LCPC rock abrasiveness test is gaining popularity for quick estimation of rock and soil abrasiveness in the preliminary site exploration stage of tunneling projects. However, there are parameters such as test propeller hardness and testing time, which may affect the test results thereby influencing the tool wear rate estimates of the tunneling machines employed in those projects. This study evaluates

Several hours before landslides occur, part of the rock and soil body begin to burst, rub, and fracture, generating infrasound signals propagate outward. 3D advanced positioning of the landslide has remained unsolved, which is important for disaster prevention. Using the infrasound signal send from location of the landslide, this work aimed at proposing an advanced 3D matching positioning method, based

Debris flow activity increased after the Wenchuan earthquake, and many debris flows continue to occur. Recently, a catastrophic debris flow event was triggered by strong rainfall on 20 August 2019 in Wenchuan County, China. The main purposes of this article are to analyse the activity characteristics of this disaster and further to analyse the long-term activity of debris flow in Wenchuan County based

Earthquake is one of the primary factors that triggers the failure of slopes and the landslides in the mountainous area. In this study, an efficient method for the seismic slope stability analysis and seismic failure process simulation is proposed. The seismic slope stability and the failure process of a two-dimensional slope model are analyzed via the explicit finite element method with the influence

This study develops an efficient Bayesian approach using the parametric bootstrap method for characterizing the joint probability density function (PDF) of c′ and ϕ′ based on limited site-specific test data and prior knowledge. An example using real data of c′ and ϕ′ obtained from direct shear tests on alluvial fine-grained soils at the Paglia River alluvial plain in Central Italy is presented to illustrate

In order to study the influence of high temperature on the mechanical characteristics and crack distribution of progressive failure process of rock, the laboratory uniaxial compression experiments were carried out on sandstone treated with different temperatures (25–1000 °C), and the variation characteristics of stress, deformation, and acoustic emission parameters during the failure of samples were

The degradation of rock masses making up carbonate slopes within water-level fluctuation zones after the impoundment of reservoirs is in some cases very intense. This has attracted widespread concern because such degradation can result in evolving geological hazards. Quantitative characterization of carbonate rock degradation is the key to the study of this phenomenon and its subsequent impacts. In

Disc cutters are the most commonly used cutting tools in the hard rock tunneling by tunnel boring machines (TBMs). During operation of a TBM in any project, disc cutters wear out and should be replaced to maintain high machine performance. This is especially true in very strong and abrasive rocks. In the process of planning and estimation of completion time and cost for a given tunneling project, the

The removal or reduction of heavy metal leakage from waste leachates into the soil and aquatic environment has been of interest for many years. A suitable solution is to enclose wastes in the impermeable, adsorbent, and durable layers that tolerate different ambient conditions. This indicates the need to consider geotechnical parameters along with the adsorption behavior of the adsorbents. In routine

This paper aims to compare and develop the influence on different sample sizes and sample ratios when using machine learning (ML) models, i.e., support vector machine (SVM) and artificial neural network (ANN), to produce landslide susceptibility maps (LSMs) in Penang Island, Malaysia. At the same time, traditional statistical (TS) models are also considered to produce LSMs in this comparative research

In a rock mass, holes of various sizes and geometries naturally occur, which in turn can affect the mechanical properties of the rock mass. These defects often cause engineering problems in subsurface construction. In this study, PFC2D was used to perform uniaxial compression tests on a rock mass containing ten different types of hole defects to analyze their failure behavior and mechanical properties

This study aims to realize a regional scale 3D geological model (3D-GM) of the Pays d’Auge Plateau (PAP), in Normandy, France, leading to the study of the Vaches Noires Cliffs (VNCs), a local coastal site. A 3D-GM is built using a 3D implicit method based on the integration of surface geology, cross sections, and elevation data. The geometry of the geological layers is characterized, leading to an

Climate change has caused an increase in extreme rainfall and snowfall in many parts of the world. For example, in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, annual precipitation has gradually increased and the occurrence of heavy precipitation events has become more frequent. As the reservoir water level rises in October, the high water combined with heavy precipitation creates a “special hydrological environment

Because of the strong dependence on the values for the input parameters and the cluster shape, as well as the difficulties in quantifying the precipitation in constructing landslide susceptibility maps by employing existing clustering algorithms, we propose a novel method based on an Ordering Points to Identify the Clustering Structure (OPTICS) algorithm using the Hausdorff distance (OA-HD). The OA-HD

In tunnelling, rock mass support is designed based on the observed rock mass conditions. These conditions are determined by rock mass characterization. Measurement while drilling (MWD), one such characterization method, acquires drill parameter data during drilling. These data can be used to predict rock mass conditions ahead of the face. In this study, grout-hole MWD data are collected at one of the

