Design, selection, and application of disc cutters in hard and abrasive rock

Underground development for nuclear waste storage will require tunnels to be excavated in a variety of rock conditions. Disc cutters have been used on tunnel boring and shaft boring machines for many years and are a proven method to bore hard rock. This paper will study the important parameters which effect the rock cutting mechanism. Penetration and cutter life will be discussed in relation to various rock types. Practical examples and some case studies are also given