock [11] and TARKOY developed models to estimate basic tunnel boring machine(TBM) disc cutter provides a basis penetration and advance rates by using total hardness and not only for the development of TBM, but also for the thrust per cutter. The most reliable production estimation [12] predictionofconstructiontimeandthecostofaproject . technique presently available probably are fullscale Hence, it has always been in the limelight in the field at laboratory disc cutting tests combined with physical home and abroad and a considerable amount of work has property tests, where the cutter forces are measured for a [3] been carried out by the researchers. WIJK developed a series of spacings and penetrations in large rock samples mathematical model for the excavation performance of a [12] with a linear cutting machine (LCM). BALCI classified [4] TBM. ROSTAMI, et al , also developed a model for the these researches as theoretical, semitheoretical, empirical cutting force estimation of disc cutters based onthe intact models and field trial of real machines, among which the [5] rock properties. BARTON developed a predictive theoretical models are based on the analysis of the forces formulationofTBMperformanceusinganappropriaterock required to excavate a unit volume of rock and their mass quality index (QTBM). Empirical performance relation with the intact rock properties such as rock predictionmodelsaremainlybasedonthepastexperience compressive, tensile and shear strength, rock mass and the statisticalinterpretation of the previously recorded properties like rock quality designation (RQD). Examples field data on whose quality and amount the accuracy and of theoretical and semitheoretical works can be found in reliability of these models rely. A case in point is the Refs.[1325].Andthecharacteristicsofthesemodelshave Norwegian hard rock prognosis system developed by the beenanalyzedandsummarizedinRefs.[2627].However, [6] BLINDHEIM ,whodidacomprehensivestudyto develop a comprehensive, accurate, and reliable production a TBM performance prediction model at the Norwegian estimation methodology is still being under investigation by researchers. Several potentially different approaches * Correspondingauthor.Email:zh_zhaohuang@163.com This project is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of tend to be combined in practice. The most reliable China(GrantNo.51075147) prediction method in competent rock formation presently

1 Introduction*

ChineseMechanicalEngineeringSociety andSpringerVerlagBerlinHeidelberg 2013

2Y ZHANGZhaohuang,etal: Design Theoryof FullFace RockTunnelBoringMachine Transition CutterEdge Angle and Its Application

combines theoreticaland empirical methods by measuring cutter forces and then adjusting the results for ground [28] conditions and machine limitations (GERTSCH, et al ), whichhavebeentestedinRefs.[2931]. Afteranalyzingthemovementofthedisccutterrotating arounditsownaxisaswellasaroundtheaxisofthecutter head,theprojectresearchersheldthatthemotionofadisc cutteristhreedimensional,combiningtwotypesofrotation. The rockbreaking models of disc cutters involved in the researches at home and abroad may be divided into empirical model, onedimensionalmodel, twodimensional model,andthreedimensionalmodel.Anindepthresearch on the twodimensional model of rock breaking has been [32] under way. GERTSCH, et al , conducted a test on the lineargrooveofdifferentpenetrationdepthsand spacing, by using disc cutter 17 and K red granite to measure the normal force, rolling force, and side force. Owing to the complexityoftheinteractionbetweenrockanddisccutters, muchattentionhasbeenpaidtotheonedimensionalmodel and the twodimensional model. The threedimensional model of rock breaking, however, should be studied on a larger scale to obtainmoreaccurateresults. Therefore, we establish a threedimensional model and a corresponding theory.Undertheguidanceofthistheory,thetransitiondisc cutter edge angle has been determined and experimental researcheshavebeencarriedout.

w =

R i-rsina w , r Ri Orbitradiusofdisccutterobserved(m), rRadiusofdisccutter(m), aInstallationangleofdisccutter(Fig. 1).

2 Threedimensional Model Theory of TransitionDiscCutter

Since 1950s foreign scholars have made an indepth studyoftheonedimensionalrockbreakingmodelofTBM disccutters.Theedgeanglecanbe60,75,90,120,or 160, varying with therockbreaking performance of each disc cutter. In the late1980s, scholars athome andabroad came to devote themselves to the study of the twodimensionalrockbreakingmodel,hencetheinvention ofaflatedge(ConstantCrossSectionorCCS)disccutter. Since 1990s, our researchers have been focusing on the theory and experiment of the threedimensional model. Fig. 1 shows the rockbreaking work of a TBM transition disc cutter, with the front view being the rockbreaking operation of transition disc cutters in the clockwise direction of a working TBM. If point A on the cutter is taken as an observation point, and the velocity of bulk movementis v Ae andthevelocityofrelativemovementv Ar , theycanbeexpressedasfollows:
Ae = wr , v v Ar = w r ,

(1)

where w Rotaryspeedofcutterhead(rad/s), rPolar radius of point A at the rockbreaking edgeofdisccutter(m), Rotaryspeedofdisccutter(rad/s), w

Fig.1. RockbreakingofTBMtransitiondisccutter

CHINESEJOURNALOFMECHANICALENGINEERING
Hence the threedimensional model theory of the rockbreakingmovementoftheTBMtransitiondisccutter.

pointing to the disc cutter rotation center and vAeyr actingalongtherelativemovementvelocity (seeFig.1(c)). Thus,
v Aeyo = v Aey sin q = wr cos F sin q , v = v Aey cos q = wr cos F cos q . Aeyr

3 Design Theoryof TransitionDiscCutter Edge Angle

TBMtransitiondisccutterstippingandinvalidationasa result of excessive wear can often be observed in its working process. Experimental study and actual observation show that the invalidation results from the sideslip of transition disc cutters during the rockbreaking movement, which then produces great side friction on the disccutteredge.Thisfrictionresultsinthetippingaswell asthefrictionwearofthedisccutter.Therefore,thekeyto designing the transition disc cutter edge angle is toreduce thesideslipoftherockbreakingedgetotheminimum,that is, to prevent the sideslip at the spot of the largest impact load or to make slippage as small as possible. In other words, the rockbreaking velocity vector of the transition disc cutter of the largestimpactload should coincide with theplaneofthedisccutteredge. According to Fig.1,the bulkmovement velocity vector ofthetransitiondisccutteratpointA v Ae coincideswithor is parallels to the XY coordinate plane, which causes sideslip of the disc cutters. The bulk movement velocity canbedividedinto(seeFig. 1(c))
vAex = v Ae sin F = wr sin F , v = v Ae cos F = wr cos F , Aey

(5)

No relative slip is generated in the movement of the disc cutter along the relative movement velocity, into which,therefore,there will beno more investigationhere. AccordingtoFig.1,thecomponentofthebulkmovement velocity of rockbreaking point A on the transition disc cutterinthedirectionofradiusiscomposedofthevelocity component vAeyo and the velocity component vAey/ / o, expressedas
v Ao = v Aeyo - v Aex/ / o = wr cos F sin q -wr sin F sin a cos q .

(6) SupposetherockbreakingpointAonthetransitiondisc cutter edge in question has the largest impact load. The rockbreaking velocity vector of the largest impact load point on the transition disc cutter should coincide with the disc cutter active face. Thus, the tangent of the angle Q between the slip velocity of point A and the disc cutter activefaceatthemomentisexpressedas
tanQ = v wr sin F cosa Aex ^ = = v Ao wr cos F sin q - wr sin F sin a cosq sin F cosa , cos F sin q -sin F sin a cos q

(2)

(7)

where v Aex Projectionofthebulkmovementvelocity vAe onxaxis, F PolarangleofPointAontherockbreaking disccutteredge, v Projectionofthebulkmovementvelocity vAe Aey onyaxis. v Aex ,acomponentofthebulkmovementvelocity ofpoint A on xaxis, is subdivided into v Aex^vertical to the disc cutter active face and v Aex/ / parallel to the active face (see is the radius of the disc cutter, its plane Fig. 1(c), O A beingthedisc cutteractiveface),denotedas
Aex cos a = wr sin F cos a , vAex ^ = v v Aex / / = v Aex sin a = wr sin F sin a .

