Journal Description
Geotechnics
Geotechnics
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on geotechnical engineering published quarterly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within ESCI (Web of Science), Scopus, GeoRef, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: CiteScore - Q2 (Engineering (miscellaneous))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 18.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 4.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2025).
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
- Journal Cluster of Geotechnical Engineering and Geology: Minerals, GeoHazards, Mining, Geotechnics, Glacies.
Impact Factor:
1.9 (2024);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.3 (2024)
Latest Articles
Revisiting Yttrup and Abramsson’s Limit Analysis Model for Steel Screw Piles in Sand
Geotechnics 2025, 5(4), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5040073 - 21 Oct 2025
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This work stems from the curiosity stimulated by a paper by Yttrup and Abramsson, which appeared in the journal Australian Geomechanics in 2003. Their work proposes a kinematic limit analysis method to compute the ultimate strength of steel screw piles in sand when
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This work stems from the curiosity stimulated by a paper by Yttrup and Abramsson, which appeared in the journal Australian Geomechanics in 2003. Their work proposes a kinematic limit analysis method to compute the ultimate strength of steel screw piles in sand when first the bending and then the plastic collapse of the pile helix occurs. It is accompanied by insightful comments drawn from geotechnical design experience. The paper has both academic and professional impact as it is cited in scientific journals and used in engineering practice in Australia and New Zealand. However, the original paper is quite brief in its exposition. Here, Yttrup and Abramsson’s model is critically reconstructed, providing guidance that can help avoid potential pitfalls in its application. A variation of the model is proposed. Then, the calculated results are discussed and compared with experimental results, starting with those of the original paper. This work hopes to contribute to enhancing the appraisal, adoption, and utility of Yttrup and Abramsson’s model in design practice and in subsequent studies.
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Open AccessReview
Review of the Seismic Response of Immersed Tunnels
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Luís Miranda, Laura Caldeira, João Bilé Serra and Rui Carrilho Gomes
Geotechnics 2025, 5(4), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5040072 - 17 Oct 2025
Abstract
Many immersed tunnels are constructed in alluvial formations within earthquake-prone regions, making seismic resistance a critical aspect of their safety design. During an earthquake, tunnel displacements can lead to slippage between the tunnel and surrounding soil and may be further amplified by liquefaction.
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Many immersed tunnels are constructed in alluvial formations within earthquake-prone regions, making seismic resistance a critical aspect of their safety design. During an earthquake, tunnel displacements can lead to slippage between the tunnel and surrounding soil and may be further amplified by liquefaction. This phenomenon can cause severe structural damage, including tunnel flotation. This paper examines the seismic performance of immersed tunnels, starting with an overview of the deformation mechanisms affecting tunnels, including those induced by ground shaking and failure. Given its significance in large foundation deformations and its impact on tunnel integrity, liquefaction is analyzed alongside potential mitigation strategies. The seismic design process for immersed tunnels is discussed in detail, covering analytical approaches, numerical modeling techniques (such as finite element and finite difference methods), and physical modeling. Real-world examples are provided to illustrate key concepts. Finally, this paper summarizes the core factors influencing the seismic response of immersed tunnels and highlights future research directions to enhance their resilience in seismic environments.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Geotechnical Engineering (3rd Edition))
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Turning Waste into Resources: Bibliometric Study on Sand–Rubber Tire Mixtures in Geotechnical Engineering
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Madhusudhan Bangalore Ramu, Abdullah O. Baarimah, Aiman A. Bin Mokaizh, Ahmed Wajeh Mushtaha, Al-Baraa Abdulrahman Al-Mekhlafi, Aawag Mohsen Alawag and Khalid Mhmoud Alzubi
