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Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition)

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A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 9058

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Prof. Dr. Chenxi Ding

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Department of Civil Engineering, School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: rock mechanics; blasting engineering; dynamic fracture; experimental technique; numerical simulation
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Dr. Chun Feng

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Key Laboratory for Mechanics in Fluid Solid Coupling Systems, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Interests: continuous discontinuous numerical methods and software; explosion and shock waves; rock fracture and fragmentation; rock engineering and digital twin
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Prof. Dr. Chun Liu

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School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
Interests: discrete element method; numerical simulation; rock mechanics; multi-field coupling
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Prof. Dr. Liyun Yang

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Department of Geotechnical Engineering, School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: rock fragmentation; rock mechanics; blasting engineering; dynamic fracture; TBM; shaft and tunnel
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Dr. Jianguo Wang

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Faculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650031, China
Interests: rock dynamic mechanics; blasting theory; blasting experiment technique; engineering application of blasting technology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rock is a composite geological structure that is heterogeneous, anisotropic, discontinuous, and has internal stress. Its structure also includes many rock units with different mechanical properties, and each unit itself is often heterogeneous, anisotropic, and discontinuous. It can be seen that the mechanical properties of rock are far more complex compared to those of other materials. Any scientific experiment, theoretical analysis, and calculation of rock mechanics must consider these characteristics, which constitute the basic starting point of rock mechanics research. Rock mechanics is a discipline that studies the stress, strain, failure, stability, and reinforcement of rock under the action of external factors (such as load, water flow, temperature change, etc.). With the utilization of underground space, the development of underground power stations (hydropower stations, thermal power stations, nuclear power stations), the development of mineral resources and energy sources, and transportation, research on rock mechanics is increasingly turning towards having an underground focus. Therefore, more attention will be paid to rock mechanics problems related to underground engineering in the future, such as rapid construction technology, rock burst, gas explosion, and the in situ monitoring of surrounding rock.

This Special Issue, entitled “Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering”, aims to cover recent advances in the development and application of rock mechanics. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, methods and/or applications in the following areas:

Efficient numerical simulation method for rock mechanics;
Numerical simulation of rock and soil mass behavior under different loading conditions, especially impact or blast loading;
Modeling of soil–fluid interaction and its influence on rock behavior;
Computational geomechanics for underground excavations and tunnels;
New construction techniques and engineering applications in geotechnical engineering;
Numerical simulation of the development process of geothermal, oil, gas, and other underground resources.

Dr. Chenxi Ding
Dr. Chun Feng
Prof. Dr. Chun Liu
Prof. Dr. Liyun Yang
Dr. Jianguo Wang
Guest Editors

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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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes 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 2400 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
geotechnical engineering
complex reservoir
numerical simulation
soil–fluid interaction
construction techniques

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3481 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Shielding Effects and Crack Arrest Mechanisms of Inclined Weak Interlayers Under Impact Loading

by Chunhong Xiao, Zhongqiu Sun, Meng Wang, Yaodong Sun and Yiwen Hai

Processes 2026, 14(9), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14091369 - 24 Apr 2026

Viewed by 303

Abstract

Deciphering the dynamic fracture evolution of rock masses, particularly the interaction between dynamic stress waves and localised weak interlayers, is essential for optimising dynamic rock excavation in mining engineering. To systematically explore how these structural planes halt propagating cracks and generate a dynamic shielding effect, this study integrated Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar experiments, Digital Image Correlation techniques, and computational modeling. The findings demonstrate that altering the geometric orientation of the soft layer dictates the ultimate failure pattern. While an orthogonal interface (i.e., an interface with 0° inclination perpendicular to the loading direction) allows a tension-driven crack to cleave directly through the entire composite specimen, introducing an inclined obliquity of 15° forces the advancing fracture to deviate and permanently halt inside the soft stratum. Macroscopically, this barrier capability is validated by a rapid decrease in fracture speed, which drops abruptly by 75.5% upon encountering the inclined zone. Microscopic numerical evaluations confirm that this fracture arrest originates from wave mode conversion at the misaligned boundary. The angled interface forces incoming compressional pulses to transform into intense shear stresses, promoting extensive fracture. Substantial energy dissipation within the interlayer fully deprives the primary crack of the tensile stress required for propagation, effectively confining the stress-propagated hard rock within an energy shadow zone and suppressing further fragmentation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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24 pages, 6496 KB

Open AccessArticle

Vertical Discretization Analysis of Tunnel Face Stability in Deep Tunnels

by Zeyang Zhang, Jianhong Man and Qingwen Li

Processes 2026, 14(8), 1287; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14081287 - 17 Apr 2026

Viewed by 348

Abstract

Existing methods for assessing the stability of deep tunnel face rarely account for the weakening effect of rock mass parameters caused by excavation disturbance. This paper employs a vertical discretization method to divide the rigid failure body into vertical strip elements with fixed horizontal widths. By considering the weakening effect of rock mass parameters, a stability analysis model for the tunnel face is established. The equivalent cohesion and internal friction angle of the rock mass are obtained using the Hoek–Brown criterion and the equivalent Mohr–Coulomb transformation. Combined with the disturbance weakening factor, these yield the equivalent rock mass parameters after disturbance. Stability is solved using limit analysis and the principle of virtual power. The accuracy of the established model is verified through numerical simulation, demonstrating that the proposed analytical approach requires only about 90 s per run compared to approximately 7 h for 3D numerical models. The results indicate that the importance of parameters, in descending order under the specified reference conditions for deep-buried tunnels, is

G S I > D_{r} > h_{1} > m_{i}

, where

G S I

play a dominant role. Excavation disturbance significantly reduces rock mass strength numerically. Assessing

G S I

and controlling the blasting disturbance are key to ensuring the stability of deep tunnels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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25 pages, 7198 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation of In Situ Stress Fields in Deep Geotechnical Engineering Using Nonlinear Iterative Inversion

by Liang Zhao, Yuan Li, Shuangshuang Fu, Yang Liu and Shiqi Li

Processes 2026, 14(6), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14060949 - 16 Mar 2026

Viewed by 525

Abstract

The mechanical behavior of deep rock masses under high-stress conditions exhibits significant nonlinear characteristics. However, current in situ stress field inversion methods typically rely on linear elastic constitutive models and multiple linear regression analysis. By analyzing the results of triaxial stress–strain tests and confining pressure calibration experiments on rocks, and drawing on the nonlinear concepts from the Duncan-Zhang model, a nonlinear characterization function was developed, represented by mean stress p, bulk modulus K, and shear modulus G. The nonlinear elastic constitutive model was integrated into a numerical simulation framework, and a new in situ stress field inversion fitting method based on nonlinear elastic constitutive modeling was proposed. This method uses initial linear iterations followed by multiple nonlinear iterations until convergence is achieved. Applied to the inversion of the deep in situ stress field at the Xishan Iron Mine, the results demonstrate that compared to traditional linear regression-based methods, the errors in mean stress, deviatoric stress, and the Lode parameter were reduced by 58%, 50%, and 22%, respectively, confirming the effectiveness of this method in in situ stress field inversion in rock mechanics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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27 pages, 4063 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Quantitative Geological-Strength-Index-Based Method for Estimating Direct Rock Mass Parameters from 3D Point Clouds

by Yangyang Li, Lei Deng, Xingdong Zhao and Huaibin Li

Processes 2026, 14(4), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14040641 - 12 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1068

Abstract

The Geological Strength Index (GSI) is a crucial tool for assessing jointed rock masses, but it is often hindered by subjectivity in visual assessments. In this study, we propose a novel quantitative GSI method wherein 3D laser-scanning point clouds are used to quantitatively derive empirical rock mass indices (SR and SCR) to estimate mechanical parameters. By integrating the GSI with the Rock Block Index (RBI) and joint spacing, a framework for quantifying the Structural Rating (SR) is established. Furthermore, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is employed to assign weights to Surface Condition Rating (SCR) factors. The results indicate that infilling materials have the most significant impact on SCR (weight 0.6334), followed by weathering (0.2605) and roughness (0.1061). This method was applied to evaluate rock masses at depths of −915 to −960 m in the Sanshandao Gold Mine. The GSI values calculated for the foot wall, ore body, and hanging wall were 38.5, 33.8, and 37.8, respectively. Validation against conventional quantitative methods demonstrated high accuracy, with a maximum relative GSI difference of 1.5 and a deformation modulus difference of only 0.227 GPa. This data-driven approach effectively reduces subjectivity and provides a reliable tool for automated geotechnical parameter estimation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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17 pages, 7995 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Response of Gradient Composite Rock Masses Under Explosive Plane Waves

by Yuantong Zhang, Xiufeng Zhang, Bingbing Yu, Bo Wang, Bing Zhou and Yang Chen

Processes 2025, 13(12), 3854; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123854 - 28 Nov 2025

