Real-time safety control of shield attitude considering tunneling efficiency

Tugen FENG , Jinjian HU , Jian ZHANG , Guoping REN , Yongbo LI , Xiaopeng ZHAO

ENG. Struct. Civ. Eng ›› 2026, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (1) : 80 -95.

PDF (3258KB)
ENG. Struct. Civ. Eng ›› 2026, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (1) :80 -95. DOI: 10.1007/s11709-026-1255-2
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Real-time safety control of shield attitude considering tunneling efficiency
Author information +
History +
PDF (3258KB)

Abstract

Shield attitude control is a critical aspect that must be continuously monitored during shield tunneling. To achieve scientifically rational settings for shield tunneling parameters, this study constructed multiple machine learning prediction models, including shield attitude deviations and tunneling speed, and optimized the hyperparameters of these models using Bayesian algorithms. Subsequently, a constrained grey wolf optimization(GWO) algorithm was employed to establish a real-time safety control method for attitude that considers tunneling efficiency, by dynamically updating the upper and lower bounds for adjustable parameters. The results indicate that the k-nearest neighbors (KNN) model achieved the highest prediction accuracy; however, due to its specific algorithmic principles, KNN is unsuitable for optimization tasks. Embedding the extreme gradient boosting model into the GWO algorithm yielded the best attitude control performance: the absolute attitude deviations were reduced by an average of 45.1% compared to actual values, while the rate of change for adjustable parameters did not exceed 30%. This approach ensures safety and tunneling efficiency during attitude correction and exhibits universal applicability. Compared with other optimization algorithms, GWO demonstrated significant advantages in both optimization effectiveness and computational time.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

shield attitude / tunneling speed / K-nearest neighbors / support vector regression / extreme gradient boosting / grey wolf optimization

Cite this article

Download citation ▾
Tugen FENG, Jinjian HU, Jian ZHANG, Guoping REN, Yongbo LI, Xiaopeng ZHAO. Real-time safety control of shield attitude considering tunneling efficiency. ENG. Struct. Civ. Eng, 2026, 20 (1) : 80-95 DOI:10.1007/s11709-026-1255-2

登录浏览全文

4963

注册一个新账户 忘记密码

References

[1]

Wei G , Feng F , Huang S , Xu T , Zhu J , Wang X , Zhu C. . Full-scale loading test for shield tunnel segments: Load-bearing performance and failure patterns of lining structures. Underground Space, 2025, 20: 197–217

[2]

Liu W , Ding L. . Global sensitivity analysis of influential parameters for excavation stability of metro tunnel. Automation in Construction, 2020, 113: 103080

[3]

Mo H , Chen J. . Study on inner force and dislocation of segments caused by shield machine attitude. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2008, 23(3): 281–291

[4]

Chen D , Feng X , Xu D , Jiang Q , Yang C , Yao P. . Use of an improved ANN model to predict collapse depth of thin and extremely thin layered rock strata during tunnelling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2016, 51: 372–386

[5]

Sugimoto M , Sramoon A , Asce M. . Theoretical model of shield behavior during excavation. I: Theory. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2002, 128(2): 138–155

[6]

Zhang M , Zhang X , Wu H , Javadi A A , Dai Z. . Theoretical study of mechanical behavior of tunnels considering soil-machine interactions. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 2024, 28(10): 4473–4486

[7]

Shen X , Yuan D , Jin D. . Influence of shield attitude change on shield-soil interaction. Applied Sciences, 2019, 9(9): 1812

[8]

Yue M , Sun W , Hu P. . Dynamic coordinated control of attitude correction for the shield tunneling based on load observer. Automation in Construction, 2012, 24: 24–29

[9]

Xie H , Duan X , Yang H , Liu Z. . Automatic trajectory tracking control of shield tunneling machine under complex stratum working condition. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2012, 32: 87–97

[10]

Huayong Y , Hu S , Guofang G , Guoliang H. . Electro-hydraulic proportional control of thrust system for shield tunneling machine. Automation in Construction, 2009, 18(7): 950–956

