• CN: 11-2187/TH
  • ISSN: 0577-6686

Journal of Mechanical Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (19): 183-201.doi: 10.3901/JME.2025.19.183

Previous Articles    

Research Status and Prospect of Automatic Shield Segment Assembly Technology

LIU Xian1, HU Qiubin1, ZHU Yanfei2, ZHAI Yixin2, HUANG Dezhong2   

  1. 1. School of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092;
    2. Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200232
  • Received:2024-09-04 Revised:2025-04-18 Published:2025-11-24

Abstract: Segment assembly is an essential process in shield construction. The artificial manipulation is ineffective, high-risk and irregular in its quality. It is of great significance to automate the segment assembly process for improving the construction quality of shield tunnel, increasing the operating efficiency and promoting the intelligent construction of underground engineering. Based on the research work carried out by domestic and foreign scholars in the automatic assembling of segments,the article summarizes the research work from four aspects:including auto-selection, automatic perception, automatic movement of assembly machines, and automatic servo system of assembly machines. The article analyzes the research progress and shortcomings of the key technologies in various aspects of automatic segment assembly. The purpose of segment selection is divided into design stage typesetting and assembly point selection in construction period. Assembly point selection mainly uses the segment axis to fit shield machine attitude. The parameters include gap of shield tail and stroke difference of propulsion cylinder, but their weight coefficient determination is strongly dependent on construction experience. Pose perception of segment method is divided into contact measurement and non-contact measurement. The image-based target detection technology in non-contact measurement is better, but its algorithm accuracy and efficiency still need to be improved. The D-H method is mainly used to describe the pose and motion of the mechanical arm. The trajectory planning focuses on using polynomial curves to smooth the motion path to reduce the abrasion of the machine joints. The segment assembly machine is developing towards the direction of parallel mechanism with redundant degrees of freedom, and its assembly efficiency and accuracy are better. The servo system of the assembly machine controlled by the proportional valve has high accuracy, and multi-axis motion can improve the efficiency of segment assembly. Finally, the deficiencies of research are discussed, and new insights and directions are proposed. The research can provide reference for further improvement of the automatic assembly technology of segments and promotion of the intellectualization of underground engineering equipment.

Key words: shield tunnel segment, automatic assembly, segment typesetting, visual perception, trajectory planning, control system

CLC Number: