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Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and...
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Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction—2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 July 2025 | Viewed by 6341

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiaoyu Bai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China
Interests: new material applications; underground structure anti-floating; geotechnical and foundation engineering; geotechnical engineering testing techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nan Yan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China
Interests: environmental geotechnics; geotechnical and foundation engineering; coastal soft foundation treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jianyong Han

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
Interests: geotechnical engineering; performance analysis of underground structures; pipe jacking; ground anchorage theory; waterproof material
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Geotechnical engineering is an applied science that requires the use of theoretical knowledge, test results, and engineering experience for proper analysis. Geotechnics plays an important role in various types of engineering, such as construction, transport, water conservancy, mining, urban underground space, and energy transition, among others. As the scale of engineering construction increases, the engineering environment becomes more complex, thereby presenting greater challenges in the field of geotechnics. Driven by the goals of ‘human–land coordination’ and the ‘sustainable development’ of modern geotechnical engineering and supported by AI technology, it provides more possibilities for diversified analyses of geotechnical mechanics in engineering applications. For these reasons, it is worthwhile to explore the direction of geotechnical research development in the future and the trends that it will present.

The main aim of this Special Issue is to explore research on rock mechanics and rock engineering, geotechnical engineering, and mining sciences in construction.

Dr. Xiaoyu Bai
Dr. Nan Yan
Dr. Jianyong Han
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

  • rock mechanics and rock engineering
  • soil mechanics and foundation engineering
  • offshore geotechnical engineering
  • energy geotechnical engineering
  • intelligent and digital geotechnical engineering
  • engineering applications of new materials
  • foundation treatment technology
  • the mechanical, physical, hydraulic, and thermal properties of geomaterials
  • theoretical analysis, testing techniques, and numerical simulation of geotechnical media material