Geotechnics 2025, 5(4), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5040071 - 17 Oct 2025
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Improper disposal of waste tires has led to significant environmental and economic challenges, including pollution and inefficient resource utilization. The growing focus on sustainable solutions in geotechnical engineering highlights the potential of sand–rubber tire shred mixtures for applications such as soil stabilization, embankment
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Improper disposal of waste tires has led to significant environmental and economic challenges, including pollution and inefficient resource utilization. The growing focus on sustainable solutions in geotechnical engineering highlights the potential of sand–rubber tire shred mixtures for applications such as soil stabilization, embankment reinforcement, seismic isolation, and drainage. This paper presents a bibliometric study analyzing research trends, methodologies, and applications of these mixtures from 2000 to 2025, based on 366 relevant publications. The findings indicate a substantial increase in publications after 2015, reflecting heightened academic and industrial interest in sustainable construction materials. Keyword co-occurrence analysis reveals key research themes, including optimization of shear strength, enhancement of compressibility, and mitigation of seismic impacts. Citation network maps illustrate influential studies and collaborative research networks that are propelling advancements in this field. Despite the advantages of sand–rubber mixtures, challenges such as compaction difficulties, variability in rubber particle size, and long-term durability remain to be addressed. Future research should focus on large-scale field applications, standardization of design methodologies, and the integration of advanced computational modeling for performance optimization. This study contributes to the development of sand–rubber mixtures, positioning them as viable and ecological solutions within the framework of circular economy principles and sustainable construction practices.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Geotechnical Engineering (3rd Edition))
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Monotonic Behaviour and Physical Characteristics of Silty Sands with Kaolinite Clay
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Davor Marušić and Vedran Jagodnik
Geotechnics 2025, 5(4), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5040070 - 9 Oct 2025
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This study investigates the behaviour of dense silty sands with kaolinite clay under static drained/undrained conditions at low confining stress. Conventional laboratory tests assessed the mixtures’ physical properties, but standard void ratio methods proved inadequate for silty sands with kaolinite. Despite targeting 80%
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This study investigates the behaviour of dense silty sands with kaolinite clay under static drained/undrained conditions at low confining stress. Conventional laboratory tests assessed the mixtures’ physical properties, but standard void ratio methods proved inadequate for silty sands with kaolinite. Despite targeting 80% relative density, specimens exhibited loose sand behaviour in both drained and undrained tests. With increasing kaolinite content, conventionally reconstituted mixtures exhibit reduced peak stress ratios up to 10% fines, with little change beyond, while critical ratios generally rise at 25 kPa but remain unchanged or decrease slightly at 50 kPa. Analytical redefinition of minimum/maximum void ratios (based on sand–clay volumetric fractions) improved specimen reconstitution, yielding dense behaviour matching that of the host sand. The alternatively reconstituted mixtures display increasing drained peaks and minor changes in undrained peaks with increasing kaolinite content, with critical ratios increasing markedly at 25 kPa and only slightly at 50 kPa. However, this analytical void ratio determination method is limited to non-expansive, low-plasticity clays. Void ratios in silty sands with clay mineras are influenced by confining stress, drainage, saturation, clay content, and the sand skeleton structure. Unlike pure sands, these mixtures exhibit variable void ratios due to changes in the clay phase under different saturation levels. A new evaluation method is needed that accounts for clay composition, saturation-dependent consistency, and initial sand skeleton configuration to characterise these soils accurately. The findings highlight the limitations of conventional approaches and stress the need for advanced frameworks to model complex soil behaviour in geotechnical applications.
