Predicting the performance of roadheader in tunnel excavation using teaching learning based optimization algorithm and firefly algorithm-A case study

Roadheader machine is one of those machines that have high drilling capability in rocks with low to medium strength. Hence they are widely used in underground excavations. Estimating the performance of roadheader machine is one of the main and important issues in estimating the approximate project completion time as well as project costs. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to propose intelligent forecasting models for estimating the performance of roadheader machine by two intelligent methods (the firefly algorithm (FA) and the Teaching-learning based optimization algorithm (TLBO)) and using a database (a case study). Is. In these models, the Schmidt hammer rebound values and the rock quality degree (RQD) are used as input parameters and the cutting rate of the roadheader is used as the output parameter. Finally, to evaluate the accuracy of the models and modeling, the indices of square correlation coefficient (R2), variance account for (VAF), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean square error (MSE) have been used. The results indicated that the two models have strong potentials to estimate roadheader performance with high degrees of accuracy and robustness.