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Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Its Applications

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "H: Geo-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 October 2021) | Viewed by 17231

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Department Civil and Environmental Engineering, 291 Daehak Ro, Daejeon 34141, Korea
Interests: geotechnical engineering; energy geotechnology; bio-soil; rock excavation
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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Systems Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon-si 16499, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
Interests: geotechnical engineering; ground improvement; bio-soil; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recently, the World and human beings are facing severe climate change and accompanying geotechnical engineering hazards such as soil degradation (e.g. desertification), landslides, scouring and erosion, floods. In addition, the population bloom and drastic expansion of metropolitan regions are requesting high demands on underground spaces and sustainable urban development. Therefore, environmentally friendly and sustainable development is now an inevitable challenge for civil and geotechnical engineers, where the world and society are asking geotechnical engineering to provide solutions to mitigate climate-related geotechnical engineering hazards and to maintain a sustainable civilization. This Special Issue welcomes all type of contributions to resolve current challenges in sustainable geotechnical engineering from fundamental research to practical implementation scales. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a source of “Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Its Applications that deal with conventional or new fields in geotechnical engineering including: geotechnical engineering hazards, climate change issues, development of new material / methods for sustainable geotechnical engineering practice, geoenvironmental topics and research, sustainable urban development, hydro-geotechnical engineering (dam, levee, reservoir, urban storm-water control, permeable pavements), renewable energy sources, recent attempts in CO2 and waste reduction, soil erosion and land preservation, and new space (underground, offshore, and planetary) development related geotechnical engineering.

Prof. Gye-Chun Cho
Prof. Dr. Ilhan Chang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Sustainability in geotechnical engineering
  • Geoenvironmental engineering
  • Climate change
  • Geotechnical engineering hazards
  • Soil erosion and scour
  • Sustainable urban development
  • Ground improvement materials and methods
  • Hydro-geotechnical engineering
  • Renewable energy
  • CO2 and waste reduction/recycling
  • Underground spaces
  • Bio-soils

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 4588 KiB  
Article
Numerical Modelling of Various Aspects of Pipe Pile Static Load Test
by Michał Baca, Alexander L. Ivannikov and Jarosław Rybak
Energies 2021, 14(24), 8598; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248598 - 20 Dec 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2511
Abstract
Due to the development of dedicated software and the computing capabilities of modern computers, the application of numerical methods to analyse more complex geotechnical problems is becoming increasingly common. However, there are still some areas which, due to the lack of unambiguous solutions, [...] Read more.
Due to the development of dedicated software and the computing capabilities of modern computers, the application of numerical methods to analyse more complex geotechnical problems is becoming increasingly common. However, there are still some areas which, due to the lack of unambiguous solutions, require a more thorough examination, e.g., the numerical simulations of displacement pile behaviour in soil. Difficulties in obtaining the convergence of simulations with the results of static load tests are mainly caused by problems with proper modelling of the pile installation process. Based on the numerical models developed so far, a new process of static load test modelling has been proposed, which includes the influence of pile installation on the soil in its vicinity and modelling of contact between steel pile and the soil. Although the presented method is not new, this is relevant and important for practitioners that may want to improve the design of displacement piles. The results of the numerical calculations were verified by comparing them with the results of pipe pile field tests carried out in a natural scale on the test field in Southern Poland. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Its Applications)
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11 pages, 11708 KiB  
Article
A Case Study on the Closed-Type Barrier Effect on Debris Flows at Mt. Woomyeon, Korea in 2011 via a Numerical Approach
by Shin-Kyu Choi and Tae-Hyuk Kwon
Energies 2021, 14(23), 7890; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14237890 - 24 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1926
Abstract
Debris flows are capable of flowing with high velocities and causing significant economic and infrastructural damage. As a hazard mitigation measure, physical barriers are frequently installed to dissipate the energy of debris flows. However, there is a lack of understanding on how barriers [...] Read more.
