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Department of Civil Engineering, School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China

Dr. Yingjie Xia

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School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China

Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors

Abstract submission deadline

31 October 2025

Manuscript submission deadline

31 December 2025

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rock mass often consists of different types of discontinuous structures, such as cleavages, foliations, beddings, laminae, joints, faults, etc. The existence of those discontinuities will impose significant effects on the geomechanical properties of rock mass. The environmental and human-induced loading acting on the rock mass is often cyclic that is why considering the effect of rock mass structure on the cyclic mechanical responses and fatigue of rock mass is important. On the other hand, the disturbed stress accelerates the deterioration of rock structures, which may finally result in serious geohazards, e.g., landslides, rock collapses, spalling, water inrush, etc. This is complicated by differential fracturing responses under multi-field and multi-phase coupling conditions. As a result, it is crucial to investigate the cyclic or fatigue behavior of rock mass by thoroughly considering its multi-scale structural effects. In the recent decade, the hotspots for geomechanics research concerning the rock mass structure have included:

(1) Structural deterioration of rock mass, such as the coupling effects of flow and stress fields on rock geo-mechanics;
(2) Deep resource and energy development related to fluid flow in fracture networks, such as the cyclic hydraulic fracturing on reservoir rock;
(3) Macro-meso fracture mechanism and modeling method for fatigue instability predication;
(4) Effects of freeze-thaw cycling on geomechanical behaviors for naturally fractured rock mass;
(5) Effects of cyclic impacting loads on multiple-scale failure behaviors for deep underground rock mass.

This Topic aims to collect recent advances in multiscale rock mass structural geomechanics exposed to fatigue or cyclic loading conditions. The articles should provide meaningful approaches and experiences to address the above-mentioned challenge in both laboratory and in situ scale. We sincerely invite you to submit comprehensive review papers and original articles. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

(1) Reporting the typical dynamic instability hazards caused by stress disturbance in rock mass;
(2) Rock structural controlled cyclic or fatigue instability characteristics in engineering rock mass;
(3) Advanced multi-phase, multi-field, and multi-scale coupling models to predict fatigue instability hazards;
(4) New apparatus and methods to observe the occurrence and development of cracks during fatigue instability;
(5) New theory to predict instability hazards in deep mine engineering rock mass;
(6) Advanced numerical simulation developments for predicting fatigue instability;
(7) In situ detection and monitoring of rock fatigue instability based on advanced apparatus;
(8) Fatigue instability prediction using a machine learning or big data platform;
(9) Advanced methods to control rock engineering instability;
(10) Coupled freeze-thaw-mechanical loads on rock damage modeling;
(11) Effect of freeze-thaw treatment and stress disturbance on rock geomechanical properties;
(12) Effects of rock structure on hydraulic fracturing treatment for gas- or oil-containing rock mass;
(13) Effects of macroscopic and mesoscopic rock structures on rock damage and fracture evolution;
(14) Coupled flow-disturbed stress on rock structure deterioration effects;
(15) Coupled freeze-thaw-mechanical loads on rock damage modeling;
(16) Cyclic hydraulic fracturing on meso-structure changes and stimulated reservoir volume.

Prof. Dr. Yu Wang
Dr. Yingjie Xia
Topic Editors

Keywords

rock structure
cyclic and fatigue loads
stress disturbance
damage and fracture
mechanical responses
macro-meso failure mechanism

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Geosciences geosciences	2.4	5.3	2011	23.5 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Materials materials	3.1	5.8	2008	13.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Minerals minerals	2.2	4.1	2011	18 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Applied Sciences applsci	2.5	5.3	2011	18.4 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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19 pages, 5482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Automatic Identification of Rock Discontinuity Sets by a Fuzzy C-Means Clustering Method Based on Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm

by Peng Li, Tianqi Chen, Yan Liu, Meifeng Cai, Liang Sun, Peitao Wang, Yu Wang and Xuepeng Zhang

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1497; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031497 - 1 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 682

