Acta Geotechnica最新文献

{"title":"A simple oedometer modified using thermoelectricity for volumetric behaviour of soil under thermal cycles","authors":"Pui San SO,&nbsp;Charles Wang Wai NG,&nbsp;Hao WU,&nbsp;Boxuan LIN","doi":"10.1007/s11440-026-03016-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-026-03016-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Volumetric behaviour of soil subjected to thermal cycles governs soil deformation which affects water permeability and shear strength of soil. It is vital for evaluating the performance of earthen structures, especially under climate change. However, the apparatuses developed for investigating such behaviour can induce significant measurement errors. This study developed a simple thermal oedometer equipped with a silicone-rubber heater and a thermoelectric cooler. To demonstrate the capability, the oedometer deformation under different vertical stresses and thermal cycles was determined. The thermal deformation of kaolin clay with two replicates was also examined. Results reveal that the new oedometer responded elastically to temperature changes, regardless of vertical stress applied. The oedometer deformation also showed negligible hysteresis caused by heating and cooling paths and the number of thermal cycles. Compared with some existing apparatuses, the maximum hysteresis in the oedometer deformation due to heating and cooling was reduced by 90%. Furthermore, the variation of clay deformation with thermal cycles was qualitatively consistent with that reported in literature. The deformation difference between the two replicates after heating and cooling was also close to the accuracy of the oedometer, demonstrating that the measurements obtained by the new oedometer are repeatable. The present study provides a new, simple method using thermoelectricity for investigating volumetric soil behaviour under thermal cycles, which can help to improve the performance of earthen structures against climate change.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"21 8","pages":"5205 - 5217"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149163070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A general thermodynamic model for biotreated sands: calibrations and predictions","authors":"Yang Xiao,&nbsp;Fang Liang,&nbsp;Zhichao Zhang,&nbsp;Qingyun Fang,&nbsp;Hanlong Liu,&nbsp;Jian Chu","doi":"10.1007/s11440-026-03017-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-026-03017-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study aims to elaborate on calibration procedures for elastic and plastic parameters of the proposed model in the former companion study. We also conducted the parameter sensitivity analysis with an in-depth discussion of the corresponding physical mechanisms. Most parameters in this thermodynamic model can be determined by standard laboratory tests. Parameter sensitivity analysis indicates that the hardening parameters and volumetric dissipation–migration parameter significantly influence the model predictions on the stress path, deviatoric stress, excess pore pressure and granular temperature of untreated sands, but they have no impact on the critical-state line of untreated sands. Furthermore, the model predictions for energy dissipation of biotreated sands depend on the hardening parameters, cementation degradation parameters, and initial cementation factor. Based on the valid calibrations of parameters, the proposed thermodynamic model can accurately capture the variation of peak strength, the evolution of excess pore pressure, and the critical-state line of biotreated sands with various biotreatment levels.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"21 8","pages":"5191 - 5203"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149163039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mechanical behaviour of Australian superfine silica sand: from monotonic to high-cyclic loading","authors":"Lucian Canales-Brenlla,&nbsp;Frederik Koch,&nbsp;Merita Tafili,&nbsp;Luis Felipe Prada-Sarmiento,&nbsp;Torsten Wichtmann","doi":"10.1007/s11440-026-02969-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-026-02969-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The present paper summarises the findings of an experimental investigation into the mechanical behaviour of Australian superfine silica sand under both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The study comprised oedometric compression tests on samples ranging from loose to very dense states, as well as a series of monotonic and cyclic triaxial tests under both drained and undrained conditions by evaluating the shear strength, stiffness, and susceptibility to processes such as liquefaction or, strain accumulation, the study provides a valuable dataset for the calibration and validation of constitutive models. Particular emphasis is placed on the response of the soil under long-term cyclic loading, as determined by drained cyclic triaxial tests with <span>(10^5)</span> uniaxial stress cycles applied at varying initial densities, average stresses, amplitude levels and loading frequencies. In this context, the parameters of a hypoplastic model and a high-cycle accumulation model for sand are determined and their performance at the element test level is assessed, highlighting their advantages and limitations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"21 8","pages":"5169 - 5189"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11440-026-02969-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149163038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shear behaviour of foam-conditioned gravelly clay: insights from unconsolidated undrained triaxial compression tests","authors":"Hemei Sun,&nbsp;Shuying Wang,&nbsp;Zhunlin Ni,&nbsp;Tongming