
CLC number:
On-line Access: 2026-03-25
Received: 2025-01-17
Revision Accepted: 2025-09-01
Crosschecked: 2026-03-25
Cited: 0
Clicked: 1688
Citations: Bibtex RefMan EndNote GB/T7714
Rui LIU, Quanyong ZENG, Haibo XIE, Guoli ZHU. Intelligent segment typesetting in shield tunneling based on artificial neural networks and transfer learning[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science A, 2026, 27(3): 200-214.
@article{title="Intelligent segment typesetting in shield tunneling based on artificial neural networks and transfer learning",
author="Rui LIU, Quanyong ZENG, Haibo XIE, Guoli ZHU",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science A",
volume="27",
number="3",
pages="200-214",
year="2026",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/jzus.A2500016"
}
%0 Journal Article
%T Intelligent segment typesetting in shield tunneling based on artificial neural networks and transfer learning
%A Rui LIU
%A Quanyong ZENG
%A Haibo XIE
%A Guoli ZHU
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE A
%V 27
%N 3
%P 200-214
%@ 1673-565X
%D 2026
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/jzus.A2500016
TY - JOUR
T1 - Intelligent segment typesetting in shield tunneling based on artificial neural networks and transfer learning
A1 - Rui LIU
A1 - Quanyong ZENG
A1 - Haibo XIE
A1 - Guoli ZHU
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science A
VL - 27
IS - 3
SP - 200
EP - 214
%@ 1673-565X
Y1 - 2026
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
ER -
DOI - 10.1631/jzus.A2500016
Abstract: shield tunneling is the method most commonly used for underground projects. segment typesetting, which involves determining the optimal assembly point for each segment ring and sequentially assembling them into a complete tunnel, is a critical step in shield tunneling. Currently, this typesetting process relies heavily on the operator’s experience at construction sites, which does not guarantee quality. Furthermore, research focuses mainly on the commonly used 16-point segment typesetting, largely ignoring other segment types. In addition, the reliability of these studies in site applications remains unsatisfactory. To address these issues, we propose an intelligent method for segment typesetting using an artificial neural network (ANN) and transfer learning. Due to insufficient historical data for ANN training, a dataset creation method was devised based on the Monte Carlo method and manual annotation. An ANN model was then developed to typeset 16-point segments, with its hyperparameters optimized through bayesian optimization. Subsequently, the trained model was adapted to other segment types via transfer learning, using 10-point segments as a case study. Based on the test set established in this study, our proposed method showed superior performance compared with several commonly used machine learning methods and a representative and well-validated segment typesetting method. It was also validated using real data collected from construction sites, achieving an accuracy of 93.75% for 16-point segments and 91.43% for 10-point segments, both of which significantly surpass the results from manual typesetting on-site. The proposed method achieves accurate, rapid, and intelligent segment typesetting, which is adaptable to various segment types.
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