Underground Construction Research Articles

CURRENT STATE AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS FOR THE RENEWAL OF SEWERAGE NETWORKS IN KHARKIV CITY

Ensuring the reliable operation of sewerage systems is one of the essential tasks of municipal services in Ukrainian cities. As the research shows, in most cases, their construction involved concrete and reinforced concrete, which are prone to destruction under the influence of many factors, particularly microbiological corrosion. The destruction of sewage collectors is often the reason for wastewater leaking into groundwater and soil, resulting in pollution. The article provides statistical data on the ‘Kharkivvodovidvedennia’ Complex of the ME ‘Kharkivvodokanal’ as of 01.01.2024, which operates the city’s external water drainage networks. The article outlines the most common factors that lead to emergencies in sewage networks, such as aging and wear of infrastructure, insufficient maintenance and repair, mechanical damage, pollution and clogging, increased volume of wastewater, planning problems, chemical reactions, biological corrosion, and connection defects. The relationship between these causes may be that corrosion can weaken pipeline materials, making them more vulnerable to mechanical damage and leakage. According to preliminary calculations, it is necessary to relay or rehabilitate (trenchless pipeline laying) at least 22–25 km of city networks annually to ensure the reliability of sewage networks. The article analyses the work cycles performed on the tunnel collectors’ objects and large-diameter collectors over five years. Major repair and reconstruction work that deserves attention includes work on the repair of mine No. 12 of the tunnel collector of the 761 micro-district (mine depth H = 6.75 m, diameter – 5 m); restoration work of the Oleksiivskyi collector Ø 2000 mm near the viewing chamber No. 33 on the street Lopanska; restoration of the collector of the Northern group of factories Ø 900 mm at Danylivskyi Uzviz. As a result, we carried out an analysis of the current state of the sewage network of the city of Kharkiv. The main factor in the wear and tear of sewerage networks is corrosion, which, in turn, can weaken pipeline materials, making them more vulnerable to mechanical damage and leaks. Despite the difficult economic conditions, work on the repair and operation of networks is carried out. Also worthy of special attention for future research is the survey of mines where restoration work took place over the past ten years using modern methods. Keywords: underground construction, sewerage, renewal, repair, reconstruction, bearing capacity, wear, corrosion.

Enhanced Hoek-Brown (H-B) criterion for rocks exposed to chemical corrosion

Underground constructions often encounter water environments, where water–rock interaction can increase porosity, thereby weakening engineering rocks. Correspondingly, the failure criterion for chemically corroded rocks becomes essential in the stability analysis and design of such structures. This study enhances the applicability of the Hoek-Brown (H-B) criterion for engineering structures operating in chemically corrosive conditions by introducing a kinetic porosity-dependent instantaneous mi (KPIM). A multiscale experimental investigation, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pH and ion chromatography analysis, and triaxial compression tests, is employed to quantify pore structural changes and their linkage with the strength responses of limestone under coupled chemical-mechanical (C-M) conditions. By employing ion chromatography and NMR analysis, along with incorporating the principles of free-face dissolution theory accounting for both congruent and incongruent dissolution, a kinetic chemical corrosion model is developed. This model aims to calculate the kinetic porosity alterations within rocks exposed to varying H+ concentrations and durations. Subsequently, utilizing the generalized mixture rule (GMR), the kinetic porosity-dependent mi is formulated. Evaluation of the KPIM-enhanced H-B criterion using compression test data from 5 types of rocks demonstrated a high level of consistency between the criterion and the experimental results, with a coefficient of determination greater than 0.96, a mean absolute percentage error less than 4.84%, and a root-mean-square deviation less than 5.95 MPa. Finally, the physical significance of the porosity-dependent instantaneous mi is clarified: it serves as an indicator of a rock’s capacity to leverage the confining pressure effect.

