New Trends in Numerical Methods in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263). This special issue belongs to the section "Geomechanics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 304
Special Issue Editors
Interests: rock mechanics; underground excavation; numerical simulation; hydraulic fracturing; induced seismicity; rock friction; flow transportation; underground mining
Interests: geothermal energy; reservoir simulation; thermal engineering; geothermal heat pump; geothermal organic Rankine cycle power plant
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Recent advances in numerical modeling are reshaping the landscape of rock mechanics and rock engineering by enabling the more accurate representation of complex geological processes, including multi-physics coupling, nonlinear behaviors, and scale-dependent phenomena. While the established methods in commercial software handle core problems such as nonlinearity and transient effects, key limitations persist, particularly in terms of capturing complex fracture dynamics, full-scale coupled THMC processes, and the impact of heterogeneity. Emerging approaches (HPC, data-driven/ML, hybrid methods) directly address these gaps, enabling the simulation of multi-physics interactions, realistic fracture/granular systems, and efficient scale bridging. The rapidly growing research output signals that these methods are forming a significant trend. This momentum makes the present an opportune time for this Special Issue to showcase state-of-the-art achievements.
This Special Issue aims to showcase innovative numerical methodologies and their applications to a wide range of rock engineering challenges. We welcome the submission of original research and review articles focused on topics including, but not limited to, the following:
- Advanced numerical frameworks: FEM, DEM, FDEM, MPM, phase-field methods, and peridynamics;
- Novel simulation methods: extended finite element method (XFEM), material point method (MPM), and other emerging computational techniques;
- High-performance computing and parallel techniques: GPU-accelerated algorithms, large-scale 3D modeling, and cloud-based simulations;
- Multi-scale and multi-physics modeling of THM processes and fracture evolution;
- AI/ML-assisted simulations, inverse analysis, and uncertainty quantification;
- Case studies in mining, tunneling, slope stability, reservoir geomechanics, and energy storage.
By bridging theoretical developments with practical applications, this Special Issue aims to not only support safer and more efficient engineering design but also to advance the mechanistic understanding of rock deformation, fracture, and failure under complex and coupled conditions.
Prof. Dr. Qingsheng Bai
Dr. Chaofan Chen
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- numerical methods
- rock mechanics
- rock engineering
- advanced numerical frameworks
- AI/ML-assisted simulations
- high-performance computing and parallel techniques
- multi-scale and multi-physics methods
- case studies
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