Performance Simulation Analysis and Design of the Scale Model for the Earth Pressure Balance Shield

Referring to the Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) shield with the diameter of 6.25m, a new experiment station of EPB shield is proposed, which is loaded with mechanical structure instead of traditional soil box. The structure of the experiment model is designed for the performance analysis of the EPB shield. The mechanical loading device, which is called the soil simulator, can simulate different geological environments. The soil simulator is capable of realizing three work states, such as earth balance pressure, earth under pressure, and earth over pressure. By adopting virtual prototype technology, parametric model of the shield station is established and the co-simulation scheme is determined. Besides, the kinematic analysis as well as variation principles between the displacement and driving forces of the propulsion system are obtained, which build the foundation for optimization design and control of the shield prototype.