Control method and system for ensuring stable boring operation at

Abstract

In a tunnel boring or shield machine including a chamber defined between a working face and a bulkhead mounted in a machine frame of a shield machine body, means for controlling the amount of earth or muck conveyed to the exterior of the shield machine from the chamber in which earth is accumulated, and drive means for propelling the shield machine body toward and into the working face, a control method and system for ensuring stable boring operation at the working face by detecting the amount of earth or muck excavated or removed from the working face per unit time and the amount of earth or muck conveyed from the chamber per unit time, comparing these two detected values to generate an earth amount deviation signal representing the difference therebetween, controlling the amount of conveyed earth or muck and/or the amount of removed earth or muck in response to the earth amount deviation signal to maintain the earth pressure in the chamber within a predetermined range thereby ensuring stable tunnel boring operation without giving rise to breakdown of the exposed face or earth stratum and rising of the ground.