Assessing cutter-rock interaction during TBM tunnelling in granite: Large-scale standing rotary cutting tests and 3D DEM simulations

The widespread utilisation of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in underground construction engineering requires a detailed investigation of the cutter-rock interaction. In this paper, we conduct a series of large-scale standing rotary cutting tests on granite in conjunction with high-fidelity numerical simulations based on a particle-type discrete element method (DEM) to explore the effects of key cutting parameters on the TBM cutter performance and the distribution of cutter-rock contact stresses. The assessment results of cutter performance obtained from the cutting tests and numerical simulations reveal similar dependencies on the key cutting parameters. More specifically, the normal and rolling forces exhibit a positive correlation with penetration but are slightly influenced by the cutting radius. In contrast, the side force decreases as the cutting radius increases. Additionally, the side force shows a positive relationship with the penetration for smaller cutting radii but tends to become negative as the cutting radius increases. The cutter's relative effectiveness in rock breaking is significantly impacted by the penetration but shows little dependency on the cutting radius. Consequently, an optimal penetration is identified, leading to a low boreability index and specific energy. A combined Hertz-Weibull function is developed to fit the cutter-rock contact stress distribution obtained in DEM simulations, whereby an improved CSM (Colorado School of Mines) model is proposed by replacing the original monotonic cutting force distribution with this combined Hertz-Weibull model. The proposed model outperforms the original CSM model as demonstrated by a comparison of the estimated cutting forces with those from the tests/simulations. The findings from this work that advance our understanding of TBM cutter performance have important implications for improving the efficiency and reliability of TBM tunnelling in granite.

Underground hydrogen storage: The techno-economic perspective

The changes in the energy sector after the Paris agreement and the establishment of the Green Deal, pressed the governments to embrace new measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Among them, is the replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energy sources or carbon-neutral alternative means, such as green hydrogen. As the European Commission approved green hydrogen as a clean fuel, the interest in investments and dedicated action plans related to its production and storage has significantly increased. Hydrogen storage is feasible in aboveground infrastructures as well as in underground constructions. Proper geological environments for underground hydrogen storage are porous media and rock cavities. Porous media are classified into depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and aquifers, while rock cavities are subdivided into hard rock caverns, salt caverns, and abandoned mines. Depending on the storage option, various technological requirements are mandatory, influencing the required capital cost. Although the selection of the optimum storage technology is site depending, the techno-economical appraisal of the available underground storage options featured the porous media as the most economically attractive option. Depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs were of high interest as site characterisation and cavern mining are omitted due to pre-existing infrastructure, followed by aquifers, where hydrogen storage requires a much simpler construction. Research on data analytics and machine learning tools will open avenues for consolidated knowledge of geological storage technologies.

Review of the creep constitutive models for rocks and the application of creep analysis in geomechanics

AbstractThe creep behavior of rocks has been broadly researched because of its extensive application in geomechanics. Since the time-dependent stability of underground constructions is a critical aspect of geotechnical engineering, a comprehensive understanding of the creep behavior of rocks plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of such structures. Various factors, including stress level, temperature, rock damage, water content, rock anisotropy, etc., can influence rocks’ creep characteristics. One of the main topics in the creep analysis of rocks is the constitutive models, which can be categorized into empirical, component, and mechanism-based models. In this research, the previously proposed creep models were reviewed, and their main characteristics were discussed. The effectiveness of the models in simulating the accelerated phase of rock creep was evaluated by comparing their performance with the creep test results of different types of rocks. The application of rock’s creep analysis in different engineering projects and adopting appropriate creep properties for rock mass were also examined. The primary limitation associated with empirical and classical component models lies in their challenges when it comes to modeling the tertiary phase of rock creep. The mechanism-based models have demonstrated success in effectively simulating the complete creep phases; nevertheless, additional validation is crucial to establish their broader applicability. However, further investigation is still required to develop creep models specific to rock mass. In this paper, we attempted to review and discuss the most recent studies in creep analysis of rocks that can be used by researchers conducting creep analysis in geomechanics.

Dynamic safety information modeling of underground cavern groups in the entire construction process

The construction of underground cavern groups represents a particularly challenging task in current subsurface engineering due to a multitude of variable and often unknown factors, including diverse geological conditions. This study introduces a four-dimensional spatiotemporal model and formulates a dynamic safety information model for these underground systems. Developed using C# and Python, the model integrates the finite element analysis software ABAQUS and Microsoft SQL Server database. The framework allows for real-time visual management of monitoring data, dynamic coupling of construction phases with safety metrics, and continual updates correlating with construction progress. The theoretical findings offer valuable insights for enhancing the safety and efficiency of underground cavern group construction while also supplying methods for real-time safety feedback and control throughout the construction process.

