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Intelligent Technologies for Understanding and Controlling the Impact of Geological Disasters on Construction

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Hazards and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (2 July 2024) | Viewed by 11006

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yaxun Xiao

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Guest Editor

Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
Interests: research on in situ microseismic/acoustic emission monitoring technology and analysis methods for the fracturing process of deep rock masses; study on the mechanisms and control technologies of fracturing disaster initiation processes in deep hard rock engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Yanchun Yin

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Guest Editor

College of Energy and Mining Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
Interests: rock mechanics and testing; rockburst prevention; mining safety

Dr. Haitao Li

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Guest Editor

Chinese Institute of Coal Science, Beijing 100013, China
Interests: mechanism of coal bump and its digital solution

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Geological disasters associated with engineering construction seriously restrict the sustainable exploitation of large-scale resources. The geological disasters impacting construction are varied, such as rockburst in deep tunnels and mines, landslide of reservoir slopes, and collapses in underground powerhouses. In recent years, the technology for testing, monitoring and preventing these disasters has made great progress. These achievements play a vital role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of major projects. However, under the background of global industrial intelligent reform, the intelligent level of disaster observation and prevention technology needs to be improved.

This Special Issue aims to collect innovative achievements in intelligent technologies toward understanding and controlling the impact of geological disasters on the built environment. Original research and review papers are welcome. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Laboratory test technology of disasters;
Intelligent perception technology for disaster prevention;
Big data analysis of disaster precursor information;
Disaster warning cloud platforms based on deep learning;
Self-decision technology and equipment for disaster control.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yaxun Xiao
Prof. Dr. Yanchun Yin
Dr. Haitao Li
Guest Editors

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Keywords

intelligent technology
construction geological disaster
rockburst
laboratory test
intelligent perception
disaster inoculation
big data analysis
deep learning
disaster warning
self-decision disaster control

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 9533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation on the Damage Evolution of Thermally Treated Granodiorite Subjected to Rapid Cooling with Liquid Nitrogen

by Mohamed Elgharib Gomah, Enyuan Wang and Ahmed A. Omar

Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6396; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156396 - 26 Jul 2024

Viewed by 877

Abstract

In many thermal geotechnical applications, liquid nitrogen (LN₂) utilization leads to damage and cracks in the host rock. This phenomenon and associated microcracking are a hot topic that must be thoroughly researched. A series of physical and mechanical experiments were conducted on Egyptian granodiorite samples to investigate the effects of liquid nitrogen cooling on the preheated rock. Before quenching in LN₂, the granodiorite was gradually heated to 600 °C for two hours. Microscopical evolution was linked to macroscopic properties like porosity, mass, volume, density, P-wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, and elastic modulus. According to the experiment results, the thermal damage, crack density, porosity, and density reduction ratio increased gradually to 300 °C before severely degrading beyond this temperature. The uniaxial compressive strength declined marginally to 200 °C, then increased to 300 °C before monotonically decreasing as the temperature rose. On the other hand, at 200 °C, the elastic modulus and P-wave velocity started to decline significantly. Thus, 200 and 300 °C were noted in this study as two mutation temperatures in the evolution of granodiorite mechanical and physical properties, after which all parameters deteriorated. Moreover, LN₂ cooling causes more remarkable physical and mechanical modifications at the same target temperature than air cooling. Through a deeper comprehension of how rocks behave in high-temperature conditions, this research seeks to avoid and limit future geological risks while promoting sustainability and understanding the processes underlying rock failure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Technologies for Understanding and Controlling the Impact of Geological Disasters on Construction)

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17 pages, 3998 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of the Q-Slope Empirical Approach for Slope Stability Assessment of Spanish Mountain Roads in Winter—Combining Remote Techniques with Virtual Reality

by Cesar Patricio Borja Bernal and Luis Jordá Bordehore

Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15744; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215744 - 8 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1173

