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ROADHEADER A roadheader, is a partial face machine for excavating a

roadway in such a way that the material to be removed is
disintegrated by the continuous rotation of cutting tools and
thrust against the surface of the material at the working face.
Roadheader offer a unique capability and flexibility for the
excavation of soft to medium strength rock formations,
hence; are extensively used in underground mining and
tunneling operations.
Basically a roadheader consists of a cutting unit, a gathering
unit and a delivery unit
Mr. Bulushi This equipment is very mobile and versatile compared with a
UDSM-MRI full face TBM.

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It can cut a variety of cross Roadheaders , now days, are being used
sections; change diameters on large scale in
at will, change directions ❖Underground Construction
quickly, and move to and ❖Tunneling
from a face under its own Due to the advancement of machine
power. manufacturing in many aspects,
Modern roadheaders productivity has been increased and
new excavation footage records have
areequipped with also been attained.
electronic/hydraulic ROADHEADER is very sensitive to
controlled systems linked to Geological changes .
microprocessor-based Thus , Rock samples were taken from
guidance and profile control different tunnels along with the
systems performance data of the roadheader

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Classification of roadheaders
❑First Generation ❑Third Generation
Introduced in Western Europe in the The third generation, heavy-weight
1960’s. machines became available in 1976.
The lighter models of these early These machines weigh between 45-
boom miners weighed about 9 tons 70 tons and can cut competent rock
Cut soft rocks having compressive with compressive strength of 100
strength up to about 40 MPa. MPa.
❑Second Generation ❑Fourth Generation
Developed around 1970. Machine weights have reached up to
120 tons around 2000
Weigh between 22-37 tons.
Such machines can cut economically
Cut competent rock with rock formations up to 160 MPa
compressive strength as high as 85
MPa

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Basic Components of Roadheader The primary cutting force is

Roadheaders can have fixed Cutting Head exerted sideways.
or telescopic booms. Boom type roadheaders can be divided The milling action rips the rock
❖Fixed boom into two groups according to the from the face and throws across
the floor parallel to the front of the
This requires the forward cutting action of the head. loader head.
movement of the machine ❖Ripping Type Cutting Heads
body during sumping The cutting head rotates around an
operations. axis parallel to the roadway face.
❖Telescopic boom The principle cutting force is provided
Thi is advantageous in that by the rotary motion of the cutting ❖Milling type Cutting Heads
sumping can be carried out by head, and downward thrust is provided Cutting head rotates in line with
the axis of the boom perpendicular
the telescopic action of the by the boom. to the roadway face.
boom without the movement They are more suitable for medium to
of the body. hard rocks.

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Cutting Picks ❑Point attack picks

Roadheader cutting picks are ❑Forward attack picks Performance prediction of a
divided in three groups according Tey are also known as pencil Roadheader.
They are also termed as
to cutting action. point tools, have been It defines the job duration and
tangential picks. These can also
❑Radial picks be used for cutting soft to increasingly employed in drivage economy.
medium hard rocks. medium to hard rock cutting The performance of a
These are generally suitable for
and become an inevitable tool roadheader mainly depends on
cutting soft to medium hard rocks
and coal. on medium and heavy duty the following;
roadheaders. ❖Rock mass properties
Rock strength and abrasivity,
inclination and orientation of
geological discontinuities, water
income etc.

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❖Machine parameters ▪ Fast development Disadvantages of using roadheader

Advantages of using roadheader
Design of cutting head, type of ▪ Automation is easy ▪ Mobility is difficult
▪ Continuous operation
cutters, machine power etc. ▪ Less support ▪ Limited to soft to medium hard rocks
▪ Eliminate use of explosives and requirement ▪ High capital and running costs
❖Mode of experience magazine ▪ Economical for longer ▪ Progress badly effected due to
Operator and contractor ▪ No blasting nuisances excavation abnormal conditions
experience, job organization, ▪ Safety of workers
machine facilities etc. ▪ No need to transport explosives ▪ High power and cutting tool
▪ Minimum damage to ▪ Less ventilation consumption
surrounding rock mass requirement
▪ More time available for
▪ Less dust generation work
▪ Uniform muck size

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Factors effecting the mechanization/selection of machines

❖Rock mass properties (UCS, TS, ❖Ground property
Poisson's ratio, abrasivity) ❖Availability of capital
❖Size and shape ❖Project duration, lead time
❖Length of excavation ❖Availability of power
❖Overburden stresses ❖Progress rate
❖Water conditions The End
❖Geological features,
disturbances
❖Gradient of tunnel for Road
header less than 6 degree

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