Research on Intelligent Predictions of Surrounding Rock Ahead of the Tunnel Face Based on Neural Network and Longitudinal Deformation Curve

Traditional methods for predicting surrounding rock grades ahead of tunnel faces encounter challenges: image-based approaches are susceptible to environmental interference, while parameter-based classification may disrupt construction. This study proposes an intelligent rock grade identification method by integrating longitudinal displacement profile (LDP) evolution patterns with deep learning. First, the numerical model was validated against V-D theoretical curves, and LDP evolution laws were systematically analyzed for three rock types (GSI = 15, 30, 50) under nine geological combinations. The results indicate that (1) homogeneous strata exhibit deformation peaks followed by declines; (2) GSI = 15 strata show significantly larger deformations; and (3) stratified schemes display pre-interface deformation peaks and post-interface deformation controlled by subsequent lithology. A novel hybrid neural network was developed to classify strata using LDP curves as input. The model achieved 93.25% training accuracy and 91.20% validation accuracy. Ablation experiments demonstrated their superiority over the other four models with partial module deletions, achieving improvements in test accuracy of 3.24%, 3.08%, 4.16%, and 6.48%, respectively, compared to those models. This lightweight solution effectively overcomes the limitations of manual expertise dependency in conventional models and environmental sensitivity in visual methods. By synergizing LDP evolution analysis with deep learning, this framework provides a reliable approach for real-time rock grade prediction during tunnel advancement.