Viewed by 573

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamic mechanical characteristics of strength-gradient composite rock masses under one-dimensional explosive plane waves by integrating digital image correlation (DIC) and Lagrangian inverse analysis. Using a one-dimensional explosive plane wave generator, high-spatiotemporal resolution displacement and strain data were acquired from specimen surfaces via an ultra-high-speed camera and DIC. The study compared the decay patterns of blast stress waves and deformation features of rock under two loading paths (forward and backward gradients) for three explosive charges, and employed Lagrangian inverse analysis to determine the strength-gradient distribution within the composite rock mass. The Lagrange inverse analysis method was employed to derive the constitutive relationship of the strength-gradient composite rock mass. The results indicate that in forward gradient rock masses, stress waves undergo stress jumps at joint surfaces, leading to increased wave amplitudes. In backward gradient rock masses, stress wave attenuation is more pronounced. In forward gradient coarse sandstone, stress attenuation rates are significantly higher than in the other two sandstone types. In backward gradient gray sandstone, attenuation rates are markedly greater than in the other two sandstones. However, under identical charge conditions, coarse sandstone exhibits a higher attenuation coefficient than gray sandstone. This indicates that stress waves decay more rapidly in the immediate vicinity of the explosion and that weaker media exhibit faster decay rates. The findings reveal the propagation patterns of explosive stress waves in layered gradient materials, providing a theoretical basis for engineering blasting in layered rock formations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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22 pages, 9912 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Effects of Induced Tensile Stress on Geotechnical Behavior of Foundations Using Fracture-Based Continuum Modeling

by Goodluck I. Ofoegbu, Kevin J. Smart and Biswajit Dasgupta

Processes 2025, 13(12), 3836; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123836 - 27 Nov 2025

Viewed by 496

Abstract

This paper assesses the contributions of induced tensile stress in the behavior of foundations in order to make a case that tensile stress induced by foundation loading needs to be considered in geotechnical analysis for foundations that apply high loading and are sited on sloping ground, subsurface materials with complex geometry, or other conditions that do not conform to the assumption of shear-dominant failure that is the basis for foundation analysis used in current practice. The assessment uses numerical simulations using fracture-based continuum modeling (FBCM), which models mechanical damage of subsurface materials in terms of the initiation and propagation of shear and tensile failure surfaces (fractures). FBCM models fractures explicitly in a continuum framework using fracture transformation matrices to encapsulate, thus automating the creation and use of fracture geometry. The assessment shows that tensile and shear damage mechanisms contribute to behavior of foundations on sloping ground, with the tensile mechanism increasing as setback from the slope crest decreases. For a large setback, failure is shear-dominated but tensile mechanisms occur at the ultimate state. In contrast, tensile mechanisms dominate the failure of foundations at a small setback. Additionally, the paper provides verification of FBCM for foundation analysis by comparing model calculations against published results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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35 pages, 17519 KB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of In Situ Stress in Ultra-Deep Carbonate Reservoirs Along Fault Zone 6 of the Shunbei Ordovician System Based on a Two-Parameter Coupling Model with Nonlinear Perturbations

by Shijie Zhu, Yabin Zhang, Bei Zha, Xingxing Cao, Lei Pu and Chao Huang

Processes 2025, 13(12), 3822; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123822 - 26 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 603

