DISC CUTTERS

Disk cutters are the main cutting tools of TBMs, shaft

boring and raise boring machines
The edges of V-type disc cutters
are blunted to prevent sudden
wearing or breaking.
This type of disc cutters called
Constant-Cross-Section (CCS)
Cutters and are widely used in
TBMs.
Disc cutter types
• Single disc cutters
• Twin disc cutters
• TCI (Tungsten carbide insert) cutter rings.

If the ground is very abrasive, TCI (Tungsten

carbide insert) cutter rings should be
considered.

Tungsten carbide
inserts
Cutting theories

F'R = Average peak rolling force

FR = Average rolling force
F‘N = Average peak normal force
FN = Average normal force

F' R F' N
  1.2
FR FN
Roxborough and Phillips (1975) formulated the optimum
(S/p) ratio for V-shaped disk cutters as a function of the
ratio of compressive to shear strength of the rocks; the
results of which were in good agreement with the
experimental values.

S c

p s
 Design Parameters of Disc Cutters
Disc Angle (Ø):

Disc angle is not selected below 60o’ to prevent the failure of

disc edge. Disc angles between 60o – 80o is common.
Disc diameter(D):
Generally ranges between 33 –51 cm.
Depth of cut (p) ve cutter spacing:
 Blockage of Discs
The cutters may jam if the TBM is pushed forwards with too
much force. On the other hand, rock blocks may enter
between disc and disc housing and blockage discs. Then
discs might scrape against the rock and become flattened
on one side.
 BUTTON CUTTERS
(PINEAPPLE CUTTERS OR
STRAWBERRY CUTTERS)
Button cutters are used on TBMs and raise boring and
shaft boring machines.
Tungsten Carbide Buttons are inserted in the cutter
surface.
They are suitable for hard and abrasive rocks.
 Load-Penetration (Force-Indentation) Test

Rock failure is created at three stage for brittle rocks in a load-

penetration test.

• Crushing the roughness on rock surface and elastic

deformation of rock.
• Occurring a crushed zone beneath the tooth.
• Chipping
Load-indentation testing device

TC buttons
 Load-Penetration Curve

Load (Ton)

Penetration (mm)

α = Load-penetration index(t/mm)
Chipping depends on
• Physico-mechanical properties of rocks
• Stress conditions
• Geometric design of button

Kumtaşı-2/Bahçe(Küresel Diş)
1

0,75
Yük (Ton)

0,5

0,25

0
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5

Batma (mm)

Load – indentation curve for Bahce (Osmaniye) sandstone

Problem
• Uniaxial compressive strength of rock: 200 MPa.
• Tunnel diameter: 3 m.
• Number of button cutters: 30
• Number of buttons in each cutter: 60
• Number of buttons in contact with the face: 9 %
• Machine utilization: 50 %.
• Number of shifts: 3
• Maximum thrust of the machine: 500 t.
• Rotation speed of cutter head: 10 rpm
• Load-penetration index: α = 3.0 t/mm

What will be the daily advance rate of the machine?

Solution
 TOOTHED CUTTERS
They are also called Roller
Cutter and Milled Tooth Cutter.
The teeth of cutters are made
from steel and hardened steel.
They are suitable for soft and
medium hard rocks.
These cutters are not common.