Modelling the performance of EPB shield tunnelling using machine and deep learning algorithms

This paper introduces an intelligent framework for predicting the advancing speed during earth pressure balance(EPB)shield tunnelling.Five artificial intelligence(AI)models based on machine and deep learning techniques-back-propagation neural network(BPNN),extreme learning machine(ELM),support vector machine(SVM),long-short term memory(LSTM),and gated recurrent unit(GRU)-are used.Five geological and nine operational parameters that influence the advancing speed are considered.A field case of shield tunnelling in Shenzhen City,China is analyzed using the developed models.A total of 1000 field datasets are adopted to establish intelligent models.The prediction performance of the five models is ranked as GRU>LSTM>SVM>ELM>BPNN.Moreover,the Pearson correlation coefficient(PCC)is adopted for sensitivity analysis.The results reveal that the main thrust(MT),penetration(P),foam volume(FV),and grouting volume(GV)have strong correlations with advancing speed(AS).An empirical formula is constructed based on the high-correlation influential factors and their corresponding field datasets.Finally,the prediction performances of the intelligent models and the empirical method are compared.The results reveal that all the intelligent models perform better than the empirical method.

Real-time analysis and prediction of shield cutterhead torque using optimized gated recurrent unit neural network

An accurate prediction of earth pressure balance(EPB)shield moving performance is important to ensure the safety tunnel excavation.A hybrid model is developed based on the particle swarm optimization(PSO)and gated recurrent unit(GRU)neural network.PSO is utilized to assign the optimal hyperparameters of GRU neural network.There are mainly four steps:data collection and processing,hybrid model establishment,model performance evaluation and correlation analysis.The developed model provides an alternative to tackle with time-series data of tunnel project.Apart from that,a novel framework about model application is performed to provide guidelines in practice.A tunnel project is utilized to evaluate the performance of proposed hybrid model.Results indicate that geological and construction variables are significant to the model performance.Correlation analysis shows that construction variables(main thrust and foam liquid volume)display the highest correlation with the cutterhead torque(CHT).This work provides a feasible and applicable alternative way to estimate the performance of shield tunneling.