Abstract

The Ordovician No. 6 fault zone reservoir in the Shunbei Oilfield exhibits ultra-deep-burial, high-pressure, and high-temperature conditions. Its pronounced tectonic control and significant heterogeneity render traditional in situ stress prediction methods—based on linear elasticity and anisotropy assumptions—inadequate for accurately characterizing the evolution and uncertainty of carbonate reservoir stiffness. Therefore, quantitatively predicting the development patterns and distribution characteristics of the Shunbei No. 6 structural fault zone is crucial for the exploration and development of Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Shunbei region. This study integrates wave impedance inversion with high-confining-pressure PFC particle flow biaxial test results to establish a constitutive calibration system consistent with seismic and experimental data. It introduces a nonlinear weakening function incorporating higher-order derivative constraints to fuse structural fracture and effective stress weakening effects, enabling dynamic correction of elastic parameters. This approach establishes a novel in situ stress prediction model. Simulation results indicate a predicted range for maximum horizontal principal stress between 201 and 261 MPa, with minimum horizontal principal stress ranging from 124 to 173 MPa. Predicted stress values for three key wells exhibit measurement errors within 6.92% compared to actual logging data, displaying a zoned spatial distribution consistent with regional tectonic stress evolution patterns. Simultaneously, sensitivity analysis reveals that the Young’s modulus fitting accuracy improved from 0.89 to 0.95, with a 43% reduction in mean square error, with the proportion of outliers reduced to below 1%. This significantly enhances response continuity and numerical stability in high-gradient disturbance zones and stiffness drop regions. The new model explicitly incorporates the nonlinear coupling between fracture geometry and pore pressure disturbance into the parameter field, eliminating systematic bias along fracture zones. Higher-order derivative constraints suppress numerical oscillations in high-gradient areas, stabilizing variance and preventing anomaly propagation. Residual distributions exhibit enhanced symmetry and reduced spatial autocorrelation, effectively suppressing numerical oscillations and divergence in complex fracture zones while significantly improving stress prediction accuracy for the study area. Overall, this research provides novel methodologies for predicting in situ stresses in ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs, offering engineering guidance and parameterization references for scheme deployment in complex fractured karst systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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16 pages, 8765 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Crack Propagation Law in Strength Gradient Composite Rock Mass

by Yuantong Zhang, Xiufeng Zhang, Wentao Ren, Peng Gu, Yang Chen, Bo Wang and Bing Zhou

Processes 2025, 13(12), 3795; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123795 - 24 Nov 2025

Viewed by 653

Abstract

The study of mechanical response and crack propagation behavior of layered composite rock mass is helpful for the efficient extraction of geological energy and the safety and stability of underground space structures. The shale is a heterogeneous rock, which is often mixed with mudstone and sandstone. Studying the propagation law of cracks in layered composite rock mass can better serve underground engineering. In this paper, three different strength rock materials (coarse sandstone, red sandstone, and gray sandstone) were spliced together to make three-point bending specimens with prefabricated cracks in the middle, and three-point bending experiments under different loading rates were carried out. The digital image correlation method was used to visualize the strain distribution in the three-point bending experiment, and the difference in crack propagation in different layered composite rock masses was studied. The numerical simulation is established by the cohesive element, and the correctness of the simulation is verified by the displacement-load data. Then the crack propagation speed under different conditions is studied. The results show that there are differences and similarities in the crack propagation process in different strength gradient composite rock masses. When the crack propagates from strong to weak, the crack tip receives more complex tensile shear force, which facilitates the crack crossing the interface. As the loading speed increases, the earlier the prefabricated crack initiates, the shorter the time it stays at the joint surface. When the crack propagates from strong to weak, the crack propagation is more penetrating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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11 pages, 4988 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Fracture Characteristics and Mechanisms of Iron Ore Under Dynamic Loading

by Yilin Tian, Peng Xu, Hua Li, Junjie Li, Shiqing Zhou, Yanting Chen, Xuyang Chang and Zhibo Lin

Processes 2025, 13(11), 3436; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113436 - 26 Oct 2025

Viewed by 746

Abstract

The dynamic fracture process of iron ore under blast loading is an important manifestation of ore fragmentation. To investigate the dynamic fracturing process of iron ore, Hopkinson bar experiments were conducted under different impact loads. The results indicate that under low strain rates, the dynamic stress–strain curve of iron ore exhibits compaction, elastic, and failure stages. However, as the strain rate increases, the compaction stage becomes less distinct, while the elastic modulus decreases and the failure strength increases, indicating the material toughness was enhanced at high strain rate. Moreover, under high strain rates, a significant increase in shear strain promotes the formation of tensile–shear cracks in the ore. In addition, based on the fragmentation of iron ore at different impact pressure, there exists a certain impact pressure, at which the proportion of large fragments decreases only slightly, while the amount of small fragments increases markedly. These findings provide important insights for optimizing fragmentation and improving blasting effectiveness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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15 pages, 2318 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation on the Characteristic Stress and Energy Evolution Law of Carbonaceous Shale: Effects of Dry–Wet Cycles, Confining Pressure, and Fissure Angle

by Yu Li, Shengnan Li, Xianglong Liu, Aiguo Jiang and Dongge Cui

Processes 2025, 13(11), 3399; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113399 - 23 Oct 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 507