Qu,&nbsp;Jiazheng Zhong,&nbsp;Hanbiao Zhu","doi":"10.1007/s11440-026-02937-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-026-02937-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The tunnelling performance of earth pressure balance (EPB) shield machines strongly relates to the shear behaviour of foam-conditioned muck. However, the role of foam bubbles in modifying the mechanical properties of natural soils was rarely revealed due to the inapplicability of traditional triaxial testing equipment on highly fluidized muck materials. In this study, a series of unconsolidated undrained triaxial compression tests were conducted on foam-conditioned gravelly clay with varying foam injection ratios (<i>FIR</i>s) applying a self-developed triaxial testing apparatus. Due to the high compressibility and potential fracture of foam bubbles, the foam-conditioned gravelly clay exhibited obvious volume contraction during both confining pressure application and shearing. This volume contraction effectively served as \"drainage paths\". The fracture and compression of foam bubbles during shearing led to an increase in the proportion of \"soil–soil\" and \"soil–foam\" contacts and a decrease of \"foam–foam\" contacts. Since the former two contacts were less compressible than the latter one, the foam-conditioned gravelly clay demonstrated strain hardening behaviour. The presence of foam bubbles enhanced excess pore pressure in foam-conditioned gravelly clay during shearing. In addition, also because of the higher compressibility of \"foam–foam\" contacts, achieving the stabilization of excess pore pressure proved challenging. The volume contraction, the strain hardening, and the enhancement of excess pore pressure became more pronounced with higher confining pressure and greater <i>FIR</i>. Furthermore, the lubrication effects provided by water molecules and foam bubbles rendered the internal friction angle negligible, making the shear strength of gravelly clay primarily cohesive. The cohesion strength decreased progressively with increasing <i>FIR</i>. Additionally, the muck without foam conditioning tended to reach the critical state at a nearly constant deviatoric stress regardless of confining pressure, whereas the foam-conditioned muck reached the critical state at higher deviatoric stresses as confining pressure increased. This study provides valuable insights into the triaxial shearing behaviour of highly fluid foam-conditioned muck. Meanwhile, this new apparatus has the potential to be applied in future investigations of the mechanical behaviour of marine soft soils, thereby facilitating advancements in marine resource development.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"21 7","pages":"3847 - 3864"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatial evolution of mechanical and hydraulic properties of EICP-treated sand under different initial saturation condition: 1-D model tests","authors":"Chuangzhou Wu,&nbsp;Shixia Zhang,&nbsp;Zhenyuan Liu,&nbsp;Zuoyong Li,&nbsp;Yujing Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s11440-026-02967-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-026-02967-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the migration behavior of enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) solutions in saturated marine sands, a topic that remains underexplored. One-dimensional model tests were conducted to examine the effects of initial water content (saturated versus unsaturated), EICP solution concentration, and treatment cycles on engineering properties, including permeability, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and their spatial uniformity. The results demonstrate a significant influence of the initial water content. At low EICP concentrations, the permeability coefficient of the initially saturated sand was higher than that of the initially unsaturated sand, as the injected solution was diluted by the in situ pore water, resulting in less carbonate precipitation and a greater number of unblocked seepage channels. In contrast, this relationship was reversed at high concentrations due to more effective convective-diffusive transport and a higher utilization of the EICP solution in the initially saturated sand, leading to more thorough pore-filling. The UCS showed a similar relationship to permeability at high concentrations; however, this correspondence was not observed at low concentrations. Regarding uniformity, the spatial variation of the permeability coefficient in initially saturated sand was lower (i.e., more uniform) than in unsaturated sand. A similar trend was observed for UCS uniformity at low concentrations. However, at high concentration, UCS uniformity in the initially saturated sand was lower than that in the initially unsaturated sand. The findings provide theoretical and technical support for the application of EICP in in situ seepage control and foundation reinforcement in marine and coastal engineering.