Abstract: This paper discusses the mechanism of ground movement and ground surface settlement induced by soil disturbance in the shield tunnel construction of the city metro subway. In the paper, the chief effecting factors of shield driving disturbance are studied. Combining with engineering practice of the 2 nd line of metro subway in Shanghai, prediction of the ground surface settlement nearby construction site has been made by using artificial intelligence ANN technology.By contrast of the predicted values with its measured data in situ, this article proves the feasibility and suitability of the above mentioned soft science method using in this field.