Peridynamic modeling of rock cutting under a TBM disc cutter using LS-DYNA

Rock cutting force prediction and damage assessment are crucial elements in optimizing tunneling and excavation equipment performance. This study presents a numerical investigation of rock-tool interaction using a Linear Cutting Machine (LCM) test on Colorado Red Granite, implemented through the bond-based Peridynamic framework in LS-DYNA. The numerical model evaluates both normal and rolling forces at three distinct penetration depths (3.2 mm, 5.1 mm, and 6.4 mm). Results demonstrate exceptional correlation with experimental data, achieving accuracy within 0.5–4 % for normal forces and 8–14 % for rolling forces. Furthermore, the model successfully captures the morphology and extent of the induced damage zone during the cutting process. The computational efficiency is particularly noteworthy, with a runtime of only 1 hour and 33 min on a standard engineering workstation. This study establishes the bond-based Peridynamic approach in LS-DYNA as a robust and practical methodology for simulating rock-tool interactions, providing valuable insights for the optimization of cutting tool design in rock excavation applications.