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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Earth Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 21710

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Dr. Susana Lopez-Querol

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Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University of London, London WC1E 7HU, UK
Interests: soil dynamics; soil–structure interaction; liquefaction; ground improvement; offshore wind turbines foundations; landslides
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soils are very complicated materials. They are formed by particles that have different properties, sizes, and shapes, which interact with each other mechanically and chemically. Moreover, the voids left by the particles can be filled with a combination of fluids and gases, which highly affect the overall mechanical soil behaviour. Different approaches to simulate the soil performance when subject to loads can be adopted, running from macro- to micro-structural analyses. All of these possible numerical models pose challenges that need to be addressed in order to balance stability, accuracy, and efficient simulations.

This Special Issue is open to advanced numerical simulations in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. We aim at publishing contributions on novel numerical schemes, including new constitutive models, particulate soil mechanics, unsaturated media, and soil dynamics. Practical applications of these advanced approaches to real civil engineering problems are particularly welcome.

Dr. Susana Lopez-Querol
Guest Editor

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Keywords

meshfree methods
DEM
time integration schemes
soil–structure interaction
soil–structure interface
constitutive modelling
construction sequences
Biot’s equations
modelling of unsaturated soil mechanics

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 5410 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eigendegradation Algorithm Applied to Visco-Plastic Weak Layers

by Pedro Navas, Diego Manzanal, Ángel Yagüe, Miguel M. Stickle and Susana López-Querol

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8175; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12168175 - 16 Aug 2022

Viewed by 965

Abstract

In geotechnical engineering, very often, the soil behavior varies with time. This is of particular interest in many cases such as embankments in soft clays, shear band progression in slopes or where the speed of the application of the load affects the bearing capacity of the material. In this paper, we study the extension of non-local failures using algorithms such as eigenerosion and eigensoftening, in order to evaluate the failure of weak layers. In particular, the time dependence of the progression of shear bands is analyzed through the integration of a Perzyna-type visco-plastic model with a degradation algorithm within the Optimal Transportation Meshfree (OTM) framework. The validation of the proposed algorithm is carried out through three different practical cases, showing very good agreement in all of them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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21 pages, 575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mixed Method for Isogeometric Analysis of Coupled Flow and Deformation in Poroelastic Media

by Yared Worku Bekele, Eivind Fonn, Trond Kvamsdal, Arne Morten Kvarving and Steinar Nordal

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(6), 2915; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12062915 - 12 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1559

Abstract

Pressure oscillations at small time steps have been known to be an issue in poroelasticity simulations. A review of proposed approaches to overcome this problem is presented. Critical time steps are specified to alleviate this in finite element analyses. We present a mixed isogeometric formulation here with a view to assessing the results at very small time steps. Numerical studies are performed on Terzaghi’s problem and consolidation of a layered porous medium with a very low permeability layer for varying polynomial degrees, continuities across knot spans and spatial discretizations. Comparisons are made with equal order simulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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20 pages, 7888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Global Vibration Intensity Assessment Based on Vibration Source Localization on Construction Sites: Application to Vibratory Sheet Piling

by Shiguang Wang and Songye Zhu

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(4), 1946; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12041946 - 13 Feb 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1679

Abstract

Various construction activities (such as piling) often generate high-intensity ground vibrations that adversely affect the surrounding environment. A common way of assessing vibration impact is to conduct on-site ground vibration monitoring at several selected locations. However, as vibration sources are often not pinpointed in the construction process, this approach cannot predict the vibration intensities at locations other than those monitored points. Therefore, the localization of vibration sources (e.g., vibratory sheet pile driving location) is crucial to quantify the corresponding vibration intensities in a broad area. This paper investigates a time-based source localization method based on wave propagation characteristics derived via three-dimensional finite element modeling of vibratory sheet pile driving in an infinite half-space soil domain. Satisfactory accuracy in the localization of the vibratory driving sources was achieved in all investigated numerical examples. Field validation tests were also conducted on a construction site with ongoing vibratory sheet pile driving work. A site-specific empirical formula was adopted to model the attenuation of measured vibration intensities with the increasing distance from the localized vibration source. As such, the combined utilization of the estimated vibration source location and the adopted empirical formula can achieve vibration intensity assessment in a broad surrounding area rather than being confined to a few monitored points. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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21 pages, 5061 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Enhanced Discrete Element Modeling Method Considering Spatiotemporal Correlations for Investigating Deformations and Failures of Jointed Rock Slopes

