Towards TBM Automation: On-The-Fly Characterization and Classification of Ground Conditions Ahead of a TBM Using Data-Driven Approach

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Pre-tunneling exploration for rock mass classification is a common practice in tunneling projects. This study proposes a data-driven approach that allows for rock mass classification. Two machine learning (ML) classification models, namely random forest (RF) and extremely randomized tree (ERT), are employed to classify the rock mass conditions encountered in the Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Tunnel in Malaysia using tunnel boring machine (TBM) operating parameters. Due to imbalance of rock classes distribution, an oversampling technique was used to obtain a balanced training dataset for unbiased learning of the ML models. A five-fold cross-validation approach was used to tune the model hyperparameters and validation-set approach was used for the model evaluation. ERT achieved an overall accuracy of 95%, while RF achieved 94% accuracy, in rightly classifying rock mass conditions. The result shows that the proposed approach has the potential to identify and correctly classify ground conditions of a TBM, which allows for early problem detection and on-the-fly support system selection based on the identified ground condition. This study, which is part of an ongoing effort towards developing reliable models that could be incorporated into TBMs, shows the potential of data-driven approaches for on-the-fly classification of ground conditions ahead of a TBM and could allow for the early detection of potential construction problems.