fromwhich

Q = arctan

sin F cosa . cos F sin q -sin F sin a cos q

(8)

(3)

Empirical tests and theoretical analyses discover that when the disc cutter works on such hard rock as mixed granite and compound gneiss, the application point of normalforceandrollingforceactingonthedisccutteredge incontactwiththerockliesattwothirdsofthepenetration depth,pointingtotherotatingcenterofthe disccutter,with thegeometricalrelationshipshowninFig. 1. Wecanyield
2 h sin q = , 3rcosa 3r cosa - h cos q = , 3r cosa 2rh (3cos a ) sin F = , 2 R 2 R h tan a / 3 + 2rh/ (3cos a ) i i Ri - htan a 3 cos F = , 2 Ri - 2 Ri h tan a / 3 + 2rh / (3cos a )

v Aex/ / paralleltothedisccutteractiveface,isthenfurther subdivided into v Aex/ / o acting towards the centric axis of disc cutter rotation and v Aex/ / r acting along its relative velocity (seeFig. 1(c)). Thus,
Aex/ / cos q = wr sin F sin a cos q , vAex / / o = v v Aex / / r = v Aex/ / sin q = wr sin F sin a sin q .

(9)

(4)

(10)

v Aey , a component of the bulk movement velocity of the rockbreaking point A on yaxis, is divided into vAeyo

4Y ZHANGZhaohuang,etal: Design Theoryof FullFace RockTunnelBoringMachine Transition CutterEdge Angle and Its Application

where h is thecutdepthofthedisccutter(perrevolution). With reference to the characteristics of the rock to be broken, the edge angle of the transition disc cutter established by strength theory is j . Then two sideedge angles q qwi canberespectivelyexpressedas in and
j q in = -Q , 2 j q = + Q . wi 2

eleventransitiondisccutterswiththeradiusbeing216mm (its arrangement parameter shown in Fig. 3. According to therecordedempiricalboringdata,theaveragecutdepthis 6 mm. The calculation parameters and results of Eqs. (8)(10) arepresentedinTable1.

(11)

Those are the calculation formula of the inner cutting edgeangleandtheoutercuttingedgeangleofthetransition disc cutter designed in accordance with the threedimensional model theory. For the effect drawing of thetransitiondisccutterthusdesigned,seeFig.2.

4 Practical Application
The radial layout chart or plane expansion graph of a certainTBMdisccutterisdemonstratedinFig.3.Thereare
Fig.2. Effectdrawingfortheoreticalapplication

Fig.3. LayoutofdisccuttersonacertainTBMcutterhead Table1. CalculationparametersandresultsofacertaintypeofTBMtransitiondisccutter

Orbit Installation radius angle a/ rad Ri/ mm 0.090 122 3 890 0.179 534 3 952 0.268 945 4 013 0.357 571 4 072 0.446 076 4 129 0.535 185 4 184 0.624 000 4 236 0.715 128 4 286 0.801 746 4 330 0.885 586 4 369 0.958 920 4 400 cosq 0.990 703 0.990 589 0.990 395 0.990 116 0.989 736 0.989 236 0.988 591 0.987 736 0.986 686 0.985 369 0.983 88 sinq 0.136 360 0.137 190 0.138 597 0.140 602 0.143 273 0.146 727 0.151 059 0.156 613 0.163 181 0.171 064 0.179 554 cosF sinF cosa 0.995 942 0.983 927 0.964 052 0.936 750 0.902 147 0.860 174 0.811 548 0.755 009 0.695 453 0.632 836 0.574 405 sina 0.090000 0.178 571 0.265 714 0.350000 0.431 429 0.510000 0.584 286 0.655 714 0.718 571 0.774 286 0.818 571 tana 0.090 367 0.181 489 0.275 622 0.373 632 0.478 224 0.592 903 0.719 964 0.868 485 1.033 242 1.223 517 1.425 078 Deflection angle Q/ rad 0.055 521 0.054 253 0.052 593 0.050 585 0.048 245 0.045 575 0.042 626 0.039 329 0.035 965 0.032 520 0.029 369 Deflection angleQ/ () 3.181 104 3.108 447 3.013 361 2.898 334 2.764 227 2.611 233 2.442 275 2.253 372 2.060 668 1.863 237 1.682 720 2.534 453