Abstract

The identification and classification of rock discontinuities are crucial for studying rock mechanical properties and rock engineering optimization design and safety assessment. An improved artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is proposed and combined with the fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering method to develop an FCM clustering method for automatically identifying rock discontinuity sets based on the ABC algorithm (FCM-ABC method). All the equations of the method are fully developed, and the methodology is presented in its entirety. Moreover, the rock structural planes are investigated in a gold mine in China using a ShapeMetriX 3D system. Based on the measured structural plane data, the specific calculation process, selection of parameters, effectiveness of grouping, and the dominant orientation of the proposed method for structural plane occurrence classification are analyzed and discussed, and satisfactory clustering results are achieved. This validates the validity and reliability of the method. Furthermore, multiple aspects of the excellent performance of this method for the identification of structural plane sets compared to traditional clustering methods are demonstrated. In addition, the significance of structural plane identification in the prevention and control of rock engineering disasters is discussed. This new method theoretically expands the technology of rock mass structural plane identification and has important application value in practical engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors)

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19 pages, 2468 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Properties and Damage Constitutive Model of Saturated Sandstone Under Freeze–Thaw Action

by Meimei Feng, Xiaoxiao Cao, Taifeng Wu and Kangsheng Yuan

Materials 2024, 17(23), 5905; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235905 - 2 Dec 2024

Viewed by 892

Abstract

In order to investigate the impact of freeze–thaw damage on sandstone under the coupling of ground stress and pore water pressure, three types of porous sandstone were subjected to freezing at different negative temperatures (−5 °C, −10 °C, −15 °C, and −20 °C). Subsequently, hydraulic coupling triaxial compression tests were conducted on the frozen and thawed sandstone. We analyzed the effects of porosity and freezing temperature on the mechanical properties of sandstone under hydraulic coupling and performed nuclear magnetic resonance tests on sandstone samples before and after freezing and thawing. The evolution of the pore structure in sandstone at various freezing and thawing stages was studied, and a statistical damage constitutive model was established to validate the test results. The results indicate that the stress–strain curves of sandstone samples under triaxial compression after a freeze–thaw cycle exhibit minimal changes compared to those without freezing at normal temperature. The peak deviator stress shows a decreasing trend with decreasing freezing temperature, particularly between −5 °C and −10 °C, and then gradually stabilizes. The elastic modulus of sandstone with different porosity decreases with the decrease in freezing temperature, and the decrease is more obvious in the range of −5 °C~−10 °C, decreasing by 2.33%, 6.11%, and 10.5%, respectively. Below −10 °C, the elastic modulus becomes similar to that at −10 °C, and the change tends to stabilize. The nuclear magnetic porosity of sandstone samples significantly increases after freezing and thawing. The smaller the initial porosity, the greater the rate of change in nuclear magnetic porosity after a freeze–thaw cycle. The effects of freeze–thaw damage on the T2 distribution of sandstone with different porosity levels vary. We established a statistical damage constitutive model considering the combined effects of freeze–thaw damage, ground stress, and pore water pressure. The compaction coefficient K was introduced into the constitutive model for optimization. The change trend of the theoretical curve closely aligns with that of the test curve, better characterizing the stress–strain relationship of sandstone under complex pressure environments. The research findings can provide a scientific basis for wellbore wall design and subsequent maintenance in complex environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors)

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14 pages, 5463 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Properties of Rock-like Materials Under Disturbance Loads at Different Lateral Pressures

by Yonghong Liu, Fujun Zhao, Qiuhong Wu and Zhouyuan Ye

Materials 2024, 17(22), 5439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225439 - 7 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 920

Abstract

Underground surrounding rock engineering displays unique mechanical properties after being subjected to disturbance loads. In this study, the self-developed CX-8568 impact-disturbance surrounding rock test system was utilized to conduct dynamic tests on gypsum specimens subjected to different lateral pressures. The results show that the presence of lateral pressure enhances the specimen’s ability to withstand disturbance loads, which shows higher lateral pressure results in a greater number of disturbance cycles required for specimen failure. Lateral pressure inhibits both the transverse and axial deformation of the specimen, leading to an increase in the elastic modulus and average cyclic disturbance times as lateral pressure rises. When the lateral pressure is held constant, the residual plastic strain of the specimen increases continuously with the number of cyclic disturbance cycles, while the elastic modulus of the specimen decreases steadily as the cyclic disturbance cycles increase. The application of disturbance loads causes significant spalling and damage to the free surface of the specimen under varying lateral pressures. At low lateral pressures, the specimen primarily experiences tensile splitting, whereas at high lateral pressures, shear failure occurs at the ends of the specimen, while tensile failure is observed in the middle. Through this study, we can more clearly understand the mechanical properties and failure characteristics of rock under disturbed load and provide theoretical guidance for the stability of rock engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors)

