Introduction

The use of Tunnel Boring Machines TBM is becoming more and more frequent although its optimization requires the accurate evaluation of various geotechnical risks, among them, the effect of soil/rock abrasiveness in the cost and planning of a given project. Tool wear is more difficult to calculate than the rest of the machine parameters, due to the complexity of the interaction between cutting tools and ground. In this course we are going to learn about various methodologies for the prediction of TBM penetration and general performance of an underground mechanized excavation, introduction to the comprehensive generalized excavation system, type of machines, parts and functions of such. Study of the cutting tool interaction with the ground to excavate. Abrasivity of the soil / rock and effect of wear and damage in cutting tools. Implication of the phenomenon of wear on the performance of an excavation. Methods to determine the abrasivity of soil or rock.

Objectives

The general objective of this course is to introduce to the students to the knowledge of the mechanized excavation methods, criteria to take decisions in adopting underground excavation methodologies according to the media to be excavated, parameters that affect direct or indirectly the excavation performance when using mechanized excavation.

The specific objectives are:

• To know new integral excavation methodologies by means of tunnel boring machines.
• To distinguish different tunnel boring machines currently available and its different applications.
• To know and understand the different parameters that affect the performance of the mechanized excavation underground.
• To discover the importance of the wear problem and make prognosis about the cutter tool wear.

Limited places.

This course has been organized in six (6) modules or units of learning.

Unit 1: Basic Types of Tunnel Boring Machines

• – General Introduction: Criteria to distingue between rock and soil.
• – Hard rock: TBM – Topos, Open Shield. Hard rock machine evolution: TBM shield, Double shield.
• – Soil and soft rock TBM: Earth pressure balance EPB, Hydro-shield and Mix-shield.

Unit 2: Characterizations

• – Performance Parameters in rock/soil TBM: Normal Trust, Torque, Penetration, Cutter tool Penetration Index.
• – Intact Rock parameter: UCS, tensile strength, point load strength, penetration index static.
• – Rock Mass Characterization: Geotechnical Index review, Natural stress measurement. Field campaigns for Determinations.

Unit 3: Cutterhead

• – Cutter tools: Types: Picks, scrappers and Discs, cutter tool material composition, Tungsten carbide classification.
• – Rock cutter mechanism by different TBM tools.

Unit 4: Cutter tool wear

• – Typology: Experience in TBM’s, Wearing drilling bits.
• – Micro-mechanics aspects: deteriorate mechanisms, wear mechanisms. Wear criteria. Maintenance tasks of the TBM cutterhead.

Unit 5. Performance Prediction Models in TBM EPB

• – Empirical prediction equations.
• – NTNU SINTEF methodology.
• – EMI Colorado School of Mine methodology.

Unit 6. Abrasiveness and it influence in the cutter tool wear in TBMs

• – Determination. Factors that influence the abrasiveness parameter. Abrasive mineral contents. Grain size distribution. Implications.

Claudia González

Dr. Claudia Gonzalez – PEng, MEngSc, PhD is an associate Director of Geomechanics Research Centre, Mirarco Mining Innovation, Sudbury, Canada.

From her youth in San Juan, Argentina, she got her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and moved to Spain to obtain a Master degree in Numerical Methods and “Cum Laude” PhD in Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences for the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. In 2016 she moved to Sudbury, Canada, to develop a post-doctoral fellowship in Rock Mechanics at Laurentian University. Currently she is Laboratory and Field Testing Manager and Associate Director of the Geomechanics Research Centre at Mirarco Mining Innovation. She is Registered Engineer in Argentina, Spain and Canada.

In Europe, she was actively involved in tunnel projects gaining skill in heterogeneous rock/soil underground excavations using Earth Pressure Balance machines. In Argentina doing consulting for a water infiltration field monitoring in rock mass contaminated on a mountain tunnel project in Pascua – Lama (Barrick project in the Andes), drainage and waterproofing design and implementation in mine tunnels in rock (at 4500 meters above the sea level). More than 20 years in structural design, numerical model analyses for thermo-hydro-mechanical problems (Yucca Mountain Project USA), geotechnical and technical supervision and inspection in large civil and energy infrastructure projects (subways tunnels), as well as rock and soil laboratory-scale investigations and testing.

In Canada she strengthened her skills in Geomechanics Engineering by leading research projects and by working as advisor and senior geotechnical engineer at Montreal and Toronto Subway extension, Vancouver Hydroelectric, North Ontario Nuclear waste disposal, Ottawa Parliament Hill, Peru underground mining and Chile dynamic testing of rock support elements, always in the field of Rock Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Tunnels and Underground Structures for Mining, Tunneling, Energy and Nuclear Waste Disposal Reservoir.

All of our courses are offered 100% online, through our intuitive Virtual Campus. Topics are taught through:

• – Videos
• – Interactive multimedia content
• – Live classes
• – Texts
• – Case studies
• – Evaluation exercises
• – Additional documentation

The content is updated in each new course edition, so that knowledge is acquired around the latest news and state-of-the-art geotechnical engineering technology.

One of the most interesting aspects of our courses is the use of live videoconferences, in which teachers and students interact in a continuous exchange of knowledge and problem solving. In addition to this, students can make use of the platform’s forum, a meeting point where they can interact with teachers and other students.

A tutoring system will also be established by email, which will resolve any possible doubts about the course, and which will serve as a point of connection for students with specific questions on each module.

Students can also download all course documentation, including texts, videos, video conferences and exercises.

This is a post degree course to update knowledge and skills to civil engineers, geologist, mining engineers and related careers.

At the end of the course, and as accreditation of knowledge acquired and of the technical and practical training, students who correctly complete the corresponding evaluation tests of the geotechnical engineering course will obtain an academic certificate issued by Ingeoexpert. This digital certificate is protected by Blockchain technology, making it unique and tamper-proof, thus enabling companies to verify its authenticity.

It can also be downloaded by students, forwarded by email and shared on social networks, as well as embedded on any website. You can see an example here.

Students that graduate from this course will be able to participate in relevant civil and mining projects such as:

• – Subways, new lines and extensions
• – Watermain extension
• – Sewage systems
• – Mining tunnels
• – Hydroelectric tunnels
• – Energy facility tunnel

From the feasibility stage, basic design stage, detailed design stage to the construction stage; in companies like:

• – Consulting
• – Constructor
• – Manufacturer
• – Supplier
• – Government administration

Fulfilling job positions on technical offices, production departments, quality control departments, as advisors, safety departments, and ground control departments.