Applying periodic hopper-reloaders when driving traffi c tunnels by the heading method

Research relevance. Heading technology with automobile long haul transport has becomewidespread in traffi c tunnels construction.An analysis of scientifi c and technical information sources that consider work in a tunnel face revealed a number of problems and limitations that decrease productivity. Research objective is to develop methods and ways of coordinating the operation of drifting equipment to reduce the drifting cycle time and increase the pace of construction. Methods of research. It is proposed to include periodic hopper-reloaders with high unloading capacity in the "heading machine-dump truck" process fl ow in order to ensure continuous operation of a heading machine and a dump truck and thereby improve production effi ciency. Results. To quantify the effectiveness of a hopper-reloader, the coeffi cient of a cycle time (duration) reduction was introduced. A mathematical model has been developed to determine the drifting cycle duration under different conditions of driving a mine working. Calculation results analysis showed that by reducing the time of the hopper-reloader unloading in half compared to the time of loading, it is possible to reduce the drifting cycle duration by 25%. A qualitative assessment of the developed model for the drifting cycle time formationshows that the main factor leading to time reduction is the improved capacity of hopper-reloaders during unloading.Conclusions.As a result of the research, ways have been outlined to improve the effi ciency of mine development using the heading method of driving a working for a traffi c tunnel by reducing the duration of the drifting cycle.It is proposed to use a periodic hopper-reloader to coordinate the operation of a heading machine and a dump truck with a capacity signifi cantly higher than that of the heading machine.