Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Qingqing Zhang, Laigui Wang, Huabin Zhang
Summary: This study establishes a saturated-unsaturated seepage random field model by considering the spatial variability of saturated hydraulic conductivity, and analyzes the impacts of rainfall intensity, duration, and spatial variability on the infiltration process and stability of unsaturated rock slope. The results show that rainfall mainly affects the seepage field in the shallow layer of the slope, and rainfall duration has the greatest influence on the infiltration depth and safety factor of the slope.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Zongyuan Ma, Caihui Zhu, Xiaoliang Yao, Faning Dang
Summary: This study analyzed slope stability under saturated or unsaturated conditions, proposing the influence of a complex stress state on the slope stability with seepage flow. An elastoplastic model for soil under complex stress was established and analyzed using FLAC finite element method code. The study also examined the impact of intermediate principal stress and saturated or unsaturated seepage flow on slope stability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tamara Bracko, Bojan Zlender, Primoz Jelusic
Summary: The objective of this study is to determine the impacts of expected climate change on slope stability. Through a case study, it is found that lower cohesion and increased net infiltration of water are important factors leading to slope instability. Planting and controlling surface water runoff can be a relatively simple and cost-effective measure to reduce net infiltration, which is an effective solution.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wensheng Tang, Haiyuan Ma, Xinyue Wang, Zhiyu Shao, Qiang He, Hongxiang Chai
Summary: This study investigates the effects of bioretention facilities on water pressure distribution, seepage path, and slope stability under rainwater seepage conditions by establishing a three-dimensional finite element model for numerical analysis. It also proposes the relationship between the parameters of the bioretention facility and slope stability in combination with runoff pollution control, providing direction and basis for planning, design, and construction of sponge cities in road construction.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jannes Kordilla, Marco Dentz, Alexandre M. Tartakovsky
Summary: Infiltration processes in fractured-porous media are crucial but not well understood. Flow dynamics in fractures under partially saturated conditions contribute to the fastest infiltration velocities, and the dynamics at fracture intersections determine the flow fragmentation and dispersion of fracture networks. This study provides an analytical concept to potentially reconstruct internal fracture network geometries from external boundary information.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Haibing Yu, Huiming Tang, Jia-Qing Zhou, Changdong Li, Huawei Zhang, Wen-Yu Zhu
Summary: This study investigated the dynamic stability analysis of bedding rock slopes with soil interlayer under different rain patterns. It derived the critical rain intensities for dry and water-filled fissures and introduced rain coefficients for investigating rain patterns. The study also analyzed the evolving water head and water pressure along the soil interlayer under different infiltration scenarios. Based on the analytical solutions, an analytical model incorporating time-varying water head was established to predict slope stability. Numerical simulations validated the analytical solutions and the study proposed a failure threshold based on the rainfall threshold for slope failure considering different rain patterns. The results showed that rain patterns and coefficients have a significant impact on the rainfall threshold for slope failure. The study provides valuable insights into assessing the evolving slope stability under different rain patterns and improves our understanding of the dynamic stability of bedding rock slopes with inclined soil interlayer.
ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Weihua Fang, Rongqiang You, Hui Hou, Jiaping Sun, Tiantang Yu
Summary: This paper proposes a new method for analyzing unsaturated soil slopes under rainfall conditions by combining the minimum potential energy method with the existing analytical solution of seepage field. The method takes into account the real-time changes in system potential energy caused by rainfall infiltration and considers the effects of rainfall infiltration on soil shear strength, sliding mass self-weight, and seepage force. It introduces the safety factor (SF) of the slope as the ratio of the slip resistance moment to the sliding moment and enables real-time evaluation of unsaturated soil slope stability during rainfall. The study also investigates the influence of rainfall intensity and slope angle on slope stability, as well as the relationship between the sliding depth of failure surface and rainfall.
