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Advanced Geomaterials and Reinforced Structures (Second Edition)
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Advanced Geomaterials and Reinforced Structures (Second Edition)

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 3545

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Yuliang Lin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Interests: soil mechanics; geosynthetics; retaining structure; geotechnical earthquake engineering; hydraulic behaviors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Geomaterials are a key material, with extensive applications in civil and geological engineering. We are pleased to announce this Special Issue of Materials, which mainly focuses on the properties, mechanics, applications, and related reinforced structures of geomaterials in civil engineering.

Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

Research on geomaterials, such as soils, clays, aggregates, rock mixtures, geosynthetics, cementitious/mineral materials, and inorganic binders, as well as geotechnical structures, including slopes, tunnels, retaining walls, subgrade, and foundations.

Reinforced and stabilized structures of geomaterials, for example, mixtures of soils with cement, lime, fly ash, polymers, geosynthetics, reinforcement of steel, and composite systems.

Mechanical, hydraulic, and durable performance of geomaterials and related structures under complex loading conditions and service environments.

The first volume of this Special Issue, entitled “Advanced Geomaterials and Reinforced Structures”, attracted great interest from authors and readers alike. Therefore, we intend to continue to study this field by compiling a second volume of this Special Issue.

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/special_issues/7EP9SD6N02

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Applied Sciences.

Prof. Dr. Yuliang Lin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Materials 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

  • geomaterials
  • geosynthetics
  • concrete and cementitious materials
  • clay, lime, rock, and mineral materials
  • asphalt binders and mixtures
  • sand and gravel
  • reinforced materials and structures
  • subgrade and retaining structures
  • geotechnical earthquake engineering
  • soil–structure interactions
  • mechanics
  • durability
  • hydraulic behaviors

