ABSTRACT
The paper deals with the major impacts of rock under increased stress conditions on the use of TBM’s, shielded as well as unshielded.
The most important interactions between rock and TBM are discussed with emphasis to rock excavation, cutterhead rotation, TBM advance and tunnel lining as integrated process (e.g. segmental lining). Main mechanisms of the different interactions are discussed as well some attempts to check the potential value of the effects. Corresponding to these mechanisms conceptual and design features are shown to cope with TBM-tunnelling under high rock stress.