ARCHIVES OF CIVIL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Shun Wang, Gregor Idinger, Wei Wu
Summary: This paper presents the results of centrifuge tests on rainfall-induced instabilities in variably saturated slopes, highlighting the key roles of rainfall intensity and profiles of the degree of saturation in different stages of instability.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiang Yu, Tao Zhao, Bin Gong, Chun'an Tang
Summary: Due to uneven weathering, boulders can be found in slopes, making the deformation and failure mechanism of the slope complex. This study analyzes the failure characteristics of a slope with boulders during excavation and rainfall, proposing two instability modes: boulder instability and soil instability. The interaction between soil and boulder varies during different failure phases, and on-site monitoring and numerical simulation reveal that boulders act as an anti-sliding element, causing shallow soil instability and local large deformation.
BULLETIN OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
E. Del Bello, J. Taddeucci, J. P. Merrison, K. R. Rasmussen, D. Andronico, T. Ricci, R. Scarlato, J. J. Iversen
Summary: Resuspension of volcanic ash by wind is hazardous and requires direct measurement of threshold friction velocity U-th*, which is strongly controlled by the median grain size and particle shape of the deposit.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Atsushi Koyama, Tetsuo Fujimoto, Daisuke Suetsugu, Yoshinori Fukubayashi
Summary: This study uses numerical simulation methods to consider the impact of rainfall infiltration on the stability of reservoir soil, which helps predict the risk of landslide failure, and emphasizes the importance of considering rainfall infiltration when evaluating reservoir stability.
GEOMATICS NATURAL HAZARDS & RISK
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Sanjei Chitravel, Masahide Otsubo, Reiko Kuwano
Summary: The study investigates the impact of initial density, stress state, and seepage time on the seepage-induced internal instability, stiffness degradation, and monotonic response of volcanic ash soils. Internal erosion significantly affects the dilatancy response of loose specimens and alters critical state line, brittleness, and peak strength. Eroded soils exhibit higher shear modulus due to particle rearrangement and removal of fines, but experience a sharp reduction in stiffness during large strain shearing, indicating an expanded elastic yield surface.
SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yin-long Tan, Jia-ju Cao, Wen-xian Xiang, Wan-zhong Xu, Jia-wei Tian, Yuan Gou
Summary: This paper focuses on the change law of internal seepage of slopes under different rainfall conditions and the influence of dynamic seepage on slope stability, based on the saturated-unsaturated seepage theory. The results show that rainfall time has a significant impact on slope stability and the mechanical response mechanism of unsaturated soil slopes.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Meng Wang, Wanqing Shen, Jiangfeng Liu, Jianfu Shao
Summary: In this paper, a new phase-field model is proposed for modeling the deformation and failure of porous rocks. The model is capable of describing stress-strain responses and cracking patterns in brittle rocks, and has been validated in the analysis of rainfall-induced landslides.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Rattana Salee, Avirut Chinkulkijniwat, Somjai Yubonchit, Suksun Horpibulsuk, Chadanit Wangfaoklang, Sirirat Soisompong
Summary: A rainfall threshold for triggering landslides in southern Thailand has been introduced. This threshold integrates event rainfall and cumulative rainfall variables and is determined using quantile regression. The threshold is implemented by assessing the cumulative rainfall and event rainfall depth-duration, and it effectively evaluates landslide risks.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lyesse Laloui, Melis Sutman
Summary: This state-of-the-art paper presents experimental findings on the responses of soils and soil-structure interfaces under non-isothermal conditions in geothermal operation of energy piles, which is crucial for the analysis of energy geostructures. The results include thermal oedometer, triaxial tests, direct shear tests on soil-concrete interfaces, as well as fullscale field tests focusing on energy pile responses to temperature variations. The design and development of testing devices and experimental setups are also detailed in the paper.
GEOMECHANICS FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jacopo Zannin, Alessio Ferrari, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: This study focuses on the thermal design of thermo-active walls and investigates heat-exchange modes involving energy walls and surrounding materials through extensive three-dimensional hydrothermal finite-element simulations. The results are presented as charts related to the thermal behavior of the heat exchangers under different hydrothermal environments.
GEOMECHANICS FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Geological
Eleonora Crisci, Alessio Ferrari, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: The testing conducted on saturated Opalinus Clay samples used strain rates significantly higher than necessary for pore pressure equilibrium, leading to inaccurate estimation of mechanical properties. The study also discussed the impact of drying-induced fissuring on the mechanical properties of geomaterials tested in dry conditions.
ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lisa Cassina, Lyesse Laloui, Alessandro F. Rotta Loria
Summary: This paper expands the limited knowledge on thermal interaction effects among borehole heat exchanger fields and presents a methodology to simplify the design of such heat exchangers. The study highlights significant thermal interactions among neighboring borehole fields and validates the effectiveness of the proposed methodology through simulations. The findings emphasize the importance of appropriate design to prevent overexploitation of geothermal resources and potential litigation cases.
Article
Engineering, Geological
Elena Ravera, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: The response of the soil-structure interface plays a significant role in the performance of geotechnical structures. This study focuses on the influence of thermal cycles on the response of structures with energy pile foundations. A theoretical interpretation and a dedicated constitutive model are presented to explain the failure mechanism at the pile-soil interface subjected to cyclic thermal loads. The proposed model is validated through experimental tests and can be applied in engineering practice.
SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Alessandro F. Rotta Loria, Nicolas Richard, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: In recent years, there has been increasing interest in using rectangular barrette foundations for tall buildings when circular piles are not efficient. This study aims to provide a fundamental understanding of the mechanics of energy barrettes under mechanical and thermal loads and propose an analytical approach to model their vertical deformation efficiently.
GEOMECHANICS FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Roba Houhou, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: Geomechanics plays a crucial role in engineering practices related to energy storage and production, as well as environmental protection. Recent research has identified energy geostructures, geological CO2 storage, nuclear waste disposal, and hydrocarbon and geothermal reservoirs as the most important areas in this field.
GEOMECHANICS FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jacopo Zannin, Alessio Ferrari, Tohid Kazerani, Azad Koliji, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: Little is known about the energy potential of thermoactive underground infrastructures like railway stations. This study presents the results of testing and analysis of a thermoactive underground train station in Geneva, Switzerland, and provides insights into its thermal performance and geostructural impact. The study highlights the seasonal variation of hydrothermal tunnel behavior, the heat storage potential of the infrastructure, and the mechanical capacity of the geostructure. Preliminary guidelines for thermal response testing are also reported.
GEOMECHANICS FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Editorial Material
Energy & Fuels
Tomasz Hueckel, Lyesse Laloui
GEOMECHANICS FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eleni Stavropoulou, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: This study investigates the sealing efficiency of Opalinus Clay shale as a caprock for CO2 storage through experiments and image analysis. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the geomechanical response of the caprock material to CO2 injection and provide important insights for the safe design of CO2 injection strategies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Ray Harran, Dimitrios Terzis, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: Soil biocementation is an emerging technique in sustainable and innovative geotechnics. This study investigates the stress- and time-dependent deformability of biocemented geomaterials. Experimental results show that biocementation treatment significantly enhances the stiffness properties and reduces the overall deformability of the geomaterials. The porosity-to-cement ratio is found to be a parameter that captures and expresses the behavior of biocemented sands. Time dependency analysis reveals an increase in the coefficient of secondary compression under sustained high stresses. The study emphasizes the interdependence of stress and time factors.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ariadni Elmaloglou, Dimitrios Terzis, Pietro De Anna, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: This study examines the impact of pore-scale heterogeneity on the spatiotemporal evolution of Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP). Through real-time monitoring of two identical microfluidic devices with homogeneous and heterogeneous porous networks, it was found that the heterogeneous medium showed higher crystal growth rate, chemical reaction efficiency, and crystal number compared to the homogeneous system, resulting in greater permeability reduction during MICP.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Angelica Tuttolomondo, Alessio Ferrari, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: This paper proposes an effective stress-based approach for addressing geotechnical problems with rapidly occurring total stress changes in relation to soil consolidation time. Analytical formulations for pore-pressure coefficients are available for saturated states that adopt coherent effective stress concepts. However, there are currently no analytical formulations for unsaturated states. This paper presents analytical derivations of pore-pressure coefficients for unsaturated elastic isotropic soils using the generalized effective stress for different total stress changes. The proposed approach requires fewer constitutive parameters and allows for the determination of saturated state expressions and retention curve under undrained conditions. Experimental data were analyzed, and the proposed framework demonstrated satisfactory interpretations and predictions of the results. This research is valuable for undrained mechanical analyses of unsaturated soils in various practical applications.