Three-Dimensional ERT Advanced Detection Method with Source-Position Electrode Excitation for Tunnel-Boring Machines

Tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) are widely used in urban underground tunnel construction due to their fast and efficient features. However, shield-tunnel construction faces increasingly complex geological environments and may encounter geological hazards such as faults, fracture zones, water surges, and collapses, which can cause significant property damage and casualties. Existing geophysical methods are subject to many limitations in the shield-tunnel environment, where the detection space is extremely small, and a variety of advanced detection methods are unable to meet the required detection requirements. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately detect the geological conditions in front of the tunnel face in real time during the tunnel boring process of TBM tunnels. In this paper, a 3D-ERT advanced detection method using source-position electrode excitation is proposed. First, a source-position electrode array integrated into the TBM cutterhead is designed for the shield-tunnel construction environment, which provides data security for the inverse imaging of the anomalous bodies. Secondly, a 3D finite element tunnel model containing high- and low-resistance anomalous bodies is established, and the GREIT reconstruction algorithm is utilized to reconstruct 3D images of the anomalous body in front of the tunnel face. Finally, a physical simulation experiment platform is built, and the effectiveness of the method is verified by laboratory physical modeling experiments with two different anomalous bodies. The results show that the position and shape of the anomalous body in front of the tunnel face can be well reconstructed, and the method provides a new idea for the continuous detection of shield construction tunnels with boring.

Dynamic response and constitutive model of damaged sandstone after triaxial impact

In deep rock engineering, dynamic hazards such as blasting and earthquakes pose serious threats to the safety of underground rock structures, including mining and construction activities. To explore the dynamic mechanical properties and damage mechanisms of rocks under realistic ground stress conditions, this study utilized dynamic triaxial compression tests under hydrostatic pressure. These tests employed a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) technique at various strain rates. Wave velocities of the specimens were measured before and after the tests to calculate the damage factor based on the P-wave velocity. Additionally, dynamic uniaxial compression tests on the damaged sandstone specimens indicated a significant reduction in dynamic strength as the damage impact air pressure increased. There was also a notable correlation between the dissipated energy ratio and the level of rock damage, with more severe damage resulting in a smaller dissipated energy ratio. Macroscopic examination through sieve grain size results confirmed the formation of more cracks under high impact air pressure, while microscopic analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images uncovered the damage mechanisms within the rock post-impact. Ultimately, this study developed an improved ZWT model to effectively verify the dynamic response of the damaged sandstone.

Numerical Simulation Study on the Impact of Excavation on Existing Subway Stations Based on BIM-FEM Framework

Building information modeling (BIM) and finite element method (FEM) models have a wide range of applications in underground engineering design, construction, and operation and maintenance. This study employs a BIM-FEM framework to numerically simulate the impact of excavation on existing subway stations, using the Yanjiang New City Station TOD project as a case study. This framework simplifies the smooth integration of BIM and FEM models, automating functions such as assigning material properties, conducting construction simulations, and generating high-quality meshes. Simulation results reveal significant horizontal and vertical displacements in diaphragm walls, support structures, and subway station structures, with the greatest impacts occurring closest to the excavation site. The BIM-FEM framework is validated as an effective tool for designing foundation pit support structures, enhancing numerical modeling accuracy and efficiency in underground engineering. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the dynamic interactions between excavation and underground structures, informing the development of construction strategies and protective measures to ensure structural safety.

Optimisation of Synchronous Grouting Mix Ratio for Shield Tunnels

During shield construction in underground spaces, synchronous grouting slurry is poured between the surrounding rock and tunnel lining to ensure stability. For synchronous grouting slurries, few studies have investigated the relationship between the rheological parameters and physical properties, grout-segregation mechanism, and anti-segregation performance. Therefore, we explored the relationships between the slurry rheological parameters, segregation rate, and bleeding rate. Cement, sand, fly ash, and bentonite were used to prepare the slurry, and the effects of different polycarboxylate water-reducing agents and dispersible latex powder dosages were studied. The rheological parameters of 16 groups of uniformly designed slurries were tested, and the data were fit using the Herschel–Bulkley model. The optimal mix ratio lowered the slurry segregation rate, and its rheological behaviour was consistent with the Herschel–Bulkley fluid characteristics. High-yield-shear-stress synchronous grouting slurries with high and low viscosity coefficients were less likely to bleed and segregate, respectively. The optimised slurry fluidity, 3 h bleeding rate, 24 h bleeding rate, segregation rate, coagulation time, and 28 days compressive strength were 257.5 mm, 0.71%, 0.36%, 3.1%, 6.7 h, and 2.61 MPa, respectively, which meet the requirements of a synchronous grouting slurry of shield tunnels for sufficiently preventing soil disturbance and deformation in areas surrounding underground construction sites.

