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A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Structures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 8251

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yi Shan

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: underground structural engineering; soil dynamics; machine learning; geotechnical engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Junsheng Chen

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Interests: building foundation engineering; slope engineering; underground engineering

Dr. Waleed El-Sekelly

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1. Department of Structural Engineering, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
2. Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi 129188, United Arab Emirates
Interests: experimental modeling; geotechnical centrifuge; numerical modeling; soil dynamics; liquefaction evaluation; bioremediation; AI in geotechnics

Dr. Marco Donà

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Geosciences, University of Padova, Via Gradenigo 6, 35131 Padova, Italy
2. Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Padova, Piazza Capitaniato 7, 35131 Padova, Italy
3. Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Via Gradenigo 6/b, 35131 Padova, Italy
Interests: seismic behavior of structures and bridges; seismic isolation; structural vulnerability; impact of catastrophic events

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the face of rapid urbanization and increasing infrastructure demands, ensuring the stability and resilience of building foundations and underground structures has become a critical challenge. Urban expansion necessitates sophisticated solutions to address issues such as soil–structure interaction, groundwater control, and environmental sustainability. These challenges are exacerbated by the growing frequency of natural disasters, making resilient foundation designs essential for the safety and longevity of urban structures.

To address these pressing needs, this Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and practical solutions in building foundation engineering and underground structures. We invite contributions that explore innovative design methodologies, advanced construction techniques, and new material applications. Topics of interest include soil–structure interaction, tunneling, ground improvement, resilient systems for disaster mitigation, sustainable practices, and smart technologies.

We seek submissions of original research, comprehensive reviews, and practical case studies that highlight significant advancements and interdisciplinary approaches. By disseminating this knowledge, we hope to foster collaboration and drive the development of sustainable and resilient construction practices. The field of building foundation engineering and underground structures has seen rapid advancements in recent years, driven by the growing demands of urbanization, infrastructure development, and the need for sustainable construction practices.

Dr. Yi Shan
Dr. Junsheng Chen
Dr. Waleed El-Sekelly
Dr. Marco Donà
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. Buildings 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 2600 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

innovative foundation design
soil-structure interaction
tunneling and underground construction
ground improvement
resilient foundation systems
sustainable materials and smart technologies
case studies of significant projects

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 14276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parameter Optimization Analysis of Buttressed Pile Foundation Beam Retaining Wall Under Seismic Action

by Yonggui Lin, Chunshan Yang, Aoyu Xu, Hui Ma, Yadong Li and Chuanzhi Wang

Buildings 2025, 15(10), 1748; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101748 - 21 May 2025

Viewed by 80

Abstract

To enhance the seismic performance of the pile foundation beam retaining wall-anti-slide pile system in slope engineering, this study adopts an innovative approach combining shaking-table tests and three-dimensional numerical modeling to systematically investigate the dynamic coupling effects between the geometric parameters of the beam-slab and the height of the retaining wall. The results demonstrate that the numerical model effectively reproduces the time–frequency characteristics of pile-top acceleration observed in the shaking-table tests, revealing a U-shaped displacement distribution pattern along the slope crest under seismic loading, with larger displacements in the middle and smaller ones on both sides. Parameter sensitivity analysis of the pile foundation beam retaining wall-anti-slide pile system indicates that while increasing the width of the beam-slab improves the overall stability of anti-slide piles, it also exacerbates the stress concentration at the base of the retaining wall. Conversely, an increase in retaining wall height leads to the nonlinear amplification of the acceleration response in the pile–soil system. The study confirms that optimizing the synergistic design of the beam-slab length and width while controlling the retaining wall height can significantly enhance the seismic performance of the structure. These findings provide a numerical model-based analysis method with both theoretical depth and engineering applicability for the parametric design of pile foundation beam retaining wall anti-slide pile systems in slope engineering located in high-seismic regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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21 pages, 4376 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Construction-Induced Effects and Post-Grouting on the Performance of Mud-Protected Bored Piles: A Numerical Investigation

by Hua Mo, Haopeng Liao, Xiangfeng Guo and Mi Zhou

Buildings 2025, 15(9), 1457; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091457 - 25 Apr 2025

