Applications of the overlapping nodes method in simulating crack-expansion under the action of TBM cutter

Abstract

In order to make good use of ANSYS/LS-DYNA, the overlapping nodes method is first applied to establish the TBM cutter's rock-breaking model. The modeling procedure is further discussed. By running the self-compiled program, the sharing node in rock's adjacent finite elements is automatically split into two nodes and than welded together by adding the failure constraint connection. Finally, by comparing and analyzing the example, the conclusion can be drawn that the 2D simulation model using the overlapping nodes method can better simulate the dynamic evolution process of rock crack, relative to the traditional modeling method. The shape of crack is fine and accords well with the experimental phenomena. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.