Characteristics of water flow distribution in TBM side wall

Yoshikawa, Akira; Tanigawa, Hisashi; Seki, Yohji; Hirose, Takanori; Tsuru, Daigo; Ezato, Koichiro; Yokoyama, Kenji; Nishi, Hiroshi; Suzuki, Satoshi; Tanzawa, Sadamitsu; Homma, Takashi; Enoeda, Mikio

In the side wall of TBM, parallel flow channels are considered. In the cooling channels structure, the flow distribution probably arises from the pressure drop in the channels. The purpose of this study is to clarify the water flow distribution in the side wall and design the cooling channels structure so that structural material of the side wall can be kept under the allowable temperature. The structural material for assumed flow rates and the flow distribution were estimated, and then the cooling channels structure was designed. The design was verified using the mockup made of the vinyl chloride pipe. For the verified design, the mockup made of F82H is manufactured, and the water flow distribution and the pressure drop were measured. It was found that the heat removal capability was sufficient in this design. From these results, the design for the cooling channels structure in the side wall is established so that enough water flow to cool the structural material is kept.