0.999 971 0.007 572 0.999 972 0.007 499 0.999 972 0.007 461 0.999 972 0.007 459 0.999 972 0.007 497 0.999 971 0.007 577 0.999 970 0.007 705 0.999 969 0.007 896 0.999 967 0.008 144 0.999 964 0.008 462 0.999 961 0.008 820 Average

With reference to the characteristics of the rock to be broken, the edge angle j of the transition disc cutter established by strength theory is 35. IfQ = 2.5 , as is

demonstrated in Table 1, the two sideedge angles are computedwithEq. (13):

CHINESEJOURNALOFMECHANICALENGINEERING
j 35 q = -Q = - 2.5 = 15o , in 2 2 j 35 q wi = + Q = + 2.5 = 20o. 2 2

(13)

Based onthe aforementioned theoretical calculationand analysis,thedesigneffectdrawingsofinnerandouteredge

anglesofthetransitiondisccutterareshowninFig. 2. To validate the theory, Ref. [33] introduces the test contrastingthecutterringoftheinnercutterandthatofthe disccutterasdesignedinthetheoryoftransitiondisccutter edge angle, which are used in the transition zone respectively.TestresultsareshowninTable2.

Table2. Empiricaltestoftheoreticalresults
Cutternumber 8.17* 8.19 8.20 8.20** 8.21 8.24 50 0 29 36 15 24 29 51 0 31 37 0 18 26 52 0 32 39 0 18 26 53 0 32 38 0 13 18 54 0 32 38 0 13 18 55 0 33 39 0 13 18 56 0 34 40 0 13 18 57 0 34 40 0 15 20 58 0 30 38 0 12 18 59 0 29 37 0 19 24 60 0 25 34 0 24 27 61 0 11 16 16 22 25 62 0 11 16 16 22 25 63 0 5/4/6 10/6/8 10/6/8 15/8/12 20/18/19 64 0 5/4/6 10/6/8 10/6/8 15/8/12 20/18/19 65 0 5/4/6 10/6/8 10/6/8 15/8/12 20/18/19

Note: Thewearingcapacitiesof63,64,and65arewearingcapacityofinnerdiameter/wearingcapacityofpitch diameter/wearingcapacityofouterdiameter,respectively *Layoutofdisccutters:transitioncutterringsarethoseofinnercutter ** Replacementofdisccutters:allreplacedbygaugecutterringsatcutterspacing5160.

Table 2reveals the wear characteristics and thelifetime characteristicsoftheinnercutterringusedinthetransition zone as well as those of the transition disc cutter ring designedaccording to thetransitiondisc cutter edgeangle theory, whose contrastive analyses are shown in Table 3 andTable4.
Table3. Lifeandreplacementruleofthecommon cutterringinthetransitionzone
Parameter Numberof cutterspacing N Cutterringlife L/m/frequency New Changing Changing Changing L cutterring cutterNo.1 cutterNo.2 cutterNo.3 5165 0 5160 7080 5165 130140 5160 7080 L L

