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Recent Advances in Rock Mass Engineering
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Recent Advances in Rock Mass Engineering

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 4629

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Qibin Lin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resources Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
Interests: rock mechanics; fracture mechanics; numerical simulation
Dr. Rihong Cao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: rock mechanics; finite element analysis; civil engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jingjing Meng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Infrastructure Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Interests: rock mechanics; numerical simulation; rock slopes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The domain of rock mass engineering is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by progress in rock mechanics, which endeavors to comprehend the intricate behavior of rock masses across diverse engineering contexts. This Special Issue is designed to capture cutting-edge research in laboratory experimentation, numerical modeling, theoretical inquiry, and field exploration, all of which are crucial for elucidating and forecasting the mechanical responses of rock masses. It will underscore novel methodologies in rock mass characterization, the formulation of innovative constitutive models, and the deployment of sophisticated numerical techniques for addressing geotechnical challenges. Emphasis will be placed on augmenting the stability and security of rock-based engineering endeavors, such as tunneling, slope management, and subterranean excavations, by showcasing original research studies and comprehensive review articles that further the prevention and management of rock mass instability. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, mechanical properties, failure criteria, stress analysis, support system design, and the incorporation of artificial intelligence within rock mechanics. This anthology aims to furnish a thorough overview of the latest knowledge and methodologies in rock mass engineering, providing substantial insights for both academic researchers and professional practitioners.

Prof. Dr. Qibin Lin
Dr. Rihong Cao
Dr. Jingjing Meng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • rock mechanics
  • laboratory test
  • numerical simulation
  • theoretical analysis
  • field investigation