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 5403 KiB  
Article
Study on the Strength Characteristics and Microscopic Structure of Artificial Structural Loess
by Yao Zhang, Jianxiang Qin, Gang Li, Minghang Shao and Shuaifeng Gao
Buildings 2025, 15(11), 1761; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111761 - 22 May 2025
Abstract
The structure, strength, and deformation characteristics of artificial structural loess can be manually controlled, which has significant advantages in scientific research on loess. By preparing and testing artificial structured loess, the natural properties of structured loess can be better investigated and studied. In [...] Read more.
The structure, strength, and deformation characteristics of artificial structural loess can be manually controlled, which has significant advantages in scientific research on loess. By preparing and testing artificial structured loess, the natural properties of structured loess can be better investigated and studied. In this paper, the influence of varying moisture contents and additive dosages on artificial structured loess strength characteristics through triaxial shear tests were analyzed. The moisture content and additive dosage reflecting the structural properties of natural loess were obtained. Based on the microscopic test results, the mineral components, micromorphology, and pore characteristics of artificial structural loess were analyzed, and the mechanism of the structural evolution of loess under mechanical action was revealed. The results show that the minimum differences in the peak strength between W16-Y2.0C2.0 and undisturbed soil under confining pressures of 50, 100, and 200 kPa are 6.481 kPa, 7.676 kPa, and 4.912 kPa, respectively. The minimum differences in the cohesion and inner friction angle between W16-Y2.0C2.0 and undisturbed soil are 2 kPa and 0.2°, respectively, indicating that W16-Y2.0C2.0 is the optimal structural soil with a structural strength closest to that of undisturbed soil. Compared with the undisturbed loess, the content of calcite in the artificial structure loess increases from 9.8% to 11.2%, the proportion of plagioclase decreases from 20.5% to 17.4%, amphibole is consumed completely, and 2.1% of halite is generated. Furthermore, the pores of structured soil exhibit a three-peak distribution and are divided into four types, including micropores (≤0.02 μm), small pores (0.02~0.21 μm), medium pores (0.21~13.5 μm), and large pores (≥13.5 μm). When the pressure increases from 50 kPa to 200 kPa, micropores increase by 4.67%, small pores increase by 4.97%, medium pores decrease by 2.4%, and large pores decrease by 7.24%. The trend of pore structure changes in W16-Y2.0C2.0 is similar to that of undisturbed loess. The research results provide a reference for preparing and applying artificial structural loess. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 5117 KiB  
Article
In Situ Study on Vertical Compressive Bearing Characteristics of Rooted Bored Piles
by Chao Yang, Guoliang Dai, Weiming Gong, Shuang Xi, Mingxing Zhu and Shaolei Huo
Buildings 2025, 15(5), 707; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050707 - 23 Feb 2025
Viewed by 453
Abstract
In situ vertical load field tests were carried out on two bored piles used in the Chizhou Highway Bridge across the Yangtze River, both of which were rooted piles. Based on the test results, such as those on the relationship between the load [...] Read more.
In situ vertical load field tests were carried out on two bored piles used in the Chizhou Highway Bridge across the Yangtze River, both of which were rooted piles. Based on the test results, such as those on the relationship between the load and settlement, axial force distribution, and the relationship between shaft friction and pile–soil relative displacement, the vertical load transfer mechanics of the rooted piles were analyzed. The results showed that the load-carrying curves of the rooted piles vary gradually and also that the rooted piles exhibit the bearing characteristics of friction piles because the loads at the pile tips are less than 15% of the total bearing capacity of the piles. The slope of the axial force distribution curve of the rooted piles first increased at the upper interface and then decreased at the lower interface of the root-reinforced zone. The axial force of the rooted piles decreased faster in soil layers where the piles had roots, which can be explained by the fact that roots share the vertical load with piles and that roots improve the bearing properties of piles. Considering the shaft and end resistance of the roots on the piles, the relationship between load and settlement of the rooted piles was calculated by a three-line model based on the load transfer method. The results calculated from the model were in good agreement with the results from the tests. The results from the tests could inform the design and analysis of rooted piles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction—2nd Edition)
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23 pages, 14960 KiB  
Article
A New Method for Predicting Pile Accumulated Deformation and Stiffness of Evolution Under Long-Term Inclined Cyclic Loading
by Xiangwen Pan, Xia Li, Shuang Xi, Weiming Gong and Mingxing Zhu
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040591 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 402
Abstract
Piles in marine environments are subjected to various loads of differing magnitudes and directions, and their long-term stability has attracted much attention. Most research focuses on lateral cyclic loading; there are few full-scale tests that consider the effects of cyclic loading at different [...] Read more.
Piles in marine environments are subjected to various loads of differing magnitudes and directions, and their long-term stability has attracted much attention. Most research focuses on lateral cyclic loading; there are few full-scale tests that consider the effects of cyclic loading at different inclined angles. A long-term inclined cyclic loading strategy was used to carry out laboratory tests to study different inclined angles on the pile. The results show that a smaller inclined angle (θL) or a larger pile–soil relative stiffness (T/L) results in wider and deeper sediment subsidence after 10,000 cycles. As θL increases from 0° to 80°, the peak displacement at the pile head during the first load decreases, while the accumulated displacement initially decreases and then increases. For slender piles, the normalized inclined cyclic loading stiffness (klN/kl1) and unloading stiffness (kuN/ku1) first decrease and then increase. For semi-rigid piles, both klN/kl1 and kuN/ku1 gradually decrease. On the other hand, as θL increases, klN/kl1 and kuN/ku1 increased more sharply in the initial stage, with a quicker transition from rapid growth to stability. At θL = 80°, peak values are reached early during the initial loading phase. Based on this, prediction formulas for inclined cyclic cumulative displacement, loading stiffness, and unloading stiffness were established and verified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 4518 KiB  
Article
Model Tests of Concrete-Filled Fiber Reinforced Polymer Tube Composite Pile Under Cyclic Lateral Loading
by Chao Yang, Guoliang Dai, Weiming Gong, Yuxuan Wang, Mingxing Zhu and Shaolei Huo
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040563 - 12 Feb 2025
Viewed by 810
Abstract
Concrete-filled FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) tube composite piles offer superior corrosion resistance, making them a promising alternative to traditional piles in marine environments. However, their performance under cyclic lateral loads, such as those induced by waves and currents, requires further investigation. This study [...] Read more.
Concrete-filled FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) tube composite piles offer superior corrosion resistance, making them a promising alternative to traditional piles in marine environments. However, their performance under cyclic lateral loads, such as those induced by waves and currents, requires further investigation. This study conducted model tests on 11 FRP composite piles embedded in sand to evaluate their behavior under cyclic lateral loading. Key parameters, including loading frequency, cycle count, loading mode, and embedment depth, were systematically analyzed. The results revealed that cyclic loading induces cumulative plastic deformation in the surrounding soil, leading to a progressive reduction in the lateral stiffness of the pile–soil system and redistribution of lateral loads among piles. Higher loading frequencies enhanced soil densification and temporarily improved bearing capacity, while increased cycle counts caused soil degradation and reduced ultimate capacity—evidenced by an 8.4% decrease (from 1.19 kN to 1.09 kN) after 700 cycles under a 13 s period, with degradation rates spanning 8.4–11.2% across frequencies. Deeper embedment depths significantly decreased the maximum bending moment (by ~50%) and lateral displacement, highlighting their critical role in optimizing performance. These findings directly inform the design of marine structures by optimizing embedment depth and load frequency to mitigate cyclic degradation, ensuring the long-term serviceability of FRP composite piles in corrosive, high-cycle marine environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction—2nd Edition)
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28 pages, 12788 KiB  
Article
Finite Element Analysis of Horizontal Bearing Capacity for the Composite Diaphragm Wall Anchor Foundation
by Qian Yin, Leyong Wei, Xiaojuan Li, Weiming Gong, Xueying Yang, Guoliang Dai and Shunkai Peng
Buildings 2025, 15(2), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020251 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 697
Abstract
A composite diaphragm wall anchor foundation (CDWAF) is a novel type of anchor foundation, but research on its bearing performance remains limited. In this study, the horizontal bearing characteristics of a CDWAF and the interaction mechanism between the foundation and surrounding soil using [...] Read more.
