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Advances in Rock Mechanics: Theory, Method, and Application
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Advances in Rock Mechanics: Theory, Method, and Application

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 1516

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luyu Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Interests: computational mechanics; flow in porous media; damage mechanics; underground energy; structure stability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Qing Ma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resources and Safety Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
Interests: rock mechanics; coal pillar; numerical simulation; ground control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tuo Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Interests: discrete element method; computational fluid dynamics; carbon capture and storage; sand production
Dr. Jinpeng Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
School of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Interests: tunnel engineering; large deformation of soft rock; deformation control; tunnel construction mechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rock mechanics has made remarkable progress over recent decades. Classical theories and methods, including constitutive modelling, damage and fracture mechanics, seepage analysis, multi-field coupling, and numerical simulations, have laid a solid foundation for understanding the physical behaviours of rocks. These advances have been successfully applied in engineering projects such as underground construction, energy resource exploitation, and geological hazard prevention, significantly contributing to infrastructure development and societal safety. In recent years, the complexity of engineering challenges has continued to grow, driven by deeper excavation, more extreme environments, and the demand for sustainable development. Traditional approaches in rock mechanics are expected to be further enhanced through the integration of emerging technologies. In particular, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analysis, and digital twin techniques open new avenues for theory, method, and application. These advanced tools provide powerful capabilities for predictive modelling, real-time monitoring, and intelligent decision-making, complementing classical rock mechanics theories and offering novel perspectives for research and practice.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the integration of traditional rock mechanics with advanced technologies. Contributions are welcome on theoretical developments, methodological innovations, and engineering applications that advance the understanding of rock behaviour and support sustainable solutions in underground engineering, energy development, geohazard mitigation, and other rock mechanics-related fields.

Dr. Luyu Wang
Dr. Qing Ma
Guest Editors

Dr. Tuo Wang
Dr. Jinpeng Zhao
Guest Editor Assistants

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • geomechanics
  • numerical methods
  • constitutive models
  • geological hazard
  • deep energy storage
  • reservoir engineering
  • underground engineering
  • coupled multi-physics processes
  • artificial intelligence
  • data-driven models

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 9499 KB  
Article
Stability Assessment of an Underground Powerhouse Cavern Under Pseudo-Static and Dynamic Earthquake Loading
by Sailesh Adhikari and Krishna Kanta Panthi
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 2506; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16052506 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 335
Abstract
This study examines the seismic stability of an underground powerhouse cavern located in the Lesser Himalayan region of Nepal. Both static and seismic loading conditions are analyzed using the finite element method (FEM) and the distinct element method (DEM). Rock mass properties are [...] Read more.
This study examines the seismic stability of an underground powerhouse cavern located in the Lesser Himalayan region of Nepal. Both static and seismic loading conditions are analyzed using the finite element method (FEM) and the distinct element method (DEM). Rock mass properties are derived from field investigations and laboratory testing, while empirical correlations are applied to estimate rock mass strength and deformation modulus. Pseudo-static analyses are performed using the FEM-based software Rock and Soil-2-Dimensionsl (RS2) Version 11.027, and dynamic analyses are conducted using the DEM-based software Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC) Version 5.0 to evaluate deformation and stress redistribution around the cavern. Seismic fragility curves are developed to quantify the probability of damage under varying seismic intensities. Results indicate that a peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.25 g increases cavern wall deformation by approximately 15–20 mm compared to static conditions. Fragility analysis shows a probability exceeding 68% for slight damage, while the probability of collapse remains low at approximately 1.7%. Seismic loading also significantly alters stress redistribution along the cavern boundary. Overall, the combined use of numerical modeling and fragility analysis provides a probabilistic framework for assessing seismic risk in underground caverns, offering valuable insights for the design and safety evaluation of hydropower projects in seismically active Himalayan regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Rock Mechanics: Theory, Method, and Application)
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11 pages, 5740 KB  
Article
Microstructural Changes of Anhydrite–Gypsum Samples During Water Immersion
by Chiara Caselle, Arianna Paschetto, Emanuele Costa, Sabrina Bonetto, Emmanuele Giordano, Pietro Mosca and Anna Ramon
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 2050; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16042050 - 19 Feb 2026
Viewed by 385
Abstract
Sulphatic evaporites represent a critical challenge for underground engineering due to their high solubility, swelling potential, and sensitivity to changing hydraulic and thermal conditions. In this study, we investigate the temperature-dependent dissolution behavior and microstructural evolution of Triassic sulphate rocks consisting of anhydrite [...] Read more.
Sulphatic evaporites represent a critical challenge for underground engineering due to their high solubility, swelling potential, and sensitivity to changing hydraulic and thermal conditions. In this study, we investigate the temperature-dependent dissolution behavior and microstructural evolution of Triassic sulphate rocks consisting of anhydrite and minor portions of gypsum from the Western Alps. Twelve cylindrical samples were immersed in CaSO4-saturated water solutions at 15 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C for six months. Periodic mass and volume measurements were combined with Scanner Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging to quantify dissolution and document mineralogical transformations. All samples experienced progressive mass loss, whereas volumetric changes remained below measurement resolution. Dissolution pathways varied strongly with temperature. At 15 °C, dissolution occurred mainly along anhydrite grain boundaries, producing rounded crystal edges, while less effect was observed in the gypsum veins, leaving the intergranular layers preserved. In contrast, at 40–60 °C, gypsum was preferentially dissolved, generating porosity around comparatively unaltered anhydrite grains. These results qualitatively reproduce the temperature-controlled solubility inversion between gypsum and anhydrite predicted by thermodynamic models. No secondary gypsum precipitation or swelling features were observed. The experimental evidence highlights the role of temperature and hydraulic regime in controlling the stability of sulphate rocks and provides insights relevant to tunnel excavation, underground storage facilities, and geomechanical modeling in evaporitic settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Rock Mechanics: Theory, Method, and Application)
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26 pages, 12036 KB  
Article
Methodology for the Causal Analysis of Rockburts in Deep High-Stress Tunnels: A Case Study of Conveyor Belt Tunnel in Andes Norte Project, El Teniente Codelco
by Washington Rodríguez, Javier A. Vallejos and Maximiliano Jaque
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1616; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031616 - 5 Feb 2026
Viewed by 334
Abstract
Rockbursts are one of the most critical geomechanical hazards during the construction of deep tunnels under high in situ stress conditions, as they can compromise worker safety, damage infrastructure, and disrupt excavation continuity. Despite extensive research on rockburst mechanisms and mitigation, the causal [...] Read more.
Rockbursts are one of the most critical geomechanical hazards during the construction of deep tunnels under high in situ stress conditions, as they can compromise worker safety, damage infrastructure, and disrupt excavation continuity. Despite extensive research on rockburst mechanisms and mitigation, the causal analysis of individual events remains challenging due to the complex interaction between seismicity, geological conditions, stress redistribution, and operational factors. This study proposes a structured and multidisciplinary methodology for the causal analysis of rockbursts in deep high-stress tunnels. The methodology integrates seismicity analysis, geological and geotechnical characterization, operational assessment, field damage inspection, and hypothesis-driven interpretation to systematically reconstruct the sequence of processes leading to rockburst occurrence. The proposed approach is applied to a rockburst that occurred in 2020 in the Conveyor Belt tunnel (TC) of the Andes Norte Project, El Teniente Division, Codelco (Chile). The event reached a local magnitude of Mw = 1.7 and caused significant damage to tunnel support systems. Results indicate that the rockburst was associated with excavation- and blasting-induced stress redistribution, leading to the activation of a sub-horizontal rupture plane and subsequent damage propagation toward the excavated tunnel. The methodology provides a transparent and adaptable analytical framework for integrating multidisciplinary data into a coherent causal interpretation. Although demonstrated using a competent and brittle rock mass, the framework can be adapted to other deep tunneling projects under high-stress conditions by adjusting the governing parameters according to site-specific geological, geomechanical, and operational characteristics. The proposed approach supports improved understanding of rockburst mechanisms and informed decision-making for seismic risk management in deep underground excavations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Rock Mechanics: Theory, Method, and Application)
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