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Interpretable AI-Driven Modelling of Soil–Structure Interface Shear Strength Using Genetic Programming with SHAP and Fourier Feature Augmentation
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Rayed Almasoudi, Abolfazl Baghbani and Hossam Abuel-Naga
Geotechnics 2025, 5(4), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5040069 - 1 Oct 2025
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Accurate prediction of soil–structure interface shear strength (τmax) is critical for reliable geotechnical design. This study combines experimental testing with interpretable machine learning to overcome the limitations of traditional empirical models and black-box approaches. Ninety large-displacement ring shear tests were performed
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Accurate prediction of soil–structure interface shear strength (τmax) is critical for reliable geotechnical design. This study combines experimental testing with interpretable machine learning to overcome the limitations of traditional empirical models and black-box approaches. Ninety large-displacement ring shear tests were performed on five sands and three interface materials (steel, PVC, and stone) under normal stresses of 25–100 kPa. The results showed that particle morphology, quantified by the regularity index (RI), and surface roughness (Rt) are dominant factors. Irregular grains and rougher interfaces mobilised higher τmax through enhanced interlocking, while smoother particles reduced this benefit. Harder surfaces resisted asperity crushing and maintained higher shear strength, whereas softer materials such as PVC showed localised deformation and lower resistance. These experimental findings formed the basis for a hybrid symbolic regression framework integrating Genetic Programming (GP) with Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), Fourier feature augmentation, and physics-informed constraints. Compared with multiple linear regression and other hybrid GP variants, the Physics-Informed Neural Fourier GP (PIN-FGP) model achieved the best performance (R2 = 0.9866, RMSE = 2.0 kPa). The outcome is a set of five interpretable and physics-consistent formulas linking measurable soil and interface properties to τmax. The study provides both new experimental insights and transparent predictive tools, supporting safer and more defensible geotechnical design and analysis.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Soil–Structure Interaction)
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Experimental Verification of Anchor Tip Angles Suitable for Vibratory Penetration into Underwater Saturated Soft Soil
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Akira Ofuchi, Daisuke Fujiwara, Tomohiro Watanabe, Noriaki Mizukami, Yasuhiro Kuwahara, Koji Miyoshi and Kojiro Iizuka
Geotechnics 2025, 5(4), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5040068 - 1 Oct 2025
Abstract
Currently, Japan’s fishing industry is facing a severe decline in its workforce. As a response, fishing mechanization using small underwater robots is promoted. These robots offer advantages due to their compact size, although their operating time is limited. A major source of this
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Currently, Japan’s fishing industry is facing a severe decline in its workforce. As a response, fishing mechanization using small underwater robots is promoted. These robots offer advantages due to their compact size, although their operating time is limited. A major source of this limited operating time is posture stabilization, which requires continuous thruster use and rapidly drains the battery. To reduce power consumption, anchoring the robot to the seabed with anchors is proposed. However, due to neutral buoyancy, the available thrust is limited, making penetration into the seabed difficult and reducing stability. To address this, we focus on composite-shaped anchors and vibration. The anchors combine a conical tip and a cylindrical shaft to achieve both penetrability and holding force. However, a trade-off exists between these functions depending on the tip angle; anchors with larger angles provide better holding capacity but lower penetrability. To overcome this limitation, vibration is applied to reduce soil resistance and facilitate anchor penetration. While vibration is known to aid penetration in saturated soft soils, the effect of tip angle under such conditions remains unclear. This study aims to clarify the optimal tip angle for achieving sufficient penetration and holding performance under vibratory conditions. Experiments in underwater saturated soft soil showed that vibration improves both penetration and holding. This effect was strong in anchors with tip angles optimized for holding force. These findings support the development of energy-efficient anchoring systems for autonomous underwater operations in soft seabed environments.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Geotechnical Engineering (3rd Edition))
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Advancing Soil Assessment: Vision-Based Monitoring for Subgrade Quality and Dynamic Modulus
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Koohyar Faizi, Robert Evans and Rolands Kromanis
Geotechnics 2025, 5(4), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5040067 - 1 Oct 2025
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Accurate evaluation of subgrade behaviour under dynamic loading is essential for the long-term performance of transport infrastructure. While the Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) is commonly used to assess subgrade stiffness, it provides only a single stiffness value and may not fully capture the
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Accurate evaluation of subgrade behaviour under dynamic loading is essential for the long-term performance of transport infrastructure. While the Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) is commonly used to assess subgrade stiffness, it provides only a single stiffness value and may not fully capture the time-dependent response of soil. This study presents an image-based vision system developed to monitor soil surface displacements during loading, enabling more detailed analysis of dynamic behaviour. The system incorporates high-speed cameras and MATLAB-based computer vision algorithms to track vertical movement of the plate during impact. Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the system’s performance, with results compared directly to those from the LWD. A strong correlation was observed (R2 = 0.9901), with differences between the two methods ranging from 0.8% to 13%, confirming the accuracy of the vision-based measurements despite the limited dataset. The findings highlight the system’s potential as a practical and cost-effective tool for enhancing subgrade assessment, particularly in applications requiring improved understanding of ground response under repeated or transient loading.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Geotechnical Engineering (3rd Edition))
