October 19-21, 2025, the Third Forum on Intelligent Construction and Safety Control Innovation in Underground Engineering was held in Tianjin. Jointly organized by Hebei University of Technology, Shandong University, and the Wuhan Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the forum was hosted by China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. Over 100 experts and scholars from universities, research institutes, and industry enterprises across China gathered to discuss the latest scientific achievements, cutting-edge technological trends, and future development directions in the field of underground engineering. The forum established a high-level, open, and pragmatic exchange platform that stimulated innovative thinking, advanced the research and application of intelligent construction and safety control technologies for underground engineering, and injected strong momentum into the industry's high-quality development.

Academician Chen Xiangsheng, Dean of the Future Underground City Research Institute at Shenzhen University, led a delegation to attend this conference. As a specially invited keynote speaker, Academician Chen delivered a presentation titled “Key Technologies for Double-Bore Close-Fit Pipe Jacking Construction of Subway Stations” on behalf of his team. He introduced the team's focus on addressing construction challenges in urban subway stations, highlighting the innovative double-bore close-fitting pipe jacking method. By comparing it with traditional approaches, he demonstrated its advantages in cost, construction efficiency, and environmental impact. Finally, he provided a brief overview of the School of Civil and Transportation Engineering and the Future Underground City Research Institute at Shenzhen University, along with their recent developments.

Assistant Professors Han Kaihang, Lin Xingtao, and Shen Xiang from the Research Institute were selected as members of the inaugural Young Editorial Board for the journal Smart Underground Engineering. They participated in the journal's inaugural Young Editorial Board meeting during the conference, offering their insights and recommendations for the publication's development. Assistant Professors Han Kaihang and Lin Xingtao delivered presentations titled “Research on Smart Resilience Development Strategies for Underground Space Systems in Megacities” and “Catastrophic Mechanism and Resilience Assessment of CFG Pile-Reinforced High-Speed Railway Subgrade Under Close-Proximity Shield Tunneling,” respectively. They shared their latest research findings in the field of intelligent construction and safety control for underground engineering, engaging in in-depth discussions and exchanges with attending experts and scholars.

Faculty members from Shenzhen University's Future Underground City Research Institute engaged in extensive academic exchanges and experience sharing with attending experts at this conference. They showcased the institute's academic achievements and research outcomes, earning widespread acclaim from the participating experts.

Contributed by | Shen Xiang

First Review | Shen Xiang

Third Review | Yang Lei