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 16685 KiB  
Article
Study on the Mechanical and Mesoscopic Properties of Rockfill Under Various Confining Pressures
by Bin Ou, Haoquan Chi, Zixuan Wang, Haoyu Qiu, Jiahao Li, Yanming Feng and Shuyan Fu
Materials 2025, 18(6), 1316; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061316 - 17 Mar 2025
Viewed by 256
Abstract
To investigate the mechanical response characteristics of damming rockfill materials under different confining pressure conditions, this study integrates laboratory triaxial compression tests and PFC2D numerical simulations to systematically analyze their deformation evolution and failure mechanisms from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. Laboratory [...] Read more.
To investigate the mechanical response characteristics of damming rockfill materials under different confining pressure conditions, this study integrates laboratory triaxial compression tests and PFC2D numerical simulations to systematically analyze their deformation evolution and failure mechanisms from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. Laboratory triaxial test results demonstrate that as the confining pressure increases, the peak deviatoric stress rises significantly, with the shear strength of specimens increasing from 769.43 kPa to 2140.98 kPa. Under low confining pressure, rockfill exhibits pronounced dilative behavior, whereas at high confining pressure, it transitions to contractive behavior. Additionally, particle breakage intensifies with increasing confinement, with the breakage rate rising from 4.25% to 8.33%. This particle fragmentation alters the granular skeleton structure, thereby affecting the overall mechanical properties and leading to a reduction in shear strength. Numerical simulations further reveal the micromechanical mechanisms governing rockfill behavior. The simulation results show a shear strength increase from 572.39 kPa to 2059.26 kPa, exhibiting a trend consistent with experimental findings. The shear failure mode manifests as a characteristic “X-shaped” shear band distribution, while at high confining pressures, shear fracture propagation is effectively inhibited, enhancing the overall structural stability. Furthermore, increasing confining pressure promotes denser interparticle contacts, with contact numbers increasing from 16,140 to 18,932 and the maximum contact force rising from 12.19 kN to 59.83 kN. The quantity and frequency of both strong and weak force chains also increase significantly, further influencing the mechanical response of the material. These findings provide deeper insights into the mechanical behavior of rockfill materials under varying confining pressures and offer theoretical guidance and engineering references for dam stability assessment and construction optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Geomaterials and Reinforced Structures (Second Edition))
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19 pages, 11279 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Compression Characteristics of Sand–Silt–Clay Mixtures
by Tao Li, Jixiao Li, Bingyang Li and Guangtao Yu
Materials 2025, 18(5), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18050996 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 351
Abstract
In order to investigate the influence of the coexistence of clay and silt on the compression characteristics of sand, one-dimensional compression consolidation tests were carried out on reconstituted saturated sand–silt–clay mixtures with a constant initial void ratio, and the effects of fines content [...] Read more.
In order to investigate the influence of the coexistence of clay and silt on the compression characteristics of sand, one-dimensional compression consolidation tests were carried out on reconstituted saturated sand–silt–clay mixtures with a constant initial void ratio, and the effects of fines content (FC) and clay–silt ratio (CS) on the compression characteristics of mixed soils were studied. The mechanism of the experimental results was additionally explained from a microscopic perspective. The test results show that: the compressibility of mixed soil increased with the increase in FC; the compressibility change rule of mixed soils with different CS is consistent under the same FC; the influence of CS on the e–lgp (the void ratio (e) versus logarithm of the pressure (p)) curve of mixed soil is inconsistent when FC is different: when FC = 3%, the compressibility of mixed soil decreased with the increase in CS; when FC = 7% and 10%, the compressibility of mixed soil gradually increased with the increase in CS; when FC = 5%, the compressibility of mixed soil did not show an obvious changing law with the increase in CS, and the compressibility of the specimen with FC = 5%–CS = 1 (FC = 5%, CS = 1) was the largest; when CS was same, the difference between e–lgp curves of mixed soil with different FC increased with the increase in CS. The compression model of sand–silt–clay mixtures was established, which can consider the effects of FC and CS. The reliability and applicability of the proposed model were verified by combining the experimental results of this paper and the test data of sand–clay mixture and sand–silt mixture in other literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Geomaterials and Reinforced Structures (Second Edition))
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15 pages, 3518 KiB  
Article
Study on Mechanism of Mechanical Property Enhancement of Expansive Soil by Alkali-Activated Slag
by Quan Shen, Chaohui Wang, Yuan Yan, Shiyuan Yi, Ke Teng and Chaojun Li
Materials 2025, 18(4), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040800 - 12 Feb 2025
Viewed by 612
Abstract
Expansive soil poses significant challenges for engineering due to its susceptibility to swelling and shrinkage. This study aims to explore effective methods for improving its mechanical properties using single alkaline activators, single slag, and their combination. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the [...] Read more.
