• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2024

The development of shield-driven cross-river tunnels in China is witnessing a notable shift towards larger diameters, longer distances, and higher water pressures due to the more complex excavation environment. Complex geological formations, such as fault and karst cavities, pose significant construction risks. Real-time adjustment of shield tunneling parameters based on parameter prediction is the key to ensuring the safety and efficiency of shield tunneling. In this study, prediction models for the torque and thrust of the cutter plate of ultra-large diameter slurry shield TBMs is established based on integrated learning algorithms, by analyzing the real data of Heyan Road cross-river tunnel. The influence of geological complexities at the excavation face, substantial burial depth, and high water level on the slurry shield tunneling parameters are considered in the models. The results reveal that the predictive models established by applying Random Forest and AdaBoost algorithms exhibit strong agreement with actual data, which indicates that the good adaptability and predictive accuracy of these two models. The models proposed in this study can be applied in the real-time prediction and adaptive adjustment of the tunneling parameters for shield tunneling under complex geological conditions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.647-663
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• 2023

The investigation of the disc cutter wear prediction has an important guiding role in TBM equipment selection, project planning, and cost forecasting, especially when tunneling in a long-distance rock formations with high strength and high abrasivity. In this study, a comprehensive database of disc cutter wear data, geological properties, and tunneling parameters is obtained from a 1326 m excavated metro tunnel project in leptynite in Shenzhen, China. The failure forms and wear consumption of disc cutters on site are analyzed with emphasis. The results showed that 81% of disc cutters fail due to uniform wear, and other cutters are replaced owing to abnormal wear, especially flat wear of the cutter rings. In addition, it is found that there is a reasonable direct proportional relationship between the uniform wear rate (WR) and the installation radius (R), and the coefficient depends on geological characteristics and tunneling parameters. Thus, a preliminary prediction formula of the uniform wear rate, based on the installation radius of the cutterhead, was established. The correlation between some important geological properties (K_V and UCS) along with some tunneling parameters (F_n and p) and wear rate was discussed using regression analysis methods, and several prediction models for uniform wear rate were developed. Compared with a single variable, the multivariable model shows better prediction ability, and 89% of WR can be accurately estimated. The prediction model has reliability and provides a practical tool for wear prediction of disc cutter under similar hard rock projects with similar geological conditions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.117-139
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• 2016

Previous studies for soil movements induced by tunneling have primarily focused on the free soil displacements. However, the stiffness of existing structures is expected to alter tunneling-induced ground movements, the sheltering influences for underground structures should be included. Furthermore, minimal attention has been given to the settings for the shield machine's operation parameters during the process of tunnels crossing above and below existing tunnels. Based on the Shanghai railway project, the soil movements induced by an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield considering the sheltering effects of existing tunnels are presented by the simplified theoretical method, the three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) simulation method, and the in-situ monitoring method. The deformation prediction of existing tunnels during complex traversing process is also presented. In addition, the deformation controlling safety measurements are carried out simultaneously to obtain the settings for the shield propulsion parameters, including earth pressure for cutting open, synchronized grouting, propulsion speed, and cutter head torque. It appears that the sheltering effects of underground structures have a great influence on ground movements caused by tunneling. The error obtained by the previous simplified methods based on the free soil displacements cannot be dismissed when encountering many existing structures.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2005.03a
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• pp.1324-1334
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• 2005

This study investigated the applicability of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technique for prediction of tunnel behavior. For training data collection, a series of finite element analyses were conducted for actual tunnel project site. Using the data, optimimzed ANNs were developed through a sensitivity study on internal parameters. The developed ANNs can make tunneling related predictions such as tunnel crown settlement, shotcrete lining stress, ground surface settlement, and groundwater inflow rate. The results indicated that the developed ANNs can be used as an effective and efficient tool for tunnelling related prediction in practical tunneling situations.

• 한국터널공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.105-116
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• 2005

This study investigated the applicability of the Artificial Neural Network(ANN) technique for prediction of tunnel behavior. For training data collection, a series of finite element analyses were conducted for actual tunnel project site. Using the data, optimimzed ANNs were developed through a sensitivity study on internal parameters. The developed ANNs can make tunneling related predictions such as tunnel crown settlement, shotcrete lining stress, ground surface settlement, and groundwater inflow rate. The results indicated that the developed ANNs can be used as an effective and efficient tool for tunnelling related prediction in practical tunneling situations.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-26
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• 2022

