TBM Telemetry — Clay Clogging Risk
Clay Clogging Risk for tunnel project performance management.
Sticky clay turns a cutterhead into a rolling pottery wheel — torque climbs, openings seal, and advance dies while the machine 'works' perfectly. The PI-consistency diagram predicts it from routine lab tests; the mitigation (water/foam dosing, head design) is cheap when bought BEFORE launch.
Formula
Note: Planning-level tunnelling estimate — actual TBM performance is set by detailed geotechnical baseline data, machine design and the contractor's means & methods. Use for feasibility framing only.
Clay Clogging Risk for tunnel project performance management. A free tbm performance & tunnelling tool — no sign-up, no upload, instant results in your browser.
About TBM Telemetry — Clay Clogging Risk
TBM Telemetry — Clay Clogging Risk computes the governing relationship Hollmann & Thewes clogging diagram (PI vs consistency) — simplified bands live as you type. Sticky clay turns a cutterhead into a rolling pottery wheel — torque climbs, openings seal, and advance dies while the machine 'works' perfectly. The PI-consistency diagram predicts it from routine lab tests; the mitigation (water/foam dosing, head design) is cheap when bought BEFORE launch. Defaults are pre-filled with realistic values for this exact scenario, and the worked example substitutes your numbers step by step so the math is never a black box.
How to use TBM Telemetry — Clay Clogging Risk
- 1Enter your values — Plasticity index, Consistency index (sensible defaults are pre-filled).
- 2Read the live results: Clogging risk score.
- 3Check the "with your numbers" line to see Hollmann & Thewes clogging diagram (PI vs consistency) — simplified bands substituted step by step.
- 4Adjust inputs until the scenario matches yours, then copy or share the result.
Why use TBM Telemetry — Clay Clogging Risk?
- ✓Instant, free and private — every calculation runs client-side in your browser; nothing is uploaded
- ✓Built on the stated formula Hollmann & Thewes clogging diagram (PI vs consistency) — simplified bands with authoritative sources cited on the page (Maidl et al., Mechanised Shield Tunnelling, 2nd ed.; ITA/BTS — Mechanised tunnelling guidelines; NTNU prediction model — hard-rock TBM performance)
- ✓Sticky clay turns a cutterhead into a rolling pottery wheel — torque climbs, openings seal, and advance dies while the machine 'works' perfectly.
- ✓Niche-specific defaults give a meaningful worked answer the moment the page loads
Frequently asked questions
What formula does the tbm telemetry — clay clogging risk use?+
It evaluates Hollmann & Thewes clogging diagram (PI vs consistency) — simplified bands, exactly as published. Sources: Maidl et al., Mechanised Shield Tunnelling, 2nd ed.; ITA/BTS — Mechanised tunnelling guidelines; NTNU prediction model — hard-rock TBM performance. The substituted worked example on the page lets you verify every step against the textbook.
How should I read the result — and how far can I trust it?+
Sticky clay turns a cutterhead into a rolling pottery wheel — torque climbs, openings seal, and advance dies while the machine 'works' perfectly. Planning-level tunnelling estimate — actual TBM performance is set by detailed geotechnical baseline data, machine design and the contractor's means & methods. Use for feasibility framing only.
When is this calculator the right tool for the job?+
Clay Clogging Risk for tunnel project performance management. A free tbm performance & tunnelling tool. The PI-consistency diagram predicts it from routine lab tests; the mitigation (water/foam dosing, head design) is cheap when bought BEFORE launch. For neighbouring scenarios, the related tools below cover the same engine with different presets.
Do I need to install anything or create an account?+
No. The tool is pure client-side JavaScript: open the page and it works, offline once loaded, with no account, no quota and no data leaving your device.
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