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Welcome to the International Conferences on CTTU and TBM DiGs 2026

The International Conference on Construction Technology in Tunnelling and Underground (CTTU) was first established in Melbourne in 2020 to advance research and technological innovation in tunnelling and underground infrastructure. CTTU encompasses a broad range of topics, including technology applications, information modelling, advanced sensing, machine learning, and big data analytics in underground construction. It also explores data structuring, automated decision-making, process modelling for construction management, semantic web services for operations, and TBM positioning automation.

Tunnel Boring Machines in Difficult Grounds (TBM DiGs) is a global conference series offering a dedicated platform for the exchange of knowledge on TBM tunnelling in challenging geological conditions. Launched in Singapore in 2015, the series has since been hosted in Istanbul (2016), Wuhan (2017), Golden, USA (2019), and Leoben, Austria (2022). TBM DiGs addresses a wide array of topics, including ground characterisation, case studies, field monitoring, physical and laboratory testing, numerical modelling, ground treatment techniques, TBM design and operation, tunnel support systems, instrumentation, and risk management.

In 2026, these two internationally recognised conferences will come together for the first time in a joint event hosted in Melbourne, under the unifying theme:

Innovating Underground: Resilient and Intelligent Solutions for Next-Generation Tunnelling

This landmark event will provide a specialised forum for discussing cutting-edge developments in TBMs, tunnelling methodologies, geotechnical challenges, digital engineering, and automation technologies. By merging the strengths of both conference series, the event will foster technical exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge sharing among professionals committed to advancing the future of underground infrastructure.

We warmly welcome scientists, engineers, and industry leaders in tunnelling and underground construction to join us in Melbourne for this exciting global event—bridging research and practice, and shaping the next generation of underground solutions.

Chair and Co-Chairs
Qianbing Zhang

Qianbing Zhang (Chair)
Monash University, Australia

Wei Wu

Wei Wu (Co-Chair)
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Jelena Ninic

Jelena Ninic (Co-Chair)
Durham University, UK

Jurij Karlovsek

Jurij Karlovsek (Co-Chair)
University of Queensland, Australia

Zhenhao Xu

Zhenhao Xu (Co-Chair)
Shandong University, China

Mengqi Huang

Amanda Huang (Co-Chair)
Swinburne University of Technology

Advisory Committee
  • Lars Babendererde, Germany
  • Cemal Balci, Turkey
  • Nuh Bilgin, Turkey
  • Karin Bäppler, Germany
  • Wout Broere, Netherlands
  • Ha Bui, Australia
  • Linard Cantieni, Switzerland
  • Xiangsheng Chen, China
  • Zuyu Chen, China
  • Mahdi Disfani, Australia
  • Arnold Dix, Australia
  • Robert Galler, Austria
  • Jafar Hassanpour, Iran
  • Chuan He, China
  • Tom Iseley, USA
  • Shucai Li, China
  • Quansheng Liu, China
  • Lars Langmaack, Germany
  • Ulrich Maidl, Germany
  • Günther Meschke, Germany
  • Mike Mooney, USA
  • Guillermo Narsilio, Australia
  • Priscilla Nelson, USA
  • Bjorn Nilsen, Norway
  • Daniele Peila, Italy
  • Jamal Rostami, USA
  • Franz Sempelmann, Austria
  • Giovanni Spagnoli, Germany
  • Markus Thewes, Germany
  • Kurosch Thuro, Germany
  • Jenny Yan, China
  • Chungsik Yoo, Republic of Korea
  • Zhiguo Zhang, China
  • Jian Zhao, Australia
  • Hehua Zhu, China

Organising Committee
  • Qing Ai: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
  • Jian Chen: Huazhong University of Technology, China
  • Ross Digby: Victorian Tunnelling Centre, Holmesglen, Australia
  • Yong Fang: Southwest Jiaotong University, China
  • Qiuming Gong: Beijing University of Technology, China
  • Lei He: Southeast University, China
  • Xuzhen He: University of Technology Sydney, Australia
  • Zongze Li: Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
  • Xiaoli Liu: Tsinghua University, China
  • Ke Ma: Dalian University of Technology, China
  • Yue Pan: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
  • Gerard Quigg: CPB Contractors, Australia
  • Tong Joo Sia: SMEC, Australia
  • CK Tsang: SMEC, Australia
  • Philip Tsang: Suburban Connect, Australia
  • Jack Wu: EIC Activities, Australia
  • Huaina Wu: Hunan University, China
  • Nuwen Xu: Sichuan University, China
  • Yadong Xue: Tongji University, China
  • Haitao Yu: Tongji University, China
  • Chengguo Zhang: University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Yanlong Zheng: Southeast University, China
  • An’nan Zhou: RMIT University, Australia
  • Mingliang Zhou: Tongji University, China
  • Huamei Zhu: University of Birmingham, UK
  • Yang Zou: Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

to be updated

Secretary at Monash University
  • Zhihang Li
  • Xilin Chen
  • Zeng Ding
  • Dapeng Wang
  • Donghao Lan
  • Ruolin Xu
  • Yue Liang
  • Qian Lei
  • Haohan Xiao
  • Hassan Tumwiine
  • Iftikhar Ahmad
  • Mohammad Rouhani

Organiser

Co-Organisers

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Supporting Institutes & Companies

Endorsement

For further information contact

A/Professor Qianbing Zhang
civeng-tunnel@monash.edu