Static loading behavior of joint interface in split TBM cutterhead

Tunnel boring machine (TBM) cutterhead is so large that it is difficult to realize the cost of using real cutterhead or equal proportion cutterhead to carry out relevant experiment research. Loading behaviors of joint interface in split TBM cutterhead are investigated with scaled cutterhead. The results show that, in bolted connection, with increase of preloading torque, the energy dissipation of joint interface reduces and the stiffness of bolted joint interface has an increase trend. In the bolt-welded connection, the displacement of joint interface increases nonlinearly with increase of loading force, and the welding can raise stiffness of the joint surface. This provides reference for the selection of the bolted preloading and joint design of split TBM cutterhead.