by Xiaona Zhang, Yan Sun and Gang Mei

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 923; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12020923 - 17 Jan 2022

Viewed by 1592

Abstract

The discrete element method (DEM) is commonly employed to analyze the deformations and failures of jointed rock slopes. However, when the iterative calculation process of the DEM modeling should be terminated is still unclear. To solve the above problem, in this paper, a discrete element modeling method based on the energy correlation coefficient is proposed to determine when the iterative calculation process could be terminated, and then applied the proposed method to analyze the deformations and failures of jointed rock slopes. Compared with the existing discrete element modeling method based on the displacement variation coefficient, the proposed method based on the energy correlation coefficient is much more applicable for jointed rock slopes. The main advantage of the proposed method is that there is no need to determine the position of the potential sliding surface, and the displacements of all blocks are no longer counted as statistics, but the spatiotemporal correlations between all blocks are considered. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by comparing with the existing method based on the displacement variation coefficient for an abbreviated jointed rock slope. Moreover, the proposed method is successfully applied to analyze a real-world jointed rock slope without an obvious potential sliding surface in which the existing method cannot work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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24 pages, 10386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation on the Response of Adjacent Underground Pipelines to Super Shallow Buried Large Span Double-Arch Tunnel Excavation

by Jianxiu Wang, Ansheng Cao, Zhao Wu, Zhipeng Sun, Xiao Lin, Lei Sun, Xiaotian Liu, Huboqiang Li and Yuanwei Sun

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 621; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12020621 - 10 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1451

Abstract

The excavation of a shallow buried tunnel may cause stress redistribution in surrounding rock, and cause deformation, damage, and even destruction of adjacent underground pipelines. The land part of the Haicang undersea tunnel in Xiamen of China was a super shallow buried large span double-arch tunnel. Its construction was restricted by both underground excavation safe and adjacent pipeline protection. Multiple groups of working conditions were designed considering the relative position of pipe and tunnel, pipeline and tunnel construction parameters. Numerical simulation was used to study the influence of pipeline horizontal distance, buried depth, pipeline diameter, pipeline wall thickness, pipeline shape, pipeline material and excavation method on the response of adjacent underground pipelines. The results show that the relative position of pipe and tunnel, and the construction method of the double-arch tunnel have a great influence on pipeline deformation. Pipeline material, pipeline diameter and excavation method have a great influence on pipeline stress. The construction method was the key factor affecting the stress and deformation of the pipeline. The three-step reserved core soil method can effectively control the stress and deformation of underground pipelines. The research results can provide a reference for similar projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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11 pages, 3808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthetic Study of Boulder Detection Using Multi-Configuration Combination of Cross-Hole ERT and Its Field Application in Xiamen Metro, China

by Ningbo Li, Zhao Dong, Zhengyu Liu, Bing Yan, Kai Wang, Lichao Nie, Chunjin Lin, Junfeng Shen, Zhao Ma and Yongheng Zhang

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(24), 11860; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112411860 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1888

Abstract

With the fast development of urban rail transportation, shield construction has been widely used in tunnel construction in China. It is very important to detect the random distribution of boulders, which may cause geological problems. Cross-hole electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has the advantage of precise detection, but it has not been systematically studied in solitary rock detection. Therefore, we set up several numerical models and proposed weighted inversion, to improve the capacity for detecting boulders. Subsequently, the method was applied to the Xiamen Metro Line 1, where it was highly likely to encounter boulders. All the test boreholes revealed the presence of boulders, and their location and size were consistent with the geophysics results. This study demonstrated the suitability of weighted inversion based on a multi-configuration combination of cross-hole ERT for the detection of boulders. This case study provides new engineering perspectives on how to detect boulders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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18 pages, 5314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analytical Solution of Stress in a Transversely Isotropic Floor Rock Mass under Distributed Loading in an Arbitrary Direction

by Dongliang Ji, Hongbao Zhao, Lei Wang, Hui Cheng and Jianfeng Xu

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 10476; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112110476 - 08 Nov 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1766

Abstract

Rock masses with a distinct structure may present a transversely isotropic character; thus, the stress state in a transversely isotropic elastic half-plane surface is an important way to assess the behavior of the interaction between the distributed loading and the surroundings. Most previous theoretical analyses have considered a loading direction that is either vertical or horizontal, and the stress distribution that results from the effect of different loading directions remains unclear. In this paper, based on the transversely isotropic elastic half-plane surface theory, a stress solution that is applicable to distributed loading in any direction is proposed to further examine the loading effect. The consistency between the analytical solution and numerical simulations showed the effectiveness of the proposal that was introduced. Then, it was utilized to analyze the stress distribution rule by changing the Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus of the model. The effects of the formation dip angle on the stress state are also examined. The stress distribution, depending on the physical property parameters and relative angle, is predicted using an analytical solution, and the mechanisms associated with the transversely isotropic elastic half-plane surface subjected to the loading in any direction are clarified. Additionally, extensive analyses regarding this case study, with respect to the mechanical behavior associated with changes in the stress boundary, is available. Hence, the proposed analytical solution can more realistically account for the loading problem in many engineering practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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15 pages, 3129 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stability and Force Chain Characteristics of “Inclined Step Cutting Body” in Stope

by Yanjun Zhang, Yueguan Yan, Huayang Dai, Yuanhao Zhu and Tianhui Wu

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 10276; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112110276 - 02 Nov 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 1353

Abstract

In the mining stage of shallow thick coal seam in the western mining area of China, there is often severe mine pressure and serious surface subsidence and damage. In this paper, theoretical analysis and PFC (Particle Flow Code) numerical simulation are combined to study the caving characteristics and force chain evolution characteristics of the overlying strata of stope. We analyze the stability of the structure of the “inclined step cutting body” on the overlying strata and obtain the calculation formula of the support force of the working face based on the instability of the structure. The force chain arch curve equation is modified according to the evolution law of force chains, from which the force chain can be the basis for judging the large area damage of the surface. The results demonstrate that the rock mass i₁ ≤ 0.86, the structure of “inclined step cutting body,” is not prone to sliding and instability. Considering that i = 1.0~1.4 under the condition of shallow buried thick coal seam, the structure of the “inclined step cutting body” is prone to being destroyed leading to instability, resulting in severe rock pressure.The minimum supporting force to maintain structural stability is 0.2F_n, which is in line with the actual support force in the mining process of the working face. Taking the mining technical parameters of the nearby working face into the force chain arch formula, it can be concluded that, when the working face advances to 175 m, large-scale subsidence damage begins to appear on the surface, which agrees with the survey results. Therefore, the force chain is the main force system to bear the load of the overlying strata. PFC has unique advantages in simulating discontinuous deformation of overburden rock. The results of the study reasonably explain the phenomena of severe mine pressure and serious surface damage caused by the mining of the shallow thick coal seam working face, which has a certain reference value for preventing ground disasters caused by underground mining and land ecological restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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21 pages, 10465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Pile Installation on Existing Tunnels Using Model Test and Numerical Analysis with Medium Density Sand

by Suk-Min Kong, Dong-Wook Oh, Seong-Won Lee, Chang-Yong Kim and Yong-Joo Lee

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 6904; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11156904 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1781

