In order to better guide the design and construction of underwater tunnel, this paper makes a detailed and in-depth study on the engineering characteristics of underwater shield tunnel by using the method of engineering example summary and geological generalization model. The research results show that the geological generalization model of underwater tunnel can be divided into the following categories: the tunnel is located in topsoil; the tunnel is located in the semi soil and semi rock composite stratum and the tunnel is located in the bedrock stratum. Underwater shield tunnel engineering is characterized by the coexistence of a single project and multiple stratum types, the diversification of shield construction methods and the manifestation of hydrodynamic pressure.