The Yumenkou tunnel is located on the left bank of the Yellow River on the border between Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces, China. It is connected to the Longmen Yellow River Bridge of the Menghua railway. Many unstable rock masses have developed on the cliff above the tunnel entrance, threatening the construction and operation of the tunnel and the bridge. Based on a high-precision three-dimensional (3D)

The Yuyao River Valley is located in the northwest of Ningbo basin, China. The confined aquifers in the study area show obvious spatial distribution characteristics, which are essentially controlled by the evolution and distribution of the paleochannel. Therefore, it is of great significance to determine the spatial geometric characteristics of the paleochannel for finding out the hydrogeological characteristics

In this paper, after a brief description of engineering geological properties of Ghomrood water conveyance tunnel project (lots 3 and 4 with a total length of 18 km), the actual performance of the machine during the excavation of tunnel through sedimentary and low to medium grade metamorphic rocks has been analyzed. Subsequently, using data collected during pre-construction and construction phases

In this paper, a series of experiments were conducted on typical volcanic breccia collected from the foundation of Baihetan Dam. Considering previous work, the mechanical behavior and permeability of the volcanic breccia were further investigated. The experimental results showed that the compressive strength and Young’s modulus of the volcanic breccia decrease due to the presence of water. However

The present work aims at developing a new neural network–based prediction model for Newmark’s sliding block displacements. The model is developed to predict slope displacement for given earthquake magnitude, focal mechanism, rupture distance, average shear wave velocity of the top 30 m of soil, and critical acceleration of the slope. The network architecture constitutes three layers (only one hidden

Loess is unsaturated soil that occurs in various locations on the surface of the Earth, and it is most widespread in the Chinese Loess Plateau where it has caused many geotechnical problems and geohazards. To better understand the properties of unsaturated loess, it is helpful to examine its soil–water retention curve (SWRC). In this study, a volumetric pressure plate extractor was used to examine

Electroosmosis can solve the technical difficulties associated with rapid drainage in environmental protection and geotechnical engineering applications. Electroosmotic efficiency is a crucial indicator for evaluating the economic benefits and technical effects of electroosmosis. The mineral composition and water content of the soil are the index factors affecting electroosmotic efficiency. Through

A large number of landslide events have repeatedly struck the border zone of the northwestern plateaus of Ethiopia. Debre Sina area is one of the most tectonically active areas located along the western margin of the Afar depression, which is frequently affected by landslides. Despite that, urban and rural development is currently active in almost the entire area. It is crucial, therefore, to understand

With the rapid development of deep underground engineering, grouting technology is widely used to enhance the stability of the surrounding rocks in tunnels, where ingress water, large site disturbance, and deformation are the main challenges. In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) numerical grouting system, which is based on TOUGH2 and the finite element method (FEM), is developed to study the diffusion

The characteristics of structural discontinuities in the subsurface environment often play a key role in the overall behaviour of such systems and their response to externally imposed conditions. Rock joints are one of such features that constitute the heterogeneity of rock masses. Akin to other forms of discontinuities, the characteristics of rock joints affect the performance of their parent rock

Micro screw anchor piles are ideal as the foundation of solar power plants and have been widely used in recent years. In this study, test apparatuses for the uplift loading test, compression test, and lateral loading test of the micro screw anchor pile were designed. Comprehensive field tests (totally 72 piles) for six types of micro screw anchor pile were conducted in clayey, loess, and sandy sites

In an earthquake, the initiation, movement, and deposit characteristics of a rockslide are closely related to the dynamic responses of rock masses, which constitute slope materials. In this study, considering time-varying amplitudes of earthquake wave, dolomite samples collected from the source area of Donghekou rockslide, triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, were tested under triaxial multilevel

The Kaklık Cave (Denizli, Turkey) was found following a partial collapse while a tractor was plowing a field. Since then, it is arranged for tourist visits and its stability assessment is of great importance for visitors. The authors have been carrying out geological, rock mechanics, and environmental investigations in the cave since 2003. The authors present the outcomes of these investigations in

As a large number of reservoirs are completed and put into use, slope failure under water level change and external load has caused serious loss of life and property in recent years. The equivalence of deformation and failure processes under different loading combinations is important for establishing an efficient and convenient evaluation method for reservoir slopes. A simulator and a hydraulic loading

The NMM (numerical manifold method) has shown its ability to solve continuum and discontinuum engineering problems in the same framework. In the present paper, the vector sum NMM (VSNMM) is proposed to investigate the stability of slopes. With the (vector sum numerical manifold method) VSNMM, the FOSs (factors of safety) of slopes are obtained using the real stress fields of the slopes. Compared with

