ABSTRACT
The abrasiveness of soft soil is a critical factor to assume wear of cutting tools used in projects with tunnel boring machines (TBM). In Germany, the LCPC test is necessary for the determination of the abrasiveness of soft soil. This test involves a steel wing rotating at 4500 rpm in soil with a grain size of 4.0 – 6.3 mm. Nevertheless, characterizing soil abrasiveness remains a significant factor, prompting interdisciplinary research at the University of Applied Sciences (TH) Cologne. In this research a large range of soils and different materials of the wings were tested. Additionally, an international round robin LCPC test, involving over 20 laboratories, was also conducted. Findings from these studies are helping tunneling and geotechnical professionals to interpret test results of soil abrasiveness specially to assume the TBM tool wear more precisely.
