With the global population aging, urban public transportation systems, particularly subway stations, face significant challenges. This paper outlines the basic concepts of age-friendly design for subway stations, analyzes the behavioral characteristics of elderly passengers, and examines their specific needs regarding barrier-free facilities, information signage systems, and station environments. The paper then reviews recent research advancements, including adaptations of facilities for elderly use, integration of smart technologies, and the development of assessment frameworks tailored to age-friendly criteria. Finally, it identifies key challenges in age-friendly renovations, such as insufficient user research, inadequate data analysis, incomplete evaluation systems, a single-scheme verification mechanism and uneven overall development. The paper also outlines future directions in enhancing intelligent systems and evaluation frameworks to better accommodate the needs of elderly passengers and improve their overall travel experience.

A large number of different inclinations of tectonic fracture exist for the Sichuan-Tibet Railway along the tunnel peripheral rock, and often in the high ground temperature and high stress coupling environment. In order to study the influence of fracture inclination on the unloading failure characteristics of hard rock under high temperature and high stress coupling, this paper analyzes the unloading rupture characteristics of granite specimens of a tunnel of Sichuan-Tibet Railway under 50 ℃ real-time temperature field through unloading test by adopting indoor test and numerical simulation method. The results show that: the unloading strength decreases with the increase of fracture inclination angle, when the fracture inclination angle is 0°, the unloading strength of the specimen under the 50 ℃ real-time temperature field is obviously smaller than the unloading strength at room temperature; the fracture specimen under the unloading condition has strong tensile damage characteristics, and the dilatancy phenomenon of the specimen under the 50 ℃ real-time temperature field is more obvious when the fracture inclination angle is 30°; When the fracture inclination angle is 0°, a penetrating fracture through the center of the pre-fracture is generated; under the real-time temperature field of 50 ℃, the larger the fracture inclination angle is, the more dispersed microcracks are developed in the unloading process of the specimen, and the smaller the inclination angle is of the pre-fracture, the earlier the accelerated point of fracture development occurs.

With the excavation of tunnels, the surrounding rock is disturbed and damaged, resulting in changes in its geotechnical parameters. To obtain dynamic variation laws of geotechnical parameters accurately, an inversion method for mechanical parameters of tunnel surrounding rock based on updated boundaries particle swarm optimization (UBPSO) algorithm is proposed. Due to the large fluctuation of optimization results with the particle swarm algorithm, an updated boundaries particle swarm algorithm is proposed. By updating the upper and lower limits of search boundaries dynamically, performing reversal and mutation operations on individual historical optimal values, and updating inertia weights adaptively, the updated boundaries particle swarm algorithm achieves high-precision and fast optimization. The stability test of the Ackley function indicates that compared to the particle swarm optimization algorithm, the updated boundaries particle swarm algorithm has the following advantages, fast optimization speed, high accuracy of results, small fluctuation of outcomes, and less sensitivity to getting stuck in local optima. Based on the updated boundaries particle swarm optimization algorithm, a reverse analysis model for mechanical parameters of tunnel surrounding rock using MATLAB-PYTHON-ABAQUS and on-site monitoring data is established. Taking the YK76+470 to YK76+502.5 section of the Tongluoshan tunnel as an example, the model was used to analyze the on-site monitoring data of the tunnel arch settlement. It was found that the elastic modulus of the colluvial soil layer decreased from 0.200 GPa to 0.106 GPa, the internal friction angle dropped from 14° to 12.072°, and the cohesion value fell from 22 kPa to 19.373 kPa.

