Abstract Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are considered to be the most efficient tunneling method for long tunnels because of their higher productivity, adaptability to a variety of subsurface conditions, and providing a safer work environment. The number of TBMs utilized over the past decade has escalated, testimony to their continuing success and flexibility for application on projects of different diameter, length, and ground conditions. There are various guidelines available for TBM selection and for developing a suitable specification for a machine for a given project. Proper application of these guidelines is an essential part of machine selection to assure optimal performance of these machines in a given project. However, available guidelines are very general in nature and based on past experiences: they cannot take into account the many intricacies of a specific upcoming project including site set up and geology. This paper discusses use of Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to model tunneling activities, and demonstrates the ability of simulation to capture the interrelationships between the TBM, back-up system, and geologic interactions. The simulations provide insight into expectations for utilization of individual components as well as overall TBM system utilization. The simulation model can be constructed to enable estimation of the machine utilization under various site set up and back-up arrangements, and thus paves the way to quantitative assessment of the value of adding different capabilities on the machine and back-up system. Case studies are used to demonstrate the impact of some common tunneling activities in different ground conditions. In particular, DES was used to study the effect of eight different tunneling activities on the overall performance of the TBM. Significant differences in productivity can be seen by varying the specification of the TBM and system components. The results show the importance of selecting the right components for the back-up and their impact on overall machine utilization, leading to the possibility of allowing more methodic and fact-based selection of system components for optimal TBM performance.

中文翻译：

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基于敏感性分析调查TBM停机时间对利用率的影响

摘要 隧道掘进机（TBMs）具有较高的生产率、对各种地下条件的适应性以及提供更安全的工作环境，被认为是最有效的长隧道掘进方法。过去十年中使用的 TBM 数量不断增加，这证明了它们在不同直径、长度和地面条件的项目中应用的持续成功和灵活性。有多种指导方针可用于 TBM 选择和为给定项目开发合适的机器规格。这些指南的正确应用是机器选择的重要组成部分，以确保这些机器在给定项目中的最佳性能。然而，可用的指南本质上是非常通用的，并且基于过去的经验：他们无法考虑即将到来的特定项目的许多复杂性，包括场地设置和地质。本文讨论了使用离散事件模拟 (DES) 对隧道掘进活动进行建模，并展示了模拟捕捉 TBM、备用系统和地质相互作用之间相互关系的能力。模拟提供了对单个组件利用率以及整体 TBM 系统利用率的预期的洞察。可以构建仿真模型来估计各种站点设置和备份安排下的机器利用率，从而为量化评估在机器和备份系统上添加不同功能的价值铺平了道路。案例研究用于证明一些常见隧道掘进活动在不同地面条件下的影响。特别是，DES 被用来研究八种不同的掘进活动对 TBM 整体性能的影响。通过改变 TBM 和系统组件的规格，可以看到生产率的显着差异。结果表明，为后备选择正确组件的重要性及其对机器整体利用率的影响，从而可以更有条理地选择基于事实的系统组件，以实现最佳 TBM 性能。通过改变 TBM 和系统组件的规格，可以看到生产率的显着差异。结果表明，为后备选择正确组件的重要性及其对机器整体利用率的影响，从而可以更有条理地选择基于事实的系统组件，以实现最佳 TBM 性能。通过改变 TBM 和系统组件的规格，可以看到生产率的显着差异。结果表明，为后备选择正确组件的重要性及其对机器整体利用率的影响，从而可以更有条理地选择基于事实的系统组件，以实现最佳 TBM 性能。