Full-face tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are key equipment in the field of modern tunnel excavation, including full-face rock tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and shield machines (TBMs). The tunnel boring machine (TBM) usually refers to full-face rock tunnel boring machines.

   Full-face tunnel boring machines are machines that use mechanical energy to crush the tunnel face and continuously output the crushed slag backwards, aiming to obtain the expected tunnel shape and tunnel line. This equipment integrates multiple technologies such as mechanics, electronics, hydraulics, lasers and control, representing a highly mechanized and automated set of tunnel excavation and lining equipment.

   1、Advantages of full-face tunnel boring machines

   ①  High efficiency: Full-face tunnel boring machines show extremely high efficiency in tunnel excavation, greatly shortening the construction period.

   ②   Quality: Due to the high degree of automation and precision control of the equipment, the quality of tunnel excavation can be guaranteed.

   ③   Safety: Mechanized operation reduces manual participation and reduces safety risks in construction.

   ④   Economic efficiency: Although the initial investment is large, in the long run, TBM can reduce the overall construction cost.

   ⑤   Environmental protection: The disturbance to the rock mass during excavation is small, which is conducive to protecting the surrounding environment.

   ⑥   Reduced labor intensity: Automated operation reduces the physical labor intensity of workers and improves the comfort of the working environment.

   2、Disadvantages of full-section tunnel boring machines

   ①   Large one-time investment: The equipment cost and installation cost of TBM are high, and the initial investment is huge.

   ②   High dependence on geological conditions: The performance and efficiency of TBM are highly dependent on the geological conditions of the construction site.

   ③   Difficult to change the size of the excavation section: Once the equipment model is determined, the size of the excavation section is difficult to adjust, which limits its flexibility in different projects.

   3、Application areas of full-section tunnel boring machines

   TBM is widely used in tunnel excavation for large-scale engineering projects such as subways, highways, railways and water conservancy. Its high efficiency, safety and environmental friendliness make it the main equipment in modern tunnel construction.

   With its high mechanization and automation advantages, the full-face tunnel boring machine plays an irreplaceable and important role in the field of tunnel excavation. Despite the challenges of high initial investment and geological conditions, TBM still becomes an important equipment in modern engineering construction with its high efficiency, safety and high quality.