[11]

Sun W , Yue M , Wei J. . Relationship between rectification moment and angle of shield based on numerical simulation. Journal of Central South University, 2012, 19(2): 517–521

[12]

Chen L , Tian Z , Zhou S , Gong Q , Di H. . Attitude deviation prediction of shield tunneling machine using Time-Aware LSTM networks. Transportation Geotechnics, 2024, 45: 101195

[13]

Zhang N , Zhang N , Zheng Q , Xu Y. . Real-time prediction of shield moving trajectory during tunnelling using GRU deep neural network. Acta Geotechnica, 2022, 17(4): 1167–1182

[14]

Fu Y , Chen L , Xiong H , Chen X , Lu A , Zeng Y , Wang B. . Data-driven real-time prediction for attitude and position of super-large diameter shield using a hybrid deep learning approach. Underground Space, 2024, 15: 275–297

[15]

Xiao H , Chen Z , Cao R , Cao Y , Zhao L , Zhao Y. . Prediction of shield machine posture using the GRU algorithm with adaptive boosting: A case study of Chengdu Subway project. Transportation Geotechnics, 2022, 37: 100837

[16]

Zhou C , Xu H , Ding L , Wei L , Zhou Y. . Dynamic prediction for attitude and position in shield tunneling: A deep learning method. Automation in Construction, 2019, 105: 102840

[17]

Dai L , Chen W , Xiao M , Sun W , Wang Z. . Prediction of super-large diameter shield attitude based on LSTM-Transformer. Scientific Reports, 2025, 15(1): 15725

[18]

Wang L , Pan Q , Wang S. . Data-driven predictions of shield attitudes using Bayesian machine learning. Computers and Geotechnics, 2024, 166: 106002

[19]

Chen H , Li X , Feng Z , Wang L , Qin Y , Skibniewski M J , Chen Z , Liu Y. . Shield attitude prediction based on Bayesian-LGBM machine learning. Information Sciences, 2023, 632: 105–129

[20]

Li T , Liu J , Wu X , Su F , Liu Y. . Dynamic prediction and control of a tunnel boring machine with a particle swarm optimization—Random forest algorithm and an integrated digital twin. Applied Soft Computing, 2025, 178: 113294

[21]

Xiao H , Xing B , Wang Y , Yu P , Liu L , Cao R. . Prediction of shield machine attitude based on various artificial intelligence technologies. Applied Sciences, 2021, 11(21): 10264

[22]

Hu M , Zhang H , Wu B , Li G , Zhou L. . Interpretable predictive model for shield attitude control performance based on XGboost and SHAP. Scientific Reports, 2022, 12(1): 18226

[23]

Xiao H , Cao R , Feng S. . Intelligent attitude control method for shield tunneling machines considering a rectifying mechanism: A case study of the Chengdu subway. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2024, 24(8): 05024006

[24]

Wang P , Kong X , Guo Z , Hu L. . Prediction of axis attitude deviation and deviation correction method based on data driven during shield tunneling. Ieee Access, 2019, 7: 163487–501

[25]

Xu J , Bu J , Qin N , Huang D. . SCA-MADRL: Multiagent deep reinforcement learning framework based on state classification and assignment for intelligent shield attitude control. Expert Systems with Applications, 2024, 235: 121258

[26]

Huang H , Chang J , Zhang D , Zhang J , Wu H , Li G. . Machine learning-based automatic control of tunneling posture of shield machine. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 2022, 14(4): 1153–1164

[27]

Zhang J , Hu J , Zong C , Feng T , Xu T. . A tunneling speed enhancement method for super-large-diameter shield machines considering strata heterogeneity. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2025, 159: 106496

[28]

Pan Y , Wang Z , Sun L , Chen J J. . Dynamic prediction and multi-objective optimization on driving position of tunnel boring machine (TBM): an automated deep learning approach. Acta Geotechnica, 2024, 19(8): 5611–5636

[29]