A grid-based methodology for the assessment of time-dependent building damage at large scale

Leakage into underground constructions can result in time-dependent settlements in soft clays. In urban areas with spatial variability in geologic stratification, groundwater conditions and soil compressibility, differential settlements may occur, causing damage to buildings. Current methods for damage assessment that rely on 1D formulations for settlement prediction are not representative for drawdown-induced settlements in heterogeneous environments. Thus, in this paper, we propose a stand-alone approach to integrating spatially distributed, non-Gaussian settlement data into early-stage building damage assessments at a district scale. Deformations computed using a 2D coupled hydro-mechanical finite element model with an advanced constitutive model were then employed to get the time-dependent settlements computed as a 3D grid (along x- and y-directions) over a large area. Building damage was then calculated from these green-field simulations with typically used damage parameters for each building-specific settlement profile and comparing these with damage criteria. The approach was applied to 215 buildings in central Gothenburg, Sweden by simulating scenarios of 10 kPa and 40 kPa pore pressure drawdown in the lower (confined) aquifer. Several scenarios were studied, and the correlation between damage parameters and damage criteria was assessed. Finally, a sensitivity study on grid resolution was performed, as well as a validation against observed damage data. The proposed methodology offers an effective way for early-stage damage assessments at a large area for non-Gaussian settlements so that further investigations and mitigation measures can be targeted to the buildings and locations at the highest risk for damage.

Locate hyperbolas on Ground Penetrating Radar slices with auto filter selection algorithm

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a geophysical method of using high frequency electromagnetic waves to study shallow objects below the ground. In the GPR sections, the position of point anomalies is represented as reflected hyperbola. In some cases, the reflected hyperbolas on the GPR cross-section have a relatively large number and overlap which making the positioning very complicated and time-consuming. This article presents the development of an automatic selection algorithm with the aim of accurately determining the position of hyperbolas on GPR cross-sections. The automatic selection algorithm is a combination of an edge detection algorithm and the establishment of filtering conditions based on image and physical properties of geological objects. The algorithm is applied to determine the hyperbolic position of several GPR cross-sections at specific locations and provides relatively accurate results. This result will enhance the accuracy in problems related to drawing tree root maps, underground construction, landslide surveys, subsidence, and soil pollution research.

Study on the shear characteristics of the cemented soil-concrete interface after artificial freeze-thaw under vibration loading

Underground construction has reduced underground space. Consequently, engineering construction is being done near existing structures. The artificial ground freezing (AGF) method is effective in such projects, and cement is often used to reduce frost heave and thaw settlement. A cemented soil-concrete interface is formed around underground structures. The interface serves as the primary medium for interaction between the two materials. Therefore, the shear characteristics of the cemented soil–concrete interface after artificial freeze–thaw cycles under the influence of the surrounding vibration load in underground engineering must be understood. This study conducted large-scale interface shear tests of a cemented soil–concrete interface with vibration loading. The effects of curing time and artificial freeze–thaw cycles on interface shear characteristics were studied. Furthermore, unconfined compressive tests of the cemented soil under artificial freeze–thaw conditions were conducted. The shear strength of the interface increased with curing time. The shear strength of the interface and the unconfined compressive strength of the cemented soil increased rapidly in the early stage of curing and gradually slowed after seven days. Artificial freeze–thaw reduced the shear strength of the interface with vibration loading. The results enrich ongoing research on the shear characteristics of cemented soil-concrete interfaces.

