Abstract: Currently, intellectualized theory and methods of railway shield tunneling in China are not mature. Much of the existing research on shield tunneling intelligence has not been practical. There is not effective information exchange channel between tunneling nodes and an integral whole life cycle system for shield tunnel. To promote the application of interllectualized construction in railway shield tunnel in China, summary and analysis are conducted on intelligent shield tunneling construction through the life cycle of geological survey, design, construction, operation, and maintenance, and it is proposed that the development directions of intelligent railway shield tunneling construction technology are as follows: establishing an ideal technology system, improving theoretical innovations, promoting the compilation of relevant regulations, and setting standards.

Key words: railway shield tunneling, intelligent construction, life cycle, building information modeling, informatization