Using simulation tools to assess the impact of construction equipment breakdown on small cross section tunneling advance rate by drilling and blasting

Abstract

In the construction of small cross section tunnels by drilling and blasting, there are differences in the use of construction equipment due to the narrow construction space, which cannot accommodate large-capacity construction equipment, but requires the use of small equipment suitable for the tunnel aperture. Therefore, the impact of equipment failures is not the same as in the construction of large tunnels. The article presents the main results of using simulation tools to evaluate the impact of vehicle and construction equipment failures on the advance rate of digging small cross section tunnels by drilling and blasting. The results from the numerical example show the impact of the level of failures of each type of construction vehicle and construction vehicle combination on the advance rate of digging small cross section tunnels. This is necessary information for the officers in charge of tunnel construction to make decisions appropriate to specific conditions based on the capacity of construction equipment.