A composite diaphragm wall anchor foundation (CDWAF) is a novel type of anchor foundation, but research on its bearing performance remains limited. In this study, the horizontal bearing characteristics of a CDWAF and the interaction mechanism between the foundation and surrounding soil using finite element analysis were investigated. The foundation’s displacement behavior under external loads, the distribution of resistance from various soil components, and the failure mechanisms of the foundation were also studied. The results reveal that under external loads, the CDWAF experiences both rigid-body translation and rotational displacement, with the rotation center shifting dynamically to the upper right with the increase in load. At the failure state, a passive failure wedge forms on the outer side of the front wall of the foundation due to soil compression, while an active failure wedge develops on the outer side of the back wall, and both the displacement and rotation of the foundation increase nonlinearly with the applied load. As the load increases, the passive earth pressure on the front wall’s outer side rises, while the active earth pressure on the back wall’s outer side decreases. The distribution of soil resistance and side friction resistance of the CDWAF with depth is influenced by the critical depth, which increases with the load. The soil resistance at the bottom of the foundation shows an overall increase in the direction of the applied load, peaking at the bottom of the front wall. The plastic zone in the surrounding soil progressively develops, starting at the base and the outer sides of the front and back walls. Notably, the embedded end of the CDWAF significantly reduces the plastic failure at the bottom of the foundation. In comparison with traditional gravity caissons, the embedded end and internal compartments of the CDWAF effectively enhance its horizontal bearing capacity by 30% and 6%, respectively. At the same time, the mechanism of soil resistance is changed with the foundation type. The load-sharing ability of the cabinet foundation reaches 23% at the bottom and 45% outside the front and rear walls, respectively, while the load-sharing ratio of the composite diaphragm wall anchorage foundation is transferred from the base to the outer sides of the front and back walls, which is 5% and 58%, respectively. These findings contribute valuable insights to the design and application of underground diaphragm wall foundations in anchor foundation engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 1851 KiB  
Article
Study on the Soil–Pile Interaction of Slender Piles in Multi-Layered Soil by the Variational Analysis Method
by Tao Chen, Shuang Xi, Cheng Qian, Pengpeng Wang, Mingxing Zhu and Zhengzhao Liang
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 4055; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14124055 - 20 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 522
Abstract
To rapidly and precisely calculate the slender pile response and the soil resistance under lateral load in offshore wind power projects, the energy-based variational method was used to improve the calculation method of laterally loaded slender piles in layered elastic soil. Firstly, two [...] Read more.
To rapidly and precisely calculate the slender pile response and the soil resistance under lateral load in offshore wind power projects, the energy-based variational method was used to improve the calculation method of laterally loaded slender piles in layered elastic soil. Firstly, two cases were collected, the results were compared with that from the m-method, and numerical analysis or measured data were used to verify the accuracy of the improved method in this paper. Then, from the field test of a steel pipe pile in an offshore wind power project, the results from the improved method were compared with those from the numerical analysis and measured data, and the lateral soil resistance considering the layered shear effect and the distributed moment around the pile were discussed. The results show that the improved method in this paper can rapidly and precisely calculate the slender pile response under lateral load, and there is a 9~20% difference in the lateral soil resistance if the shear effect between each soil layer is considered. The ratio of the total distributed moment around the pile and the overturning moment at the pile head is less than 2%, and the resistance coefficient of m from this method provides the lower bound solution of the measured value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction—2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 3529 KiB  
Article
Study on Dynamic Response of Pile Foundation in Elastoplastic Soil Under Horizontal Loads
by Xiaoqing Gu, Jiaqing Shu, Yuxuan Wang, Pengpeng Wang and Mingxing Zhu
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3951; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123951 - 12 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 582
Abstract
The elastoplastic model can more accurately simulate the elastoplastic behavior of soil in the process of loading, so as to determine the soil resistance more accurately, which holds great significance in calculating the bearing capacity of pile foundations. However, the current study has [...] Read more.
The elastoplastic model can more accurately simulate the elastoplastic behavior of soil in the process of loading, so as to determine the soil resistance more accurately, which holds great significance in calculating the bearing capacity of pile foundations. However, the current study has not found that the elasticity of soil is taken into account to analyze the dynamic behavior of pile foundations. To study the dynamic response of pile foundation under horizontal cyclic load, theoretical calculation methods and model tests are applied. Based on the flexural differential equation of pile and considering the inertia force of the pile under harmonic load, the analytical solutions for the displacement and bending moment of pile foundation under horizontal cyclic load are obtained. The accuracy of the calculation method is confirmed through comparison with experimental results. An analysis is conducted to examine the impacts of harmonic load amplitude and frequency, foundation reaction coefficient, and pile bending stiffness on the plastic height. The changing rules of the pile bending moment and pile displacement with harmonic load amplitude, foundation reaction coefficient, and pile bending stiffness are studied. By comparing the theoretical and experimental results with numerical methods, it is found that the general trend of the experimental and theoretical results is consistent. It is found that as the harmonic load frequency increases, the foundation reaction coefficient decreases, and the harmonic load amplitude increases, there is a corresponding augmentation in the plastic height of the soil, pile displacement, and bending moment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction—2nd Edition)
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24 pages, 7382 KiB  
Article
Study on the Bearing Characteristics and the Influence of Pile Characteristics of Rotary Drilling Screw-Shaped Pile
by Sifeng Zhang, Yang Xing, Gongfeng Xin, Guodong Chen, Guanxu Long, Pengfei Ma and Jianyong Han
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3810; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123810 - 28 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 873
Abstract
Due to the advantages of high bearing capacity, small settlement of pile body, and high material utilization rate, rotary drilling thread special-shaped pile (RDTSSP) has been applied in pile foundation engineering at home and abroad. Through the field static load test, the bearing [...] Read more.
Due to the advantages of high bearing capacity, small settlement of pile body, and high material utilization rate, rotary drilling thread special-shaped pile (RDTSSP) has been applied in pile foundation engineering at home and abroad. Through the field static load test, the bearing characteristics of the single pile of the rotary drilling screw pile are tested and analyzed. Based on the field-measured data, the stress characteristics of the rotary drilling screw pile are analyzed by FLAC3D6.0 finite difference software, and the pile characteristics affecting the vertical bearing capacity of the rotary drilling screw-shaped pile are studied. The impact of various pile factors, including length, diameter, and the ratio of pile body to screw modulus, as well as the presence of an enlarged bottom, the elastic modulus of the pile, and the ratio of the pile body to soil elastic modulus, on the load-bearing capacity of rotary drilling thread special-shaped pile (RDTSSP) is examined. The results show that with the increase in pile length, the bearing capacity of the screw-shaped pile increases gradually, but when it increases to a certain value, the increased bearing capacity per unit volume decreases gradually. The increase in pile diameter will lead to a decrease in bearing capacity per unit volume, so the smaller pile diameter should be selected in the design to make full use of the material properties. The bottom expansion has little effect on the bearing capacity, but with the increase in the inner diameter of the bottom expansion, the bearing capacity increases gradually, while the bearing capacity per unit volume decreases and the material utilization rate decreases. Enhancing the modulus of a pile modestly boosts its load-bearing capacity, whereas augmenting the elastic modulus ratio between the pile and the surrounding soil substantially amplifies this capacity. The innovation of this study is to propose a new type of rotary drilling thread-shaped pile, which has significant economic and social benefits in engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction—2nd Edition)
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Review

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26 pages, 3751 KiB  
Review
Research Progress of Machine Learning in Deep Foundation Pit Deformation Prediction
by Xiang Wang, Zhichao Qin, Xiaoyu Bai, Zengming Hao, Nan Yan and Jianyong Han
Buildings 2025, 15(6), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060852 - 8 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1228
Abstract
During deep foundation pit construction, slight improper operations may lead to excessive deformation, resulting in engineering accidents. Therefore, how to accurately predict the deformation of the deep foundation pit is of significant importance. With advancements in artificial intelligence technology, machine learning has been [...] Read more.
During deep foundation pit construction, slight improper operations may lead to excessive deformation, resulting in engineering accidents. Therefore, how to accurately predict the deformation of the deep foundation pit is of significant importance. With advancements in artificial intelligence technology, machine learning has been utilized to learn and simulate complex nonlinear relationships among various factors influencing foundation pit deformation. Prediction accuracy is significantly improved, and the dynamic trend of foundation pit deformation is accurately grasped to curb the risk of safety accidents. This paper systematically reviews the current applications of machine learning in deep foundation pit deformation prediction. The fundamental principles of machine learning models, including neural networks, support vector machines, and Bayesian networks, are elaborated in the context of their application to deep foundation pit deformation prediction. The application effects of various machine learning models in predicting deep foundation pit supporting structure deformation, surrounding surface settlement, and assessing foundation pit risks are summarized. The limitations and future development prospects of current machine learning models for deformation prediction in deep foundation pit construction are discussed. The research results offer valuable insights for the application and advancement of machine learning in the deep foundation pit deformation prediction field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction—2nd Edition)
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