Safety evaluation of underground engineering crossing highways based on extension matter-element model

To address the lack of unified standards, complex influencing factors, and significant hazards in safety evaluations of underground engineering crossing highways, this study adopting the extension matter-element model for quantitative safety evaluation. First, safety influencing factors across the design, construction, and operation phases were systematically identified for three typical engineering types: pipeline underpasses, tunnel underpasses, and highway underpasses, and a comprehensive evaluation indicator system was established. Then, subjective and objective weights were assigned using the order relation analysis method and the cross-entropy entropy weight method, respectively, and integrated through a distance function. Finally, the safety level of the projects was determined using the extension matter-element model. A case study of a tunnel underpass project in Guangzhou was conducted. The results show a comprehensive correlation degree of 0.13, corresponding to a grade II safety level. Comparison with the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method validated the consistency of the extension matter-element model results and its applicability to underground engineering crossing highways. The adoption of this method facilitates a comprehensive understanding of project safety status, precise identification of high-risk factors, and provides a scientific basis for safety decision-making and management.