Tunnel Rapid AI Classification (TRaiC): An Open-Source Code for 360° Tunnel Face Mapping, Discontinuity Analysis, and RAG-LLM-Powered Geo-Engineering Reporting

Accurate and efficient rock mass characterization is essential in geotechnical engineering, yet traditional tunnel face mapping remains time consuming, subjective, and potentially hazardous. Recent advances in digital technologies and AI offer automation opportunities, but many existing solutions are hindered by slow 3D scanning, computationally intensive processing, and limited integration flexibility. This paper presents Tunnel Rapid AI Classification (TRaiC), an open-source MATLAB-based platform for rapid and automated tunnel face mapping. TRaiC integrates single-shot 360° panoramic photography, AI-powered discontinuity detection, 3D textured digital twin generation, rock mass discontinuity characterization, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation with Large Language Models (RAG-LLM) for automated geological interpretation and standardized reporting. The modular eight-stage workflow includes simplified 3D modeling, trace segmentation, 3D joint network analysis, and rock mass classification using RMR, with outputs optimized for Geo-BIM integration. Initial evaluations indicate substantial reductions in processing time and expert assessment workload. Producing a lightweight yet high-fidelity digital twin, TRaiC enables computational efficiency, transparency, and reproducibility, serving as a foundation for future AI-assisted geotechnical engineering research. Its graphical user interface and well-structured open-source code make it accessible to users ranging from beginners to advanced researchers.

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Publication Details

Journal
Remote Sensing
Published
2025-08-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17162891
Primary Topic
Tunneling and Rock Mechanics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Tunnel Rapid AI Classification (TRaiC): An Open-Source Code for 360° Tunnel Face Mapping, Discontinuity Analysis, and RAG-LLM-Powered Geo-Engineering Reporting

Il-Seok Kang, Yulong Shao, Seyedahmad Mehrishal, Jineon Kim et al.
Remote Sensing
Tunneling and Rock Mechanics
article

Tunnel Rapid AI Classification (TRaiC): An Open-Source Code for 360° Tunnel Face Mapping, Discontinuity Analysis, and RAG-LLM-Powered Geo-Engineering Reporting

Il-Seok Kang, Yulong Shao, Seyedahmad Mehrishal, Jineon Kim, Junsu Leem, Jae‐Joon Song
article en

Abstract

Accurate and efficient rock mass characterization is essential in geotechnical engineering, yet traditional tunnel face mapping remains time consuming, subjective, and potentially hazardous. Recent advances in digital technologies and AI offer automation opportunities, but many existing solutions are hindered by slow 3D scanning, computationally intensive processing, and limited integration flexibility. This paper presents Tunnel Rapid AI Classification (TRaiC), an open-source MATLAB-based platform for rapid and automated tunnel face mapping. TRaiC integrates single-shot 360° panoramic photography, AI-powered discontinuity detection, 3D textured digital twin generation, rock mass discontinuity characterization, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation with Large Language Models (RAG-LLM) for automated geological interpretation and standardized reporting. The modular eight-stage workflow includes simplified 3D modeling, trace segmentation, 3D joint network analysis, and rock mass classification using RMR, with outputs optimized for Geo-BIM integration. Initial evaluations indicate substantial reductions in processing time and expert assessment workload. Producing a lightweight yet high-fidelity digital twin, TRaiC enables computational efficiency, transparency, and reproducibility, serving as a foundation for future AI-assisted geotechnical engineering research. Its graphical user interface and well-structured open-source code make it accessible to users ranging from beginners to advanced researchers.

Remote SensingVol. 17(16)
Seoul National University (KR)
Seoul National University, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning
Openalex Percentile: Top 78%
Tunneling and Rock Mechanics
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