Computers and Geotechnics最新文献

{"title":"Numerical study of energy piles in unsaturated soils","authors":"Arvind Kumar,&nbsp;Asal Bidarmaghz,&nbsp;Arman Khoshghalb","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Available literature on energy piles typically assumes surrounding soil to be either completely dry or fully saturated. However, in realistic scenarios, the surrounding soil is often unsaturated. The actual saturation condition of the soil surrounding an energy pile depends on the hydraulic properties of the surrounding soil and the location of the groundwater table relative to the pile tip. It is crucial to account for the real soil saturation conditions while analyzing energy piles to accurately estimate the thermal performance of energy piles and the hydro-thermal (HT) behavior of the surrounding soil, which is essential for a full thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) modeling of energy pile systems. To this end, this study presents a fully coupled HT formulation for unsaturated soils, along with a thermal formulation for completely dry and fully saturated soils. These formulations are numerically implemented within a finite element method (FEM)-based framework and employed to simulate a three-dimensional field-scale energy pile to examine the effects of saturation conditions and hydraulic properties of the surrounding soil on the thermal performance of energy piles. Furthermore, the study investigates the hydraulic behavior of the surrounding unsaturated soils and highlights its implication on the thermal response of unsaturated soils surrounding energy piles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"189 ","pages":"Article 107619"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145106987","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":"Heterogeneity factor model for fluid/meso-structure coupling simulations of nonlinear seepage","authors":"Yangyang Cai ,&nbsp;Zhisong Ou ,&nbsp;Yong Wan ,&nbsp;Chen Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nonlinear seepage plays a crucial role in various engineering applications, yet an accurate prediction remains challenging. By incorporating the concept of the heterogeneity factor <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>ζ</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>u</mi></mrow></msub></math></span>, an efficient one-field multiscale approach for seepage prediction has been proposed based on the fundamental principle of fluid/meso-structure interactions. The impact of flow and structural details (including Reynolds number, specific surface area of solid grain, and porosity of porous structure) on such factor are studied in detail. Results show that <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>ζ</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>u</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> is proportional to the square of specific surface area and reciprocal to the quadratic polynomial of porosity, and it has a sharp increase followed by a linear change with the increase of Reynolds numbers. A reduced model of <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>ζ</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>u</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> fitted from 105 pairs of simulation data is then proposed for performing macroscopic simulations of nonlinear seepage. This model in three-dimension heterogeneous porous media achieves a phenomenal gain of over <span><math><mrow><mn>1</mn><msup><mrow><mn>0</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>5</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></math></span> speed-up compared to pore-scale simulation with a maximum prediction error of only 7.8%, demonstrating an exceptional performance-to-accuracy trade-off. Evidently, it attains a substantially higher degree of accuracy compared to the traditional method that utilizes the Kozeny–Carman permeability model. The present work provides an improved understanding of heterogeneous structure effect on nonlinear seepage, and provides a high-fidelity reduced model needed in large-scale nonlinear seepage simulations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"189 ","pages":"Article 107636"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145061159","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":"Probabilistic characterization of joint roughness coefficient through a novel Bayesian sequential updating framework","authors":"Wenqiang Chen ,&nbsp;Changdong Li ,&nbsp;Haibing Yu ,&nbsp;Wenmin Yao ,&nbsp;Xihui Jiang ,&nbsp;Yinbin Zhu ,&nbsp;Wenping Gong ,&nbsp;Filippo Catani","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107616","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The probabilistic characteristics of joint roughness coefficient (JRC) are critical for risk assessment and reliability-based design in rock engineering involving jointed rock masses. Direct measurements are often laborious and limited, while empirical models using various topographic metrics typically yield inconsistent JRC estimates, posing challenges for reliable result selection. Thus, effectively combining multi-metric evaluations for reasonable probabilistic JRC characterization remains an urgent task. For this purpose, this paper proposes a novel Bayesian sequential updating (BSU) framework that considers the inherent uncertainties in