Debris flows are capable of flowing with high velocities and causing significant economic and infrastructural damage. As a hazard mitigation measure, physical barriers are frequently installed to dissipate the energy of debris flows. However, there is a lack of understanding on how barriers affect and interact with debris-flow behavior (e.g., velocity and volume). This study investigated the changes in debris-flow characteristics depending on the installation location of barriers. Mt. Woomyeon, which is located in Seoul, Korea, was the site of a major debris-flow event in 2011. This study modeled this event using DAN3D, numerical software based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). Our numerical approach assessed changes in debris-flow behavior, including velocity and volume, as the debris flow interacts with four closed-type barriers installed at separate points along the flow path. We used DAN3D to model the barriers via terrain elevation modifications. The presence of a closed-type barrier results in the reduction in the debris-flow velocity and volume compared to when no barrier is present. Most notably, the closer a barrier is installed to the debris source, the greater the velocity decrease. By contrast, a barrier that is constructed further downstream allows the debris flow to undergo entrainment-driven growth before confronting the barrier, resulting in a larger debris deposition volume that can often cause overflow, as shown at our particular study site. The presented results highlight the effectiveness of barriers as a method of hazard mitigation by providing insight into how such installations can alter debris-flow behavior. In addition, the findings can provide a reference for future debris-flow barrier designs, increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of such barrier systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Its Applications)
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18 pages, 2888 KiB  
Article
Changes in Thornthwaite Moisture Index and Reactive Soil Movements under Current and Future Climate Scenarios—A Case Study
by Md Rajibul Karim, Md Mizanur Rahman, Khoi Nguyen, Donald Cameron, Asif Iqbal and Isaac Ahenkorah
Energies 2021, 14(20), 6760; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206760 - 17 Oct 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3115
Abstract
Expansive soils go through significant volume changes due to seasonal moisture variations resulting in ground movements. The ground movement related problems are likely to worsen in the future due to climate change. It is important to understand and incorporate likely future changes in [...] Read more.
Expansive soils go through significant volume changes due to seasonal moisture variations resulting in ground movements. The ground movement related problems are likely to worsen in the future due to climate change. It is important to understand and incorporate likely future changes in design to ensure the resilience of structures built on such soils. However, there has been a limited amount of work quantifying the effect of climate change on expansive soils movement and related behaviour of structures. The Thornthwaite Moisture Index (TMI) is one of the commonly used climate classifiers in quantifying the effect of atmospheric boundary on soil behaviour. Using the long-term weather data and predicted future changes under different emission scenarios, a series of TMI maps are developed for South Australia. Potential changes in ground movement are then estimated for a selected area using a simplified methodology where the effect of future climate is captured through changes in TMI. Results indicate that South Australia is likely to face a significant reduction in TMI under all emission scenarios considered in this study. The changes in TMI will lead to a considerable increase in potential ground movement which will influence the behaviour of structures built on them and in some areas may lead to premature failure if not considered in the design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Its Applications)
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11 pages, 1610 KiB  
Article
Fragility Assessment of Geotechnical Seismic Isolated (GSI) Configurations
by Davide Forcellini
Energies 2021, 14(16), 5088; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14165088 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1934
Abstract
Geotechnical seismic isolation (GSI) consists of an innovative technique to mitigate the effects of earthquakes based on interposing a superficial soil layer to filter the seismic energy from the soil to the structure. This approach is particularly applied in developing countries due to [...] Read more.
Geotechnical seismic isolation (GSI) consists of an innovative technique to mitigate the effects of earthquakes based on interposing a superficial soil layer to filter the seismic energy from the soil to the structure. This approach is particularly applied in developing countries due to low-cost applications. In order to account the uncertainties, the presented paper aimed to develop fragility curves of 3D configurations performed by numerical finite element models. The mail goal is to assess and discuss the potentialities of GSI as a mitigation technique for several configurations. Opensees PL has been applied to perform the numerical analyses and to realistically reproduce the behaviour of GSI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Its Applications)
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16 pages, 3176 KiB  
Article
Effect of Permeability on Hydrate-Bearing Sediment Productivity and Stability in Ulleung Basin, East Sea, South Korea
by Jung-Tae Kim, Chul-Whan Kang, Ah-Ram Kim, Joo Yong Lee and Gye-Chun Cho
Energies 2021, 14(6), 1752; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14061752 - 22 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2541
Abstract
Methane hydrate has attracted attention as a next-generation resource, and many researchers have conducted various studies to estimate its productivity. Numerical simulation is the optimal method for estimating methane gas productivity. Meanwhile, using a reasonable input parameter is essential for obtaining accurate numerical [...] Read more.