Experimental investigation of tail void grouting pressure evolution for super-large diameter shield tunnels

The shield tunneling method is widely used in underground construction. Factors such as the variations in grouting pressure and stiffness/strength evolution over space and time directly affect ground deformation and system stability. To investigate the effect of grouting pressure variation, grouting influence zone, and hydromechanical properties on the model responses (e.g., surface settlement and lining forces), an innovative model test setup was developed to simulate the tunneling process wherein the lining could settle or float during grout injection. This setup included tunnel shrinking, loading-unloading, grout injection, and sample preparation systems. The experimental results show that the grouting pressure evolution law may be significantly affected by the tunnel translation. When the tunnel centerline was fixed in the traditional model tests, the resulting grouting pressure in the tail void was lower than that when the tunnel was free to move. This is because the tunnel translation changed the shape of the annular gap and contributed to the measured grouting pressure. The proposed setup is capable of revealing a more realistic law of grouting pressure evolution, and the subsequent spatio-temporal grouting-induced soil/lining behavior is currently being investigated.

Investigation of creep characteristics and microscopic mechanism of cemented-soil subjected to freeze-thaw

With the development of underground construction, higher safety demands have been placed on construction methods. The improved freezing method, which combines artificial ground freezing and cemented soil stabilization techniques, is more suitable for studying the typical creep characteristics of muddy clay in Shanghai. However, research on the creep behavior of freeze-thaw cemented-soil is limited. In this study, the creep characteristics of freeze-thawed cemented soil were investigated through triaxial creep tests, and the micromechanism was explored using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the creep deformation of freeze-thawed cemented soil is higher than that of non-freeze-thawed cemented soil. The freezing temperature decreased with an increase in deformation. By analyzing SEM images, the porosities of non-freeze-thawed cemented-soil and soil freeze-thawed at -5°C, -15°C, and -25°C, were extracted, which were 28.5%, 28.7%, 30.1%, and 39.1% respectively. During the freeze-thaw cycle, both the soil and cemented soil particles undergo movement and reordering. Freeze-thaw exacerbates creep degradation because frost heave weakens particle adhesion and affects structural stability. These results provide a scientific reference for the development of underground spaces in soft areas.

Preface

GEOSHANGHAI 2024 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Volume 4: Tunneling and Underground Construction Shanghai, 26-29 May, 2024 GeoShanghai 2024 International ConferenceCollege of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, 2024All Rights ReservedGeoShanghai is a series of international conferences on geotechnical engineering held in Shanghai quadrennially. The conference was inaugurated in 2006 and was successfully held in 2010, 2014 and 2018, with more than 1600 participants in total. Since the last conference, the geotechnical community has witnessed many advances both in fundamental understanding and engineering practices. To demonstrate the latest developments and promote collaborations in geotechnical engineering and related fields, we launch the 5th GeoShanghai International Conference to be held in May 2024.With cities facing pressing issues like congestion, pollution, and land scarcity, subterranean solutions have emerged as a compelling alternative, unlocking new avenues for urban expansion while minimizing surface disruption. This volume presents a culmination of recent advancements in tunneling and underground engineering, reflecting global efforts to address evolving challenges and opportunities in subterranean endeavors. Utilizing cutting-edge digital and deep learning techniques, inspiring case studies, and theoretical advancements in tunnel-related simulations offers a comprehensive understanding of the field.This volume received a total of 60 papers from countries such as China, Germany, Switzerland, Thailand, and others, totaling 60 papers accepted. All papers were reviewed and the accepted papers will be submitted to IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science indexed by Scopus.Cordially yours,Zhiguo Yan, Qianbin Zhang, Mingliang Zhou, Zili Li, Zhongkai Huang, Fan ZhuThe editors of Volume 4: Tunneling and Underground ConstructionList of Tracks, Conference Steering Committee, International Advisory Committee, Technical Committee, Organizing Committee are available in the Pdf

Promoting the Construction of Underground Water Banks for Community Environmental Conservation by Local Government Organization in Thailand

This article presents the results of a study the promotion of building underground water banks in the community by the Local Administrative Organization (LAO), the model of underground water bank construction, and the effect of underground water bank construction on the community environment. The study area was at three LAO in Thailand that succeeded in constructed the underground water banks. The samples were 117 administrators and communities’ representatives. Data were collected by interviews and observations. Data was analyzed by content analysis. The results of the research revealed that there were 2 patterns of underground water banks: 1) closed pattern, which composed of 2 forms: wells form that was built to collect rain water in the area around the house, channel form was built to collect runoff along road edges. 2) open pattern, built in a large area hole which composed of 2 forms: the form of deep channel in shallow canals and the form of digging a deep hole to the bedrock layer in the middle of the pool. The two underground water banks would store water together and link together to form an underground water cable network pump groundwater back up for consumption in the community throughout the year. The promoting construction of underground water banks by the LAO has provided knowledge of how to build it for the people of the communities, supported budgets and materials to build in people’ houses, gardens, farms, fields, and public areas; coordinated cooperation of other agencies, and increased motivation by rewarding communities that build uunderground water banks in all households. It had a positive effect on the community environment as a whole, reduced the problem of flooding and scarcity, increasing soil moisture and using groundwater could enhance the community economy.