various JRC estimation models and innovatively incorporates correlations among multi-source metrics using multivariate normal, Gaussian copula, and Vine copula models, respectively. Furthermore, the Bayesian model averaging (BMA) technique is employed for the first time to address the selection uncertainty in Vine copula-based dependence structures. Three real-life datasets of root mean square of the average local slope (<span><math><msub><mi>Z</mi><mtext>2</mtext></msub></math></span>), ultimate slope of the profile (<span><math><msub><mtext>R</mtext><mi>max</mi></msub></math></span>), and standard deviation of undulation angle (<span><math><msub><mtext>SD</mtext><mtext>i</mtext></msub></math></span>) are sequentially integrated into the proposed BSU framework to generate massive equivalent JRC sample sets, through which the statistics and probability distribution of JRC are analyzed. The results show that the proposed BSU framework significantly outperforms the conventional BSU with independence assumptions. As more multi-source information is integrated, it achieves better BSU results with comparable or superior accuracy to individual empirical models, circumventing the model selection challenge. The proposed approach demonstrates enhanced adaptability to limited datasets and broad generality for probabilistic characterization of data-constrained geotechnical parameters with correlated multi-source indirect information.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"189 ","pages":"Article 107616"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145061160","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":"SPH–DEM modeling of rainfall-induced slope failure in partially saturated soil–rock mixture","authors":"Zhengyang Su ,&nbsp;Xuan Kang ,&nbsp;Xinchao Ding ,&nbsp;Shun Wang ,&nbsp;Dianqing Li","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil–rock mixture (SRM) slopes are widespread in nature, yet their numerical simulation remains challenging due to intrinsic heterogeneity and complex hydro-mechanical behavior. This study develops a multiphase coupling framework to reproduce the entire failure process of unsaturated SRM slopes, encompassing rainfall infiltration, progressive instability, and long-runout post-failure motion. The framework combines the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method, which represents soil and water using a unified particle system, with the Discrete Element Method (DEM) for explicit representation of rock blocks. An enhanced elastoplastic strain-softening model based on the Drucker–Prager criterion is implemented to capture rainfall-induced soil strength reduction, while soil–rock interaction is described by stress interpolation between SPH soil particles and DEM rock surface particles. The capability of the proposed approach is verified against a series of benchmark problems, including unsaturated soil infiltration, slope failure surface prediction, and granular flow impact tests. Comparative analyses further elucidate the distinct failure initiation mechanisms and post-failure dynamics of homogeneous versus SRM slopes under continuous rainfall infiltration. The developed SPH–DEM framework provides an effective numerical tool for investigating rainfall-induced slope failures in heterogeneous geomaterials and for evaluating associated large-deformation hazards.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"189 ","pages":"Article 107635"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050330","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":"Opposing effects of the vertical seismic coefficient on cohesive and frictional contributions to seismic slope stability","authors":"Wengui Huang ,&nbsp;Jian Ji ,&nbsp;Serhan Kirlangic ,&nbsp;Christoforos Dimopoulos","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107574","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107574","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The influence of the vertical seismic coefficient (<em>k_v</em>) on pseudo-static (PS) and permanent displacement analyses remains underexplored. This study introduces a novel perspective by decomposing the factor of safety (<em>F</em>) into cohesive (<em>F_c</em>) and frictional (<em>F_ϕ</em>) components, revealing that <em>k_v</em> exerts opposing effects on these two components. The extent and critical direction (upward or downward) of <em>k_v</em>’s impact depend on the relative contributions of <em>F_c</em> and <em>F_ϕ</em> to slope stability. This perspective is first demonstrated analytically using a planar failure mechanism and further validated through a physics informed regression model (PIRM), which achieves accuracy comparable to log-spiral upper bound limit analysis (UBLA) and finite element limit analyses (FELA) for homogeneous slopes. The opposing effects are also confirmed for inhomogeneous slopes via finite element analyses (FEA). Additionally, the PIRM is reformulated to predict the horizontal yield coefficient (<em>k_hy</em>), a key input parameter in permanent displacement analysis. Parametric studies indicate that neglecting <em>k_v</em> can overestimate <em>F</em> by up to 35 % and <em>k_hy</em> by up to 53 %, leading to unsafe designs. These findings highlight the necessity of incorporating <em>k_v</em> into seismic slope stability assessments. The proposed PIRMs offer an efficient and reliable tool for