Expansive soil poses significant challenges for engineering due to its susceptibility to swelling and shrinkage. This study aims to explore effective methods for improving its mechanical properties using single alkaline activators, single slag, and their combination. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and analyze curing mechanisms through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrate that all three treatments enhance soil strength, with the combination of alkali-activated slag being the most effective, followed by the single alkaline activator and single slag. Optimal dosages were determined as 15% for the activator and slag individually and 15% activator combined with 20% slag, yielding the densest structure and highest UCS. The activator’s modulus of 1.5 was found to be optimal, and strength improved further with extended curing time. A microscopic analysis revealed that alkaline activation formed gel-like substances and dense needle-like structures, while slag generated CaCO3 and Ca(OH)2. The combination produces a synergistic effect, creating substantial amounts of C-S-H, C-A-S-H gel, and dense needle-like structures, which enhance soil compactness and strength by binding particles and filling voids. These findings provide insights into the curing mechanisms and offer practical solutions for improving expansive soil in engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Geomaterials and Reinforced Structures (Second Edition))
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15 pages, 1616 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Compressive Strength of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Kaolin Clay Mixture Using Extreme Learning Machine
by Zeynep Bala Duranay, Yasemin Aslan Topçuoğlu and Zülfü Gürocak
Materials 2025, 18(2), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020245 - 8 Jan 2025
Viewed by 597
Abstract
Background: In this study, the unconfined compressive strength (qu) of a mixture consisting of clay reinforced with 24 mm-long basalt fiber was estimated using extreme learning machine (ELM). The aim of this study is to estimate the results closest to the [...] Read more.
Background: In this study, the unconfined compressive strength (qu) of a mixture consisting of clay reinforced with 24 mm-long basalt fiber was estimated using extreme learning machine (ELM). The aim of this study is to estimate the results closest to the data obtained through experimental studies without the need for experimental studies. The literature review reveals that the ELM technique has not been applied to predict the compressive strength of basalt fiber-reinforced clay, and this study aims to provide a novel contribution in this area. Methods: The experimental studies included data derived from a series of mixtures where water contents of 20%, 25%, 30%, and 35% were combined with kaolin clay reinforced with 24 mm-long basalt fiber at reinforcement rates of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%. Based on the experimental results obtained for these mixtures, an ELM model was developed to predict the qu. Results: ELM, recognized for its computational efficiency and high predictive accuracy, demonstrated exceptional performance in this application, achieving an R value of 0.9976 and an RMSE of 0.0001. Furthermore, this study includes a figure representation illustrating that the ELM-based predictions align closely with the experimental results, underscoring its reliability. Conclusions: To further validate its performance, ELM was compared with other artificial intelligence models through a 5-fold cross-validation approach. The analysis revealed that ELM outperformed its counterparts, achieving a remarkable RMSE value of 0.000174, thereby solidifying its capability to accurately estimate the compressive strength of the soil under varying reinforcement and water content conditions. Thus, it is aimed to save labor, material, and time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Geomaterials and Reinforced Structures (Second Edition))
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21 pages, 9313 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on Mechanical Characteristics of Stabilized Soil with Rice Husk Carbon and Calcium Lignosulfonate
by Haiying Zhang, Hongxia Li, Hongze Zhang, Deyue Duan, Qian Ding, Lin Ding and Yanjie Liu
Materials 2024, 17(21), 5201; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17215201 - 25 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 972
Abstract
In cold regions, the extensive distribution of silt exhibits limited applicability in engineering under freeze–thaw cycles. To address this issue, this study employed rice husk carbon and calcium lignosulfonate to stabilize silt from cold areas. The mechanical properties of the stabilized silt under [...] Read more.
In cold regions, the extensive distribution of silt exhibits limited applicability in engineering under freeze–thaw cycles. To address this issue, this study employed rice husk carbon and calcium lignosulfonate to stabilize silt from cold areas. The mechanical properties of the stabilized silt under freeze–thaw conditions were evaluated through unconfined compressive strength tests and triaxial shear tests. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy was utilized to analyze the mechanisms behind the stabilization. Ultimately, a damage model for rice husk carbon–calcium lignosulfonate stabilized silt was constructed based on the Weibull distribution function and Lemaitre’s principle of equivalent strain. The findings indicate that as the content of rice husk carbon and calcium lignosulfonate increases, the rate of improvement in the compressive strength of the stabilized silt progressively accelerates. With an increase in the number of freeze–thaw cycles, the deviatoric stress of the stabilized soil gradually diminishes; the decline in peak deviatoric stress becomes more gradual, while the reduction in cohesion intensifies. The decrease in the angle of internal friction is relatively minor. Microscopic examinations reveal that as the number of freeze–thaw cycles increases, the soil pores tend to enlarge and multiply. The established damage model for stabilized silt under freeze–thaw cycles and applied loads demonstrates a similar pattern between the experimental and theoretical curves under four different confining pressures, reflecting an initial rapid increase followed by a steady trend. Thus, it is evident that the damage model for stabilized silt under freeze–thaw conditions outperforms traditional constitutive models, offering a more accurate depiction of the experimental variations observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Geomaterials and Reinforced Structures (Second Edition))
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