Experimental study on quantitative evaluation and prediction method of cutter bit wear for shield machine in gravel ground

It is unavoidable to have cutter bit wear during shield tunnel excavation. In recent years, because of excavation in a variety of ground conditions, problems caused by excessive cutter bit wear sometimes occur during projects. Many studies on cutter bit wear have been done in past but a quantitative evaluation method for cutter bit wear has not been established. In particular, there is little research on the characteristics of bit wear in gravel ground. This paper discusses the effects of characteristics of gravel, gravel contents and binding material on bit wear based on the results of a series of laboratory tests in order to understand the mechanism of bit wear in gravel ground and develop a prediction method of bit wear under those conditions.