Wire saw cutting model development and performance investigation for vibration reduced tunnel excavation

In underground tunnel excavation, vibration originated from blasting process is generally propagated to ground surface, which often results in civilian discomfort. As a method to reduce propagation due to vibration, discontinuity surface around center blast area in blind end of tunnel can be generated by using wire saw cutting. To enhance applicability of wire saw, cutting performance and improvement methods are investigated in this study. Firstly, wire saw cutting model, which describes a change of cutting depth and wire saw bow shape inside rock, is established. And validation of driven model is performed by comparing with experimental results which are conducted on specially manufactured test bed. Based on validated model, important characteristics of wire saw cutting process and parameter influences on cutting performance are investigated, which suggests performance improvement methods. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.