Modeling Seismic Wave Propagation Through Non-Uniform Fracture Stiffness: Theory and Implementation of Stress-Dependent Approaches
Available online 1 April 2026
In this work, we examine three models for representing fractures with non-uniform stiffness due to stress. The first is an effective medium model that maps fracture properties onto a Transversely Isotropic...
Parameterized three-dimensional unified strength criterion for rocks within brittle-ductile domain
Available online 7 March 2026
A parameterized three-dimensional strength criterion within brittle-ductile domain is proposed in this study. The criterion employs a power function to capture the positive correlation and an elliptic...
TBM Penetration Rate Estimation using Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and Machine Specifications
Available online 7 March 2026
Rock mass classification systems, such as the Rock Mass Rating (RMR), are widely used to estimate tunnel boring machine (TBM) performance because RMR is relatively easy to apply and the system accounts...
A TabPFN-Based Framework for Slope Stability Analysis Using Geometric Features and Shear Strength Parameters
Available online 4 March 2026
Achieving efficient and accurate assessment of slope stability at a regional scale remains a significant research challenge. This is largely due to the complexity of geological conditions and the limited...
A fractal relative permeability model based on tortuous capillary network of unsaturated porous rock media
Available online 4 March 2026
Accurate prediction of relative permeability in porous rock media remains a persistent challenge, primarily due to the oversimplified representation of fluid distribution and the neglected residual...
A Hybrid Machine Learning Approach for Accurate Horizontal in-situ Stress Prediction in Complex Hydrocarbon Reservoirs Using Core and Well Log Data
Available online 3 March 2026
Accurate estimation of horizontal in-situ stress, minimum (Shmin) and maximum (SHmax), is crucial for subsurface planning, wellbore stability, and hydraulic fracturing in hydrocarbon and geothermal...
Explainable Ensemble Learning with Adaptive Optimization for Intelligent Prediction and Control of Ground Surface Settlement in Shield Tunneling
Available online 2 March 2026
Ground surface settlement caused by shield tunneling is influenced by various factors, complicating predictive efforts. While machine learning models can forecast settlement, their lack of interpretability...
Shear Characteristics and Failure Mechanism of Rock Joint Subjected to Dynamic Normal Load: Experimental and DEM Analysis
Available online 2 March 2026
The deformation and stability of jointed rock masses are significantly influenced by dynamic loads. To investigate the shear properties of rock joint subjected to dynamic load, a series of laboratory...
Node binding scheme based realization of extrinsic cohesive zone model (ECZM) to overcome the time discontinuity problem in 2D finite-discrete element method (FDEM)
Available online 2 March 2026
The intrinsic cohesive zone model (ICZM) has been widely employed in the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) to model the fracturing of solids involving transitions from continuous elastic...
Cutterhead torque forecast of tunnel boring machine using a novel hybrid multiscale TCN-CBAM-LSTM network
Available online 28 February 2026
Accurately forecasting tunnel boring machine (TBM) cutterhead torque is crucial for optimizing tunneling parameters and warning jamming disasters. However, the current research pays little attention...
From CT scans to surface metrics: a novel workflow for rock fracture roughness evaluation at sample scale
Available online 28 February 2026
This study presents a robust deep learning-based workflow for fracture segmentation and subsequent Joint Roughness Coefficient computation from X-ray computed tomography data. The core of the approach...
A DEM-enhanced mesoscale modeling framework for bimrocks with high rock block proportion and spatial variability
Available online 28 February 2026
Block-in-matrix rocks, often referred to as bimrocks, constitute geological formations characterized by their heterogeneous structure, combining rock blocks with a weak matrix. Many significant engineering...
Mutual prediction mechanism between disc cutter cutting forces and rock strength parameters: Experimental study and field application
Available online 26 February 2026
Proposing an accurate, reliable, convenient and low-cost method to accurately predict the disc cutter cutting forces for different cutting conditions and real-timely obtain the rock strength parameters...
METHODS FOR ENHANCING OPEN-HOLE MULTISTAGE FRACTURING TREATMENT
Available online 26 February 2026
In deep and tight reservoirs, horizontal wells are commonly drilled and fractured to increase reservoir contact. As an alternative method, open-hole multistage fracturing (MSF) employs packers to isolate...
Research on Damage Characteristics and Mechanisms of High-Temperature Water-Immersed Rocks Based on CT Scans
Available online 16 February 2026
To address the deterioration and instability of surrounding rock in deep coal mines under the long-term coupling effect of high-temperature water and mining stress, sandstone with three temperature...
Shear failure behaviors and fracturing mechanisms of rockmass bedding under true triaxial static-disturbance
Available online 14 February 2026
Mechanical and blasting excavation of mining, transportation and hydropower engineering tunnels or caverns under three-dimensional geostress frequently impose dynamic waves on layered surrounding rock,...
A generalization-oriented fusion model for real-time TBM load prediction
Available online 12 February 2026
The accurate real-time prediction of load parameters is crucial for the design and operation of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). However, the limited quantity and diversity of training data often result...
Variable elastic anisotropy controls stress in shallow crown pillars
January 2026
As easily accessible natural resources become depleted, it is necessary to extract material from deeper levels and so mines may opt to develop a process of transition from open-pit to underground mining...
Research on the effect of surface retaining elements on the dynamic load resistance of bolted rock
January 2026
The failure of support systems in deep coal mine roadways is a critical issue that hinders the development of deep coal resources. As a critical support element, the surface retaining element (SRE)...
An improved dual-strength reduction method of slope stability analysis using Hill Climbing Algorithm
January 2026
How to determine reduction strategy between cohesion (c) and internal friction angle (ϕ) is crucial for slope stability evaluation using the dual-strength reduction method (DSRM). Given that the slope...
Tensile failure and ductile-to-brittle transition of sandstone under three-dimensional seepage pressure
January 2026
After reservoir impoundment, fractures and pores in the rock mass serve as important pathways for seepage, and the resulting fluid pressure can easily trigger engineering issues such as slope instability...
Influence of bedding orientation on shale damage evolution: A combined in-situ micro-CT and digital volume correlation investigation
January 2026
The bedding structure of shale significantly influences its mechanical anisotropy. However, the meso-scale anisotropic control mechanism of bedding on shale damage evolution remains insufficiently understood....
Development characteristics and prediction methods of the “three zones” in overlying strata under the 110 mining method
January 2026
The 110 mining method is a novel coal mining approach that is environmentally friendly. To investigate the movement laws of the overburden strata under the mining conditions of this method, this study...
A multi-frequency ultrasonic amplitude attenuation method for identifying damage of rock
January 2026
High-temperature damage in rocks significantly affects ultrasonic amplitude attenuation. Inverting rock damage through amplitude attenuation offers a rapid, non-destructive, and convenient detection...
Control of rock burst during deep tunnel blasting excavation based on energy release process optimizing
January 2026
Blasting is widely used in hard rock tunnel excavation but often deteriorates the mechanical properties of the rock mass, forming a disturbance zone associated with energy evolution in the surrounding...