Computational Geodynamic, Geotechnics and Geomechanics

A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263). This special issue belongs to the section "Geomechanics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2024) | Viewed by 7038

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
2. Rock Engineering and Geology Department, Rejlers AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Interests: volcano deformation; volcano stresses; crustal displacements; volcano unrest; geodetic data; numerical modelling
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Guest Editor
Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EQ, UK
Interests: volcanotectonics; seismotectonics; tectonophysics; rock mechanics; structural geology; reservoir modelling; hydrogeology; fluid transport in reservoirs; thermodynamics/statistical mechanics of linements and networks

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Computational geodynamics, geotechnics, and geomechanics are important fields of study that focus on the use of computer-based numerical methods to model and analyse geodynamic, geotechnical, and geomechanical problems in civil, energy, geological, and mining engineering. This field is a sub-discipline of computational mechanics with a focus on geosciences and includes various approaches such as finite element, finite difference, and discrete element methods. These methods have been used to solve a range of geotechnical and geomechanical problems, including foundation design, slope stability, tunnelling, and mining.

The finite element method is a numerical technique used to model and solve complex geodynamic, geotechnical, and geomechanical problems. The method involves dividing a complex structure or soil mass into a finite number of smaller, simpler elements, each with its own set of equations describing its behaviour. These equations are then solved using matrix algebra to obtain a solution to the entire system. The FEM has been widely used to analyse a variety of geotechnical problems, including slope stability, foundation design, tunnelling, and mining. The finite difference method is another computational technique used to model and solve geodynamic, geotechnical, and geomechanical problems. This method involves dividing a complex domain into a finite number of smaller cells, each with its own set of equations describing its behaviour. The equations are then solved using iterative methods to obtain a solution to the entire system. The FDM has been used to analyse a range of geotechnical problems, including soil–structure interaction, rock mechanics, and groundwater flow. The discrete element method is a numerical technique that models the behaviour of a granular material as a collection of individual particles. The method involves simulating the motion and interaction of each particle under the influence of external forces, such as gravity or applied loads. The DEM has been used to analyse a range of geoscientific problems, including rock fragmentation, blasting, and soil compaction.

These methods are used to optimise the design of structures or mining operations, by minimising costs or maximising performance applied in a range of geotechnical and geomechanical problems, including slope stability analysis, foundation design, and mine planning.

Dr. Mohsen Bazargan
Prof. Dr. Agust Gudmundsson
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • slope stability
  • tunnel stability
  • dyke propagations
  • permeability evolution
  • hydraulic fracturing with viscous flow
  • mine planning