CANADIAN GEOTECHNICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jose A. Bosch, Yafei Qiao, Alessio Ferrari, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: The FEBEX test was a long-term project to assess the deep geological disposal of nuclear waste. It aimed to evaluate the reliability of numerical methods in predicting the physical processes in a geological repository. Despite previous studies demonstrating the performance of current models in capturing temperature and humidity evolution, uncertainties remained in predicting the stress-strain behavior of the bentonite seal. This paper used a recently developed THM elastoplastic constitutive model to analyze the bentonite barrier of the FEBEX test, obtaining good predictions and providing new insights on its heterogeneous state.
GEOMECHANICS FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Eleni Stavropoulou, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: Caprock formations, such as shales, play a crucial role in underground CO2 storage, but their long-term interaction with injected CO2 can cause significant damage. This study used live X-ray tomography to investigate the interaction between Opalinus Clay shale and liquid and supercritical CO2. The results showed that long-term injection of liquid CO2 caused fissuring in the rock, while direct exposure to supercritical CO2 led to swelling and the formation of new micro-fissures.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Yinghao Deng, Yang Xia, Di Wang, Yan Jin
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism of hydraulic fracture propagation in laminated shale, develops a numerical solver, and validates the effectiveness of the method through simulation experiments. The study also examines the influence of the interaction between hydraulic fractures and weak interfaces on the mechanical properties of shale.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Zhichao Zhang, Mingfei Feng, Guangshuo Zhou, Zhenglong Xu
Summary: A thermodynamic constitutive model for structured and destructured clays is proposed in this paper. The model includes state-dependent relations of hyperelasticity and plasticity without the concept of yielding surface. The proposed model captures the couplings between elasticity and plasticity and the effects of bonding structure.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Deze Yang, Xihua Chu
Summary: Creep and stress relaxation behaviors in granular materials are influenced by the time-dependent changes in their microstructure, with particle shape playing a significant role. However, the effects of particle shape on these behaviors are still not well understood. In this study, 3D DEM models incorporating the rate process theory and superellipsoids are used to simulate creep and stress relaxation in granular samples with different aspect ratios and blockiness. The results show that both aspect ratio and blockiness have a significant influence on creep and stress relaxation, with aspect ratio affecting creep through contact force ratio and blockiness affecting stress relaxation through variation in normal contact force anisotropy. These findings provide insights into the effects of particle shape on creep and stress relaxation in granular assemblies.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Shahab Amanat, Kourosh Gholami, Reza Rafiee-Dehkharghani, Dipanshu Bansal
Summary: This paper investigates the optimal design of wave barriers using the modified non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) and the Bloch-Floquet theory. The aim is to find the optimal design of plane wave barriers with a wide bandgap at a low-frequency range and low construction cost. The study develops a modified NSGA-II algorithm to determine the optimal arrangement of concrete in wave barrier unit cells. The performance of the optimal barriers is examined through finite element simulation and their efficacy in attenuating plane S-waves is verified.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Yanlin Su, Guoqing Cai, Fengjie Yin, Yepeng Shan, Annan Zhou
Summary: This paper presents a novel elastic-viscoplastic constitutive model that takes into account particle breakage to reproduce the time-dependent behavior of coarse-grained soil. The model integrates the Unified Hardening (UH) model, the elastic-viscoplastic (EVP) model, and the overstress theory. The relationship between particle breakage and loading rate is established, and state variables associated with the critical state of coarse-grained soil are derived to consider both time and particle breakage. A three-dimensional elastic-viscoplastic constitutive model is constructed by combining a one-dimensional viscoplastic hardening parameter with a secondary consolidation coefficient considering particle breakage. The proposed model requires 19 parameters and effectively describes the influence of time-dependency and particle breakage on the shear, dilatancy, and compression behaviors of coarse-grained soil with different confining pressures or initial void ratios. Experimental data comparisons validate the model's ability to replicate the time-dependent behavior of coarse-grained soil.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Shichao Zhang, Yaqiong Wang, Qidong Gao, Xiaobo Ma, Haixiao Zhou, Zhifeng Wang
