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Symmetry
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Applications Based on Symmetry and Asymmetry in Structural and Geotechnical...
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Applications Based on Symmetry and Asymmetry in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Engineering and Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 1838

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Wenkun Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Interests: rock mechanics; tunnelling; machine learning; structural health monitoring; automation construction; concrete materials intelligent design
Dr. Yangtao Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
2. The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Hohai University, Nanjing 210037, China
3. College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: structural health monitoring; computer vision; structural damage detection; non-contact inspection; artificial intelligence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Symmetry and asymmetry behaviors represent fundamental characteristics in rock and rock-like materials (e.g., concrete). Advances in laboratory testing and field monitoring technologies have enabled the capture of multiscale symmetry/asymmetry features from macroscopic to microscopic levels, highlighting mechanical heterogeneity. With the increasing volume of data generated, data-driven intelligent methods are essential for analyzing experimental and field data to deeply investigate how symmetry/asymmetry structures influence mechanical properties and to predict mechanical behaviors across scales. This approach is critical for uncovering underlying mechanisms and enhancing engineering applications.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Innovative data collection and analysis techniques for symmetry/asymmetry behaviors in rock and rock-like materials;

(2) Laboratory tests, numerical simulations, or field data analyses addressing multiscale mechanical behaviors from macro- to micro-structures;

(3) Application of artificial intelligence (e.g., computer vision and machine learning) in modeling and predictive analysis for structural and geotechnical engineering;

(4) Other research relevant to the theme, integrating symmetry principles with data-driven approaches.

Dr. Wenkun Yang
Dr. Yangtao Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 or rock-like materials
  • symmetry/asymmetry
  • computer vision
  • machine learning
  • homogeneity/anisotropy
  • data-driven methods
  • multi-scale mechanical analysis

