Pan, H; Huang, H; Luo, Z; Wu, C and Yang, S (2025) Research on safety risk factors of metro shield tunnel construction in China based on social network analysis. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(12), pp. 8114-8144. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – During metro construction using the shield method, the construction process's complexity, the construction environment's variability, and other factors can easily lead to tunnel construction accidents. This paper aims to explore the interconnections between risk factors and related accident types, as well as the risk chain formed between risk factors, and to analyze the key risk factors and vulnerabilities in shield tunnel construction through empirical data. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the social network analysis theory, the connection of various risk factors in subway shield tunnel construction is explored, and the mechanism of multiple risk factors is studied. Through literature analysis, articles on safety risk factors in metro shield tunnel construction are organized and studied, and the identified safety risk factors can comprehensively reflect the significant risks that need to be concerned in metro shield tunnel construction. Findings – The results show that a small world characterizes the SNA network of safety risk factors for metro shield tunnel construction: The frequency of association between the five risk factors "unsafe behavior, " "site management, " "safety supervision and inspection, " "safety education system" and "safety protection" is higher than that of other factors. Only a few risks, such as "site management, " "safety supervision and inspection, " and "rapid response capability, " directly lead to accidents. In addition, risk factors such as the "safety education system" and "safety protection" will indirectly cause unsafe behaviors of construction personnel. Research limitations/implications – During construction, the probability of occurrence of risk factors may vary with the construction phase and area and is not considered in this paper. In addition, although this paper identifies, determines and analyzes the risk factors affecting the safety of metro shield tunnel construction, including the importance of each risk factor and the connection between them, more detailed information before and after the accident could not be obtained based on the accident investigation report alone. Therefore, future research can collect the same accident case from more sources to obtain more information. Practical implications – The theory of accident causation has been improved at the theoretical level. The identified safety risk factors can comprehensively reflect the significant risks that need to be paid attention to in metro shield tunnel construction. From a practical point of view, the results of the study provide a basis for the rational control of the risk factors in the construction of subway shield tunnels, which can help guide practitioners to do a good job of risk prevention before the construction of metro shield tunnels and reduce the probability of related accidents. Originality/value – This study expands the application of social network analysis in the field of subway tunnel construction risk, quantitatively analyzes the key risk factors and vulnerabilities in shield method tunnel construction and proposes policy recommendations for future metro tunnel construction safety management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction safety; critical risk factor; shield method; social network analysis; tunnel construction accident |
| Index terms: | construction safety, safety management, China, complexity, construction process, methodology, vulnerability, practitioner, construction personnel, social network analysis, tunnel, unsafe behaviour, construction phase, prevention, supervision, variability, site management, accident investigation, risk factor, inspection, tunnel construction |
| Subjects: | project delivery, control systems, workforce, environmental health, statistical analysis, systems engineering, infrastructure and transport systems, occupational health and safety management, civil engineering, construction operations, practitioner, environmental hazards, quality assurance, building construction, financial risk, Geography, research methods |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Cost Management, Roles and Professions, Human Resources, Site Management, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Project Management, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here