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Advances and Techniques in Rock Fracture Mechanics

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 2389

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
Interests: fracture mechanics; dynamic problems; FEM; XFEM; phase field
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
Interests: civil engineering; phase field; rock 3D reconstruction theory; multi-field coupling numerical simulation of fractured rock mass

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Zijin School of Geology and Mining, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
Interests: rock mechanics; tunneling; peridynamics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, titled "Advances and Techniques in Rock Fracture Mechanics", focuses on the latest developments and methodologies used to understand the mechanical behavior of fractured rock. 

This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that explores various aspects of rock fracture mechanics, including experimental studies, theoretical models, and computational simulations. The topics covered include the mechanics of crack initiation and propagation, the influence of rock properties on fracture behavior, and innovative techniques for monitoring and analyzing fractures. This compilation aims to provide valuable insights and advancements that contribute to the fields of geology, civil engineering, and resource extraction, ultimately enhancing the understanding and management of rock fractures in natural and engineered environments.

Dr. Junwei Chen
Dr. Zhi Zhao
Dr. Jian-Zhi Zhang
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Applied Sciences 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 fracture mechanics
  • rock engineering
  • rock slope and tunnel
  • numerical method
  • experimental study

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3460 KiB  
Article
Stress Characteristics and Mechanical Behavior of Rock Masses with an Opening under Complex Deep Underground Stress Conditions
by Mingyu Cao, Xianyang Qiu, Rihong Cao, Zeyu Li, Xiuzhi Shi and Lihai Tan
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 7197; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167197 - 15 Aug 2024
Viewed by 720
Abstract
In this study, the impact of principal stress states on the stress characteristics and initial failure of the rock mass surrounding a three-center arch opening was investigated using complex variable function methods and Discrete Element Method (DEM) numerical modeling. First, the mapping function [...] Read more.
In this study, the impact of principal stress states on the stress characteristics and initial failure of the rock mass surrounding a three-center arch opening was investigated using complex variable function methods and Discrete Element Method (DEM) numerical modeling. First, the mapping function of the opening was determined using the trigonometric interpolation method, and the influence of the number of terms in the mapping function on its accuracy was revealed. Based on this, the far-field stress state of the underground rock mass was characterized by the ratio of the minimum to maximum principal stress (λ) and the angle (β) between the principal stress and the vertical direction. This stress state was then converted into normal and shear stresses. Using complex variable function theory, the stress characteristics at the boundary of the opening under different stress states were analyzed. Finally, DEM numerical modeling was employed to study the initial failure characteristics at the boundary of the opening and its relationship with the stress distribution. The results indicate that the lateral pressure coefficient significantly affects the stability of the opening by influencing stress concentration around the surrounding rock. Low lateral pressure coefficients lead to tensile stress concentration at the boundary perpendicular to the maximum principal stress. As the coefficient increases, tensile stress decreases, and compressive stress areas expand. While the principal stress direction has a minor effect on stress concentration, it notably impacts stress distribution at the boundary. When λ < 1.0 and β = 45°, stress distribution asymmetry is most pronounced, with the highest compressive stress. The early failure distribution aligns with stress concentration areas, validating the use of stress analysis in predicting opening stability and failure characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Techniques in Rock Fracture Mechanics)
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21 pages, 5882 KiB  
Article
Development of Thrust, Torque, and Power Estimation Model, and Prediction Performance of Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machine in Mixed-Face Strata
by Shufang Zhai, Yingjie Song and Hao Tian
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(13), 5887; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135887 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 990
Abstract
In this paper, a theoretical estimation model of TBM thrust, torque, and power in the rock–soil interface (RSI) of mixed ground is developed, including a new force model for the drag cutter that accounts for chamber pressure and soil friction. A distribution model [...] Read more.
In this paper, a theoretical estimation model of TBM thrust, torque, and power in the rock–soil interface (RSI) of mixed ground is developed, including a new force model for the drag cutter that accounts for chamber pressure and soil friction. A distribution model of the disc cutters and drag cutters on the cutterhead adaptable to different excavation surfaces is built in order to visualize the cutting process as the TBM cutterhead rotates, and a program is created and that runs smoothly using the Python version 3.8, which can recognize the numbers and calculate the forces of the disc cutters and drag cutters in the soft and hard strata, respectively. Then, combining with friction forces and chamber pressure calculated by the program, the variation in torque, thrust, and power are produced. Subsequently, a new index (MPPI), which considers both the thrust of the TBM and cutterhead torque, for forecasting TBM tunneling performance in composite strata is presented. The reliability of the index as well as the estimation model are validated using data from an actual project to offer recommendations for future tunneling projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Techniques in Rock Fracture Mechanics)
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