A New Linear Cutting Experimental Machine for Disc-Cutter Rock Breaking with High-Pressure Water Jets Assisted

Aiming at the low rock-breaking efficiency of TBM disc cutters in tough rock environments, A new experimental machine combined with the high-pressure water jet rock-breaking method was designed. It can flexibly change the cutting parameters of the water jet, such as spray position, spray height, pressure, etc. Moreover, the three-direction load of the disc cutter during the rock-breaking process can be obtained accurately by strain testing. The rock-breaking experiment reached the following conclusions. The experimental machine can meet the design function. In this study, the normal and rolling forces when the disc cutter breaks rock are significantly lower than the traditional, 26.90% and 28.39%, respectively. The lateral force increased slightly, about 31.17%. Although the energy consumption of water-jet-assisted is higher than the traditional rock-breaking method, the volume of broken rock per unit of time is approximately 5.85 times that of the traditional. It is feasible to increase the energy cost to increase the excavation speed. On the rock surface after the water jet experiment, a rock ridge appears on the rolling trajectory of the disc cutter, which is not conducive to further breaking the rock. The cutting depth of the water jet needs to be adjusted to reduce the height of the rock ridge.