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 11556 KiB  
Article
Simulation Tests on Granite Pillar Rockburst
by Xinmu Xu, Peng Zeng, Kui Zhao, Daxing Lei, Liangfeng Xiong, Cong Gong and Yifan Chen
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 2087; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15042087 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 233
Abstract
Parallelepipeds specimens were made to further investigate the rockburst occurrence mechanism of ore pillars in underground mining units. The investigation was carried out with uniaxial compression systems and real-time testing systems, such as stress, video, and acoustic emission, combined with digital image correlation [...] Read more.
Parallelepipeds specimens were made to further investigate the rockburst occurrence mechanism of ore pillars in underground mining units. The investigation was carried out with uniaxial compression systems and real-time testing systems, such as stress, video, and acoustic emission, combined with digital image correlation (DIC) and SEM electron microscope scanning technology, to systematically analyze the evolution of rockburst of ore pillars, strain field characteristics, acoustic emission characteristics, mesoscopic characteristics of the rockburst fracture, morphology of the bursting crater, and debris characteristics. The findings demonstrate that the pillar’s rockburst process went through four stages, including the calm period, the particle ejection period, the block spalling period, and the full collapse period. According to DIC digital image correlation technology, the development of cracks in the rock is not obvious during the calm period, but during the small particle ejection and block spalling periods, the microcracks started to form and expand more quickly and eventually reached the critical surface of the rock, resulting in the formation of a complete macro-rockburst rupture zone. During stage I of the test, the rate of acoustic emission events and energy was relatively low; from stages II to IV, the rate gradually increased; and in stage V, the rate of acoustic emission events and energy reached its maximum value at the precise moment the rock exploded, releasing all of its stored energy. The specimen pit section primarily exhibits shear damage and the fracture exhibits shear fracture morphology, while the ejecta body primarily exhibits tensile damage and the fracture exhibits tensile fracture morphology. The location of the explosion pit is distributed on the left and right sides of the middle pillar of the specimen, and the shape is a deep “V”. The majority of the rockburst debris is greater than 5 mm, and it mostly takes the shape of thin plates, which is comparable to the field rockburst debris’s shape features. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Rock Mass Engineering)
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17 pages, 10082 KiB  
Article
Damage Evolution and Failure Precursor of Rock-like Material Under Uniaxial Compression Based on Strain Rate Field Statistics
by Jin Jin, Ping Cao, Jun Zhang, Yanchao Wang, Chenxi Miao, Jie Li and Xiaohong Bai
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 686; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020686 - 12 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 642
Abstract
In rock engineering, it is crucial to collect and analyze precursor information of rock failure. This paper has attempted to study the strain rate field of rock-like material to obtain the precursor information of its failure. Based on the available laboratory experiments, the [...] Read more.
In rock engineering, it is crucial to collect and analyze precursor information of rock failure. This paper has attempted to study the strain rate field of rock-like material to obtain the precursor information of its failure. Based on the available laboratory experiments, the intact BPM (bonded-particle model) and other BPMs with a single open prefabricated flaw were simulated by PFC (Particle Flow Code). The volume strain rate field data before the peak stress have been obtained from two hundred measurement circles across each model. The strain rate field data have been firstly statistically analyzed to explore the failure precursor based on the intact model and 45° flaw model and then compared to find the influence of the pre-existing flaw on the damage evolution and precursor signal. The results indicate that (1) all types of statistical data are positively correlated with the increment of microcracks; (2) corresponding to the fluctuation patterns of statistical data, the damage evolution of BPMs in the pre-peak stage can be divided into three parts; (3) the pre-existing flaw would accelerate the damage evolution; (4) the location and evolution rate of damage could be determined by comprehensively analyzing the average deviation curve, the coefficient of variation, and the contour maps of the strain rate field. These analyses of the particle displacement field can be used to distinguish the impacts of the flaw angle and provide some assistance for the failure forecast. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Rock Mass Engineering)
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15 pages, 7211 KiB  
Article
Research on the Identification of Rock Mass Structural Planes and Extraction of Dominant Orientations Based on 3D Point Cloud
by Jiarui Zhu, Yonghua Xia, Bin Wang, Ziliang Yang and Kaihua Yang
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(21), 9985; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14219985 - 31 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1030
Abstract
The different spatial distribution forms of rock mass structural planes create weak zones in the rock mass, which is also a key factor in controlling rock mass stability. Accurately and efficiently identifying rock mass structural planes and obtaining their dominant orientations is critical [...] Read more.
The different spatial distribution forms of rock mass structural planes create weak zones in the rock mass, which is also a key factor in controlling rock mass stability. Accurately and efficiently identifying rock mass structural planes and obtaining their dominant orientations is critical for rock mass engineering design and construction. Traditional surveying methods for high and steep rock mass structural planes pose high safety risks, offer limited data, and make comprehensive statistical analysis difficult. This paper utilizes complex rock mass surface 3D point cloud data obtained through 3D laser scanning technology and uses the Hough space transform method to calculate the normal vectors of the 3D point cloud. Based on the difference in normal vectors and surface variation, region growing segmentation is applied to identify and extract rock mass structural planes. Additionally, the fast search and density peak clustering method (CFSFDP) is used for clustering analysis of the rock mass structural planes to obtain dominant orientations. This method was applied to a highway’s high and steep rock slope, successfully identifying 281 structural planes and two sets of dominant structural planes. The orientation of the dominant structural planes identified through RocScience Dips 7.0 analysis showed a deviation of no more than ±3°, complying with engineering standards. The research results offer a feasible solution for the identification of high and steep rock mass structural planes and the extraction of the orientation of dominant structural planes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Rock Mass Engineering)
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28 pages, 55964 KiB  
Article
Shear Mechanical Behaviours and Size Effect of Band–Bedrock Interface: Discrete Element Method Simulation Insights
by Hao Wang, Xueyan Guo, Xinrong Liu, Xiaohan Zhou and Bin Xu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9481; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209481 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 848
Abstract
The shear band is a prominent feature within the Banbiyan hazardous rock mass located in the Wushan section of the Three Gorges Reservoir area. This band constitutes a latent risk, as the potential for the rock mass to slide along the region threatens [...] Read more.
The shear band is a prominent feature within the Banbiyan hazardous rock mass located in the Wushan section of the Three Gorges Reservoir area. This band constitutes a latent risk, as the potential for the rock mass to slide along the region threatens the safety of lives and property. Presently, the understanding of the shear mechanisms and the impact of shear band size on the band–bedrock interface is incomplete. In this study, based on band–bedrock shear laboratory tests, DEM simulation is used to investigate the shear-induced coalescence mechanism, stress evolution, and crack-type characteristics of the band–bedrock interface. In addition, the shear mechanical properties of samples considering specimen size, rock step height, and step width are further studied. The results show that the crack initiation and failure crack types observed in the first rock step are predominantly tensile. In contrast, the failure cracks in the remaining rock slabs and steps are primarily characterised by shear mode in addition to other mixed modes. The stress condition experienced by the first step is very near to the position of the applied point load, whereas the stress distribution across the remaining steps shows a more complex state of compressive–tensile stress. The relationship between shear parameters and sample size is best described by a negative exponential function. The representative elementary volume (REV) for shear parameters is suggested to be a sample with a geometric size of 350 mm. Notably, the peak shear strength and shear elastic modulus demonstrate a progressive increase with the rise in rock step height, with the amplifications reaching 91.37% and 115.83%, respectively. However, the residual strength exhibits an initial decline followed by a gradual ascent with increasing rock step height, with the amplitude of reduction and subsequent amplification being 23.73% and 116.94%, respectively. Additionally, a narrower rock step width is found to diminish the shear parameter values, which then tend to stabilise within a certain range as the step width increases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Rock Mass Engineering)
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14 pages, 16751 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Seismic Dynamic Response of Uranium Tailings Dams Based on Discrete Element Method
by Ming Lan, Hongyu Huang and Yan He
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(18), 8389; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188389 - 18 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 915
Abstract
Tailings dams play a critical role in ensuring the safety of mining operations. However, earthquakes can cause breaches in these dams, resulting in significant casualties and property damage. This study investigates the dynamic response characteristics of uranium tailings dams subjected to seismic loading, [...] Read more.
Tailings dams play a critical role in ensuring the safety of mining operations. However, earthquakes can cause breaches in these dams, resulting in significant casualties and property damage. This study investigates the dynamic response characteristics of uranium tailings dams subjected to seismic loading, employing the discrete element method. It specifically analyzes how seismic wave amplitude, frequency, and the friction angle of tailings sand affect the dams’ dynamic response. The results reveal that the peak ground acceleration ratio (PGAR) exhibits an increasing–decreasing–increasing pattern with elevation. When the friction angle of the tailings sand exceeds 35°, the overall stability of the dam improves. Conversely, a friction angle below 25° significantly increases the risk of dam failure. Additionally, the dam shows a reduced dynamic response to seismic waves with frequencies exceeding 15 Hz. At lower frequencies, deformation and damage are primarily concentrated on the slope face, while at higher frequencies, damage is predominantly located at the bottom of the model. These findings provide a theoretical foundation and reference for the safe operation of tailings dams, highlighting their practical significance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Rock Mass Engineering)
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