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Rock Mechanics and Mining 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 255

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Rock Instability and Seismicity Research, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
Interests: rock mechanics; microseismic monitoring; disaster warning; mine water inrush

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Rock Instability and Seismicity Research, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
Interests: slope engineering; mining water inrush; rock mechanics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To promote theoretical innovation and improve technological practices in the fields of rock mechanics and mining engineering, this Special Issue focuses on the challenges of establishing rock mechanics during deep resource development and in complex geological environments. It will cover the constitutive model of rock mechanics, multi-field coupling effects, the stability of surrounding rock during deep mining, the prevention and control of dynamic disasters (such as rock bursts and water inrush), and intelligent monitoring and numerical simulation technology, among others. This Special Issue aims to simultaneously focus on green mining and sustainable development issues, including low-ecological-disturbance mining methods, the utilization of mining waste, and ecological restoration technologies for goaf areas. We encourage the submission of interdisciplinary research, such as the use of artificial intelligence and big data in mining optimization, the development of new support materials, and rock mechanics issues in deep geothermal energy development. All submissions should have both theoretical depth and practical value, aiming to provide scientific support for deep resource development, the safe and efficient operation of mines, and environmental coordination. We welcome original research, technical cases, and cutting-edge reviews to promote the industry’s technological innovation and sustainable development.

Dr. Yong Zhao
Prof. Dr. Tianhong Yang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • rock mechanics
  • mining engineering
  • disaster warning and prevention
  • multi-field coupling
  • surrounding rock stability

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 22803 KiB  
Article
Strength Deterioration Pattern and Stability Evaluation of Open−Pit Mine Slopes in Cold Regions Under Freeze–Thaw Cycles
by Penghai Zhang, Ning Gao, Wanni Yan, Jun Hou and Honglei Liu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 4853; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094853 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 125
Abstract
With the gradual depletion of mineral resources in temperate regions, cold regions have become primary areas for mineral extraction. However, the freeze–thaw phenomena induced by temperature fluctuations pose significant threats to the stability of rock masses on open−pit mine slopes, further affecting normal [...] Read more.
With the gradual depletion of mineral resources in temperate regions, cold regions have become primary areas for mineral extraction. However, the freeze–thaw phenomena induced by temperature fluctuations pose significant threats to the stability of rock masses on open−pit mine slopes, further affecting normal mining operations. To investigate the strength degradation and stability evolution patterns of freeze–thaw slope rock masses, this study takes the Wushan Open−Pit Mine as its engineering context. We analyzed the relationship between rock temperature and burial depth, conducted freeze–thaw cyclic tests under realistic temperature ranges, and developed a mechanical parameter characterization model for freeze–thaw rock masses by integrating the generalized Hoek–Brown strength criterion. Slope safety factors and potential landslide mechanisms were determined through numerical simulations and the strength reduction method. Key findings include the following: (1) Shallow rock temperatures exhibit high synchronization with atmospheric temperature, characterized by large fluctuations and rapid variation rates, whereas deep rock demonstrates opposite trends. (2) As freeze–thaw cycles increase and burial depth decreases, the internal friction angle and cohesion of slope rock masses follow negative exponential decay functions. After 20 freeze–thaw cycles, the internal friction angle and cohesion of rock at a 5.27 m depth decreased by 18.36% and 33.92%, respectively. In contrast, rock at a 0.10 m depth showed more severe reductions of 31.81% and 50.14%. (3) Increasing freeze–thaw cycles progressively lower the safety factors of slope benches, with potential slip surfaces displaying reduced average depths and curvature, alongside elevated dip angles. These findings provide critical insights for preventing freeze–thaw−induced landslide hazards in cold−region open−pit mine slopes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rock Mechanics and Mining Engineering)
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