Abstract: An increasing number of complex geological conditions are encountered during tunnel boring machine (TBM) construction; thus, advanced treatment is required to reduce or avoid frequent TMB jamming under complex geological conditions. In this study,  10 existing treatment techniques are reviewed to analyze geological problems such as broken, weak, waterrich, complete, and hard rocks, as well as rockburst. Advanced treatment techniques include (1) the advanced treatment of and ahead of tunnel face, including cutterhead cleaning, advanced grouting of tunnel face, surface grouting, and artificial joints; (2) postpositioned advanced treatment techniques applied to the tail or behind shields, including advanced grouting, advanced smallduct grouting reinforcement, and advanced pipe shed reinforcement; and (3) advanced treatment techniques of pilot tunnel methods applied to proper positions, including the smallpilot tunnel method, pilot tunnel method, and stress release method of pilot tunnels in advance. Advanced treatment of TBM construction can be achieved by (1) reducing the construction proportion of TBM in unfavorable geological tunnel sections; (2) improving the geological adaptability of TBM construction methods; (3) improving the accuracy and timeliness of advanced geological prediction; (4) creating dynamic designs and performing rational decision making; and (5) improving management systems, such as norms, standards, and quotas, and promoting the scientific application and popularization of TBM.

Key words: fullface tunnel boring machine, advanced treatment of tunnel face, postpositioned advanced treatment, frontmounted advanced treatment, pilot tunnel method