The punch penetration test for estimating machine performance

Abstract

The paper reviews the history of the punch penetration test as a laboratory method that could be conducted on intact rock sample for estimating the penetration rate of machines such as tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and microtunneling boring machine (MTBM) in rock mass. It discusses some of the methods that have been used to evaluate the test results for various purposes and also how the test has been used to evaluate certain rock properties like hardness, brittleness, toughness. As a result, it is stated that the punch penetration test may be utilized as a laboratory tool for evaluating boreability of rocks and it has the potential of becoming a standard test to direct measurement of rock brittleness that could also be used for predicting the machine performance.