Computer-Aided Sustainable Development in Underground Engineering
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 239
Special Issue Editors
Interests: tunnel construction technology under complex geological conditions; response mechanism of loess tunnel structures in a water environment; impact analysis of subway tunnel underpass structures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: smart construction; intelligent risk management; tunnelling engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: structural performance of subway shield tunnels; tunnel structural dynamics; tunnel and underground engineering disaster prevention and control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Underground engineering has emerged as a critical infrastructure solution for addressing the growing challenges of urbanization, resource scarcity, and environmental sustainability. As global populations continue to concentrate in urban areas, the efficient utilization of underground space becomes increasingly vital for sustainable city development. The integration of advanced computer-aided technologies with sustainable engineering practices represents a paradigm shift in how we design, construct, monitor, and maintain underground infrastructure systems. The convergence of computational methods, artificial intelligence, digital twin technologies, and sustainable engineering principles offers unprecedented opportunities to optimize underground projects while minimizing environmental impact. From smart tunneling systems and automated construction processes to predictive maintenance and lifecycle assessment tools, computer-aided approaches are revolutionizing the field of underground engineering. These technological advances enable engineers to make data-driven decisions, reduce material waste, enhance structural performance, and ensure long-term sustainability of underground infrastructure. This Special Issue, entitled "Computer-Aided Sustainable Development in Underground Engineering", aims to showcase cutting-edge research and innovative applications that demonstrate how computer-aided technologies can advance sustainable development in underground engineering. The scope aligns perfectly with the journal's commitment to promoting interdisciplinary research that addresses contemporary engineering challenges through technological innovation and sustainable practices.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Digital design and modeling;
- Machine learning applications in tunneling;
- Smart construction technologies;
- Sustainability assessment (i.e., lifecycle assessment, carbon footprint analysis, and environmental impact modeling);
- Advanced multi-physics simulations;
- Innovation, robotics, and automation;
- Intelligent materials and green construction materials;
- Digital twins and data analytics;
- Computational risk analysis and decision support systems;
- Geological informatics and subsurface characterization;
- Resilient infrastructure design;
- Renewable energy integration and optimization in underground facilities.
We invite researchers and practitioners to contribute original research articles and reviews exploring the intersection of computational technologies and sustainable underground engineering practices.
Dr. Junling Qiu
Dr. Enlin Ma
Prof. Dr. Jinxing Lai
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 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
- computer-aided design
- sustainable development
- digital technologies
- smart construction
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.
