Construction Mechanical Characteristics of TBM Pilot and Enlargement Method for Ventilation Tunnel of Wuhai Pumped Storage Power Station

Investigating the construction mechanics of a ventilation tunnel using the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) pilot and enlargement method with reliable rock mechanics parameters ensures the safety of on-site excavation operations. Leveraging the construction project of the ventilation tunnel at the Wuhai Pumped Storage Power Station, TGP sidewall forecasting was employed to explore the geological conditions within a 50 m range of the tunnel’s side. A systematic study of the construction mechanics of the TBM pilot and enlargement method was conducted, along with corresponding construction recommendations and engineering applications. This research indicates that sidewall forecasting can supplement the deficiencies in geological exploration reports, with excavation revealing conditions consistent with the forecast. Deformation at the interface, including the arch crown and sidewall, mainly concentrates during the construction phase from the completion of full-section excavation to the beginning of expansion. As the working face advances, the upper rock mass within the ventilation tunnel outline experiences tension, with stress concentration in the shoulder and bottom corner rock masses. The plastic zone before expansion primarily concentrates within the ventilation tunnel outline, shifting to the sidewall after expansion, with the left shoulder’s plastic zone depth slightly exceeding that of the right. The proposed method effectively ensures construction safety, and the research findings have valuable implications for similar projects.