sustainability-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Tunneling and Underground Engineering: A Sustainability Perspective

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 1375

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: coal engineering; roadway supporting; hydraulic fracturing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to address the pressing need for sustainable practices in Tunneling and Underground Engineering, a field that has seen significant growth in recent decades due to its role in supporting urbanization, transportation infrastructure, and energy development. With the increasing recognition of environmental, social, and economic challenges posed by traditional construction methods, a sustainability perspective in tunneling and underground engineering has become imperative. This issue brings together cutting-edge research and reviews that explore innovative strategies, technologies, and policies aimed at reducing the environmental footprint, enhancing social well-being, and promoting the economic viability of tunneling and underground projects. It contributes to the broader literature by providing a comprehensive view of the latest advancements and challenges in this critical research area.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Sustainable tunnel design;
  • Tunnel construction methods;
  • Geotechnical challenges and solutions for sustainable tunnelling;
  • Life cycle assessment of tunnel projects;
  • Innovative materials for support structures;
  • Resilience and disaster mitigation in tunnel infrastructure.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Xiangyu Wang
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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 engineering
  • tunnel support
  • geotechnical sustainability
  • green tunnel design
  • renewable energy integration
  • sustainable development

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 (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 6018 KiB  
Article
Research on the Mechanism of Load Transfer Structures in the Construction Process of “Internal Support—Large Block” Prefabricated Subway Stations
by Qinglou Li, Yuanzhuo Li, Zhongsheng Tan, Linfeng Li and Yuxin Cao
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10594; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310594 - 3 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1007
Abstract
In the context of rising global temperatures, countries around the world are increasingly tailoring their own “carbon neutrality” plans. China has also formulated its “dual-carbon” goals, and the construction industry is gradually transitioning towards prefabrication to reduce carbon emissions. This paper uses the [...] Read more.
In the context of rising global temperatures, countries around the world are increasingly tailoring their own “carbon neutrality” plans. China has also formulated its “dual-carbon” goals, and the construction industry is gradually transitioning towards prefabrication to reduce carbon emissions. This paper uses the Sha Pu Station of Shenzhen’s Metro Line 12 as a case study by which to explore the effects and mechanisms of the load transfer structure during the assembly process of prefabricated subway stations. A three-dimensional finite element model considering soil–structure interaction was established using MIDAS GTS NX finite element software, 2018 version. The internal forces, stresses, and deformations of the station structure were compared under two scenarios—with and without the load transfer structure—using a control variable method. The research results indicate that the load transfer structure effectively reduces shear forces, bending moments, and stresses in the station structure; limits lateral displacements during the assembly process; and effectively concentrates the maximum stresses during construction at the location of the load transfer structure, thereby preventing stress concentration phenomena and enhancing the overall stability of the station structure. This study elucidates the role and effectiveness of the load transfer structure during the assembly of prefabricated components in subway stations, providing a reference for the construction of similar prefabricated metro stations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tunneling and Underground Engineering: A Sustainability Perspective)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop