During operation, subway tunnel linings and track structures are subject to complex environments, leading to progressive defects that threaten operational safety. To address the limitations of conventional manual inspections, an integrated inspection system capable of simultaneous multi-defect detection at a speed of up to 15 km/h was developed. An image optimisation algorithm was constructed to enhance image quality while reducing data storage requirements. By integrating weighted defect indicators from both lining and track inspections, an evaluation framework for tunnel service condition was constructed based on cloud model theory. The proposed system and evaluation method were validated through application to Qingdao subway line 8, demonstrating their applicability in routine tunnel inspection and management.
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Research Article|
April 07 2026
Defect detection and service-condition evaluation of subway tunnel lining and track structures during operation
Peng Liu;
Peng Liu
State Key Laboratory for Tunnel Engineering
, Ji’nan, China
; School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Ji’nan, China; Institute of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering, Ji’nan, China
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Xin Chen;
State Key Laboratory for Tunnel Engineering
, Ji’nan, China
; School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Ji’nan, ChinaCorresponding author Xin Chen (sinnreich@163.com)
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Jiacheng Zhang;
Jiacheng Zhang
State Key Laboratory for Tunnel Engineering
, Ji’nan, China
; School of Future Technology, Shandong University, Ji’nan, China; Institute of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering, Ji’nan, China
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Jialei Liang;
Jialei Liang
Ji’nan Lixia Water Service Center
, Ji’nan, China
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Rui Li;
Rui Li
State Key Laboratory for Tunnel Engineering
, Ji’nan, China
; School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Ji’nan, China; Institute of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering, Ji’nan, China
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Wenwen Jiang;
Wenwen Jiang
Qingdao Metro Group Co
, Qingdao, China
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Yueji He
Yueji He
State Key Laboratory for Tunnel Engineering
, Ji’nan, China
; School of Future Technology, Shandong University, Ji’nan, China; Institute of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering, Ji’nan, China
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Corresponding author Xin Chen (sinnreich@163.com)
Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Received:
October 03 2025
Accepted:
January 22 2026
Online ISSN: 1751-7672
Print ISSN: 0965-089X
Funding
Funding Group:
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): National Key R&D Plan of China
- Award Id(s): 2021YFB2600800
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): Shandong Province Natural Science Youth Fund
- Award Id(s): ZR2024QE048
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): Key R&D Program of Shandong Province, China
- Award Id(s): 2024TSGC0004
- Funder(s):
- Funding Statement(s): This work was supported by National Key R&D Plan of China (grant number 2021YFB2600800), Shandong Province Natural Science Youth Fund (grant number ZR2024QE048) and Key R&D Program of Shandong Province, China (grant number 2024TSGC0004).
© 2026 Emerald Publishing Limited
2026
Emerald Publishing Limited
Licensed re-use rights only
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering 1–14.
Article history
Received:
October 03 2025
Accepted:
January 22 2026
Citation
Liu P, Chen X, Zhang J, Liang J, Li R, Jiang W, He Y (2026;), "Defect detection and service-condition evaluation of subway tunnel lining and track structures during operation". Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1680/jcien.25.00502
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