Abstract

The Q-slope (2015) geomechanical classification is the only empirical methodology for slope stability analysis that considers the effect of ice. This article shows the results of its application for icy slopes in Spain. Despite its sunny image, Spain is a mountainous country with cold winters. Slopes alongside a mountain road and a ski resort carpark have been studied in Puerto de Navacerrada (Madrid region) and Benasque (Pyrenees). This work combines the manual collection of geomechanical data on slope characteristics with an empirical analysis of slope stability and remote data acquisition techniques (Structure from Motion, SfM). The results of the field data collection are shown in a metaverse with two approaches: a 360° image virtual tour and a 3D image repository. One of the novelties of this work is that researchers who wish to replicate these analyses can access a table of input parameters and make a virtual field trip to see the parameters included in this study. The results show that the Q-slope methodology is useful for stability analysis and is conservative in terms of recommendations: All the slopes that are seen as unstable appear as such, but some slopes that do not present problems are shown as “transitional” slopes. The data and observations taken are useful for increasing the methodology database and for completing existing graphs of stable vertical slopes with good quality, as well as slopes with little slope and low quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Technologies for Understanding and Controlling the Impact of Geological Disasters on Construction)

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21 pages, 8043 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Stress Evolution and Strengthening Support Timing of the Retracement Channel under the Super-Thick Nappe

by Ruojun Zhu, Xizhan Yue, Yudong Gao, Xuesheng Liu, Xuebin Li, Chengcheng Xie and Kun Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15677; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115677 - 6 Nov 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1332

Abstract

The superposition effect of the advanced support pressure of the working face in the final mining stage and the lateral support stress of the roadway is a key factor affecting the stability of the retracement channel. To study the stress evolution of the retracement channel under the super-thick nappe and the timing of strengthening support, this paper takes the mining of the 360808 working face in Xinji No. 1 Mine as the engineering background, analyzes the occurrence conditions of the working face and the measured rock pressure law, and constructs a roof structure model of the retreat area. The UDEC discrete element numerical simulation software was used to analyze the evolution characteristics of concentrated stress and the failure law of surrounding rock around the retracement channel under gradual excavation conditions. Based on the relationship between the position of the main roof fracture and the stability of the surrounding rock of the retracement channel, the instability mechanism of the surrounding rock of the retracement channel was revealed. A mechanical model of the surrounding rock of the retracement channel under the condition of a gradient coal pillar was established, and the energy criterion K for the instability of the surrounding rock was obtained. The method of adding anchor cables to strengthen the support of the surrounding rock of the retracement channel was proposed. The results indicate that the accumulation of energy in the surrounding rock of the retracement channel is greater than the internal consumption of energy, which is the direct reason for the instability of the surrounding rock of the retracement channel. The time to strengthen the support of the roof is when the working face is 15 m away from the retracement channel. According to the analysis of on-site monitoring results, the roof convergence and the two-sides convergence before and after strengthening the support were reduced by 90 mm and 140 mm, respectively. Under the strengthening of support, the slope of the retracement channel in the 360808 working face is slight, without roof fall, and the surrounding rock of the channel is effectively controlled, which is of great significance for ensuring the safe application of the retracement channel. It has reference value for the safety production of surrounding mines and is conducive to promoting the sustainable development of local resource-based society and economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Technologies for Understanding and Controlling the Impact of Geological Disasters on Construction)

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21 pages, 6308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing the Stability of Rock Surrounding Deep Cross-Tunnels Using a Dynamic Velocity Field

by Yaxun Xiao, Shujie Chen, Zhaofeng Wang, Liu Liu and Canxun Du

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 15139; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152015139 - 23 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1221

