Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.0
2.9
Journals
Infrastructures
Special Issues
Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Resilient Underground Infrastructures
share announcement

Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Resilient Underground Infrastructures

A special issue of Infrastructures (ISSN 2412-3811).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2026 | Viewed by 4505

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yunhao Dong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: intelligent planning techniques for underground space; sustainable underground urban systems; metro-led underground space development; urban informatics for underground space
Dr. Tong Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
Interests: tunnelling and geotechnical engineering; high-performance materials for underground structures; multiscale analysis of underground structures

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent decades have witnessed a worldwide surge in urban underground spatial development. Such trends are primarily driven by a need to address pressing urban challenges, such as land scarcity, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. Rapidly expanding underground infrastructure systems (including components such as utility networks, metro systems, underground roads, pedestrian networks, public spaces, disaster-resistant structures, and storage facilities), are crucial for modern high-density cities. They provide essential services related to transportation, utilities, and public amenities.

However, these complex systems face mounting challenges related to sustainable construction requirements, efficient structural defect detection, effective lifecycle maintenance, and the optimized management of intricate underground systems. These challenges demand innovative solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of underground infrastructure. In recent years, the unprecedented development of smart technologies, including advanced engineering informatics, smart and automated construction methods, intelligent operation and maintenance strategies, generative planning and design tools, high-performance materials, and artificial intelligence, has yielded transformative opportunities to address these challenges and optimize underground infrastructure performance throughout its lifecycle.

Accordingly, this Special Issue, titled “Smart Technologies For Sustainable and Resilient Underground Infrastructures”, aims to showcase cutting-edge research and development in the application of smart technologies for enhancing the sustainability and resilience of modern underground infrastructure. It seeks to foster a deeper understanding of how these technologies can be leveraged to improve the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of underground systems, ultimately contributing to better urban built environments.

This Special Issue welcomes original research articles and reviews on advances in underground infrastructure development. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Artificial intelligence for the predictive maintenance of underground infrastructure;
  • Engineering informatics for the smart sensing and monitoring of underground infrastructure;
  • Automated construction technologies for underground infrastructure;
  • Resilience-based designing and retrofitting for underground infrastructure;
  • The use of sustainable materials and high-performance construction for underground infrastructure;
  • Intelligent planning and design methods for integrated underground infrastructure systems;
  • Lifecycle assessments of sustainable underground infrastructure solutions;
  • Environmental, social, and governance issues regarding underground infrastructure development.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yunhao Dong
Dr. Tong Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Infrastructures is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • underground infrastructure
  • resilience
  • sustainability
  • high-performance cementitious materials
  • engineering informatics
  • planning and design
  • smart construction
  • intelligent operation
  • lifecycle analysis

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 5247 KB  
Article
Towards a Population-Based Approach for Dynamic Monitoring of Underground Structures: A Numerical Study on Metro Tunnel Models
by Giulia Delo, Camilla Corbani and Cecilia Surace
Infrastructures 2026, 11(3), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11030079 - 28 Feb 2026
Viewed by 296
Abstract
Underground structures are becoming increasingly vital components of modern transportation networks and urban systems, making their structural integrity a critical factor for safety and operational reliability. However, despite considerable progress in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), the application of data-driven and vibration-based strategies to [...] Read more.
Underground structures are becoming increasingly vital components of modern transportation networks and urban systems, making their structural integrity a critical factor for safety and operational reliability. However, despite considerable progress in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), the application of data-driven and vibration-based strategies to underground infrastructures remains an open and under-explored field, often because of limited data availability. Population-Based Structural Health Monitoring (PBSHM) offers a promising pathway to overcome this challenge by leveraging transfer learning to share diagnostic knowledge among similar structures. This study investigates the feasibility of extending the PBSHM paradigm to underground infrastructures, with a particular focus on a metro tunnel application. Through dynamic finite element simulations, relevant vibration features are identified, and damage detection strategies based on transmissibilities and cross-correlation functions are evaluated. The numerical results show that transmissibility-based indicators enable accurate damage localisation along the tunnel lining, even under noisy conditions. In contrast, cross-correlation features exhibit more limited performance in some configurations. Building on this evidence, the transmissibility-based damage indicator is subsequently embedded within the PBSHM framework and used as a transferable feature between tunnel models, achieving reliable damage detection in a second tunnel with heterogeneous characteristics, with F1 scores exceeding 80% for all considered damage severities and above 94% for the most critical case, thereby highlighting the potential of knowledge transfer for large-scale underground networks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Resilient Underground Infrastructures)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

