AI-driven Tunnel and Underground Engineering

Introduction

The increasing complexity of infrastructure demands innovative solutions for tunnel and underground engineering works. Traditional methods face limitations in safety, efficiency, and adaptability, especially in complex geological environments. The integration of intelligent technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analysis, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT)—offers new opportunities for modern tunnel and underground engineering.

This special issue aims to feature the latest research on intelligent systems in tunnel and underground engineering, with a focus on how machine learning, computer vision, data analytics, robotics, and intelligent systems are fundamentally reshaping every phase of the underground project lifecycle. Themes include AI-driven design optimization, autonomous machinery, real-time monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.

We invite researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to explore how AI is illuminating the path forward in the complex and vital world of tunnel and underground engineering—transforming how we design, build, and manage the world beneath our feet.

Topics Covered

• AI for geological investigation and reconstruction
• AI-optimized planning and design
• AI in underground excavation and support installation
• Smart sensing for underground infrastructure monitoring
• Digital twins and BIM Integration
• Computer vision for structural health assessment
• Intelligent maintenance and management systems
• Case studies of intelligent tunnel and underground projects

Important Deadlines

• Submission close: 30 June 2026
• Final decision: 31 Dec 2026 

Submission Instructions

Please read the Guide for Authors before submitting. All articles should be submitted online ; please select the special issue “AI in Tunnel Eng”.

Guest Editors

Prof. Qian Fang, Beijing Jiaotong University, China

E-mail: qfang@bjtu.edu.cn

Prof. Louis Wong, The University of Hong Kong, China

Email: lnywong@hku.hk