Viewed by 252

Abstract

Mud-protected bored piles are widely used in foundation engineering due to their high bearing capacity and strong adaptability to various geological conditions. However, the formation of mud skin around the pile shaft and sediment at the pile bottom during construction significantly affects their mechanical behavior, posing challenges for performance evaluation and design optimization. The post-grouting technique, which involves injecting grout material to strengthen the bottom and surrounding soils, has been practically adopted to enhance pile performance. This study investigates the effect of construction-induced factors (mud skin and sediment) and post-grouting on the performance of mud-protected bored piles. Finite element analyses were conducted based on a super-long test pile (60 m in length, 1.8 m in diameter) from an infrastructure project in Eastern China. The numerical model was validated against field test measurements and previously published numerical results. The results reveal that mud skin and sediment individually decrease the bearing capacity by 28% and 24%, respectively, compared to ideal conditions. When both factors are present, the bearing capacity is decreased by 36%. The post-grouting technique effectively improves pile performance, increasing the bearing capacity by 81% compared to non-grouting conditions. The findings also demonstrate that side friction dominates the bearing behavior of the studied super-long pile, accounting for approximately 90% of the total bearing capacity. Parametric analysis indicates that post-grouting effectiveness varies with soil properties and dimensions of effective grouting zones, showing greater improvement in weak soils. These results provide insights into the mechanisms through which construction-induced effects impact pile performance and offer guidelines for post-grouting applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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26 pages, 9628 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Numerical Study on the Utilization of Small-Scale Model Testing for Slope Stability Analysis

by Minghua Wang, Xiaoliang Wang, Guoqiang Fu, Mi Zhou and Jian Chen

Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1015; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071015 - 21 Mar 2025

Viewed by 263

Abstract

Small-scale model tests have been used widely to examine the behavior of slopes. When all similarity principles are conformed, the test results can be translated to the behaviors of slopes in the prototype. However, when the similarity principles cannot be fully conformed, the model test results need to be interpreted. The interpretation of the slopes stability behaviors from the small-scale model test under non-conformity conditions to that of the prototype is investigated, considering various slope scales and soil properties, undertaken through the finite element (FE) method conducted by the ABAQUS package. Prior to conducting the finite element (FE) parametric study, the numerical results were verified by comparing them with data from previous studies, with good agreement obtained. According to the findings from the parametric study, a framework was developed to allow the 1 g model-scale test results to be translated to the parameters used for the prototype slope design. The study examined both the sliding surfaces and the safety factors of slopes to establish a connection between model tests and their full-scale counterparts. This framework provides a means to effectively utilize 1 g of small-scale test data for designing and analyzing prototype slopes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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18 pages, 5650 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of the Construction of the Bridge Pile Foundation on the Adjacent Operating Subway Tunnel Considering the Creep Characteristics of the Stratum

by Dandan Wu and Wentian Cui

Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071001 - 21 Mar 2025

Viewed by 277

Abstract

The pile foundation construction adjacent to an operational subway tunnel can induce the creep effects of the surrounding soil of the tunnel, resulting in the deformation of the existing tunnel lining and potentially compromising the safe operation of the tunnel. Therefore, the Mindlin solution and the generalized Kelvin viscoelasticity constitutive model were employed to establish the theoretical calculation model for the deformation of the adjacent subway tunnel caused by the pile construction. Then, the effect of pile construction on the deformation of adjacent tunnels under different pile–tunnel spacing was analyzed via three-dimensional numerical simulation and theoretical calculation methods and compared with the field monitoring data. The results showed that the theoretical and numerical data are in agreement with the field monitoring data. The theoretical model provides closer predictions to the field-measured values than the numerical simulation. As the distance between the pile and the tunnel increases, both the vertical settlement and the horizontal displacement of the subway tunnel lining exhibit a gradual reduction. In the hard plastic clay region of Hefei City (China), pile foundation construction near an operational subway tunnel can be classified into three distinct zones based on proximity to the tunnel: the high-impact zone (<1.0 D), the moderate-impact zone (1.0 D–3.0 D), and the low-impact zone (>3.0 D). The pile foundation in high-, moderate-, and low-impact zones should be monitored for 7 days, 3 days, and 1 day, respectively, to ensure the stable deformation of the lining. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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20 pages, 9578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Solution Method for Cable-Stayed Bridge Formation Based on Influence Matrix and Interior Point Method

by Yidong Huang, Yufeng Xu and Si Chen

Buildings 2025, 15(5), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050673 - 21 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 475