Summary: Accurately evaluating and predicting ground settlement during tunnel excavation is essential for ensuring tunnel stability. This study conducted a probabilistic analysis of ground settlement under uncertain soil properties. The results demonstrate that spatially variable soils significantly influence the ground settlement in the vertical direction.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Xu Zhang, Bin Luo, Youjun Xu, Zhiwen Yang
Summary: This paper presents an analytical solution for horizontal displacements induced by small radius curve shield tunneling. The formula is derived based on the image method and Mindlin solution, considering additional thrust, frictional resistance, ground loss, and grouting pressure. The solution is validated with on-site data, demonstrating its reliability and providing a new approach for predicting and controlling stratum horizontal displacements in curve shield tunneling. The study finds that ground loss has the most significant influence on displacements, and soil closer to the tunnel exhibits larger horizontal displacements.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Jian-Hong Wan, Ali Zaoui
Summary: Ground vibrations during earthquakes can cause soil strength loss and structural damage. Rubber-soil mixtures (RSM) have shown promise in reducing residual ground deformation. This study used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the friction behavior of the rubber-clay interface in RSM systems. The results revealed a direct correlation between normal stress and friction force, with denser soil systems exhibiting higher friction forces.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Hongying Wang, Qiang Zhang, Peinan Wu, Yanjing Li, Lijun Han, Guilei Han
Summary: In addition to the Mohr-Coulomb and Hoek-Brown criteria, other nonlinear functions are used to describe the plastic response of rock mass. This paper derived the equivalent cohesive strength, frictional angle, and dilatancy angle for nonlinear yield and plastic flow rock masses. The solution for a circular tunnel in any nonlinear yield and plastic flow rock masses was derived and verified using a numerical procedure. The analysis of strain-softening rock masses under two assumed nonlinear yield criteria was also studied.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Zhijun Wu, You Wu, Lei Weng, Mengyi Li, Zhiyang Wang, Zhaofei Chu
Summary: This study proposed a machine learning approach to predict the uniaxial compression strength (UCS) and elastic modulus (E) of rocks. By measuring meso-mechanical parameters and developing grain-based models, a database with 225 groups of data was established for prediction models. The optimized kernel ridge regression (KRR) and gaussian process regression (GPR) models achieved excellent performance in predicting UCS and E.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Mingjun Zhou, Zhenming Shi, Chong Peng, Ming Peng, Kahlil Fredrick E. Cui, Bo Li, Limin Zhang, Gordon G. D. Zhou
Summary: In this paper, the erosion and deposition processes during overtopping dam breaching are simulated using a novel method (ED-SPH). The proposed model is able to capture the complex behaviors of dam soil erosion, entrainment, and depositions. Soil deposition hinders particle movement and reduces water velocity at the water-soil interface.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
C. Chavez-Negrete, F. J. Dominguez-Mota, R. Roman-Gutierrez
Summary: To accurately simulate groundwater flow in porous layered media, it is important to consider all environmental factors and use a generalized finite differences scheme as a meshless method for spatial discretization. This approach ensures robustness and accuracy of the numerical solution.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Shuairun Zhu, Lulu Zhang, Lizhou Wu, Lin Tan, Haolong Chen
Summary: This paper investigates the effectiveness of the cascadic multigrid method applied to the improved Picard iteration method for solving nonlinear problems in deforming variably saturated porous media. Two improved Picard iteration methods are proposed, and their effectiveness is verified through numerical examples. The results show that the improved methods have faster convergence and higher computational efficiency compared to the classical method.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Yuan Cao, Yan-Guo Zhou, Kyohei Ueda, Yun-Min Chen
Summary: Investigated shear stress responses of enclosed soil in deep soil mixing (DSM) grid-improved ground, and revealed the characteristics of the waist effect and mathematical model for shear stress reduction ratio.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Jinfan Chen, Zhihong Zhao, Jintong Zhang
Summary: This study develops data-driven criteria to estimate the peak shear strength (PSS) of rock fractures, considering the effects of surface roughness features. A high-quality dataset is created using particle-based discrete element method and diamond-square algorithm. Tree-based models and convolutional neural network are trained to predict the PSS of rock fractures, and their reliability is verified using experimental data.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2024)