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16 pages, 11990 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Responses and Fracture Evolution of Marble Samples Containing Stepped Fissures under Increasing-Amplitude Cyclic Loading

by Yongchun Yu, Yu Wang, Xuefeng Yi and Zhenzhen Chen

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(17), 7919; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177919 - 5 Sep 2024

Viewed by 803

Abstract

This work aims to reveal the effect of rock bridge length (RBL), i.e., 10, 20, 30, or 40 mm, on the fatigue mechanical responses and fracture evolution of marble samples containing stepped fissures under multilevel cyclic loading paths. Comprehensive investigations were conducted on fatigue strength, deformation, damping evolution, and damage propagation. The test results demonstrate that fatigue strength, volumetric deformation, and fatigue lifetime increase as rock bridge length increases. The energy dissipation reflected by the damping ratio indicates that much energy is consumed to drive crack propagation, especially for rock with larger rock bridge segments at the final cyclic loading stage (CLS). An index of strain incremental rate is proposed to predict rock failure development. It is found that volumetric strain rate is a better early warning sign than axial strain rate. Warning time decreases with increasing rock bridge length; it is suggested that rock with large segments has good ability to resist external fatigue loading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors)

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19 pages, 8239 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conducting Research to Identify Key Features and Critical Nodes in the Coalescence and Instability of Pre-Fabricated Jointed Rock

by Buchu Zhang, Shichuan Zhang, Baotang Shen, Yangyang Li, Shilong Song and Xuexian Han

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(17), 7905; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177905 - 5 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 789

Abstract

The instability of jointed rock masses has been a persistent concern in China’s underground geotechnical engineering, particularly regarding rock mass instability triggered by structural activation, such as faulting. This form of instability constitutes a significant type of dynamic geological hazard in the field of geotechnical engineering. Research on the mechanism of jointed rock mass instability typically concentrates on various characteristics associated with structural activation but frequently neglects the interplay between coalescence instability within the jointed zones and the intact zones, as well as the development and evolution of abrupt water channels. To delve into the coalescence instability characteristics between jointed and intact zones, this study conducted uniaxial compression tests on macro-scale pre-fabricated jointed sandstone. The research results show that the failure process of the specimen consists of a strong deviation linear stage, a sub-critical stage, and an unstable stage. The main failure process occurs during the sub-critical stage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors)

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19 pages, 6151 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Piecewise Linear Strength Models for Analyzing Multiple Failure Mechanisms in Rocks Materials

by Shiqi Li, Yuan Li, Dongjue Fan, Liang Zhao and Litian Zhang

Materials 2024, 17(16), 4102; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17164102 - 19 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1074

Abstract

Rock materials failures are accompanied by the co-existence of various failure mechanisms, including rock fracturing, shearing, and compaction yield. These mechanisms manifest macroscopically as multiple failure modes and nonlinear strength characteristics related to stress levels. Considering the limitations of current rock mechanics strength theories, which are primarily derived from single failure mechanisms, this study evaluates the applicability of alternative strength theories. Based on the extensional-strain criterion and the PMC (Paul-Mohr-Coulomb) model, a piecewise linear strength model was proposed that is suitable for analyzing multiple failure mechanisms in rocks, revealing the intrinsic mechanisms of multi-mechanism rock material failure. A multiple failure mechanism strength model in the form of inequalities was proposed, using the generalized shear stress, mean stress, and stress Lode angle as parameters. Strength tests conducted on sandstone and granite rock material samples under different stress conditions revealed distinct piecewise linear strength characteristics for both rock types, validating the rationality and applicability of the multiple failure mechanism model. The findings construct a multi-mechanism failure model for rocks, providing enhanced predictive capabilities and aiding in the prevention of rock structural failures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors)

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17 pages, 5874 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Damping and Stiffness Responses of Silica Rock under Constant Amplitude and Variable Rate Cyclic Loading

by Yunfeng Wu, Yu Wang, Changhong Li, Baokun Zhou, Zicheng Tian, Changkun Sun and Youdong Zhu

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4713; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114713 - 30 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1177

