Abstract High pressure abrasive water jets (HPAWJ) are an emergent excavation technology. Despite being used for several applications since the nineteenth century, it is only in recent decades that this excavation purpose has been considered. This is the result of evolution in high pressure pump technology and parameter investigation. Special highlight should be given to optimization works which improve knowledge about the main parameters. However, studies usually neglect the importance of HPAWJ cutting strategies, and only consider bidimensional approaches as options for nozzle movement. This article analyzes and proposes an operational cycle based on a tridimensional approach for HPAWJ. Higher removal rates and lower energetic consumption are expected in comparison with traditional strategies.

Abstract Tunnel Boring Machines play an important role in the underground infrastructure execution of modern cities. They weigh thousands of tons and measure hundreds of meters besides utilizing high powered energy in the excavation process. Although being well established, they are based on a last century design approach and they are not compatible anymore with the sustainable concept that characterizes current society. An alternative is looking for news technologies capable of replacing the traditional cutter disc in the excavation process. This is the approach of Tunnels Laboratory - LabTun - of Santa Catarina University. In this context, one of the lastest developments is a water jet tunnel boring machine (WJTBM). It utilizes a high power water jet (hydrodemolition) combined with diamond wire to execute the excavation process in a lighter, smart and less powerfull way. Therefore, it is just as important to compare the proposed new concept with the alternatives. This study deals with this necessity by analysing its technological performance. The advanced rate index was chosen for this task. It was calculated by the NTNU prediction model for traditional TBMs and by a proposed method for LabTun's concept. This method envolves experimental results of volumetric removal rate for high power water jet and geometrical characteristics of water jet TBM. The analysis utilized four types of rocks (sandstone, slate, meta-sandstone and granite) as geologic scenarium. The results show a better performance of WJTBM for soft and porous rock and an inexpressive performance for hard rock.

Abstract Tunnel boring machines are important tools in underground infrastructure projects. Although being well established equipment, these machinesare based on designsof more than 60 years ago and are characterized by big dimensions, enormous weight and high power consumption. Commercial aspects should be noted too. The model adopted by the TBM industry requires constant replacement of cutter discs and specific labor skills, usually offered by the same manufacturingcompany. In some cases the cost of replacement parts and technical assistance can be higher than the acquisition cost of an entire machine. These aspects are no longer compatible with the concept of sustainability that is an important aspect of currentsociety. While the technical characteristics require a large quantity of steel and several inputs, the adoptedmodel is not competitive. One alternative is looking for new technologies that break the old paradigms and allow the development of high performance concepts with lower social and environmental impact. This studydealswith this opportunity by proposing a high performance tunnel boring machine that makes use of high power water jet and diamond wire to compose a double shield cutter head. It works in two stages. In the fristone, an annular cut is executed by hydrodemolition,and in the second one, the diamond wire station slices the rock core. Only with the action of diamond wire is the rock core separated from the rock mass and the removal process is finished. A smart water jet nozzle movement system is described and non circular tunnels can be executed. The new technologies involved requirea different type of backup system, lighter and smaller. The non-existence of mechanical contact between the equipment and the rock mass at theexcavation front allows low power consumption. The advanced rate and primary excavation cost analyses can also be encountered herein. It shows that it is possible to reach an advanced rate of 174 m/day in soft and porous rock and 0.64 m/day in hard and non porousrock, whereas the NTNU method indicates only 55m/day and 13m/day underrespective conditions. On the other hand, the excavation cost is high for both conditions. One option is to use sand as an abrasive in the water jet process, reducing by half the primary excavation cost. It is reasonable to say that the proposed concept can be considered as an alternative for tunnels in soft rock and high porosity, and needs better performance of the water jet system to become an alternative for hard rock.

O presente trabalho considera o uso do Método dos Elementos de Contorno (MEC) na avaliação da carga de colapso de problemas em estado plano de deformação, usando o teorema estático da análise-limite. Essa análise envolve o modelo constitutivo rígido-plástico, onde uma formulação não-linear do MEC faz-se necessária. Análises não-lineares com o MEC normalmente requerem o uso de uma discretização auxiliar no domínio através de células internas. Para evitar essa discretização de domínio, o presente desenvolvimento baseia-se em uma nova formulação não-linear do MEC, recentemente desenvolvida por Noronha e Pereira, usando apenas discretização de contorno (interfaces entre subregiões da zona plastificada). Os resultados obtidos pela discretização com a nova formulação do MEC são comparados com os obtidos pelo MEC convencional e pelo Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF). A comparação entre os diferentes resultados é feita com os valores da função de escoamento e com o valor obtido para a carga de ruptura.

The present development considers the Boundary Element Method (BEM) for the collapse load evaluation of plane strain problems, using the static theorem of the limit analysis. This analysis is based on the rigid-plastic constitutive model, thus requiring a non-linear approach for the Boundary Element Method. Normally, non-linear analyses with BEMs require the use of an auxiliary domain discretization with internal cells. To avoid this domain discretization, the present development makes use of a new non-linear BEM approach using a pure boundary discretization recently proposed by Noronha & Pereira. The results obtained with the new BEM approach are compared with results obtained by conventional BEM and Finite Element Method (FEM). The comparison of the results for the three different approaches is based on the yield function and collapse load values.