Abstract

To investigate characteristic stress and energy evolution law of carbonaceous shale under dry–wet cycles and fissure angle, several samples with prefabricated fissure angles were prepared and subjected to the coupled influence of dry–wet cycles and loading. The results show that the closure stress, initiation stress, damage stress, and peak stress gradually increase with the increase in confining pressure, effectively suppressing the initiation and propagation of the crack. At the same time, the total energy, elastic energy, and dissipated energy at the crack characteristic stress are enhanced by a linear function relationship, significantly improving the bearing capacity and energy storage capacity of carbonaceous shale. The dry–wet cycle is regarded as the driving force of damage, reducing the crack characteristic stress and the total energy, elastic energy, and dissipated energy of crack characteristic stress. This results in a weakened capacity of the rock samples to store elastic strain energy, ultimately contributing to the damage degradation of carbonaceous shale. The anisotropic damage of rock is controlled by fissure angle. The crack characteristic stress and the total energy, elastic energy, and dissipated energy of crack characteristic stress with a 45° fissure angle is the smallest. Finally, the energy storage level at the damage stress (Kcd) can be used as an early warning indicator for rock failure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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18 pages, 5006 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hazardous Gas Emission Laws in Tunnels Based on Gas–Solid Coupling

by Yansong Li, Peidong Su, Li Luo, Yougui Li, Weihua Liu and Junjie Yang

Processes 2025, 13(10), 3308; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103308 - 16 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 897

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanisms of hazardous gas outbursts in geologically complex non-coal tunnels. This is a critical safety concern during excavation, particularly at specific locations and during time-sensitive periods. To address this, a gas–solid coupled numerical model is established to simulate gas seepage processes under such conditions. The simulations systematically reveal the spatiotemporal evolutionary patterns of the velocity and direction of the gas seepage and elucidate the migration mechanism driven by excavation-induced pressure gradients. The model specifically analyzes how geological structures, such as rock joints and fractures, control the seepage pathways. The model also demonstrates the dynamic variations in and enrichment behavior of the gas escape velocities near these discontinuities. Field measurements obtained from the Hongdoushan Tunnel validated the simulated emission patterns along jointed fissures. The findings clarify the intrinsic relationships between the outburst dynamics and key factors that include pressure differentials, geological structures, and temporal effects. This work provides a crucial theoretical foundation and practical strategy for the prediction and prevention of hazardous gas disasters in analogous tunnel engineering projects, thereby enhancing overall construction safety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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13 pages, 5457 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Disintegration Resistance of Different Types of Schist on the Eastern Slope of the Tongman Open-Pit Mine

by Yiming Wen, Xiangdong Niu, Yongfeng Lu, Yong Cheng, Ping Lu, Jianbo Xia, You Lin, Li Tang, Qi Nie and Kaishan Lin

Processes 2025, 13(3), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030915 - 20 Mar 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1041

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the disintegration resistance of schist on the eastern slope of the Tongman open-pit mine. It examined the effects of cycle number and mineral composition on the disintegration resistance indexes of four types of schist through thin section identification and laboratory disintegration resistance tests. Furthermore, we analyzed the morphological characteristics of the disintegration residues using laboratory tests. Based on pore micro-damage theory, the mechanisms responsible for the differences in disintegration resistance among the four types of schist were further explored. The results show a negative correlation between the disintegration resistance index and the number of cycles. For the same number of cycles, the disintegration resistance indices for the four schist types were ranked as follows: greenish-gray chlorite-bearing muscovite schist > gray weakly chloritized biotite–muscovite schist > greenish-gray muscovite schist > gray muscovite schist. The disintegration residues of schist samples were categorized into four morphological patterns: thin sheet-like, moderately thick sheet-like, blocky, and granular. These patterns were then thoroughly elucidated. The differences in the disintegration resistance characteristics of schist were closely related to their material composition. The microstructural pore damage within the rock is the essential factor causing schist disintegration. Variations in rock porosity led to differing damage factors, which explain the distinct disintegration resistance characteristics observed across the four types of schist. The proposed preventive measures, developed through a systematic analysis of schist disintegration mechanisms, provide an effective framework for slope stability management. This research offers valuable insights into the weathering characteristics of rock masses in slope engineering, which is significant for understanding the progressive failure modes of disintegrating metamorphic formations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Second Edition))

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