Special Column on Tunnel Intelligent Construction Technology and Equipment
LI Li-ping, ZOU Hao, LIU Hong-liang, TU Wen-feng, CHEN Yu-xue
In recent years, with increasingly harsh tunnel construction environments and the labor-force population aging, the replacement of human labor with machines has become an inevitable trend in current tunnel construction developments. As one of the two mainstream tunnel construction methods currently employed, the drill-and-blast method possesses greater flexibility and adaptability than the tunnel-boring machine method because of its ability to accommodate various tunnel cross-sectional shapes and geological conditions. Consequently, this method is being more widely applied. Moreover, with the rapid advancement and profound integration of technologies such as big data, Internet of Things, 5G communication, and artificial intelligence, intelligent construction techniques for drilling and blasting methods have witnessed rapid progress. Significant achievements have been made in the intelligent evaluation and blasting design of tunnel surrounding rock, intelligent construction equipment, intelligent construction management platforms, and auxiliary process equipment. Thus, through further integration of information technology, tunnel construction technology, and intelligent equipment, a new model for tunnel construction has emerged, namely, intelligent tunnel construction. This study presents a comprehensive account of the evolutionary trajectory of the drilling and blasting methods in tunnel construction, delving into the intricacies of the current intelligent construction system employed in this method. Subsequently, the notable advancements in intelligent evaluation of the surrounding rock and intelligent blasting design are elucidated. Furthermore, the development and enhancement of intelligent rock-drilling, anchor, arch, wet spraying, and lining trolleys are traced. The current state and application of intelligent control platform technology in tunnel construction is provided. Building upon prior research achievements, this article also discusses the development of tunnel-face surveying and measurement robots as well as collapse-warning robots for tunnel rock masses, with some of these innovations already being successfully implemented on site. Finally, research ideas are proposed to address the challenges of autonomous navigation, control, and operation of intelligent robots in long, large, and deeply buried tunnels, with the aim of providing guidance for the development of tunnel automation technology and proactive disaster prevention and control in China.