Abstract

With the increasing number of deep rock engineering projects, many different types of tunnels have emerged, such as cross-tunnels. These tunnels intersect with each other in rock, which causes potential safety hazards. We must analyze the stability of the surrounding rock, to ensure worker safety. This article presents a method for dynamically assessing the stability of the surrounding rock in deep-buried cross-tunnels. The method consists of two main analysis steps: (1) P-wave velocity field inversion; and (2) Stability analysis of the surrounding rock. The P-wave velocity field inversion involves inverting the S-wave velocity field by Rayleigh wave and inverting the P-wave velocity field by adjoint state traveltime tomography. Then, a method of stability analysis is proposed which is used to update the mechanical properties of the rock (based on the continuously updated wave velocity field). The elastic modulus of the surrounding rock is approximated throughout the excavation process. CASRock V1.0 (Cellular Automation Software for engineering Rockmass fracturing processes) is used to assess rock damage via the equivalent plastic shear strain and local energy release rate. The new method is used to analyze the stability of a new tunnel excavated in Jinping (in China). The results reveal the severity and spatial distribution of the damage caused. The yield depth is concentrated near the sidewalls, while the top and bottom of the tunnel exhibit a smaller depth. The yield depths present a particular pattern of change (high–low–high–low) with increasing distance from tunnel #2. Finally, this research enriches our understanding of excavating deep cross-tunnels and makes an important contribution to improving worker safety in deep cross-tunnels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Technologies for Understanding and Controlling the Impact of Geological Disasters on Construction)

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20 pages, 6453 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on Gaseous Moisture Absorption and Swelling of Red-Bed Mudstone in Central Sichuan, China under Different Relative Humidity Environments

by Fei Yu, Kaiwen Tong, Zhenghao Fu, Zhangjun Dai, Jian Li and Kang Huang

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 12063; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151512063 - 7 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1177

Abstract

Aiming to resolve the engineering hazards caused by the long-term micro-swelling of red-bed mudstone, gaseous moisture absorption-swelling tests under four ambient humidities were conducted (60%, 70%, 85% and 99%) by developing a set of experimental devices. Based on the moisture absorption characteristics of mudstone, the effects of a vapor pressure gradient on the equilibrium time, moisture absorption rate and swelling rate were discussed. Combined with its mineral composition and pore structure, the correlation mechanism between gaseous moisture absorption and swelling was explained in depth. The experimental results suggested that the whole process was long-term and slow. The swelling rate was lower than the moisture absorption rate by two orders of magnitude. As a result, the duration of a stable swelling strain was two orders of magnitude higher than that of a stable moisture absorption. The characteristic curve of moisture absorption went through three stages: the rapid stage, dominated by crystal layer adsorption; the intermittent expansion stage, dominated by adsorbed water film; and the decelerated stage, dominated by capillary condensation. In the intermittent expansion stage, as the relative humidity declined, the duration of an intermittency increased, and the number of intermittencies decreased. The evolution of the swelling rate obviously lagged the proportion of moisture absorption. This hysteresis effect reached its maximum when the moisture absorption transitioned from the intermittent expansion stage to the decelerated stage. Moreover, the equilibrium time, moisture absorption ratio and swelling strain all had a non-linear proportional relationship with the relative humidity. In this case, the critical value was 85%. Finally, a unified mathematical expression for the gaseous moisture absorption curve was acquired and the relationship between the swelling strain and the increment of moisture content was fitted; this will provide the necessary research basis for a subsequent simulation of its volume change under changing ambient humidity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Technologies for Understanding and Controlling the Impact of Geological Disasters on Construction)

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22 pages, 13771 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Model Test on the Deformation and Fracturing Process of Underground Research Laboratory during Excavation and Overloading Test

by Chuancheng Liu, Xikui Sun, Xiufeng Zhang, Qiangyong Zhang, Yang Chen and Jinxi Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9416; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129416 - 12 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1233