preliminary and regional-scale evaluations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"189 ","pages":"Article 107574"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050331","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":"Insights into pile vibro-driving in sand through numerical modelling","authors":"Pourya Kazemi Esfeh ,&nbsp;Britta Bienen ,&nbsp;Mark Fraser Bransby ,&nbsp;Patrick Staubach","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Monopiles installed by impact-hammering into the seabed have been the most commonly used foundation type for offshore wind turbines to date. However, acoustic emissions due to impact-hammering have recently motivated the uptake of alternative, quieter installation methods. Vibro-installation is one such approach that has been increasingly used in recent years, offering potentially quicker installation as well as reducing the risk of pile run. However, the soil mechanisms governing vibratory installation and its effects on the post-installation response are not yet fully understood. Improving this understanding could guide industry recommendations on vibro-driven pile installation. Therefore, the present study focuses on evaluating soil mechanisms underpinning resistance against vibro-driving in sand by performing large deformation numerical analyses of displacement-controlled vibro-driving of large-diameter cylindrical open-ended piles (monopiles). The results indicate that dynamic components of total soil resistance acting out of phase with static ones together with reductions in arching stresses inside the pile, can significantly decrease the penetration resistance compared to the monotonic jacking resistance. Furthermore, the total soil resistance against vibro-driving reduces if the upward displacement is large enough for full reversal of the shaft resistance but its downward movement is not sufficiently large for the full remobilization of tip resistance. In addition, shear-induced positive excess pore pressures around the pile tip during vibro-driving can facilitate easier pile penetration through reduction in effective stresses around the pile tip and more significant phase shifts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"189 ","pages":"Article 107628"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050335","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":"Mesoscopic mechanism for enhancing the liquefaction resistance of fiber-reinforced sand","authors":"Yuan Ding,&nbsp;Bin Ye,&nbsp;Jiazhi Zhu,&nbsp;Chuangji Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The addition of fibers to sand has been demonstrated to effectively increase soil liquefaction resistance. In this study, discrete element method (DEM) simulations of undrained cyclic triaxial tests on clean sand and fiber-reinforced sands were conducted to investigate the mechanism by which the liquefaction resistance of fiber-reinforced sand is increased. First, the different mechanical behaviors of clean sand and fiber-reinforced sands with different fiber contents were compared at the macroscopic level. The evolution of the mechanical coordination number, internal tension of the fibers, contact force of between the soil and fibers, and fabric of the fiber-reinforced sand were subsequently studied to clarify the mesomechanical mechanisms involved in enhancing the liquefaction resistance of the fiber-reinforced sand. Finally, a quantitative evaluation of the network constructed by strong soil-fiber contact was conducted. The simulation results demonstrate that fiber inclusion can substantially augment the liquefaction resistance of sand, with the effect being more pronounced at higher fiber contents within a specific range.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"189 ","pages":"Article 107634"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050333","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":"Discrete element modeling of dry rock-ice avalanche impacts on rigid barriers: mechanisms and impact models","authors":"Bei Zhang ,&nbsp;Mingqi Zhang ,&nbsp;Hengxing Lan ,&nbsp;Jianbing Peng","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107646","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107646","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the increase in environmental temperature, rock-ice avalanches originating from slope failures in alpine mountain areas have become a significant threat to the safety of key engineering projects. To enhance disaster mitigation capabilities, a detailed study of the impact dynamics of rock-ice avalanches is crucial, yet it has not been thoroughly investigated. A carefully calibrated DEM model is implemented in this research to systematically examine how ice-induced phenomena, including friction reduction and bulk density reduction, influence granular impact dynamics. Based on numerical data, new models are proposed to describe the impact behavior of rock-ice particle flows. The results indicate that the influence of ice content on granular impact dynamics is largely dependent on flow properties, as represented by the Froude number. Two primary effects—friction reduction and density reduction—account for the ice-induced impact behavior. The friction reduction effect dominates the granular run-up process, while the density reduction effect is responsible for the reduction in granular frontal impact. The body impact