Sustainability Evaluation of Residential Buildings Based on the Footprint Family: Application to Case Studies in Andalusia

The criteria on green public procurement of the European Union establish that the economic budgets of building projects must be complemented by their derived environmental and social costs. These criteria are currently being adapted to the requirements related to the circular economy, such as the use of methods to evaluate buildings environmentally. However, most methods available in the European and Spanish markets require prior training, which makes their use difficult. This paper presents an evaluation method, CEACE, for housing construction based on the determination of their footprints (ecological, carbon, and water footprints), also called the footprint family, to which the economic and social evaluation is added, as is the quantification of the construction and demolition waste generated. This method is validated with the assessment of fifteen residential buildings in Andalusia and creates an indicator that will allow technicians, companies, and administrations to evaluate projects in accordance with the criteria of green public procurement. The method is sensitive to changes in the type of building, foundation solution, and underground construction.

Data-driven intelligent prediction of TBM surrounding rock and personalized evaluation of disaster-inducing factors

With the widespread application of tunnel boring machines (TBM) in underground tunnel construction, the accurate and real-time identification of geological indicators has become a key factor for ensuring construction safety. In this study, we introduced the nomogram method into the field of civil engineering for the first time to predict surrounding rock grades. Against the backdrop of a major water conservancy project in China, an in-depth analysis of construction data from the ascending phase was conducted to establish the relationship between surrounding rock grade predictions and key construction parameters. Compared with traditional models, the nomogram method has shown advantages in terms of prediction accuracy. Furthermore, by providing a personalized scoring mechanism for specific construction data, the nomogram method not only achieves the real-time prediction of rock grades but also clearly reveals the dynamic relationships between input parameters and rock grades, clarifying the entire prediction process. We identified the main factors related to rock grade prediction among TBM construction parameters, including the slurry conveyor belt speed, jacking pressure, cutterhead torque, cutterhead thrust, thrust pressure, and actual rotation speed. The training process revealed that the nomogram prediction model achieved optimal performance with seven input parameters, balancing accuracy and training time. According to the prediction results, the nomogram model’s area under the curve index is 0.92, providing greater accuracy than the traditional random forest model (0.89). Therefore, this study enhances the transparency and interpretability of model predictions by providing personalized assessments of construction parameters for predicting surrounding rock grades, overcoming the black-box issue of existing prediction methods and offering a novel and effective tool for rock grade prediction.

A soft ground micro TBM’s specific energy prediction using an eXplainable neural network through Shapley additive explanation and Optuna

In tunnel construction, efficiently predicting the energy usage of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) is critical for optimizing operations and reducing costs. This research proposes a novel method for predicting the specific energy of micro slurry tunnel boring machines (MSTBMs) using an explainable neural network (xNN) that leverages operator-monitored data. The xNN model provides transparency and interpretability by integrating the Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) technique, enabling tunneling engineers and operators to gain valuable insights into the prediction process. Extensive data from MSTBM umbrella pipe support excavation are the foundation for training, testing, and unseen data in the xNN model. The specific energy formula derived from the operational parameters of the MSTBM defines the dependent variable for the xNN model. The test dataset evaluates the model’s performance with an R² of 98.7%, an MSE of 2.40, and an MAE of 0.003, demonstrating its accuracy and reliability. Ten percent of the dataset was reserved as unseen data to assess the model’s generalization capabilities. Upon evaluation, the model achieved an R2 value of 89%, an MAE of 0.01, and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.01. The xNN empowers operators to optimize operational parameters and promote more efficient and sustainable tunneling practices by identifying influential factors affecting energy consumption through its interpretable nature. This research has significant implications for the future of underground construction, paving the way for improved resource management.