Abstract

Understanding the excavation-induced deformation and failure behaviors of the URL (underground research laboratory) for the geological disposal of HLW (high-level radioactive waste) before its construction is essential due to its high safety requirements. To reveal the interaction between structures, the effect of supporting and the characteristics of the overloading-induced damage and safety factor, we carried out a physical model test on the deep underground chamber groups consisting of one main roadway and two parking lots (one is supported, the other is not supported), and the engineering background is the URL of HLW for the geological disposal in Beishan. This type of geomechanical model test is still the first to be carried out so far. The test results confirm that the chamber group is generally stable during the excavation process. After the excavation, the displacement of the intersection is 7–33% larger than that of the non-intersection. The displacement of the supported chamber is reduced by 14–22% compared with that without support. The tension of the bolt at the vault top is greater than that at the waist of the cave. Without support, the safety coefficient of crack initiation is 1.7; the safety coefficient of local destruction is 2.1; and the safety coefficient of general demolition is 2.3. In contrast, the safety coefficient of crack initiation is 1.9; the safety coefficient of local destruction is 2.2; and the safety coefficient of general demolition is 2.4 when the rock mass is supported. The research results provide an important basis for optimizing design schemes and evaluating the safety of the construction process for URL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Technologies for Understanding and Controlling the Impact of Geological Disasters on Construction)

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18 pages, 16987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stability Analysis of Cavern Collapse in Fractured-Cavity Oil Reservoirs

by Yanzhi Ding, Qiangyong Zhang, Wen Xiang, Bin Wang, Xinrui Lyu and Longyun Zhang

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6809; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086809 - 18 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1249

Abstract

Fractured-vuggy oil reservoirs, with the decrease of formation pressure during the exploitation process, lead to the collapse of caverns or the closure of sizeable fractured oil channels, which seriously affects oil well production and the recovery rate of oil reservoirs. True three-dimensional geomechanical model tests were carried out to avoid the impact of cave collapse and fracture closure on oil well production. Taking the Tahe Oilfield in Xinjiang area of China as the engineering background, we researched the collapse failure mechanism of the karstic caves in fractured-cavity oil reservoirs and the evolution of fracture closure through a true three-dimensional geomechanical model test and the numerical simulation software RFPA. The collapse failure modes of caverns with and without prefabricated cracks were revealed, along with the displacement and stress changes during cave collapse and the mechanism of cave collapse failure. Our study revealed the mechanism of the interaction between cracks and the cave. The research results show that prefabricated cracks reduce the roof of the cave’s bearing capacity, making the karst cave collapse with incomplete cracks. The impact of the collapse is much smaller than the cavern without prefabricated cracks. The crack closure extends from the near end to the far end. The research results will provide necessary theoretical support for the large-scale safe extraction of deep petroleum resources, increase oil production in China, and have important theoretical significance and engineering application value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Technologies for Understanding and Controlling the Impact of Geological Disasters on Construction)

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Review

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20 pages, 7178 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Review of Sustainable Assessment and Innovation in Jet Grouting Technologies

by Shinya Inazumi and Sudip Shakya

Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4113; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104113 - 14 May 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1721

Abstract

This paper undertakes a comprehensive review to underscore the central role of sustainability in the evaluation and innovation of jet grouting technologies. It meticulously traces the evolution of evaluation methodologies, emphasizing the imperative of sustainable practices throughout history. Traditional evaluation paradigms are examined alongside contemporary trends, with a particular focus on sustainability metrics and visualization techniques. Through an examination of innovative jet grouting technologies, this paper illustrates how sustainability principles have driven advances aimed at improving the efficiency and environmental impact of jet grouting methods. Central to this review is an assessment of sustainability across multiple dimensions, including method applicability, installation and operational compatibility, and the performance of the resulting jet grouted piles. By emphasizing sustainability considerations, the paper highlights the intrinsic link between environmental integrity and technological innovation in the field of jet grouting. In addition, it discusses analytical evaluation methods designed to proactively address sustainability concerns prior to construction, thereby promoting a more environmentally responsible approach. Finally, this paper presents a pioneering evaluation framework that integrates real-time monitoring and visualization tools, allowing stakeholders to track sustainability milestones throughout the construction process. By emphasizing sustainability as a guiding principle, this review advocates for a paradigm shift toward more ecologically sound and resilient jet grouting practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Technologies for Understanding and Controlling the Impact of Geological Disasters on Construction)

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