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Image-Based Quantification of Soil Disturbance in Vane Shear Tests on Reconstituted Kaolinitic Clayey Soil
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Juan Carlos Ruge, Diego Caballero-Rojas, Fausto Molina-Gómez, Renato Pinto da Cunha and Diego Meléndez-Suarez
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030066 - 17 Sep 2025
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The insertion into the soil stratum to be evaluated is the factor that most affects the results obtained by the vane shear test (VST). According to the literature, it has been identified that there is a disturbance in the fabric and even in
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The insertion into the soil stratum to be evaluated is the factor that most affects the results obtained by the vane shear test (VST). According to the literature, it has been identified that there is a disturbance in the fabric and even in the movement of soil particles around the probe. The current study allowed the VST to be carried out on kaolinitic clayey soils reconstituted in the laboratory at different historical preconsolidation artificial stresses. The influence of the disturbance on the alteration of the soil analysed is directly linked to the thickness of the vane blades and their corresponding vane area ratio (VA). For this reason, a digital image correlation (DIC) technique was proposed to analyse images taken during the test’s development. The alteration produced by the disturbance was recorded, and the result obtained was compared with previous studies. This analysis established the effect on the reconstituted samples by employing a disturbance parameter specific to this study.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Geotechnical Engineering (3rd Edition))
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Geotechnical Performance of Lateritic Soil Subgrades Stabilized with Agro-Industrial Waste: An Experimental Assessment and ANN-Based Predictive Modelling
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Nabanita Daimary, Devabrata Sarmah, Arup Bhattacharjee, Utpal Barman and Manob Jyoti Saikia
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030065 - 15 Sep 2025
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The increasing difficulty of handling industrial and agricultural wastes has generated interest in reusing materials such as Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) for sustainable soil stabilization. This study examined the enhancement of lateritic soil with the incorporation of CKD
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The increasing difficulty of handling industrial and agricultural wastes has generated interest in reusing materials such as Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) for sustainable soil stabilization. This study examined the enhancement of lateritic soil with the incorporation of CKD (0–12%) and RHA (0–25%) by weight. An integrated experimental and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) methodology was utilized to evaluate and forecast geotechnical features. Laboratory assessments were conducted to measure Atterberg limits, Maximum Dry Density (MDD), Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) at 0, 7, and 28 days of curing. The results indicated significant enhancements in soil characteristics with CKD-RHA combinations. Artificial Neural Network models, including GELU, LOGSIG-3, and Leaky ReLU activation functions, accurately predicted the UCS, MDD, and OMC, achieving R2 values as high as 0.980. This work underscores the efficacy of CKD-RHA mixtures in improving soil stability and the promise of ANN models as excellent prediction instruments, fostering sustainable and economical construction methodologies.
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Probabilistic Analysis of Soil Moisture Variability of Engineered Turf Cover Using High-Frequency Field Monitoring
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Robi Sonkor Mozumder, Maalvika Aggarwal, Md Jobair Bin Alam and Naima Rahman
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030064 - 6 Sep 2025
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Soil moisture is one of the key hydrologic components indicating the performance of landfill final covers. Conventional compacted clay (CC) covers and evapotranspiration (ET) covers often suffer from moisture-induced stresses, such as desiccation cracking and irreversible hydraulic conductivity. Engineered turf (EnT) cover systems
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Soil moisture is one of the key hydrologic components indicating the performance of landfill final covers. Conventional compacted clay (CC) covers and evapotranspiration (ET) covers often suffer from moisture-induced stresses, such as desiccation cracking and irreversible hydraulic conductivity. Engineered turf (EnT) cover systems have been introduced recently as an alternative; however, their field-scale moisture distribution behavior remains unexplored. This study investigates and compares the soil moisture distribution characteristics of EnT, ET, and CC landfill covers at a shallow depth using one year of field-monitored data in a humid subtropical region. Three full-scale test Sections (3 m × 3 m × 1.2 m) were constructed side by side and instrumented with moisture sensors at a depth of 0.3 m. Distributional characteristics of moisture were evaluated with descriptive statistics, goodness-of-fit tests such as Shapiro–Wilk (SW) and Anderson–Darling (AD), Gaussian probability density functions, Q–Q plots, and standard-normal transformations. Results revealed that Shapiro–Wilk (W = 0.75–0.92, p < 0.001) and Anderson–Darling tests rejected normality for every cover, while Levene’s test showed unequal variances between EnT and the other covers but equivalence between CC and ET (F = 0.23, p = 0.628). EnT cover exhibited the narrowest moisture envelope , whereas ET and CC covers showed markedly broader distributions (CV = 38.6 % and 33.3 %, respectively). These findings demonstrated that EnT cover maintains a more stable shallow soil moisture profile under dynamic weather conditions.
