The modelling of rock breakage process by TBM rolling cutters using 3D FEM-SPH coupled method

The rock breakage process by a single disc cutter and the ejection speed of rock fragments are simulated using three-dimensional Finite Element Method (FEM) coupled with Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method in this paper. Firstly, the rock penetration process can be divided into three stages including the formation stage of crushed zone, the formation stage of micro-cracks and the propagation stage of major cracks. Then, during the rock penetration process, three different zones beneath the cutter, namely crushed zone, cracked zone and intact rock zone, can be distinguished based on the degree of cracking. Finally, the ejection speed of fragments during rock penetration process is obtained using FEM-SPH method, which is a more convenient way to study the effect of the harmful ejection of rock fragments on TBM machine. Moreover, the three-dimensional numerical results are in good agreement with experimental observations.