One of the most important issues in tunneling, is the squeezing phenomenon. Squeezing can occur during excavation or after the construction of tunnels, which in both cases could lead to significant damages. Therefore, it is important to predict the squeezing and consider it in the early design stage of tunnel construction. Different empirical, semi-empirical and theoretical-analytical methods have been presented to determine the squeezing. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the ability of each of these methods and identify the best method among them. In this study, squeezing in a part of the Alborz service tunnel in Iran was estimated through a number of empirical, semi- empirical and theoretical-analytical methods. Among these methods, the most robust model was used to obtain a database including 300 data for training and 33 data for testing in order to develop a machine learning (ML) method. To this end, three ML models of Gaussian process regression (GPR), artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector regression (SVR) were trained and tested to propose a robust model to predict the squeezing phenomenon. A comparative analysis between the conventional and the ML methods utilized in this study showed that, the GPR model is the most robust model in the prediction of squeezing phenomenon. The sensitivity analysis of the input parameters using the mutual information test (MIT) method showed that, the most sensitive parameter on the squeezing phenomenon is the tangential strain (ε_θ^α) parameter with a sensitivity score of 2.18. Finally, the GPR model was recommended to predict the squeezing phenomenon in tunneling projects. This work's significance is that it can provide a good estimation of the squeezing phenomenon in tunneling projects, based on which geotechnical engineers can take the necessary actions to deal with it in the pre-construction designs.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.223-241
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• 2024

Evaluating the performance of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) stands as a pivotal juncture in the domain of hard rock mechanized tunneling, essential for achieving both a dependable construction timeline and utilization rate. In this investigation, three advanced artificial neural networks namely, gated recurrent unit (GRU), back propagation neural network (BPNN), and simple recurrent neural network (SRNN) were crafted to prognosticate TBM-rate of penetration (ROP). Drawing from a dataset comprising 1125 data points amassed during the construction of the Alborze Service Tunnel, the study commenced. Initially, five geomechanical parameters were scrutinized for their impact on TBM-ROP efficiency. Subsequent statistical analyses narrowed down the effective parameters to three, including uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), peak slope index (PSI), and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS). Among the methodologies employed, GRU emerged as the most robust model, demonstrating exceptional predictive prowess for TBM-ROP with staggering accuracy metrics on the testing subset (R² = 0.87, NRMSE = 6.76E-04, MAD = 2.85E-05). The proposed models present viable solutions for analogous ground and TBM tunneling scenarios, particularly beneficial in routes predominantly composed of volcanic and sedimentary rock formations. Leveraging forecasted parameters holds the promise of enhancing both machine efficiency and construction safety within TBM tunneling endeavors.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.507-515
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• 2024

An accurate estimation of the geotechnical parameters in front of tunnel faces is crucial for the safe construction of underground infrastructure using tunnel boring machines (TBMs). This study was aimed at developing a data-driven model for predicting the rock quality designation (RQD) of the ground formation ahead of tunnel faces. The dataset used for the machine learning (ML) model comprises seven geological and mechanical features and 564 RQD values, obtained from an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield TBM tunneling project beneath the Han River in the Republic of Korea. Four ML algorithms were employed in developing the RQD prediction model: k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector regression (SVR), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB). The grid search and five-fold cross-validation techniques were applied to optimize the prediction performance of the developed model by identifying the optimal hyperparameter combinations. The prediction results revealed that the RF algorithm-based model exhibited superior performance, achieving a root mean square error of 7.38% and coefficient of determination of 0.81. In addition, the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) approach was adopted to determine the most relevant features, thereby enhancing the interpretability and reliability of the developed model with the RF algorithm. It was concluded that the developed model can successfully predict the RQD of the ground formation ahead of tunnel faces, contributing to safe and efficient tunnel excavation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.43-51
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• 2008

Currently an increasing number of urban tunnels with small overburden are excavated according to the principle of the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM). For rational management of tunnels from planning to construction and maintenance stages, prediction, control and monitoring of displacements of and around the tunnel have to be performed with high accuracy. Computational method tools, such as finite element method, have been and are indispensable tool for tunnel engineers for many years. It is, however, a commonly acknowledged fact that determination of input parameters, especially material properties exhibiting nonlinear stress-strain relationship, is not an easy task even for an experienced engineer. Use and application of the acquired tunnel information is important for prediction accuracy and improvement of tunnel behavior on construction. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model is a form of artificial intelligence that attempts to mimic behavior of human brain and nervous system. The main objective of this paper is to perform the deformation analysis in NATM tunnel by means of numerical simulation and artificial neural network (ANN) with field database. Developed ANN model can achieve a high level of prediction accuracy.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.197-211
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• 2024

This research studies the effect of geotechnical factors on EPB-TBM performance parameters. The modeling was performed using simple and multivariate linear regression methods, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and Sugeno fuzzy logic (SFL) algorithm. In ANN, 80% of the data were randomly allocated to training and 20% to network testing. Meanwhile, in the SFL algorithm, 75% of the data were used for training and 25% for testing. The coefficient of determination (R²) obtained between the observed and estimated values in this model for the thrust force and cutterhead torque was 0.19 and 0.52, respectively. The results showed that the SFL outperformed the other models in predicting the target parameters. In this method, the R² obtained between observed and predicted values for thrust force and cutterhead torque is 0.73 and 0.63, respectively. The sensitivity analysis results show that the internal friction angle (φ) and standard penetration number (SPT) have the greatest impact on thrust force. Also, earth pressure and overburden thickness have the highest effect on cutterhead torque.