Abstract

In this paper, the shear modulus and damping ratio of silica rock under cyclic loading were experimentally analyzed using two loading modes, constant amplitude and increasing amplitude, combined with three increasing loading rates. Observations have indicated a decrease in the shear modulus of specimens as the number of cycles increased during the loading and unloading phases and an overall increase with larger amplitude intervals. The change in loading rate significantly affects the damping ratio of the specimens, leading to a stepwise decrease within the same cyclic group, while the damping ratio of a single specimen exhibits a ‘concave’ distribution throughout the cyclic interval. Based on the axial strain and dissipation energy, this paper develops two damage models that can effectively predict the damage accumulation process in rocks under cyclic loading. These findings have significant implications for a deeper understanding of the mechanical behavior of rocks under dynamic loading and offer theoretical guidance and technical support for rock engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors)

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21 pages, 8479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Triaxial Test Study on Energy Evolution of Marble after Thermal Cycle

by Qi Wu, Bowen Li and Xuehai Jiang

Minerals 2023, 13(3), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13030428 - 17 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1773

Abstract

With the increasing requirements for the exploitation of underground resources, the subject of the physical and mechanical properties of rocks under high temperature and pressure needs to be studied urgently. In order to analyze the mechanical and energy characteristics of rocks under different thermal damages and confining pressures (c), a triaxial compression test is performed on 35 marble samples. The effects of thermal damage and high pressure are simulated with different thermal cycles and confining pressures. The results show that as the number of thermal cycles increases, the peak strain of marble gradually rises, but the peak stress and the elastic modulus (E) decrease by a degree, reaching 11.19‰, 39.53 MPa, 4.79 GPa, while there is no confining pressure applied at eight thermal cycles. At this point, the failure mode gradually changes from brittle fracture to plastic failure. When confining pressure rises, peak stress, peak strain, and elastic modulus all show an upward trend, reaching a maximum of 189.45 MPa, 13.39‰, 35.41 GPa, while the sample is undamaged at 30 MPa confining pressure. Moreover, peak stress increases linearly with confining pressure increase. The increased rate of the peak value of the total absorbed energy, elastic strain energy, and dissipated energy all show a convex trend. The dissipated energy gradually increases with the axial strain (ε₁) during the rock loading process. The elastic strain energy has an energy storage limit, but the rock fails when the value exceeds the limit. The limit increases first and then decreases with the number of thermal cycles. These results can provide important engineering references for mining underground resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors)

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20 pages, 12799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Evolution of Physical Parameters and Dynamic Compression Mechanical Properties of Granite after Different Heating and Cooling Cycles

by Hongzhong Zhang, Linqi Huang, Xibing Li, Xingmiao Hu and Yangchun Wu

Materials 2023, 16(6), 2300; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062300 - 13 Mar 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1812

Abstract

The study of the evolution law of basic physical parameters and dynamic compression performance of deep granite under the environment of the heating-cooling cycle is of great significance for the stability evaluation of deep underground engineering and the development of deep resources. In this study, heating-cooling cycle tests and dynamic compression tests were conducted on a large number of fine-grained granite specimens with heating temperatures from 200 to 600 °C and times from one to twenty times using a box-type high-temperature muffle furnace and Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test system, and the evolution law of basic physical parameters and dynamic compression mechanical properties of fine-grained granite were studied using theoretical and fitting analysis. The test results showed that: the changes of the basic physical parameters of granite have obvious temperature effect; 600 °C is a threshold value for the changes of each physical parameter of granite; the sensitivity of each physical parameter to the number of heating and cooling cycles is small before 600 °C; and the sensitivity of each physical parameter to the number of heating and cooling cycles significantly increases at 600 °C. The dynamic compressive strength and elastic modulus of granite decreased with the increase in heating and cooling cycles, and the maximum decrease rate was 89.1% and 85.9%, respectively, and the strain rate linearly increased with the increase in heating and cooling cycles, and the maximum strain rate was 123 s⁻¹. The temperature, the number of heating and cooling cycles, and the impact air pressure, all had significant effects on the damage mode and crushing degree of granite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors)

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Submit your Abstract

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Geosciences geosciences	2.4	5.3	2011	23.5 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Materials materials	3.1	5.8	2008	13.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Minerals minerals	2.2	4.1	2011	18 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Applied Sciences applsci	2.5	5.3	2011	18.4 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Advances in Understanding Rock Mass Structural-Dependent Cyclic and Fatigue Behaviors

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