Zhang L , Li Y , Wang L , Wang J , Luo H. . Physics-data driven multi-objective optimization for parallel control of TBM attitude. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 2025, 65: 103101

[30]

Yu H , Qin C , Tao J , Liu C , Liu Q. . A multi-channel decoupled deep neural network for tunnel boring machine torque and thrust prediction. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2023, 133: 104949

[31]

Shen X , Yuan D , Lin X , Chen X , Peng Y. . Evaluation and prediction of earth pressure balance shield performance in complex rock strata: A case study in Dalian, China. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 2023, 15(6): 1491–1505

[32]

Faramarzi L , Kheradmandian A , Azhari A. . Evaluation and optimization of the effective parameters on the shield tbm performance: torque and thrust-using discrete element method (DEM). Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 2020, 38(3): 2745–2759

[33]

Zhang X , Zhang X , Liu Q , Xie W , Tang S , Wang Z. . TBM big data preprocessing method in machine learning and its application to tunneling. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 2024, 17(8): 4762–4783

[34]

Khan A Q , Muhammad S G , Raza A , Chaimahawan P , Pimanmas A. . Advanced machine learning techniques for predicting compressive strength of ultra-high performance concrete. Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering, 2025, 19(4): 503–523

[35]

Sandamal K , Shashiprabha S , Muttil N , Rathnayake U. . Pavement roughness prediction using explainable and supervised machine learning technique for long-term performance. Sustainability, 2023, 15(12): 9617

[36]

Wang W , Feng H , Li Y , You Q , Zhou X. . Research on prediction of EPB shield tunneling parameters based on LGBM. Buildings, 2024, 14(3): 820

[37]

Shilton A , Lai D T H , Palaniswami M. . A division algebraic framework for multidimensional support vector regression. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics. Part B, Cybernetics, 2010, 40(2): 517–528

[38]

Hayter A J , Liu W , Ah-Kine P. . A ray method of confidence band construction for multiple linear regression models. Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference, 2009, 139(2): 329–334

[39]

Sebbeh-Newton S , Ayawah P E A , Azure J W A , Kaba A G A , Ahmad F , Zainol Z , Zabidi H. . Towards TBM automation: On-the-fly characterization and classification of ground conditions ahead of a TBM using data-driven approach. Applied Sciences, 2021, 11(3): 1060

[40]

Xiao H , Yang W , Hu J , Zhang Y , Jing L , Chen Z. . Significance and methodology: Preprocessing the big data for machine learning on TBM performance. Underground Space, 2022, 7(4): 680–701

[41]

Li J , Chen Z , Li X , Jing L , Zhang Y , Xiao H , Wang S , Yang W , Wu L , Li P . et al. Feedback on a shared big dataset for intelligent TBM Part I: Feature extraction and machine learning methods. Underground Space, 2023, 11: 1–25

[42]

Cho H , Han S , Heo I , Kang H , Kang W , Kim K. . Heating temperature prediction of concrete structure damaged by fire using a Bayesian approach. Sustainability, 2020, 12(10): 4225

[43]

Mirjalili S , Mirjalili S M , Lewis A. . Grey wolf optimizer. Advances in Engineering Software, 2014, 69: 46–61

[44]

Du T , Hu Y , Ke X. . Improved quantum artificial fish algorithm application to distributed network considering distributed generation. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2015, 2015: 1–13

[45]

Li E , Zhang N , Xi B , Zhou J , Gao X. . Compressive strength prediction and optimization design of sustainable concrete based on squirrel search algorithm-extreme gradient boosting technique. Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering, 2023, 17(9): 1310–1325

[46]

Ding Z. . Research of improved particle swarm optimization algorithm. In: Proceedings of AIP Conference. Melville, NY: AIP Publishing LLC, 2017, 1839(1): 020148

[47]

Zhang J , Lu S D , Feng T G , Yi B B , Liu J T. . Research on reuse of silty fine sand in backfill grouting material and optimization of backfill grouting material proportions. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2022, 130: 104751

Rights & permissions

Higher Education Press

PDF (3258KB)

1746

Accesses

0

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/