compound gneiss, the largest impact load of the rockbreakingedgeoccursattwothirdsofthecutdepth. (2) The disc cutter, whose design takes the velocity vectorplaneofthelargestimpactloadoftherockbreaking edge as the symmetric plane of the disc cutter edge, not only has a much longer lifespan, but also greatly reduces thefrequencyoftipping. References
[1]ZHANG Zhaohuang.Atheoryoftherockbreakingmechanismofthe TBManditscuttingtool[M].Beijing:ChinaRailwayPress,2003.(in Chinese) [2]ZHANGZhaohuang,LIFutian. Fullfacerocktunnelboringmachine constructiontechnology[M].Beijing:ChinaWaterPowerPress,2006. (inChinese) [3] WIJK G. A model of tunnel boring machine performance[J]. Geotechnicaland Geological Engineering, 1992, 10(1): 1940. [4]ROSTAMIJ,OZDEMIRL.Anewmodelforperformanceprediction of hard rock TBM[C]//Proceedings of the Rapid Excavation and TunnellingConference, Boston,MA.USA,1993: 793809. [5] BARTON N. TBM performance estimation in rock using Qtbm[J]. TunnelTunnel, 1999, 31: 4148. [6] BLINDHEIM O T. Boreability predictions for tunneling[D]. Trondheim,Norway: TheNorwegianInstituteofTechnology, 1979. [7] LISLERUD A. Hard rock tunnel boring: prognosis and costs[J]. TunnellingandUndergroundSpaceTechnology, 1988, 3(1): 917. [8] BRULAND A. Hard rock tunnel boring[D]. Trondheim, Norway: NorwegianInstituteofTechnology(NTNU),1999. [9] NELSON P P, RAGHUPATI S S, HANDEWITH H J. Machine excavation[M]//Sinha R S, ed. Underground structures design and construction developmentsin geotechnical engineering, Elsevier,1991: 438445. [10]NELSONP P,OROURKE T D.Tunnel boring machine performance in sedimentary rocks[R]. GoldbergZoino Associates of New York, 1983: 438. [11] TARKOY P J. Rock hardness index properties and geotechnical parameters for predicting tunnel boring machine performance[D]. Illinois, USA: University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, IL, 1975. [12]BALCIC.Correlationofrockcuttingtestswithfieldperformanceof a TBM in a highly fractured rock formation: A case study in

Table4. Lifeandreplacementruleofthenewlydesigned cutterring

Parameter Numberofcutter spacing N Cutterringlife L/m/frequency Newcutter ring 5165 0 Changing Changingcutter L cutterNo.1 No. 2 5165 160170 5165 160170 L L

ItisdemonstratedinTable3andTable4thatthedesign of transition cutter ring in line with the threedimensional modeltheorynotonly booststheservicelifeofcutterring butalsoreducesthefrequencyofcutterreplacementinthe transition zone, thus saving more time and making more profits.

5 Conclusions
(1)TherockbreakingmovementofaTBMdisccutteris practically threedimension spatial motion. When the disc cutter is working on such hard rock as mixed granite and

6Y ZHANGZhaohuang,etal: Design Theoryof FullFace RockTunnelBoringMachine Transition CutterEdge Angle and Its Application
KozyatagiKadikoy metro tunnel, Turkey[J]. Tunneling and UndergroundSpaceTechnology,2009,24(4):423435. [13]EVANSI.Atheoryofthebasicmechanicsofcoalploughing[J].Int. Symp.Min.Res., 1962(2): 761798. [14] NISHIMATSU Y. The mechanics of rock cutting[J]. Int. J. Rock Mech.Min.Sci.,1972(9): 261270. [15] ROXBOROUGH F F, RISPIN A. The mechanical cutting characteristicsofthelowerchalk[J].TunnelsTunnel, 1973(5): 4567. [16] ROXBOROUGH F F, PHILLIPS H R. Rock excavation by disc cutter[J]. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr., 1975(12): 361366. [17] FOWELL R J, McFEATSMITH I. Factors influencing the cutting performance of a selective tunneling machine[C]//Proceedings of TunnellingSymposium,London,UK,1976: 301309. [18]BILGINN.Investigationintothemechanicalcuttingcharacteristics of some medium and high strength rocks[D]. Newcastle, England: UniversityofNewcastle,1977. [19] OZDEMIR L. Development of theoretical equations for predicting tunnelboreability[D].Golden,CO,USA:ColoradoSchoolofMines, 1977. [20] OZDEMIR L, MILLER R, WANG F D. Mechanical tunnel boring prediction and machine design[R]. Colorado School of Mines, Golden,CO,1978. [21] FARMER I W, GLOSSOP N H. Mechanics of disc cutter penetration[J].TunnelsTunnel., 1980, 12(6): 2225. [22]BAMFORDWF.Rocktestindicesarebeingsuccessfullycorrelated withtunnelboringmachineperformance[C]//Proceedingsofthe5th Australian Tunneling Conference, Melbourne, Australian, 1984: 922. [23] SANIO H P. Prediction of the performance of disc cutters in anisotropic rock[J]. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr., 1985(22): 153161. [24]HughesH.Therelativecuttabilityofcoalmeasuresrock[J].Min.Sci. Techn., 1986(3): 95109. [25] SATO K, GONG F, ITAKURA K. Prediction of disc cutter performanceusingacircularrockcuttingring[C]//Proceedingsofthe 1st International Mine Mechanization and Automation Symposium, ColoradoSchoolofMines, Golden,Colorado,USA, 1991: 2337. [26] ZHANG Zhaohuang. Present situation and analysis of interacting theory between disc hob and rock (Part 1)[J]. Construction MachineryandEquipment,2009,40(9):1619. (inChinese) [27] ZHANG Zhaohuang. Present situation and analysis of interacting theory between disc hob and rock (Part 2)[J] . Construction MachineryandEquipment,2009,40(10):1822. (inChinese) [28]GERTSCHR,GERTSCHL.Mechanicalmining[C]//Thestateofthe Art.SMEAnnualMeeting,Denver,ColoradoPreprint0122, 2001. [29]HASSANPOURA J,ROSTAMIBJ,ZHAOJ.AnewhardrockTBM performancepredictionmodelforprojectplanning[J].Tunnellingand UndergroundSpaceTechnology,2011,26(5):595603. [30] ACAROGLU O. Prediction of thrust and torque requirements of TBMs with fuzzy logic models[J]. Tunnelling and Underground SpaceTechnology,2011, 26(2):267275. [31] MA Hongsu,YINLijun,JI Hongguang.Numericalstudyoftheeffect of confining stress on rock fragmentation by TBM cutters[J]. InternationalJournalofRockMechanicsandMiningSciences,2011, 48(6):1 0211 033. [32] GERTSCH R, GERTSCH L, ROSTAMI J. Disc cutting tests in Colorado Red Granite: Implications for TBM performance prediction[J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,2007,44:238246. [33] LIUJun,DONGTianhong.Operating techniqueofside cutter ringon hobof tunnel machine[J]. ConstructionMachinery,2000(7):3335, 39.

Biographicalnotes
ZHANG Zhaohuang, bornin 1963, PhD,is aprofessorat North China Electric Power University, China. His research interests include full face rock tunnel boring machine and renewable energy equipment. Invention award by China Society of Rock Mechanics and Engineering (rank 1) Hebei Province Scientific and Technical Advance second prize (rank 1) 15 patents by ChineseStatePatentOffice(rank1)2academicworks(rank1) 50academicpapers,ofwhich thereare 20EI papers. Tel:+861061772485 Email: zh_zhaohuang@163.com MENG Liang, born in 1972, PhD, is a lecturer at North China Electric Power University, China. His academic interests extendedtoTBM. Tel:+861082022269 Email: ml7218@hotmail.com SUN Fei, born in 1972, master, is a lecturer at North China Electric Power University, China. His academic interests extendedtoTBM. Tel:+861061772817 Email:sunfei@ncepu.edu.cn