force is determined by the interplay between these two effects. Impact models should adequately consider the influence of the Froude number, Savage number, and ice content. Using the obtained numerical data, three models are proposed to predict run-up heights, frontal impact forces, and body impact forces. The presented results and models may serve as a critical basis for disaster mitigation design and back-analysis of rock-ice avalanche kinematics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"189 ","pages":"Article 107646"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050334","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":"Numerical and Experimental Investigation on the Role of Loading Condition to Granite Post-Peak Behaviour","authors":"Jia Liu ,&nbsp;Chengguo Zhang ,&nbsp;Joung Oh ,&nbsp;Peter Craig ,&nbsp;Ismet Canbulat ,&nbsp;Serkan Saydam","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107639","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107639","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding brittle rock failure and the associated energy conversion is vital for investigating the rockburst mechanism and controlling rockburst damage. However, the influences of loading conditions on brittle rock failure, especially regarding post-peak deformation behaviour, remain unclear due to limitations in testing methods. In addition, although rock microstructure is closely related to its failure process, the quantitative microscopic assessment is still challenging in the laboratory. This study evaluates the effects of circumferential strain incremental rate and confinement on the post-peak behaviour of granite using the circumferential strain-controlled loading method. Comprehensive laboratory experiments are integrated with numerical modelling implemented using an extended loading algorithm. Results reveal that higher circumferential strain incremental rates increase the formation of intergranular and intragranular cracks throughout the test, resulting in greater energy dissipation and a consequent reduction in excess energy. Under confined conditions, elevated confining pressures preserve more energy at peak strength for post-peak deformation by suppressing microcrack formation. At confinements up to 15 MPa, post-peak behaviour changes, with the excess energy amount largely reduced because uneven fracture induces more intragranular cracks, requiring additional energy for their formation. In contrast, at higher confinements, a localised shear failure pattern develops, reducing intragranular crack formation and allowing more excess energy to be released. This study concludes that both the energy stored in the pre-peak region and the energy dissipated in the post-peak region affect the post-peak behaviour and associated excess energy of brittle rock. From a microscopic perspective, increased microcracking is crucial for reducing excess energy, with intragranular cracks playing a critical role under confined conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"189 ","pages":"Article 107639"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050332","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":"Simple methods for imperfection sensitivity analysis of caisson skirts under suction installation","authors":"Ruizhe Xu ,&nbsp;Yurong Zhang ,&nbsp;Dengfeng Fu ,&nbsp;Yue Yan ,&nbsp;Wentao Cui ,&nbsp;Shuntao Fan ,&nbsp;Dong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Buckling is a critical issue in suction caissons that deserves attention. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis provides a powerful method for characterizing the uncertainty of imperfections, but the previous researches mainly focus on the shell buckling responses, which is difficult to be used directly for the caisson foundation design due to the difference in loading and boundary conditions. Thus, by employing ABAQUS software for finite element analysis, this study proposes a Fourier series-based probabilistic method and investigates buckling behavior under the combined effects of different Fourier coefficients, series types, imperfection magnitudes, and installation depths. The results reveal that the load design values of the three reliability levels decrease with <em>l</em> increasing from 3 to 8. As α/<em>t</em> increases from 1 to 4, the fluctuation of the buckling pressure enhances with a decrease in the overall stiffness of the sample. The half-wave sine Fourier series method captures the imperfection characteristics of caisson foundations with strong constraints at both ends. Imperfection distributions of caisson foundations with strongly constrained tops and open bottoms are represented by the improved half-wave sine Fourier series method through the longitudinal increment of imperfection magnitude. Furthermore, considering the effect of stretching imperfections into the mudline from caisson installation, the numerical analyses using the improved eigenmode method are also conducted. Notably, it shows a more conservative estimate of the buckling load with higher installation depths compared with the probabilistic method, highlighting the importance of such considerations in the caisson buckling design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"189 ","pages":"Article 107614"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050329","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}