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Open AccessArticle
A Bayesian Framework for the Calibration of Cyclic Triaxial Tests
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Luis Castillo-Suárez, Jesús Redondo-Mosquera, Vicente Mercado, Jaime Fernández-Gómez and Joaquín Abellán-García
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030063 - 5 Sep 2025
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This research presents the calibration of a constitutive model to replicate the cyclic performance of soils using a Bayesian framework. This study uses data from laboratory-conducted consolidated undrained isotropic cyclic triaxial tests and numerical tools to estimate optimal parameters by the application of
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This research presents the calibration of a constitutive model to replicate the cyclic performance of soils using a Bayesian framework. This study uses data from laboratory-conducted consolidated undrained isotropic cyclic triaxial tests and numerical tools to estimate optimal parameters by the application of Slice Sampling in a Bayesian analysis and to determinate the uncertainty of the model. For each calibrated parameter in the model, a probability distribution was obtained from the Markov chain. The means and the standard deviations from the distributions are compared with the laboratory results by the simulation of a series of consolidated undrained isotropic cyclic triaxial tests and a numerical model for a deposit that replicates the Wildlife’s stratigraphic characteristics. The calibrated model response offers a good approximation of the recorded data and the uncertainty due to the model is evaluated. The results of this study demonstrate that Bayesian calibration can reliably quantify parameter uncertainty, reveal parameter correlations that deterministic methods overlook, and improve confidence in liquefaction assessments. This probabilistic framework provides a robust basis for extending calibration to other soil types and site conditions.
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Open AccessArticle
Erosion, Mechanical and Microstructural Evolution of Cement Stabilized Coarse Soil for Embankments
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Adel Belmana, Victor Cavaleiro, Mekki Mellas, Luis Andrade Pais, Hugo A. S. Pinto, Vanessa Gonçalves, Maria Vitoria Morais, André Studart and Leonardo Marchiori
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030062 - 4 Sep 2025
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Internal erosion is a significant issue caused by water flow within soils, resulting in structural collapse of hydraulic structures, particularly in coarse soils located near rivers. These soils typically exhibit granulometric instability due to low clay content, resulting in poor hydraulic and mechanical
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Internal erosion is a significant issue caused by water flow within soils, resulting in structural collapse of hydraulic structures, particularly in coarse soils located near rivers. These soils typically exhibit granulometric instability due to low clay content, resulting in poor hydraulic and mechanical properties. To mitigate this problem, cement treatment is applied as an alternative to soil removal, reducing transportation and storage costs. The hole erosion test (HET) and Crumbs tests, shearing behaviour through consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial, and microstructure analyses regarding scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted for untreated and treated coarse soil specimens with varying cement contents (1%, 2%, and 3%) and curing durations (1, 7, and 28 days). The findings indicate a reduction in the loss of eroded particles and overall stability of treated soils, along with an improvement in mechanical properties. SEM observations reveal the development of hydration gel after treatment, which enhances cohesion within the soil matrix, corroborated by TGA analyses. MIP reveals the formation of a new class of pores, accompanied by a reduction in dry density. This study demonstrates that low cement addition can transform locally unsuitable soils into durable construction materials, reducing environmental impact and supporting sustainable development.
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Exploring Database Quality Through Shapley Values: Application to Dynamic Soil Parameters Databases
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Julien Borderon, Nathalie Dufour and Julie Régnier
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030061 - 4 Sep 2025
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Geotechnical engineering faces challenges related to data, especially the ones related to dynamic soil behavior (i.e., shear modulus reduction and damping ratio curves with strain), with only a few datasets in open-access format and a slow transition to a more data-driven method. This
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Geotechnical engineering faces challenges related to data, especially the ones related to dynamic soil behavior (i.e., shear modulus reduction and damping ratio curves with strain), with only a few datasets in open-access format and a slow transition to a more data-driven method. This lack of data, combined with variations in data collection methods, makes it difficult to build accurate predictive models. These challenges arose while developing a model to predict the shear modulus curves, an important soil property to better understand seismic hazard from three different databases. Combining multiple databases can sometimes degrade model performance. To address this, a novel approach in geotechnics based on Shapley values computed from an XGBoostRegressor model is introduced. This game–theoretic method quantifies each database’s marginal contribution to the model’s R2 across all possible combinations, making it possible to identify which databases contribute most to improving performance. As the number of available databases continues to grow, this method will become increasingly useful. For shear modulus reduction curves, two out of three databases explored have Shapley values of 0.341 and 0.339, while the last one reaches only a value of 0.320. This suggests that the first two databases contribute more to the model’s performance.