Abstract

Vital underground structures such as sewers, power transmission lines, subways, and underpasses are potentially vulnerable to adverse effects from aboveground construction. In this study, the influence of pile installation on nearby existing tunnels was investigated. Both a laboratory model test and finite-element numerical analysis were conducted. Twelve different combinations of horizontal and vertical offsets between the pile and the tunnel were investigated. Different surcharge loads (allowable and ultimate) were also considered. In this way, the appropriate separation distance between the existing tunnel and the piles was established for sandy, medium-compaction soil. Although this study considers simple ground conditions, it facilitates safe construction by confirming the appropriate separation distance and comparing the areas that cannot be penetrated by the structures of each standard. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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19 pages, 13211 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Depth-Integrated Two-Phase Modeling of Two Real Cases: A Comparison between r.avaflow and GeoFlow-SPH Codes

by Seyed Ali Mousavi Tayebi, Saeid Moussavi Tayyebi and Manuel Pastor

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(12), 5751; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11125751 - 21 Jun 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3281

Abstract

Due to the growing populations in areas at high risk of natural disasters, hazard and risk assessments of landslides have attracted significant attention from researchers worldwide. In order to assess potential risks and design possible countermeasures, it is necessary to have a better understanding of this phenomenon and its mechanism. As a result, the prediction of landslide evolution using continuum dynamic modeling implemented in advanced simulation tools is becoming more important. We analyzed a depth-integrated, two-phase model implemented in two different sets of code to stimulate rapid landslides, such as debris flows and rock avalanches. The first set of code, r.avaflow, represents a GIS-based computational framework and employs the NOC-TVD numerical scheme. The second set of code, GeoFlow-SPH, is based on the mesh-free numerical method of smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) with the capability of describing pore pressure’s evolution along the vertical distribution of flowing mass. Two real cases of an Acheron rock avalanche and Sham Tseng San Tsuen debris flow were used with the best fit values of geotechnical parameters obtained in the prior modeling to investigate the capabilities of the sets of code. Comparison of the results evidenced that both sets of code were capable of properly reproducing the run-out distance, deposition thickness, and deposition shape in the benchmark exercises. However, the values of maximum propagation velocities and thickness were considerably different, suggesting that using more than one set of simulation code allows us to predict more accurately the possible scenarios and design more effective countermeasures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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23 pages, 9395 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Investigation of Progressive Slope Failure Induced by Sublevel Caving Mining Using the Finite Difference Method and Adaptive Local Remeshing

by Jingzhi Tu, Yanlin Zhang, Gang Mei and Nengxiong Xu

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 3812; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11093812 - 23 Apr 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1978

Abstract

Slope failure induced by sublevel caving mining is a progressive process, resulting in the large deformation and displacement of rock masses in the slope. Numerical methods are widely used to investigate the above phenomenon. However, conventional numerical methods have difficulties when simulating the process of progressive slope failure. For example, the discrete element method (DEM) for block systems is computationally expensive and possibly fails for large-scale and complex slope models, while the finite difference method (FDM) has a mesh distortion problem when simulating progressive slope failure. To address the above problems, this paper presents a finite difference modeling method using the adaptive local remeshing technique (LREM) to investigate the progressive slope failure induced by sublevel caving mining. In the proposed LREM, (1) the zone of the distorted mesh is adaptively identified, and the landslide body is removed; (2) the updated mesh is regenerated by the local remeshing, and the physical field variables of the original computational model are transferred to the regenerated computational model. The novelty of the proposed method is that (1) compared with the DEM for block systems, the proposed LREM is capable of modeling the progressive slope failure in large-scale rock slopes; (2) the proposed method is able to address the problem of mesh distortion in conventional FDM modeling; and (3) compared with the errors induced by the frequent updating of the mesh of the entire model, the adaptive local remeshing technique effectively reduces calculation errors. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed LREM, it is first used to investigate the failure of a simplified slope induced by sublevel caving mining. Moreover, the proposed LREM is applied in a real case, i.e., to investigate the progressive slope failure induced by sublevel caving mining in Yanqianshan Iron Mine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Numerical Simulations in Geotechnical Engineering)

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