To address the challenge of structural deterioration caused by frequent cracking in the lining structures of deep-buried hydraulic tunnels in high-altitude areas, the enhancement of concrete's mechanical properties is investigated through the addition of fibers and determines the optimal fiber content for practical engineering application. Firstly, tests on the tensile, compressive, and flexural mechanical properties of basalt fiber-reinforced concrete (BFRC) with varying fiber contents were conducted, the variation patterns of concrete's tensile, compressive, and flexural mechanical properties under different volumetric fiber contents were obtained. Subsequently, a mesoscopic numerical model of fiber-reinforced concrete that truly reflects the microstructural factors such as aggregate shape, gradation, aspect ratio, fiber distribution, and initial defects was established. By comparing the mesoscopic numerical model with indoor axial tension test results, the mechanism of fiber reinforcement on the tensile strength of concrete was revealed. Finally, the optimal fiber content was analyzed. The results indicate that: Compared to the plain concrete, a fiber volume content of 0.2% is optimal, with the axial tensile strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength of BFRC increased by 12.81%, 14.79%, and 21.26%, respectively. The error between the tensile strength of the fiber concrete predicted by the established mesoscopic numerical model and the indoor test results for plain (fiber) concrete is 4.24% (5.26%), and the model can accurately reflect the failure development process and macroscopic mechanical behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete specimens. The findings of this study can provide a reference for the design and application of basalt fiber-reinforced concrete structures.

The reloading mechanical properties of the surrounding rock in an underground energy storage cavern are crucial for determining the safety of underground energy storage projects. This study conducted triaxial loading and unloading tests on mudstone, as well as reloading tests on unloaded damaged mudstone. By employing testing and analysis techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the research investigated the impact of unloading effects on the reloading mechanical properties of mudstone and revealed the deterioration mechanisms of reloading damaged mudstone. The results indicate that the fractal dimension ultimately decreases as confining pressure increases, and the confining pressure's control over internal micro-cracks in the mudstone becomes more pronounced. With increasing unloading damage, small-size micro-pores inside the mudstone samples develop into medium-sized pores, resulting in a higher internal porosity. The greater the initial unloading damage, the larger the reduction in reloading strength of the mudstone. The degree of unloading damage progressively affects the failure mode of rock samples, transitioning from shear failure to shear-tensile failure, and eventually to tensile-shear failure with increasing unloading damage. A correlation between unloading damage degree, porosity, and reloading strength has been established, bridging the gap between microstructural damage and macro-strength deterioration in unloaded damaged mudstone. This finding provides a reference for delineating unloading damage zones and predicting reloading strength within unloading areas.

Microwave radiation, as an emerging rock-breaking technology, shows promising applications in assisting mechanical rock fragmentation. To explore the damage mechanisms of microwave radiation on quartz sandstone, this study investigates the variations in uniaxial compressive strength, wave velocity, and macro-microscopic damage characteristics of quartz sandstone under different microwave powers and exposure times. The results indicate that with increasing microwave power and exposure time, the uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus exhibit a decreasing trend, while peak strain gradually increases. Both P-wave and S-wave velocities show an overall decline. The damage factor shows an upward trend, and the longer the radiation time, the greater the increase in the damage factor. As microwave power and exposure time increase, the degree of quartz sandstone fragmentation significantly intensifies, resulting in smaller and more numerous fragments. The failure mode shifts from a single shear failure to shear and cleavage along fragile planes. SEM images and fractal dimension (D-value) results indicate that as microwave exposure time increases, the number, length, width, and depth of internal cracks in specimens show an increasing trend, evolving from initial single cracks to superimposed fractures.

In the context of the grand construction of the new railway line tunnel project in Sicily, Italy, this article comprehensively and deeply analyzes the complex design and application of the man lock of tunnel boring machine in extreme pressure operating environments. Faced with the arduous task of long-distance crossing of full-section rock formations, especially the unique challenges brought by high-pressure water environments, this article creatively proposes a customized design scheme for the man lock system, aiming to completely solve the safety problem of pressurized entry operations. In response to the functional requirements of the man-lock during pressurized entry operations, and with due consideration given to ergonomics, emergency escape, environmental monitoring systems, etc., the man-lock system configuration was designed to provide equipment-related safety for workers. Finite element force analysis was carried out on the man-lock door and body to verify the structure's strength and ensure it meets working pressure requirements. The structure's stability and reliability were also confirmed through hydrostatic and air-tightness tests. The results of the finite element analysis and pressure tests show that the designed man-lock not only satisfies engineering needs, but also offers strong equipment support for the shield machine's efficient and safe tunneling, ensuring simultaneous enhancement of construction efficiency and safety.

