Investigation of Usability of Roadheaders in Excavation of Nevsehir Region Tuffs

In mechanized excavation systems, secure prediction of excavation performance is very important. The prediction of excavation performance can be defined as a technique based on economic feasibility and estimation of excavation rate. It is vital for the economic efficiency of excavation works. This technique enables appropriate selection of excavation machines according to rock characteristics and efficient working of these machines. Thus mechanized excavation techniques have been more advantageous compared to other excavation systems. In recent years, using mechanized excavation methods have been increased in excavating tunnels/galleries and underground deposits for the purpose of civil and mining in Turkey. In this study, usability of roadheaders for excavation of tuffs in Nevsehir region was investigated by using some performance prediction methods. Thus, rock mechanics tests were performed to determine the physical and mechanical properties and rock cutting tests were performed to determine the specific energy values on 6 different tuff samples obtained from Nevsehir region. Then, the data obtained were used for performance predicting of selected roadheaders using some performance prediction methods.