Disc cutters are the most commonly used cutting tools in the hard rock tunneling by tunnel boring machines (TBMs). During operation of a TBM in any project, disc cutters wear out and should be replaced to maintain high machine performance. This is especially true in very strong and abrasive rocks. In the process of planning and estimation of completion time and cost for a given tunneling project, the lifetime of the disc cutter is often predicted using the empirical models due to their simplicity and availability. But understanding the background of the models and the relative difference between both predicted and actual lifetimes is critical for improving the accuracy of estimated cutter life. In this study, the basis and input parameters of the most frequently used empirical models for prediction of disc wear life are examined. The result of estimating cutter life by using these models is compared in similar working conditions, including TBM specifications, operating conditions, and rock abrasivity. The results show that in slightly abrasive rocks, the empirical models should be carefully chosen, because the estimated disc life may spread over a wide range. Furthermore, some models are very conservative, while others offer more compatible estimates with the rock abrasivity. Also, in the Kerman water conveyance tunnel, the predicted and actual cutter lives show good correlation with the ratio of the rock mass and intact rock strengths, in addition to laboratory measures of rock abrasivity.

圆盘切割机是隧道掘进机（TBM）在硬岩隧道掘进中最常用的切割工具。在任何项目中使用TBM时，圆盘切刀都会磨损，应予以更换以保持较高的机器性能。在非常结实和磨蚀性的岩石中尤其如此。在计划和估算给定隧道项目的完工时间和成本的过程中，由于其简单性和可用性，经常使用经验模型来预测圆盘切割机的使用寿命。但是，了解模型的背景以及预测寿命和实际寿命之间的相对差异对于提高刀具估计寿命的准确性至关重要。在这项研究中，检查了用于预测圆盘磨损寿命的最常用经验模型的基础和输入参数。在类似的工作条件（包括TBM规格，工作条件和岩石磨蚀性）下，比较了使用这些模型估算刀具寿命的结果。结果表明，在轻微磨蚀的岩石中，应谨慎选择经验模型，因为估计的盘寿命可能会在很宽的范围内扩展。此外，有些模型非常保守，而另一些模型则提供了与岩石磨蚀性更兼容的估计。同样，在克尔曼输水隧道中，除了实验室对岩石的磨蚀性进行测量以外，预测的刀具寿命和实际的刀具寿命与岩体质量比和完整岩石强度之间也显示出良好的相关性。结果表明，在轻微磨蚀的岩石中，应谨慎选择经验模型，因为估计的盘寿命可能会在很宽的范围内扩展。此外，有些模型非常保守，而另一些模型则提供了与岩石磨蚀性更兼容的估计。同样，在克尔曼输水隧道中，除了实验室对岩石的磨蚀性进行测量以外，预测的刀具寿命和实际的刀具寿命与岩体质量比和完整岩石强度之间也显示出良好的相关性。结果表明，在轻微磨蚀的岩石中，应谨慎选择经验模型，因为估计的盘寿命可能会在很宽的范围内扩展。此外，有些模型非常保守，而另一些模型则提供了与岩石磨蚀性更兼容的估计。同样，在克尔曼输水隧道中，除了实验室对岩石的磨蚀性进行测量以外，预测的刀具寿命和实际的刀具寿命与岩体质量比和完整岩石强度之间也显示出良好的相关性。