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"21 8","pages":"5153 - 5168"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149163047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The mechanics of a mineral sand tailings with a transitional behaviour","authors":"Yahui Wang,&nbsp;Abigail Cartwright,&nbsp;Matthew Richard Coop","doi":"10.1007/s11440-026-03027-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-026-03027-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The stability analyses for tailings dams in engineering practice rely on the critical state lines (CSL) for in situ tailings determined from laboratory tests, normally assuming a unique CSL. However, it has been found that there are some soils with a transitional behaviour, for which there are no unique Normal Compression Lines (NCLs) or CSLs as they would be in the critical state framework. These tend to be soils with a mixed grading and/or a mixed mineralogy. Given their gradings and mixed mineralogies, transitional behaviour could be expected in some tailings, as presented in previous studies, but a complete characterisation of this mode of behaviour is lacking in such materials. To investigate it, a series of oedometer and triaxial tests were conducted on samples of mineral sand tailings with a wide range of initial density. The transitional mode is identified by the non-unique NCLs and CSLs, and the characteristics of transitional behaviour are investigated. Notably, the spacing between the NCLs and CSLs in the specific volume logarithm of effective stress plane decreases as the initial density decreases. Nevertheless, regardless of the initial density, even in the densest samples, the tailings predominantly have compressive and strain-hardening behaviour, and the initial density has no significant effect on dilatancy behaviour or the stiffness. These results reveal an intrinsic characteristic of transitional behaviour that initial density has a clear but only minor impact on mechanical response, in contrast to conventional soils where initial density governs key aspects such as dilatancy and stiffness.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"21 8","pages":"5135 - 5151"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11440-026-03027-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149163043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bayesian autocorrelation model selection and parameter identification using time-series monitoring data of pore water pressure of the slope under rainfall","authors":"Shui-Hua Jiang,&nbsp;Hong-Hu Jie,&nbsp;Jiawei Xie,&nbsp;Jian-Hong Wan,&nbsp;Peng Lan,&nbsp;Jinsong Huang","doi":"10.1007/s11440-026-03012-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-026-03012-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>To effectively characterize the spatial variability of soil properties using random field theory, it is crucial to determine the autocorrelation function (ACF) model and model parameters, including scale of fluctuation (<i>δ</i>). However, it is a challenging task when relying solely on monitoring data. This paper proposes a novel Bayesian model selection method to identify the optimal ACF model among a pool of candidate ACF models (i.e., single exponential, squared exponential, second-order Markov and binary noise ACFs) and to learn <i>δ</i> and spatially varying soil parameters using time-series monitoring data of pore water pressure (PWP). The prior knowledge of <i>δ</i> for saturated hydraulic conductivity (<i>k</i>_s) is determined through an extensive literature review of similar soils. The Bayesian Updating with Subset simulation (BUS) method is adopted to facilitate ACF model selection and parameter identification based on a large number of monitoring data of PWP. A real slope in Hong Kong, China, is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method can properly identify the optimal ACF model based on the estimated model evidences or occurrence probabilities. It can simultaneously learn the spatially variable soil parameters and ACF model parameters using the monitoring data. The proposed method provides a new perspective for random field modeling of the spatial variability of soil properties with monitoring data. Additionally, the second-order Markov ACF model is identified as the optimal ACF choice. The integration of time-series PWP monitoring data also significantly reduces the epistemic uncertainties of <i>δ</i> and spatially varying <i>k</i>_s. This type of uncertainty, representing a lack of knowledge about soil parameters, can be reduced. The PWP values predicted using the optimal ACF model and posterior samples of parameters match well with the monitoring data of PWP during the validation periods. Accounting for the uncertainty of <i>δ</i> and learning its distribution are extremely important for the Bayesian model selection and parameter identification using the monitoring data.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"21 8","pages":"5107 - 5134"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149163037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wetting via water condensation of hydrophobic grain surfaces as viewed by synchrotron-radiation computed tomography","authors":"Clara M. Toffoli,&nbsp;Marius Milatz,&nbsp;Julian P. Moosmann,&nbsp;Thomas Jentschke,&nbsp;Francisco Williams-Riquer,&nbsp;Felix Beckmann,&nbsp;Jürgen Grabe","doi":"10.1007/s11440-026-02972-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-026-02972-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The wetting of hydrophobic material via water droplet condensations by means of electronic microscopy and synchrotron computed tomography is investigated in this paper in order to better understand the mechanisms controlling the interaction of hydrophobic granular media and water. In literature so far the behavior has been investigated only by 2D means. In this study, sand and glass beads with similar grain size distribution were made hydrophobic via PFA-C6 cold plasma polymerization. A miniature cooling device based on the Peltier effect for in situ synchrotron computed tomography experiments controlled by a Raspberry Pi was designed and used to induce droplet condensation on the material’s surface during CT scanning. The tomograms allow to count droplets and measure their contact angles. Results show that the condensation of those small droplets feature contact angles usually greater than <span>(90^{circ })</span> at the beginning of the process, but as time advances, those droplets coalesce, increasing in volume and decreasing in quantity, while their contact angles get