Representative Projects and Development Trend of Underwater Shield Tunnels in China（我国水下盾构隧道代表性工程与发展趋势）

In the 21st century, the underwater tunnels have advanced rapidly in China. A large number of projects, completed or ongoing, have greatly promoted the advancement of underwater shield tunnel technologies in China and in the world. The development history of the underwater tunnels in China is summarized, and the technical challenges and breakthroughs encountered and achieved during the construction of many tunnels are presented, as represented by Nanjing Yangtze River Tunnel and Shiziyang Tunnel of Guangzhou Shenzhen Hong Kong High speed Railway. The characteristics and challenges of some representative underwater tunnels during construction, including Road Railway Yangtze River Tunnel in Sanyang Road, Shiziyang Tunnel of Foshan Dongguan Intercity Railway, Yangtze River Tunnel of Suzhou Nantong UHV Power Transmission and Transformation Project; and projects to be constructed, such as Pearl River Estuary Tunnel of Shenzhen Maoming Railway, Shantou Bay Subsea Tunnel of Shantou Shanwei High speed Railway, and Nanjing Heyan Road Yangtze River Tunnel, are presented as well. The development trend of China′s underwater shield tunnels, including from single soft soil formation to complex soil formation, from large diameter to super large diameter, from medium water pressure to high and ultra high water pressure, from ordinary to special and unfavorable geological conditions, from seismic regions with moderate intensity to those with high intensity, and from single construction method to combination of multiple methods, are analyzed. It is pointed out that the technical fields still require further study and innovation, and the areas still require further enhancement and innovation, such as the norms, codes, designs, constructions, equipment, materials and management.