Abstract

A cable tension calculation method based on an influence matrix and the interior point method is proposed for the optimization of cable tension of cable-stayed bridges with multiple performance indicators. Taking a hybrid beam cable-stayed bridge as an example, an objective function based on the bending energy of the tower and beam was established using an influence matrix. Constraints on the range and uniformity of cable force values, the deformation amplitude of the main beam and tower, and the local bending moment of the main beam were established. A cable force optimization model for a completed cable-stayed bridge was formed, and the interior point method was applied to calculate the optimization model. The results show that using an influence matrix and the interior point method to optimize the cable tension of cable-stayed bridges is feasible. The bridge state corresponding to the cable tension solved by this method meets the set evaluation criteria for the bridge state, and some constraint conditions obtain boundary values. This method is simple, practical, and easy to program and implement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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21 pages, 6143 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Construction Procedure and Safety Oversight of the Mechanical Shaft Technique: Insights Gained from the Guangzhou Intercity Railway Project

by Jianwang Li, Wenrui Qi, Xinlong Li, Gaoyu Liu, Jian Chen and Huawei Tong

Buildings 2025, 15(1), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15010129 - 3 Jan 2025

Viewed by 867

Abstract

Currently, subway and underground engineering projects are vital for alleviating urban congestion and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. Among these, excavation engineering for foundation pits involves the most accidents in geotechnical engineering. Although there are various construction methods, most face issues such as a large footprint, high investments, resource waste, and low mechanization. Addressing these, this paper focuses on a subway foundation pit project in Guangzhou using mechanical shaft sinking technology. Using intelligent cloud monitoring, we analyzed the stress–strain patterns of the cutting edge and segments. The results showed significant improvements in construction efficiency, cost reduction, safety, and resource conservation. Based on this work, this paper makes the following conclusions: (1) The mechanical shaft sinking method offers advantages such as small footprint, high mechanization, minimal environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness. The achievements include a 22.22% reduction in construction time, a 20.27% decrease in investment, and lower worker risk. (2) Monitoring confirmed that all cutting edge and segment values remained safe, demonstrating the method’s feasibility and rationality. (3) Analyzing shaft monitoring data and field uncertainties, this study proposes recommendations for future work, including precise segment lowering control and introducing high-precision total stations and GPS technology to mitigate tunneling and assembly inaccuracies. The research validates the mechanical shaft sinking scheme’s scientific and logical nature, ensuring safety and contributing to technological advancements. It offers practical insights, implementable suggestions, and significant economic benefits, reducing project investment by RMB 41,235,600. This sets a benchmark for subway excavation projects in South China and beyond, providing reliable reference values. Furthermore, the findings provide valuable insights and guidance for industry peers, enhancing overall efficiency and sustainable development in subway construction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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14 pages, 3806 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Influence of Water Content on the Shear Behavior of the Soil–Structure Interface Under a Temperature Field

by Jian Chen, Hao Jiang, Yongde Liu, Yanting Wu, Xuan Zhang and Weidong Pan

Buildings 2025, 15(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15010001 - 24 Dec 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 809

Abstract

Energy piles are highly favored for their excellent, low energy consumption in providing heating for public residences. The temperature field changes the activity of the diffuse double electric layer (DEL) on the particle surface, thereby altering the distribution of the stress field in the soil and ultimately affecting the mechanical properties of the interface between the energy pile and the soil. Therefore, studying the influence of water content on the mechanical behavior of the soil–structure interface in the temperature field is crucial for energy pile safety. This study used a modified temperature-controlled direct shear apparatus to obtain the influence of water content and temperature on the shear behavior of the soil–structure interface. Then, the test results were analyzed and discussed. Finally, three results were obtained: (1) The water content of bentonite (w_bent) had a significant impact on the shear stress–shear displacement curve of the soil–structure interface; when the w_bent was less than the w_p of the bentonite, the τ-l curve exhibited a softening response, then displayed a hardening response. (2) The shear strength of the soil–structure interface gradually decreased with the increase of w_bent. (3) The shear strength of the soil–structure interface increased with increasing temperature under various w_bent and vertical loads. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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18 pages, 3972 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Rocking Shallow Foundation Parameters and Analysis of Seismic Response Characteristics

by Jia Bin, Ziwei Huang, Junpeng Wu, Panyu Pan and Liping Jing

Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3788; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123788 - 27 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 885

