Numerical and experimental investigation of rock breaking method under free surface by TBM disc cutter

To study the rock breaking method under the free surface induced by disc cutter, the rock breaking simulations were first conducted based on the discrete element method, and the dynamic process of rock breaking under the free surface was studied including stressed zone, crush zone, crack initiation and propagation. Then the crack propagation conditions, specific energy, etc. under different free surface distance (S) were also investigated...