Effect of geomechanical properties on Cerchar Abrasivity Index (CAI) and its application to TBM tunnelling

• Predictive models were developed for the CAI from geomechanical properties.
• Correlations between CLI and CAI with other geomechanical properties were suggested.
• The influence of CAI on the disc cutter life prediction models was investigated by sensitivity analysis.

Abrasiveness of rocks plays an important role in the wear of TBM tunnelling. Cerchar Abrasivity Index (CAI) test is the most commonly used method to estimate rock abrasiveness due to its simple, fast test procedure and economic benefits. This study investigated the correlation between CAI and geomechanical properties of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Single and multiple regression analysis were performed and predictive models for the CAI from geomechanical properties were developed. It is found that single parameter alone is not suitable to predict the value of CAI. The result of the multiple regression analysis shows that quartz content is less influencing factor to predict the value of CAI. Also, the correlation between CAI and NTNU’s Cutter Life Index (CLI) was examined and a predictive model for the CLI from CAI and geomechanical properties was suggested. Finally, the influence of CAI on disc cutter life prediction models was investigated and it was found that the variation of CAI has the maximum effect on the predicted disc cutter life in Gehring model.