With the rapid development of infrastructure such as railways, highways, and water conservancy and hydropower projects in the western region of China, a number of extremely complex geological conditions and highly challenging ultra-deep buried tunnels have emerged. These developments place higher demands on the collection, analysis, and application of tunnel geological information. Geological information transparency technology plays a crucial role in ensuring safety, controlling costs, and optimizing construction progress, serving as key technical support for the smooth execution of ultra-deep buried tunnel projects. This paper systematically reviews the current development status of geological information detection technologies, covering remote sensing survey technology, geophysical exploration technology, and directional drilling technology in the pre-construction phase, as well as advanced geological forecasting technology during construction. The application scope and development directions of various technologies are analyzed. The paper also reviews the research status of multi-source geological information fusion technology and 3D geological modeling technology, detailing their progress and challenges in predicting geological conditions, model building, and applications. Finally, this paper looks ahead to the overall development of geological information transparency technology for tunnels: First, establishing a five-dimensional integrated detection system encompassing "space-air-ground-borehole-tunnel" to improve detection accuracy; second, developing intelligent geological monitoring technologies and equipment; and third, based on multi-source data fusion, constructing 3D geological models and applying virtual reality technology to achieve dynamic geological information visualization, thus enhancing the safety and efficiency of tunnel construction.

At present, the construction of large-span and super-large-span subway tunnels is increasing. Temporary support is often designed to reduce the span in the construction of those tunnels. However, temporary support needs to be removed before secondary lining is constructed due to the spatial overlap between them. The removal of temporary support is the weak situation, because the original stress balance of the structure will be broken. Improper construction can easily cause safety accidents such as tunnel collapse. In view of the lack of systematic research on the structural mechanical response and safety of the super-large-span tunnel constructed by the double-layer initial support arch-cover method at home and abroad, this paper takes the four-line parallel tunnel of Huahua section of Guangzhou Metro Line 11 as the basis project. Through the combination of theoretical analysis and numerical calculation, the mechanical response and safety of the structure during the dismantling of the tunnel are analyzed from both horizontal and vertical aspects. Finally, a scientific, reasonable, safe, efficient and rapid dismantling scheme was determined, and successfully passed the inspection of on-site construction. The results show that it is feasible to dismantle the super-large-span tunnel in urban soft stratum by using the scheme of 'first edge and then middle, and symmetrical demolition in cross direction, first three demolition and one demolition, and then one demolition and one demolition in longitudinal direction', which can provide reference and guidance for subsequent projects.

Due to its insufficient cover thickness, the excavation face of shallow-shield tunnels is susceptible to passive instability. Tunnel longitudinal slope lead to sudden changes in cover thickness, making the passive failure mechanism of tunnel faces more complicated. There is an urgent need to explore analytical methods for excavation face stability in shallow-buried longitudinal slope shield tunnels. Based on upper bound analysis, a two-dimensional rotation-translation mechanism is proposed that simultaneously considers tunnel longitudinal slope and local instability at the excavation face. The mechanism is comprised of two rigid translation blocks and one rigid rotation block. The ultimate support pressure and failure mode of passive instability at the excavation face are obtained. Finally, the effects of longitudinal slope δ and partial failure ratio η on ultimate support pressure and failure mode of tunnel faces are analyzed, and the reasonableness of proposed models is verified by combining with engineering cases. The results indicate that: Partial failure range of excavation faces gradually increases with the increase of longitudinal inclination angle δ. As the cover depth ratio C/D increases, partial failure of the excavation face evolves into global failure. The rotation angle θ of the rigid rotating block decreases with the increase of the longitudinal inclination δ, and the longitudinal inclination δ has a significant effect on the rotation angle θ.