progressively smaller. Although hydrophobic behavior and convex menisci were expected in the pendular and funicular regimes, the contact angles of these water structures were closer to <span>(60^{circ })</span> at this phase, indicating hydrophilic tendencies. Similarly to wetting via water inflow, the hydrophobicity is lost after a specific degree of local saturation. Unfortunately, the results gathered in this study point in an unfavorable direction for the applications of the hydrophobization technique used here in the macroscale, given their low efficiency in repelling water after reaching the funicular state of the unsaturated regimen and the current discussions about their environmental implications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"21 8","pages":"5091 - 5106"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11440-026-02972-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149163167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic effects of biochar and plant fibers on the hydro-mechanical behavior of landfill cover soil","authors":"Zejun Song,&nbsp;Qinyue Yao,&nbsp;Ankit Garg,&nbsp;Tiande Wen","doi":"10.1007/s11440-026-03002-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-026-03002-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Biochar has been widely incorporated into landfill cover soils to enhance moisture regulation due to its porous structure and strong water retention capacity. Plant fibers, as abundant and renewable materials, also offer potential as soil amendments. However, little research has addressed the coupled effects of biochar-fiber composites on soil hydraulic and mechanical behavior under unsaturated conditions. This study investigates their influence on CO₂ permeability (<i>k</i>_<i>a</i>), hydraulic conductivity (<i>k</i>_<i>w</i>), and shear strength in sandy loam. Laboratory experiments examined the effects of reed straw biochar (5% and 10% by mass) and fibers (0.1% and 1% by mass) on <i>k</i>_<i>a</i> and shear strength, while monitoring suction and volumetric water content. Results showed that, compared with the bare soil (S), <i>k</i>_<i>a</i> increased by 117.46% with 5% biochar (SRS-5%) due to macropore formation, but only by 2% with 10% biochar (SRS-10%), where a potential reduction in effective gas channels counteracted the continued increase in total porosity. Fiber addition further enhanced <i>k</i>_<i>a</i> by 22.25–64.79%. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (<i>k</i>_<i>s</i>) increased by 186% with SRS-5% and 32.67% with SRS-10%, with fibers contributing additional gains of 78.09% and 15.58%, respectively. Shear strength improved with confining pressure (50–200 kPa), rising 27.7–124.22% with biochar alone, and by a further 25.42–52.31% when fibers were included. The combined treatment of biochar and straw fiber increased the shear strength by 94.49%-198.81%. Improvements are potentially attributed to pore-filling by biochar and three-dimensional bridging of fibers. These findings underscore that biochar and straw fibers modify gas permeability, hydraulic conductivity, and mechanical stability, aiding landfill cover optimization.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"21 8","pages":"5063 - 5089"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149163170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamic characteristics of loess-like silty clay and methods for predicting wave velocity","authors":"Liu Zhenghao,&nbsp;Lu Linhai,&nbsp;Ma Xianfeng,&nbsp;Chaojun Wu,&nbsp;Qianwei Xu,&nbsp;Jiecheng Sun,&nbsp;Bolong Ma","doi":"10.1007/s11440-026-02970-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-026-02970-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Loess-like silty clay (LSC), widely distributed in major Yellow River Basin projects, exhibits high variability in dynamic parameters, increasing seismic subsidence risk. This study employed combined resonance column-cyclic triaxial tests to quantitatively reveal, for the first time, systematic deviations in existing codes regarding LSC stiffness degradation and damping under small-strain conditions, providing a critical basis for revising seismic response analyses. Bender element tests and in situ wave velocity measurements established a deterministic conversion relationship between laboratory and field shear wave velocities for loess-like soils. To address the challenge of limited LSC datasets, a robust PSO-CatBoost prediction framework was developed: Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was employed to globally optimize CatBoost hyperparameters, with model robustness rigorously validated through residual analysis, Durbin–Watson test, and ± 1% input perturbation. Combined with Sobol global sensitivity analysis, this research elucidated for the first time the differential control mechanisms of wave velocities in LSC: shear wave velocity <span>(V_{s})</span> is dominated by burial depth (<i>S</i>₁ = 0.786), reflecting stress-structure control characteristics, while compression wave velocity <span>(V_{p})</span> is primarily controlled by the liquidity index (<i>S</i>₁ = 0.345), highlighting the core influence of pore fluids and the fluid-plastic state. The optimized model achieved significantly higher prediction accuracy for both <span>(V_{s})</span> (<span>(R^{2})</span> = 0.916, MAPE = 7.25%) and <span>(V_{p})</span> (<span>(R^{2})</span> = 0.924, MAPE = 7.77%) compared to benchmark methods. This advancement provides a reliable tool to substantially reduce exploration costs and enhance the reliability of seismic safety assessments in LSC regions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"21 8","pages":"5035 - 5061"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149163169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}