Abstract

Rocking shallow foundations interrupt the seismic transmission path from the base of the structure and possess advantages, such as effective seismic isolation, self-resetting capabilities post-earthquake, and low costs. A numerical model of the rocking shallow foundation was developed in OpenSees (version: Opensees 3.5.0) based on field test data using numerical simulation. The effect of different parameters (column height, foundation sizes, top mass, and soil softness and stiffness) on the seismic response characteristics of rocking shallow foundations is investigated, and the seismic response characteristics of rocking shallow foundations are analyzed under the action of sinusoidal waves of different frequencies and various seismic wave types. The results of the study show that, as the height of the column increases, the bending moment decreases and settlement decreases; as the size of the foundation increases, the bending moment increases and settlement increases; as the mass of the top increases, the bending moment increases and settlement increases; and as the soil becomes softer, the bending moment decreases, and settlement increases. Inputting a sine wave that matches the structure’s natural oscillation frequency may induce resonance. This phenomenon can significantly amplify the structure’s vibrations; thus, it is essential to avoid external excitation frequencies that coincide with the foundation’s natural oscillation frequency. Under seismic loading, the rocking shallow foundation can mitigate the bending moment in the superstructure. When the displacement ratio remains within −0.5 to 0.5 percent, the foundation settlement is minimal. However, when the absolute displacement ratio exceeds 0.5 percent, the soil exhibits plastic deformation characteristics, resulting in increased foundation settlement. This study is an important contribution to the improvement of seismic performance of buildings and an important reference for improving seismic design standards and practices for buildings in earthquake-prone areas. In the future, the seismic response characteristics of rocking shallow foundations under bidirectional seismic action will be investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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13 pages, 2970 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Mechanical Properties of Prefabricated Lattice Beam Joint

by Ren-Guo Gu, Yong-Liang Kang, Wei Huang, Zong-Xue Yan, Ying-Guang Fang and Ya-Fei Xu

Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3781; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123781 - 27 Nov 2024

Viewed by 849

Abstract

The slope protection structure of the prefabricated lattice beam is one of the most widely used and studied systems in slope structure, with the connection between the lattice beam joint and the longitudinal and transverse beams being critical for structural performance and stability in engineering applications. Because the prefabricated structure is weak in its structural integrity, it is necessary to study the influence of prefabricated lattice beam joints and the longitudinal and transverse beams on the overall mechanical properties of the structure. In this paper, one ordinary cast-in-place concrete beam and six prefabricated beams with different joint-connection modes are designed, and the influence of different connection modes on the bending capacity of the beams is accordingly explored. Moreover, the flexural capacity, bending stiffness change, ductility, and energy absorption capacity of the beams are analyzed through three-point bending test. The test results show that the connection mode at the joints could significantly affect the overall mechanical properties of the structure. By embedding holes in steel sleeves, filling cement mortar in the middle, and using steel plates with a thickness of 16 mm for anchoring treatment joints of end plates, the specimen beams are thus obtained with the same flexural capacity, ductility, and energy absorption capacity as ordinary cast-in-place concrete beams. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing connection methods for prefabricated beams, which can lead to improved structural performance and wider adoption of prefabricated structures in the construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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23 pages, 6572 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Compressive Behaviour of Circular High-Strength Self-Compacting Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular (CFST) Stub Columns Under Chloride Corrosion: Numerical Simulation

by Jun Zheng, Qian Xu, Weiwei Wang, Zhiyuan Zheng, Mingxun Hou and Xuetao Lyu

Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3775; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123775 - 26 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 626