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 5888 KiB  
Article
Effects of CO2 on the Mechanical Properties of Hanna Sandstone
by Ehsan Dabbaghi and Kam Ng
Geosciences 2024, 14(10), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14100279 - 21 Oct 2024
Viewed by 901
Abstract
Possible deterioration of a rock’s structure and mechanical properties due to chemical reactions between the host rock, formation water, and CO2 requires due attention. In this study, cylindrical sandstone specimens obtained from the Hanna Formation, Wyoming, were prepared under three treatment conditions: [...] Read more.
Possible deterioration of a rock’s structure and mechanical properties due to chemical reactions between the host rock, formation water, and CO2 requires due attention. In this study, cylindrical sandstone specimens obtained from the Hanna Formation, Wyoming, were prepared under three treatment conditions: dry, submerged in water, and treated with water + CO2 for one week at a pressure of 5 MPa and room temperature. Specimens were subjected to three effective confining pressures of 5, 15, and 25 MPa. The mechanical test results show that water + CO2 treatment, on average, decreases the peak strength and elastic modulus of the specimens by 36% and 20%, respectively, compared to dry specimens. For all three effective confining pressures, the dry specimens exhibited higher compressive strengths, larger Young’s moduli, and more brittle behavior. CO2-treated specimens showed significantly lower calcite contents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Geodynamic, Geotechnics and Geomechanics)
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10 pages, 3646 KiB  
Article
Non-Destructive Methods for Assessing the Condition of Reinforcement Materials in Soil
by Naoki Tatta and Hideo Sakai
Geosciences 2024, 14(10), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14100261 - 1 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1125
Abstract
A reinforced earth wall is a structure in which reinforcement materials are placed in an embankment to build a vertical or nearly vertical wall surface. Such walls have been widely used in roads and in developed land since around 1960. Reinforcement materials have [...] Read more.
A reinforced earth wall is a structure in which reinforcement materials are placed in an embankment to build a vertical or nearly vertical wall surface. Such walls have been widely used in roads and in developed land since around 1960. Reinforcement materials have a set service life of 100 years and fall into two types: steel and geosynthetics. To ensure long-term durability, steel reinforcement materials are plated, while geosynthetics are designed with a limit strength designed to resist fracture for 100 years under the conditions of a given load placed on the reinforcement materials. However, owing to the difficulty of assessing the condition of reinforcement materials in soil, this paper proposes solutions based on non-destructive methods. Specifically, it proposes a method of assessing the amount of strain through an embedded optical fiber in the case of geosynthetic reinforcement materials, or magnetic surveying to investigate the degree of corrosion in the case of steel reinforcement materials. This paper demonstrates that it is possible to non-destructively assess the state of either type of reinforcement material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Geodynamic, Geotechnics and Geomechanics)
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22 pages, 10169 KiB  
Article
Effect of Vehicle Cyclic Loading on the Failure of Canal Embankment on Soft Clay Deposit
by Kuo Chieh Chao, Tanawoot Kongsung and Krit Saowiang
Geosciences 2024, 14(6), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14060163 - 11 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1866
Abstract
Road embankments along irrigation canals, constructed on soft Bangkok clay, have always been unstable. Numerous studies have shown that rapid drawdown of water level may be one of the main causes, while vehicle cyclic loading may also contribute to embankment failure. This study [...] Read more.
Road embankments along irrigation canals, constructed on soft Bangkok clay, have always been unstable. Numerous studies have shown that rapid drawdown of water level may be one of the main causes, while vehicle cyclic loading may also contribute to embankment failure. This study aims to investigate the impact of vehicle loading on the failure of embankments built on Bangkok soft clay. The behavior of soft Bangkok clay under vehicle load has been investigated by employing conventional and dynamic triaxial techniques, and finite element method (FEM). This study also examined the effects of soft clay thickness and cyclic loading with different magnitudes and frequencies. The laboratory testing results indicate that the threshold stress of the soft clay is estimated to be approximately three-fourths of the undrained shear strength of the soil. The reduction in effective stress in the soft clay is caused by varied frequencies and thicknesses of the clay. Based on the analysis results, it has been proven that the cyclic loads exerted by vehicles solely are insufficient to cause the embankment to collapse. Nevertheless, the repetitive loading of vehicles may result in a one-quarter decrease in the embankment’s factor of safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Geodynamic, Geotechnics and Geomechanics)
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20 pages, 7735 KiB  
Article
Modeling the Stiffening Behavior of Sand Subjected to Dynamic Loading
by Majd Ahmad and Richard Ray
Geosciences 2024, 14(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14010026 - 22 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2143
Abstract
In geotechnical engineering, dynamic soil models are used to predict soil behavior under different loading conditions. This is crucial for many dynamic geotechnical problems related to earthquakes, train loading and machine foundation design. Researchers agree that under dry or drained conditions, cohesionless soils [...] Read more.
In geotechnical engineering, dynamic soil models are used to predict soil behavior under different loading conditions. This is crucial for many dynamic geotechnical problems related to earthquakes, train loading and machine foundation design. Researchers agree that under dry or drained conditions, cohesionless soils increase in stiffness with each loading cycle. Soil models that simulate the dynamic behaviors of soils are often coupled with the Masing criteria. Such models neglect the impact of stiffening during cyclic loading, leading to an underestimation in the shear modulus (G). This study investigates the stiffening behavior by conducting laboratory tests on three types of Danube sands using the Resonant Column-Torsional Simple Shear device (RC-TOSS). The increase in the dynamic shear modulus with an increasing number of cycles is substantial, especially for samples with low density. Sometimes, the dynamic shear modulus doubles when loaded at high stress levels for more than 50 cycles. A new model is introduced to simulate the stiffening behavior of dry sand when subjected to cyclic torsional loading. Modifications are proposed for the Ramberg–Osgood and Hardin–Drnevich models and for the Masing criteria to overcome the limitations that accompany these models due to the influence of stiffening caused by repetitive loading being ignored. This model can be implemented in finite element and finite difference software to solve dynamic geotechnical problems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Geodynamic, Geotechnics and Geomechanics)
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