Samenvatting

Currently, the cutting forces themselves are only roughly estimated by a Specific Cutting Energy assumption. Throughout literature, many assumptions are made about different parameters, the condition in which the cutting process is taking place, and in specific cases, some parameters are not even considered in the calculation process. This is usually done to simplify and provide results that can be verified through experiments or previous literature. One example of this would be, (S. Miedema, 2015) which provides extensive research and equations to calculate the cutting forces and the cutting energy. However, he calculate these forces based on the forces equilibrium
principle, when in reality, the entire cutting process is constantly dynamic (This is explained in detail in the Theoretical Framework chapter).
As a result, Damen is looking for a more elaborate module that will calculate the expected cutting forces along the trajectory depending on the circumstances at each momentary position of the teeth there. Thus, in this project, the cutting forces of saturated sand is studied to gain the insight and knowledge required to create a MATLAB module that in principle should provide an outcome that takes into account the rotary trajectory of the cutting process.

What is the relation between the movement of cutter head’s teeth of the CSD through the sediment and effort it takes?

From the main research question, sub-questions can be imposed to be able to obtain a good answer for the main question. These sub-questions are:
1. What function needs to be provided to be able to model the dynamic cutting of sand in MATLAB?
2. How will the parameters needed for the forces calculation be defined and obtained?
3. How will the results from the MATLAB module be verified?
4. What methods are going to be utilized to achieve the final objective?
5. How does the rotary trajectory differ from a straight trajectory?