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Open AccessArticle
Health Assessment of Zoned Earth Dams by Multi-Epoch In Situ Investigations and Laboratory Tests
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Ernesto Ausilio, Maria Giovanna Durante, Roberto Cairo and Paolo Zimmaro
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030060 - 3 Sep 2025
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The long-term safety and operational reliability of zoned earth dams depend on the structural integrity of their internal components, including core, filters, and shell zones. This is particularly relevant for old dams which have been operational for a long period of time. Such
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The long-term safety and operational reliability of zoned earth dams depend on the structural integrity of their internal components, including core, filters, and shell zones. This is particularly relevant for old dams which have been operational for a long period of time. Such existing infrastructure systems are exposed to various loading types over time, including environmental, seepage-related, extreme event, and climate change effects. As a result, even when they look intact externally, changes might affect their internal structure, composition, and possibly functionality. Thus, it is important to delineate a comprehensive and cost-effective strategy to identify potential issues and derive the health status of existing earth dams. This paper outlines a systematic approach for conducting a comprehensive health check of these structures through the implementation of a multi-epoch geotechnical approach based on a variety of standard measured and monitored quantities. The goal is to compare current properties with baseline data obtained during pre-, during-, and post-construction site investigation and laboratory tests. Guidance is provided on how to judge such multi-epoch comparisons, identifying potential outcomes and scenarios. The proposed approach is tested on a well-documented case study in Southern Italy, an area prone to climate change and subjected to very high seismic hazard. The case study demonstrates how the integration of historical and contemporary geotechnical data allows for the identification of critical zones requiring attention, the validation of numerical models, and the proactive formulation of targeted maintenance and rehabilitation strategies. This comprehensive, multi-epoch-based approach provides a robust and reliable assessment of dams’ health, enabling better-informed decision-making workflows and processes for asset management and risk mitigation strategies.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Geotechnical Engineering (3rd Edition))
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Investigating Ageing Effects on Bored Pile Shaft Resistance in Cohesionless Soil Through Field Testing
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Omar Hamza and Abdulhakim Mawas
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030059 - 1 Sep 2025
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This study investigates the influence of time (ageing) on the uplift capacity of bored piles in cohesionless silty sand through a full-scale field testing programme. Four reinforced concrete piles, two shorter (16 m) and two longer (21 m), were installed and tested under
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This study investigates the influence of time (ageing) on the uplift capacity of bored piles in cohesionless silty sand through a full-scale field testing programme. Four reinforced concrete piles, two shorter (16 m) and two longer (21 m), were installed and tested under axial tension at two different ageing intervals: 35 days and 165 days post-construction. The load-displacement behaviour, load transfer characteristics, and shaft friction mobilisation were monitored using load cells and embedded strain gauges. Results showed that while all piles exhibited similar ultimate capacities, the aged piles consistently demonstrated stiffer responses and earlier mobilisation of shaft resistance. Extrapolated estimates showed modest increases in estimated ultimate uplift capacity, ranging from 2% to 7%, with ageing. Strain gauge data also indicated more uniform load transfer in the aged piles, suggesting time-dependent improvements in pile-soil interface behaviour. The findings confirm that even in cohesionless silty sand, moderate ageing effects can enhance uplift performance, but the extent of improvement is small and variable. These findings provide a valuable reference for evaluating uplift design assumptions and interpreting field test behaviour in similar soil environments.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Soil–Structure Interaction)
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Open AccessArticle
Fracture Undulation Modelling in Discontinuum Analysis: Implications for Rock-Mass Strength Assessment
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Emmanuela Ambah, Davide Elmo and Yuzhe Zhang
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030058 - 24 Aug 2025
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Synthetic rock mass (SRM) models commonly represent fractures as planar surfaces, potentially oversimplifying the complex geometries observed in natural rock masses. This study investigates whether incorporating large-scale fracture undulations significantly affects predicted rock-mass strength compared to conventional flat joint representations. Using the Finite-Discrete