Methane hydrate has attracted attention as a next-generation resource, and many researchers have conducted various studies to estimate its productivity. Numerical simulation is the optimal method for estimating methane gas productivity. Meanwhile, using a reasonable input parameter is essential for obtaining accurate numerical modeling results. Permeability is a geotechnical property that exhibits the greatest impact on productivity. The permeability of hydrate-bearing sediment varies based on the sediment pore structure and hydrate saturation. In this study, an empirical permeability model was derived from experimental data using soil specimens from the Ulleung Basin, and the model was applied in numerical analysis to evaluate the sediment gas productivity and ground stability. The gas productivity and stability of hydrate-bearing sediments were compared by applying a widely used permeability model and the proposed model to a numerical model. Additionally, a parametric study was performed to examine the effects of initial hydrate saturation on the sediment gas productivity and stability. There were significant differences in the productivity and stability analysis results according to the proposed permeability model. Therefore, it was found that for accurate numerical analysis, a regional permeability model should be applied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Its Applications)
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19 pages, 14844 KiB  
Article
Acoustic Emission Characteristics and Joint Nonlinear Mechanical Response of Rock Masses under Uniaxial Compression
by Zhongliang Feng, Xin Chen, Yu Fu, Shaoshuai Qing and Tongguan Xie
Energies 2021, 14(1), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14010200 - 2 Jan 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2041
Abstract
The joint arrangement in rock masses is the critical factor controlling the stability of rock structures in underground geotechnical engineering. In this study, the influence of the joint inclination angle on the mechanical behavior of jointed rock masses under uniaxial compression was investigated. [...] Read more.
The joint arrangement in rock masses is the critical factor controlling the stability of rock structures in underground geotechnical engineering. In this study, the influence of the joint inclination angle on the mechanical behavior of jointed rock masses under uniaxial compression was investigated. Physical model laboratory experiments were conducted on jointed specimens with a single pre-existing flaw inclined at 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° and on intact specimens. The acoustic emission (AE) signals were monitored during the loading process, which revealed that there is a correlation between the AE characteristics and the failure modes of the jointed specimens with different inclination angles. In addition, particle flow code (PFC) modeling was carried out to reproduce the phenomena observed in the physical experiments. According to the numerical results, the AE phenomenon was basically the same as that observed in the physical experiments. The response of the pre-existing joint mainly involved three stages: (I) the closing of the joint; (II) the strength mobilization of the joint; and (III) the reopening of the joint. Moreover, the response of the pre-existing joint was closely related to the joint’s inclination. As the joint inclination angle increased, the strength mobilization stage of the joint gradually shifted from the pre-peak stage of the stress–strain curve to the post-peak stage. In addition, the instantaneous drop in the average joint system aperture (aave) in the specimens with medium and high inclination angles corresponded to a rapid increase in the form of the pulse of the AE activity during the strength mobilization stage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Its Applications)
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28 pages, 17533 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study on Anisotropic Influence of Joint Spacing on Mechanical Behavior of Rock Mass Models under Uniaxial Compression
by Xin Chen, Zhongliang Feng and Cheng Cheng
Energies 2020, 13(24), 6698; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13246698 - 18 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2000
Abstract
Mechanical properties of rock masses are dominated by the nonlinear response of joints and their arrangement. In this paper, combined influences of joint spacing (s) and joint inclination angle (β) on mechanical behavior of rock mass models with large [...] Read more.
Mechanical properties of rock masses are dominated by the nonlinear response of joints and their arrangement. In this paper, combined influences of joint spacing (s) and joint inclination angle (β) on mechanical behavior of rock mass models with large open joints under uniaxial compression were investigated by PFC modeling. With a large amount of local measurement circles placed along the pre-defined measurement lines (ML), stresses and joint response parameters at different scales (the measurement circles, the MLs and the whole specimen) were defined and calculated. It was found that macroscopic behaviors of the jointed specimens, such as four types of deformation behaviors, four failure modes, strength, deformability modulus and ductility index, are dominated by nonlinear response of the joint system, especially the interaction between the joints and rock bridges. The joints may experience three stages, i.e., starting to close, closed and opening again. On the joint plane, the peak stresses of the rock bridges and those of the joints may not be reached at the same time; i.e., joint strength mobilization happens with the loss of the rock bridges’ resistance. The influence of s on specimen behavior is little for β = 90°, obvious for β = 0° or 30° and significant for β = 45° or 60°, and this can be related to their different microscopic damage mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Its Applications)
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