Effect of structural parameters on the opening ratio of atmospheric cutterheads

During excavation, mud-discharge performance is largely related to the opening ratio of the cutterhead. Based on the symmetrical characteristics of the atmospheric cutterhead body, a parametric method is proposed to establish the mapping relationship between the opening ratio and structural parameters. The variation ranges of the key structural parameters were determined based on the cutter installation size, cutter arrangement and geometric relationships with the cutterhead. The coupled relationship between structural parameters and their influence on the opening ratio was also investigated. The distribution of soil under different opening ratios was analysed by using a full-scale mud-discharge numerical model. The results showed that, the larger the opening ratio (especially the opening ratio of the transition area), the better the mud-discharge performance of the cutterhead. Suggestions for adjusting the structural parameters during the design of the cutterhead opening are provided based on the findings of this research.