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Synthetic rock mass (SRM) models commonly represent fractures as planar surfaces, potentially oversimplifying the complex geometries observed in natural rock masses. This study investigates whether incorporating large-scale fracture undulations significantly affects predicted rock-mass strength compared to conventional flat joint representations. Using the Finite-Discrete Element Method (FDEM), we analyzed multiple discrete fracture network (DFN) configurations under uniaxial and biaxial loading conditions, comparing models with geometrically simplified planar fractures against those incorporating conceptual undulated surfaces. Results reveal counterintuitive and inconsistent patterns across different DFN geometrical realizations, demonstrating that network topology and connectivity patterns govern overall behaviour more than individual fracture geometry. These findings challenge assumptions that geometric simplification can be systematically compensated through parameter adjustments. However, given that detailed fracture characterization data are typically unavailable until design completion, and even accessible rock outcrops provide only limited 2D surface exposures of inherently 3D fracture networks, pursuing sophisticated geometric representations may be impractical. Instead, engineering practice should focus on quantifying inherent variability bounds.
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Open AccessArticle
Predicting the Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations on Granular Soil Using Ensemble Machine Learning Models
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Husein Ali Zeini, Mohammed E. Seno, Esraa Q. Shehab, Emad A. Abood, Hamza Imran, Luís Filipe Almeida Bernardo and Tiago Pinto Ribeiro
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030057 - 20 Aug 2025
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Shallow foundations are widely used in both terrestrial and marine environments, supporting critical structures such as buildings, offshore wind turbines, subsea platforms, and infrastructure in coastal zones, including piers, seawalls, and coastal defense systems. Accurately determining the soil bearing capacity for shallow foundations
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Shallow foundations are widely used in both terrestrial and marine environments, supporting critical structures such as buildings, offshore wind turbines, subsea platforms, and infrastructure in coastal zones, including piers, seawalls, and coastal defense systems. Accurately determining the soil bearing capacity for shallow foundations presents a significant challenge, as it necessitates considerable resources in terms of materials and testing equipment, as well as a substantial amount of time to perform the necessary evaluations. Consequently, our research was designed to approximate the forecasting of soil bearing capacity for shallow foundations using machine learning algorithms. In our research, four ensemble machine learning algorithms were employed for the prediction process, benefiting from previous experimental tests. Those four models were AdaBoost, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Gradient Boosting Regression Trees (GBRTs), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM). To enhance the model’s efficacy and identify the optimal hyperparameters, grid search was conducted in conjunction with k-fold cross-validation for each model. The models were evaluated using the R2 value, MAE, and RMSE. After evaluation, the R2 values were between 0.817 and 0.849, where the GBRT model predicted more accurately than other models in training, testing, and combined datasets. Moreover, variable importance was analyzed to check which parameter is more important. Foundation width was the most important parameter affecting the shallow foundation bearing capacity. The findings obtained from the refined machine learning approach were compared with the well-known empirical and modern machine learning equations. In the end, the study designed a web application that helps geotechnical engineers from all over the world determine the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in the Machine Learning Modeling of Geotechnical Data)
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Predicting Efficiency and Capacity of Drag Embedment Anchors in Sand Seabed Using Tree Machine Learning Algorithms
by
Mojtaba Olyasani, Hamed Azimi and Hodjat Shiri
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030056 - 14 Aug 2025
Abstract
Drag embedment anchors (DEAs) play a vital role in maintaining the stability and safety of offshore structures, including floating wind turbines, oil rigs, and marine renewable energy systems. Accurate prediction of anchor performance is essential for optimizing mooring system designs, reducing costs, and