35 pages, 7910 KB  
Article
Blast-Induced Response and Damage Mitigation of Adjacent Tunnels: Influence of Geometry, Spacing, and Lining Composition
by Marwa Nabil, Mohamed Emara, Omar Gamal, Ayman El-Zohairy and Ahmed M. Abdelbaset
Infrastructures 2026, 11(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11010026 - 12 Jan 2026
Viewed by 531
Abstract
In this study, a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) model was developed using Abaqus/Explicit to simulate the effects of internal blasts. The numerical model was validated against two previously published numerical and experimental works, demonstrating strong agreement in deformation results. A parametric study [...] Read more.
In this study, a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) model was developed using Abaqus/Explicit to simulate the effects of internal blasts. The numerical model was validated against two previously published numerical and experimental works, demonstrating strong agreement in deformation results. A parametric study was carried out to evaluate the influence of several key factors on the deformation of the receiver tunnel subjected to an explosion in the adjacent donor tunnel. The investigation considered critical variables such as lining material, tunnel inner diameter, cross-sectional shape, spacing between tunnels, and TNT charge weight. The results clearly indicate that expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, across various densities, demonstrates superior capacity for absorbing blast waves compared to polyurethane and aluminum foams. Furthermore, it was found that lower-density EPS foam provides enhanced mitigation of deformation in tunnel linings. The findings also revealed that damage to the tunnel walls is more strongly correlated with the tunnel shape where the circular tunnel exhibited the best performance. It showed the lowest deformation and delayed peak response. In addition, tunnel deformation increases markedly with higher TNT charge weights. A blast of 1814 kg produced approximately five times the deformation compared to a 454 kg charge. Moreover, it is seen that increasing the spacing between donor and receiver tunnels from 1.5 D to 2.5 D led to a 38.7% reduction in maximum deformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Resilient Underground Infrastructures)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 15741 KB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Refined Modeling and Mechanical Response Analysis of Tunnel Structure Safety in Karst Areas
by Guansi Gu, Fei Yang, Yunhao Dong, Wei Liu and Mingze Xu
Infrastructures 2025, 10(11), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10110315 - 20 Nov 2025
Viewed by 590
Abstract
Deep-buried tunnels in karst regions are prone to complex deformation and stress redistribution due to the heterogeneity of surrounding rock and the presence of cavities. This study establishes a three-dimensional finite element model to investigate the mechanical behavior of tunnel linings under varying [...] Read more.
Deep-buried tunnels in karst regions are prone to complex deformation and stress redistribution due to the heterogeneity of surrounding rock and the presence of cavities. This study establishes a three-dimensional finite element model to investigate the mechanical behavior of tunnel linings under varying karst distributions and distances. The model incorporates realistic geological parameters and boundary conditions to analyze stress evolution and radial displacement of the lining under coupled mechanical effects. The results indicate that karst cavities located near the tunnel, especially beneath it, significantly amplify radial deformation and induce asymmetric stress concentrations. As the distance between the karst and the tunnel increases, the influence on lining response rapidly decreases and becomes negligible beyond approximately 3 m. The introduction of a secondary lining effectively reduces both tensile and compressive stresses by more than 65% and mitigates local deformation. The study concludes that the spatial position of karst features is the dominant factor affecting lining performance, and the composite lining structure provides an efficient means of ensuring safety and stability in water-rich karst tunnels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Resilient Underground Infrastructures)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 13270 KB  
Article
Numerical Analysis Research on Tunnel Damage Under the Action of Oblique Slip Faults Based on Multiple Slip Surfaces
by Chunhua Gao, Xuyang Hua, Xule Liu, Jingyu Ge and Cong Xiang
Infrastructures 2025, 10(11), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10110314 - 20 Nov 2025
Viewed by 712
Abstract
In the field of tunnel engineering, it is often difficult to avoid crossing active faults. During an earthquake, tunnels across faults are highly vulnerable to damage. Therefore, conducting research on their mechanical responses and failure mechanisms is of great significance. This paper takes [...] Read more.
In the field of tunnel engineering, it is often difficult to avoid crossing active faults. During an earthquake, tunnels across faults are highly vulnerable to damage. Therefore, conducting research on their mechanical responses and failure mechanisms is of great significance. This paper takes Xianglushan Tunnel as a research example and uses finite element software to carry out numerical simulation of the tunnel under the action of the left-lateral normal fault activity. Moreover, the effectiveness of this model is verified using the actual measurement data of the damaged tunnels during the Kumamoto earthquake. By comparing the damage conditions and stress states of the tunnel under the action of left-lateral normal faults and strike-slip faults, and conducting a systematic and refined study on relevant fault parameters, the following research results are obtained: First, compared with oblique-slip faults, strike-slip faults cause more severe damage to the tunnel; second, tunnel damage is mainly concentrated in the area where the fault slip surface is located; third, an increase in fault displacement can significantly exacerbate structural damage and is the main factor leading to tunnel failure; fourth, the dip angle of the fault affects the stress distribution of the tunnel. As the dip angle increases, the damaged area gradually shrinks; fifth, the change in the width of the fault fracture zone will alter the failure mode of the tunnel. Reasonably choosing to cross a wider fault can reduce the structural damage. This research provides theoretical support and practical reference for the seismic design of tunnels across faults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Resilient Underground Infrastructures)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 10558 KB  
Article
Hybrid Machine Learning Meta-Model for the Condition Assessment of Urban Underground Pipes
by Mohsen Mohammadagha, Mohammad Najafi, Vinayak Kaushal and Ahmad Jibreen
Infrastructures 2025, 10(11), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10110282 - 23 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1291
Abstract
Urban water infrastructure faces increasing deterioration, necessitating accurate, cost-effective condition assessment. Traditional inspection techniques are intrusive and inefficient, creating demand for scalable machine learning (ML) solutions. This study develops a hybrid ML meta-model to predict underground pipe conditions using a comprehensive dataset of [...] Read more.
Urban water infrastructure faces increasing deterioration, necessitating accurate, cost-effective condition assessment. Traditional inspection techniques are intrusive and inefficient, creating demand for scalable machine learning (ML) solutions. This study develops a hybrid ML meta-model to predict underground pipe conditions using a comprehensive dataset of 11,544 records. The objective is to enhance multi-class classification performance while preserving interpretability. A stacked hybrid architecture was employed, integrating Random Forest, LightGBM, and CatBoost models. Following data preprocessing, feature engineering, and correlation analysis, the neural network-based stacking meta-model achieves 96.67% accuracy, surpassing individual base learners while delivering enhanced robustness through model diversity, improved probability calibration, and consistent performance on challenging intermediate condition classes, which are essential for condition prioritization. Age emerged as the most influential feature, followed by length, material type, and diameter. ROC-AUC scores ranged from 0.894 to 0.998 across all models and classes, confirming high discriminative capability. This work demonstrates hybrid architectures for infrastructure diagnostics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Resilient Underground Infrastructures)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop