Factors Influencing Disc Cutter Wear

Abstract Disc cutter wear in mechanised tunnelling has a strong influence on costs and performance in hard rock and soil materials. Wear is affected by several geological and technical factors. Several aspects have been considered in prediction models and case studies. In this paper the essential technical influences are presented in a systematic way and are further analysed based on jobsite experience. Modifications in the operation of a TBM like adjustments of the cutterhead rotation or thrust lead to less disc cutter wear at comparable advance. A geological mapping during the tunnelling process, regular cutterhead inspections and tool wear measurements in combination with penetration tests will improve the work and results in a more economic tunnelling process.