Upon completion of the Yukarı Gökdere Dam, designed as a clay-cored rock fill dam for irrigation purpose, in Eğirdir district of Isparta, the water started to accumulate in the reservoir. Following this, reservoir’s water level has dropped sharply, and it was completely empty. In the winter season, the dam has accumulated water again; however, two water leakage areas were observed on the downstream

Identification of the influence of hydrological and geological factors on slope deformation characteristics (i.e., the displacement–time relationship) under rainfall plays a crucial role in providing early warning information and enabling the implementation of emergency remedial actions before a landslide occurs. In this study, a series of coupled hydro-mechanical finite element analyses were performed

Mechanical behavior of residual soils are studied by performing constant water content direct shear tests on reconstituted specimens using total stress analysis. The testing program involves initial degree of saturation (Sr) and applied normal stress as the control parameters. For three different soil samples, a total of 55 direct shear tests are conducted at Sr = 60%, 80%, and saturated conditions

Under the combination of heavy loading and high moisture content, the metastable structure of natural loess can easily lead to uneven settlement and damage the overlying infrastructure. Using traditional binder such as cement has harmful impact on the environment, especially due to resource consumption and carbon emission. This research has identified the feasibility of using red mud waste as a partial

Ground vibrations are an integral part of the process of rock blasting. The analysis of blasting vibration attenuation is the basis for a blasting risk assessment. To study the influence of rock joints on the blasting vibration attenuation, an autoclaved aerated concrete block was used as a similar material of rock in model tests of blasting vibration propagation. The attenuation process of the blasting

The unsteadiness of rock slopes is often triggered by water-softening. Based on catastrophe theory and the general constitutive equations of the strain-softening section in the weak interlayer, the present study investigated the catastrophic failure mechanism of rock slopes. Using theoretical analysis, the cusp catastrophe model for the failure of a rock slope with a strain-softening section in the

This article presents a summary of the research on the novel tortuous surface method to stochastically analyze the stability of two-dimensional bimslopes, which are slopes composed of bimrocks or bimsoils. Tortuous failure surfaces (TFSs) are slip surfaces that develop around blocks when bimslopes fail. The method was automated through an algorithm that locates a slip surface passing around the blocks

Volcanic tuff is widely used in Anatolian architecture and represents building stones of cultural heritage. The present study included a relevant assessment of the effect of four salt types and their four different concentrations on the durability of the Döğer tuff used as building stones of cultural heritages, which is subjected to salt crystallization tests. For this purpose, an investigation was

The creep model is the main form used to describe the creep behavior of weakly cemented soft rock (WCSR). To investigate the creep behavior of weakly cemented soft rock, multi-stage loading creep tests were performed by using GDS HPTAS creep triaxial apparatus. The creep curves, creep rates, and creep failure modes of weakly cemented soft rock under different water contents were obtained. A novel four-element

Cracked rocks are quite susceptible to dynamic loading from drilling, blasting, and impacting events. Understanding the dynamic response of cracked rocks under dynamic loadings is crucial for the assessment of rock structure stability. In this study, dynamic compression tests were carried out on rock specimens with multiple parallel cracks using a split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. Effects of

Barak River is highly meandering rivers flowing through the alluvial plains of Assam in India. However, due to dynamic system, it is found that channel being subjected to regular shifting which creates uncertainty to the habitants residing nearby the river. Therefore, it is anticipated to carry out a study regarding changes in channel morphology and prediction of centerline channel migration during

This work focuses on integrated stability assessment of rocky tunnel slopes along a planned railway, namely, the Dujiangyan City to Siguniang Mountain Railway (DS Railway), which is an important transportation corridor in Southwest China. Investigating the stability of slopes at the entrances and exits of tunnels represents the first step of railway construction. Based on detailed geological engineering

Mechanical behavior and deformation characteristics of rock under unloading conditions are of particular significance for analyzing excavation-induced instability problems of underground rock masses. In this paper, triaxial compression tests with progressive unloading of confining pressure were conducted upon sandstone specimens under different combinations of initial confining pressures and pore pressures

Youd’s method is a widely adopted standard penetration test based approach for evaluation of liquefaction potential. This method was established by pooling the post-earthquake survey data collected from different regions of the world, and its accuracy may vary when applied in different regions. This paper investigates the inter-region variability associated with the accuracy of Youd’s method using

Because of its poor engineering properties, silt often needs to be treated to meet the design requirements. Solidification using binder is one of the most common methods to improve the engineering properties of silt. Lime or/and cement are often used to treat silt. However, the mechanical properties of soil are closely related to its microstructure. Although much research has been done on the mechanical

