In order to study the basic problems that restrict the recognition of shield machine stratum state and promote the research of stratum classification and classification based on drivability. Based on the principle of drillability, the concept, significance and key issues of drivability of shield construction strata are combed; and three index systems of displacement, strength and energy representing drivability are summarized and put forward The representative indexes of drivability are preliminarily optimized: penetration P_rev, field penetration index FPI and specific energy SE. Combined with a shield tunnel project, the time history analysis of the change rule of construction parameters and drivability index of shield tunneling is carried out, four main working stages of tunneling are put forward. Based on the different working stages of single ring driving, statistical data of nearly 150 rings shield construction of three kinds of stratum, and the results of relevant literature, the correlation between the drivability indexes is analyzed. There is a good unity among penetration, field penetration index and specific energy, which can be used to express the drivability of shield construction stratum. Combined with the special stratum in the project, the feasibility of response feedback between drivability and shield machine-stratum state is analyzed. At last, the study on the problem of drivability is considered, it is suggested that the study on the classification of strata should focus on the qualitative test of the main physical mechanical parameters of the strata and the drivability, and accelerate the development of traditional geological exploration to drilling methods based drivability.