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Drag embedment anchors (DEAs) play a vital role in maintaining the stability and safety of offshore structures, including floating wind turbines, oil rigs, and marine renewable energy systems. Accurate prediction of anchor performance is essential for optimizing mooring system designs, reducing costs, and minimizing risks in challenging marine environments. By leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, this research provides innovative solutions to longstanding challenges in geotechnical engineering, paving the way for more efficient and reliable offshore operations. The findings contribute significantly to developing sustainable marine infrastructure while addressing the growing global demand for renewable energy solutions in coastal and deep-water environments. This current study evaluated tree-based machine learning algorithms, e.g., decision tree regression (DTR) and random forest regression (RFR), to predict the holding capacity and efficiency of DEAs in sand seabed. To train and validate the results of machine learning models, the K-fold cross-validation method, with K = 5, was utilized. Eleven geotechnical and geometric parameters, including sand friction angle (φ), fluke-shank angle (α), and anchor dimensions, were analyzed using 23 model configurations. Results demonstrated that RFR outperformed DTR, achieving the highest accuracy for capacity prediction (R = 0.985, RMSE = 344.577 KN) and for efficiency (R = 0.977, RMSE = 0.821 KN). Key findings revealed that soil strength dominated capacity, while fluke-shank angle critically influenced efficiency. Single-parameter models failed to capture complex soil-anchor interactions, underscoring the necessity of multivariate analysis. The ensemble approach of RFR provided superior generalization across diverse seabed conditions, maintaining errors within ±10% for capacity and ±5% for efficiency.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in the Machine Learning Modeling of Geotechnical Data)
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Open AccessArticle
Study on the Effectiveness of Reinforcing Bar Insertion Work with a Circular Pipe
by
Kakuta Fujiwara and Lichao Wang
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030055 - 9 Aug 2025
Abstract
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It is an urgent issue for preventing slope failure caused by increasingly severe earthquakes and heavy rain. As a conventional construction method, reinforcing bar insertion work uses the tensile force of the core bar to integrate multiple core bars and pressure plates. Meanwhile,
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It is an urgent issue for preventing slope failure caused by increasingly severe earthquakes and heavy rain. As a conventional construction method, reinforcing bar insertion work uses the tensile force of the core bar to integrate multiple core bars and pressure plates. Meanwhile, landslide deterrence piles are a construction method in which steel or concrete piles are constructed below the slope, and the rigidity of the piles is used to resist slope failure. In this study, these methods are combined to propose a reinforcing bar insertion work that uses pipes as a construction method. The pipes are not embedded in the immovable layer and are not connected to the reinforcing bar insertion work; therefore, the construction is expected to be simple. Two series of model experiments—a lift-up experiment and a water sprinkling experiment—were performed. Through the lift-up experiment, the effectiveness of the proposed method against static load was confirmed, and the evaluation formula of the load applied to the core bar was proposed. Through the water sprinkling experiment, the effectiveness against rainfall was confirmed, that is, the time until slope failure was extended by the proposed method.
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Open AccessArticle
Experimental Investigation of Enhanced Bearing Capacity Due to Vibration on Loose Soils Under Low-Atmospheric-Pressure Conditions
by
Tomohiro Watanabe, Ryoma Higashiyama and Kojiro Iizuka
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030054 - 7 Aug 2025
Abstract
Legged rovers are gaining interest for planetary exploration due to their high mobility. However, loose regolith on celestial surfaces like the Moon and Mars often leads to slippage as legs disturb the soil. To address this, a walking technique has been proposed that
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Legged rovers are gaining interest for planetary exploration due to their high mobility. However, loose regolith on celestial surfaces like the Moon and Mars often leads to slippage as legs disturb the soil. To address this, a walking technique has been proposed that enhances soil support by transmitting vibrations from the robot’s legs. This approach aims to improve mobility by increasing the ground’s bearing capacity. To evaluate its effectiveness in space-like environments, this study experimentally investigates the effect of vibration on bearing capacity under low atmospheric pressure, which can influence soil behavior due to reduced air resistance. Using Silica No. 5 and Toyoura sand as test materials, experiments were conducted to compare bearing capacities under standard and low pressure. The results demonstrate that applying vibration significantly improves bearing capacity and that the influence of atmospheric pressure is minimal. These findings support the viability of vibration-assisted locomotion for planetary rovers operating in low-pressure extraterrestrial environments.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Geotechnical Engineering (3rd Edition))
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