Abstract

This paper investigates the strength and behaviour of high-strength self-compacting concrete-filled steel tubular (HSSC-CFST) stub columns under axial compression. HSSC-CFST columns are high-performance structural members with wide applications in engineering structures. Nevertheless, relevant studies have commonly focused on the mechanical performance of HSSC-CFST in indoor environments. A finite element (FE) model was developed to predict the axial load capacity of HSSC-CFST stub columns subjected to chloride corrosion. According to this, several crucial geometric and material parameters were designed to investigate the influences on strength, initial stiffness, and ductile performance. Moreover, the analysis on failure mechanisms was investigated by N-ε curves and stress development in the whole loading process. The impacts of key parameters on the reduction factor of axial load capacity were also identified. The numerical analysis results indicate that the axial strength of HSSC-CFST stub columns under chloride corrosion was significantly heightened by increasing the strength of core self-compacting concrete, while contrary results were found with the increase in the steel ratio and yield strength of the steel tube. Lastly, design recommendations for the axially loaded HSSC-CFST were presented by modifying the design codes in CECS104-99. The proposed model is shown to be able to estimate the axial load-bearing capacity of HSSC-CFST stub columns more accurately. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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32 pages, 32247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Safety Dynamic Monitoring and Rapid Warning Methods for Mechanical Shaft

by Hui Wang, Xinlong Li, Weilong Wen, Gaoyu Liu, Jian Chen and Huawei Tong

Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3756; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123756 - 25 Nov 2024

Viewed by 772

Abstract

In the context of urban space constraints, subway and underground projects have become crucial strategies to alleviate urban congestion and enhance residents’ quality of life. However, pit engineering, a frequent accident area in geotechnical engineering, urgently requires innovative safety monitoring technologies. Traditional monitoring methods face challenges such as high labor costs, lengthy monitoring cycles, high-risk working environments, and over-reliance on human judgment. To address these issues, this paper introduces an innovative monitoring system integrating Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensing technology based on a subway pit project in Guangzhou. This system not only achieves fully automated data acquisition but also includes an intelligent monitoring cloud platform, providing unprecedented automated and intelligent monitoring solutions for support structures and the surrounding environment during mechanical shaft construction. The key findings of this paper include the following: (1) The breakthrough application of distributed optical fiber monitoring technology, including successfully deploying this advanced technology in complex pit engineering environments, enabling the precise and continuous monitoring of support structures and surrounding changes, and demonstrating its high effectiveness and intelligence in practical engineering. (2) The innovative design of an intelligent safety monitoring system. By integrating sensors and wireless communication technology, an efficient data networking architecture is constructed, supporting remote configuration and flexible adjustment of monitoring equipment, significantly enhancing data collection‘s real-time performance and continuity while greatly reducing safety risks for field staff, achieving an intelligent upgrade of monitoring work. (3) Comprehensive and accurate empirical analysis. During shaft excavation, the monitoring data collected by the system were stable and reliable, with all indicators maintained within reasonable ranges and closely matching expected changes caused by construction activities, validating the system’s practical application effectiveness in complex construction environments and providing a scientific basis for pit engineering safety management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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13 pages, 2592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation for Risk Assessment of Tunnel Construction through Fault Fracture Zones

by Xingzhong Nong, Wenfeng Bai, Shixuan Yi, Zizhao Lu and Yi Lu

Buildings 2024, 14(10), 3161; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103161 - 4 Oct 2024

Viewed by 888

Abstract

This study explores the deformation characteristics of surrounding rock during tunnel construction through fault fracture zones. A numerical model is established using ABAQUS to analyze the interaction between the shield machine, support system, and geotechnical materials. The model incorporates key factors, including palm face support force, grouting pressure, and the friction between the shield shell and surrounding rock. The results show that the plastic zone of the surrounding rock is concentrated within the fault zone and at the junction with normal rock, propagating along the contact surface. In the loosening zone, stress and strength are significantly reduced, leading to crack expansion and plastic slip. Without adequate support, these conditions can result in tunnel destabilization. The displacement of the surrounding rock is most prominent during the detachment of the shield tail and the synchronized grouting phase. These findings provide valuable insights for improving tunnel construction safety and stability in fault fracture zones, where the integrity of the surrounding rock is compromised by fractures and fissures. However, the constructed models may restrict the ability to capture all complex material behaviors and interactions that could arise in actual field conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Foundation Engineering and Underground Structures)

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