Comparison and discussion on fragmentation behavior of soft rock in multi-indentation tests by a single TBM disc cutter

•Multi-indentation tests are conducted with six pre-set penetration depths.•Failure behavior transfers from brittle to plastic mode in multi-indentation tests.•One critical pre-set penetration depth results in most inefficient rock breakage in multi-indentation tests.•Compacted zone depth remains unchanged when reaching one penetration depth.

This paper is to investigate the mechanical responses and failure characteristics of soft rock in multi-indentation tests by a single TBM constant cross section (CCS) disc cutter. Different pre-set penetration depths and totally three cycles of indentation processes were employed in the repeated indentation tests conducted on the cubic cement mortar specimens. The load-penetration depth curve, penetration load, peak-load penetration depth, rock breakage work and compacted zone depth for the three indentation processes were analyzed. The strength and deformation properties and failure behavior of soft rock under different indentation conditions were revealed. The rock breakage behavior after several indentation processes still presents brittle failure characteristic with small pre-set penetration depths, but the specimens with large pre-set penetration depths appear obvious plastic failure mode. Approximately equal leap loads are obtained from both the intact specimen in direct indentation failure test and the weakened specimens after several indentation processes with different pre-set penetration depths, but the peak-load penetration depths for specimens with different pre-set penetration depths are varying. Curves of the cumulative penetration depth and cumulative rock breakage work both reach the corresponding peak values for one certain pre-set penetration depth. Along with this most unfavourable pre-set penetration depth, rock breakage efficiency is the lowest and energy consumption is the highest.