Special Issue：Soft Rock Mechanics and Engineering
Published 24 June, 2025
Soft rock, with its intricate mechanical behavior, poses challenges in rock engineering, particularly in deep coal mining, water conservancy, and transportation projects. As engineering extends into deeper territories, the coupled effects of high geo-stress, elevated geothermal conditions, active fault, and groundwater richness further complicate the mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of soft rocks. These issues increase safety risks and construction costs. Hence, a better understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of soft rock, their classification in complex geological environments, and the development of innovative design approaches are crucial.
This special issue aims to serve as a scientific communication platform for researchers worldwide to explore the core issues of soft rock mechanics and engineering. We invite original research articles and reviews that deepen our understanding of the complex phenomena in soft rock mechanics and engineering, and contribute to the safe, efficient, and sustainable development of soft rock engineering.
Submission deadline: September 30, 2025
Please read the Guide for Authors before submitting. All articles should be submitted online. All submissions will undergo a regular peer-review process.
Guest Editors:
Xiaoming Sun
China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), China;
ISRM Commission on Soft Rocks
Luis Sousa
University of Porto, Portugal
ISRM Commission on Soft Rocks
Leandro Alejano
University of Vigo, Spain
Giovanni Grasselli
University of Toronto, Canada
ISRM Commission on Soft Rocks
giovanni.grasselli@utoronto.ca
Mostafa Sharifzadeh
Curtin University, Australia;
ISRM Commission on Soft Rocks
Pingye Guo
China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), China;
ISRM Commission on Soft Rocks
