Evaluation of Disc Cutter Performance in Rock Cutting Process Using 3D Finite Element Method

Today, numerical simulation can be used as a suitable tool to measure large quantities that are very expensive and, in some cases, impossible to measure. One of the important issues in predicting rock mass boreability in excavation with full face tunnel boring machines is estimating the disc's forces for rock cutting. For this purpose, the linear cutting test is employed. However, limited access to equipment and the high cost of this test have resulted in a decline in its use. In this research, linear cutting tests have been simulated using numerical methods using ABAQUS 6-14 software, which is based on the finite element method. In this simulation, according to the dynamic analysis, for the explicit solution method and the behavior of the rock, the Johnson–Holmquist-II model (JH-2) is used. Subsequently, after solving the model, the forces acting on a fixed cross-sectional disc are estimated, and then, for validation, the results of numerical modeling are compared with laboratory results and theoretical model. Comparison of the results shows that the cutting forces obtained from the simulation have a deviation of 7% and 11% with normal and rolling forces compared to the mean forces in laboratory work, respectively.