Mass movements are among the most dangerous natural hazards in mountainous regions. The present study employs machine learning (ML) models for mass movement susceptibility mapping (MMSM) in Iran based on a comprehensive dataset of 864 mass movements which include debris flow, landslide, and rockfall during the last 42 years (1977–2019) as well as 12 conditional factors. The results of validation stage

Erosion is a natural relief modeling process that is influenced by several factors. Among these, we highlight the soil properties, designated by the specific concept of erodibility. Most of the existing methods for quantifying erodibility are based on field plots or indirect procedures developed from farmland approaches and methodologies limited to other study conditions such as slopes, where soil

Land subsidence along significant linear engineering is mainly affected by long-term over-extraction of groundwater, mining of mineral resources, and karst collapse. In this paper, combined with the engineering geological and hydrogeological conditions, a three-dimensional fluid-solid model of land subsidence is established based on groundwater seepage and Biot’s consolidation theories, in order to

Salt crystallization-induced decay of Vardavard granodiorite and Shirkouh monzogranite, two Iranian building stones, were assessed with two non-destructive methods: saturation-buoyancy technique and P- and S-wave velocity measurement. Moreover, polarized and fluorescence microscopy studies were used to evaluate the behavior of the studied stones at microscopic scale against a salt crystallization aging

Dhanbad, also known as ‘Coal Capital of India’, is an important district in the state of Jharkhand, India. In this paper, hazard maps for the city are prepared at bedrock level following probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). In the absence of region-specific prediction model, the concept of logic tree comprising of four different ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) is employed to consider

Red-bed mudstone is widely distributed throughout the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China. This geological material easily disintegrates into fragments during engineering activities. The potential factors that influence the disintegration (grain composition, slake durability index, grain roundness, fractal dimension, and surface energy) and shear strength (cohesion and friction angle) of red-bed mudstone

Transport and acoustic measurements have been conducted on fifteen rock samples collected from central Lebanon to characterize the rock properties and to assess the impact of lithology, pore types, pore sizes, and textural parameters on the storage capacity and elastic characteristics. The spontaneous imbibition of selected samples was examined by detecting the moving capillary front across a sample

Intrusive granite dykes and their weathered layers can have great effects on seepage into slopes and on their stability. However, few studies of this topic have been reported. Using the Zhonglincun landslide as an example, we investigate the impact of a dyke and its weathered layer on the formation mechanism of a rainfall-induced residual soil slope failure. The sliding mass of Zhonglincun landslide

Regional geological mapping commonly records the dip and dip direction of dominant layering such as bedding and foliation but not the orientation of joints. It is common for joints to form an orthogonal pattern relative to the dominant layering. In that case, the three-dimensional possibilities can be extrapolated allowing inferences to be made about kinematically feasible structural failure mechanisms

In this paper, the permeability and porosity of self-prepared artificial columnar jointed rock masses (CJRM) with different columnar dip angles under different pore pressures during cyclic loading-unloading of confining pressure were measured. The experimental results indicate that the gas permeability of the artificial CJRM gradually decreases with the rise of pore pressure due to the existence of

In a strong earthquake, not only a large number of coseismic landslides are triggered, but relaxation and cracks in the rocks and soils are induced, which make these rocks and soils vulnerable to instability during subsequent rainfall; thus, strong earthquakes always have long-term effects on landslides. The geo-hazards along the Zhaotong-Qiaojia road in the 2014 Ludian earthquake (Ms 6.5) of Yunnan

This study aimed to reveal the soil properties in the research area by using various geophysical methods. Physical parameters determining soil characteristics give us a chance to approach how the soil behaves during an earthquake. Thus, precautions can be taken to minimize earthquake damage. Also, safe construction against earthquake effects is important. The studied area is a tectonically and geothermally

Mechanical behavior of the rock in tensile stress environment remains an unresolved problem in the underground mining, where surrounding rocks commonly experience tensile failure. In the present study, tensile failure behavior of three types of sedimentary rocks is investigated experimentally and numerically. The deformation response, fracture propagation, and splitting pattern as well as energy conversion

This study is the first attempt to apply fault-based and time-dependent seismicity models cooperatively for probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) of the Kerman and adjacent areas (54–59° E, 28.5–34° N). For this study, almost all available literature and databases have been investigated to compile reliable information reported as instrumental, historical, and paleoseismological events, together

The effects of thermal treatment on the pore structure and mechanical property evolution of granite were experimentally investigated to evaluate the risks of traditional and critical geothermal systems. The microstructure of thermally treated granite was studied using an optical microscope and nuclear magnetic resonance, and the mechanical properties of thermally treated granite were studied under