Breakage mechanism of hard-rock penetration by TBM disc cutter after high pressure water jet precutting

To achieve greater efficiency of TBM driving and lower cutter maintenance costs in hard rock formations, the TBM integrated high pressure water jet system was developed. By examining the working modes of water jets and disc cutters, this paper investigates the mechanical response and failure mechanisms for the simple case in which a water jet is first used to cut, followed by disc cutter rock breaking. As disc cutters use penetration-type rock...