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 11817 KB  
Article
Degradation of the Mechanical Properties of Prestressed Anchor Cable in an Alternating Wet–Dry Condition
by Tao Yin, Yujie Wang, Lipeng Liu, Yong Qiu, Ming Shi and Xingsong Sun
Symmetry 2026, 18(6), 948; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18060948 - 1 Jun 2026
Viewed by 154
Abstract
As an active reinforcement technology, prestressed anchor cables are susceptible to environmental corrosion during long-term service. Corrosion occurs and progresses more rapidly, especially in an alternating wet–dry environment, which can degrade the mechanical properties of prestressed anchor cables and may ultimately lead to [...] Read more.
As an active reinforcement technology, prestressed anchor cables are susceptible to environmental corrosion during long-term service. Corrosion occurs and progresses more rapidly, especially in an alternating wet–dry environment, which can degrade the mechanical properties of prestressed anchor cables and may ultimately lead to failure. Current methods typically evaluate the mechanical properties of anchor cables based on cross-sectional loss calculated from the average weight loss ratio. However, this uniform-corrosion assumption may underestimate the effect of corrosion on mechanical performance. In this study, a testing apparatus for corroding prestressed anchor cables under alternating wet–dry conditions was developed. The apparatus enabled accurate loading and nondestructive sampling. Using this apparatus, alternating wet–dry corrosion tests and mechanical tensile tests were conducted on anchor cables under different stress levels. The relationship between weight loss ratio and mechanical properties was then analyzed. Based on this relationship, an equation was derived to calculate the breaking strength of corroded anchor cables in alternating wet–dry environments. The service life estimated using this equation was closer to that observed in actual anchor cable failure cases. This indicates that the proposed equation provides more accurate predictions than methods based on the uniform-corrosion assumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications Based on Symmetry and Asymmetry in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering)
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31 pages, 10227 KB  
Article
Phase-Field Modeling of Fracture Propagation Patterns Under Proppant Support in Sequential Hydraulic Fracturing
by Chen Yu and Chuang Liu
Symmetry 2026, 18(5), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18050730 - 24 Apr 2026
Viewed by 260
Abstract
Numerical simulation of sequential fracturing in horizontal wells for shale gas and oil extraction requires careful consideration of mechanical interactions between proppant and fracture surfaces—a challenge that remains largely unresolved. This study proposes a novel phase-field model featuring a strain-based formulation and a [...] Read more.
Numerical simulation of sequential fracturing in horizontal wells for shale gas and oil extraction requires careful consideration of mechanical interactions between proppant and fracture surfaces—a challenge that remains largely unresolved. This study proposes a novel phase-field model featuring a strain-based formulation and a width-dependent proppant reaction force. Unlike previous studies, we integrate an empirical propped force solution, adapted from established work to account for rock properties and proppant support, to capture nonlinear fracture closure. Results show that reaction stress models significantly dictate propped geometry. The model’s fracture length, width, and closure predictions are validated against theoretical solutions. We conducted a sensitivity analysis to evaluate how fracture deflection angles and widths vary with dimensionless fracture spacing, in situ stress contrast, and proppant strength. Numerical results show that proppants induce pronounced morphological asymmetry and distinct geometric discrepancies. Specifically, the heterogeneous support provided by proppants and the resulting stress redistribution alter fracture propagation paths, leading to an 8% reduction in fracture length and a marked difference in fracture orientation of approximately 80° between supported and unsupported fractures, highlighting the important role of proppants in governing fracture geometry. Both dimensionless fracture spacing and in situ stress contrast strongly influence fracture deflection, with proppant strength also contributing. The propped-force formulation is further extended to nonplanar fractures, enabling application to sequential fracturing with multiple fractures. These results highlight fracture propagation mechanisms and demonstrate the robustness of the proposed phase-field model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications Based on Symmetry and Asymmetry in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering)
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12 pages, 3178 KB  
Article
Centrifugal Test Study on the Sinking Mechanism of Large Open Caissons in Fine Sandy Soil
by Dejie Li, Weijia Liu, Fuquan Ji, Yulong Zhang and Jing Xiao
Symmetry 2026, 18(2), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18020360 - 14 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 461
Abstract
This study addresses the common challenges of complex soil behavior and the difficulties in achieving precise control during the construction of large open caissons. A centrifugal model test was conducted to investigate open caisson–fine sandy soil interaction, and the findings were further verified [...] Read more.
This study addresses the common challenges of complex soil behavior and the difficulties in achieving precise control during the construction of large open caissons. A centrifugal model test was conducted to investigate open caisson–fine sandy soil interaction, and the findings were further verified through field testing. Results indicated that during the sinking process, the open caisson–soil interface exhibited slip failure characteristics, while the soil at the cutting edge of the open caisson showed a tendency for inward shear slippage. The horizontal earth pressure along the open caisson sidewall was found to correspond to static earth pressure in the upper section and gradually approached active earth pressure in the lower section. The maximum earth pressure occurred at approximately three-quarters of the embedded depth of the open caisson wall. Furthermore, the friction angle at the soil-open caisson interface was approximately 0.63 times that of the soil friction angle. Based on the observed distribution patterns of earth pressure and skin friction, theoretical calculation formulas were developed. Their accuracy was confirmed through field tests, providing valuable references for the design and construction of large open caisson projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications Based on Symmetry and Asymmetry in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering)
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12 pages, 3019 KB  
Article
The Sinking Mechanism and Active Control Method for Large-Scale Caissons
by Hong Zhang, Dejie Li, Fuquan Ji and Yongwei Wang
Symmetry 2026, 18(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18010080 - 3 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 480
Abstract
In the construction of large-scale caissons, it is difficult to obtain accurate values of the end resistance. There are also inclination, sand boiling, and other issues. In this study, a simplified calculation model for the broken-line end-bearing capacity was proposed on the basis [...] Read more.
In the construction of large-scale caissons, it is difficult to obtain accurate values of the end resistance. There are also inclination, sand boiling, and other issues. In this study, a simplified calculation model for the broken-line end-bearing capacity was proposed on the basis of the passive extrusion failure theory of foundations. Simplified calculation formulas for the bearing capacity under different soil support conditions were established, considering the impacts of excavation or burial depth on the failure slip surface and bearing capacity of the foundation. In addition, the impacts of different shapes of caisson components on the end resistance were analyzed. On the basis of this analysis, a bearing capacity correction coefficient was introduced that considers three-dimensional spatial effects; the calculation results of the end resistance method deviate from the on-site measured earth pressure values by no more than 10%. The dominant influences of the inclining moment and resisting moment on the caisson’s attitude varied progressively as the caisson continued to sink. In the construction of large-scale caissons, end resistance emerged as the primary factor governing the caisson’s orientation. Accordingly, a “stepped progressive” sinking control method was developed and implemented during the caisson sinking operations for Pier No. 5 of the Changzhou-Taixing Yangtze River Bridge. By actively controlling the width of the supporting soil at the end of the caisson and the burial depth, the verticality of the caisson throughout the construction process remained within 1/150. The verticality of the final sinking of the caisson exceeded 1/2000, and the torsional angle of the final sinking of the caisson was only 0.07°. This achieved the active control of the end resistance of the large caisson, the process of sinking, the attitude during the sinking, and the risk of sand boiling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications Based on Symmetry and Asymmetry in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering)
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