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Designing and implementing effective strategies for managing heritage resources throughout the world has become critically important as the impacts of climate change and human-caused destruction are increasingly felt. Of particular importance is the ability to identify and track fast- and slow-moving processes associated with weathering, erosion and the movement or removal of heritage objects by natural and human agents. In this paper, the authors demonstrate how 3D laser scanning can be used to detect and monitor changes to the Okotoks Erratic “Big Rock” Provincial Historic Resource in Alberta, Canada, over a period of 7 years.

Terrestrial laser scanning surveys of the Okotoks Erratic “Big Rock” Provincial Historic Resource were undertaken in 2013, 2016 and 2020. Registration was used to place the three epochs of point clouds into a unique datum for comparison using the cloud-to-cloud distance function in Cloud Compare.

The movement/repositioning of rocks around the base of the erratic, the emergence of “unofficial” paths and changes to interpretive trails and fencing were all identified at the site over the time period of the study.

Current conservation at the Okotoks Big Rock focus primarily on the rock art panels that are scattered over the erratic. The results of this study indicate they should be broadened so that the geological integrity of the site, which is intrinsically linked to its cultural value, can also be maintained.

This is the first study the authors are aware of that utilizes terrestrial laser scanning + change detection analysis to identify and track changes to a heritage site over a period as long as 7 years.

Evaluating mechanical properties of simply made samples by 3D printing technology at nanoscale provides a clear path to better understand larger-scale responses of complex natural rocks. Therefore, to realize the similarity between synthetically manufactured materials and natural geomaterials, this study focused on nanoscale mechanical characterization of a 3D printed object with only two constituent components (gypsum powder and infiltrant).

The study method includes nanoindentation technique combined with numerical simulation via discrete element method (DEM).

Four typical load-displacement curves were identified from nanoindentation of total test points indicating a typical elastic-plastic behavior of the 3D printed gypsum rock sample. Mechanical parameters such as Young’s modulus and hardness were calculated by energy-based methods and a positive correlation was observed. The infiltrant was found to considerably be responsible for the majority of the sample nano-mechanical behavior rather than the gypsum particles, thus expected to control macroscale properties. This was decided from deconvolution and clustering of elastic modulus data. Particle flow modeling in DEM was used to simulate the nanoindentation process in a porous media yielding rock-alike mechanical behavior.

The results show a matching load-displacement response between experimental and simulation results, which verified the credibility of simulation modeling for mechanical behavior of 3D printed gypsum rock at nanoscale. Finally, differential effective medium theory was used to upscale the nanoindentation results to the macroscale mechanical properties, which provided an insight into the geomechanical modeling at multiscale.

Elasto‐plastic models based on critical state formulations have been successful in describing many of the most important features of the mechanical behaviour of soils. This review paper deals with the applications of this class of models to the numerical analysis of geotechnical problems. After a brief overview of the development of the models, the basic critical state formulation is presented together with the main modifications which have actually been used in computational applications. The problems associated with the numerical implementation of this type of models are then discussed. Finally, a summary of reported computational applications and some specific examples of analyses of geotechnical problems using critical state models are presented.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a gauge for the convergence of the deterministic particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to obtain an optimum upper bound for PSO algorithm and also developing a precise equation for predicting the rock fragmentation, as important aims in surface mines.

In this study, a database including 80 sets of data was collected from 80 blasting events in Shur river dam region, in Iran. The values of maximum charge per delay (W), burden (B), spacing (S), stemming (ST), powder factor (PF), rock mass rating (RMR) and D80, as a standard for evaluating the fragmentation, were measured. To check the performance of the proposed PSO models, artificial neural network was also developed. Accuracy of the developed models was evaluated using several statistical evaluation criteria, such as variance account for, R-square (R²) and root mean square error.

Finding the upper bounds for the difference between the position and the best position of particles in PSO algorithm and also developing a precise equation for predicting the rock fragmentation, as important aims in surface mines.

For the first time, the convergence of the deterministic PSO is studied in this study without using the stagnation or the weak chaotic assumption. The authors also studied application of PSO inpredicting rock fragmentation.

The purpose of this paper is to give an explanation of the new data available about surface subsidence above the depleted gas reservoir Ravenna Terra. These data confirm the existence after end of exploitation of a reversed subsidence bowl with minimum subsidence above the reservoir, as opposed to conventional subsidence bowls during exploitation which show maximum subsidence in the same location.

The paper analyses these new data about the existence after end of exploitation of a reversed subsidence bowl. The observed behaviour is reproduced successfully with a fully coupled two phase flow code in deforming reservoir rocks which incorporates a constitutive model for partially saturated porous media.

The paper provides successful simulations. These allow affirming with confidence that the explanation for the peculiar behaviour is reservoir flooding and partially saturated rock behaviour.

Further research: other case studies where similar behaviour is expected, e.g. Ekofisk.

The paper includes implications for better management of reservoir exploitation schedules to minimize the observed phenomenon.

This paper explains the peculiar behaviour of subsidence above the depleted gas reservoir Ravenna Terra and confirms the conjecture that constitutive behaviour of partially saturated rocks is the origin of the observed phenomenon.

The rock drill’s drill tail experiences high-frequency fretting simultaneously in the rotational and axial directions. Due to the complex working characteristics and the low viscosity of the water medium, the pure water seal is susceptible to damage and failure. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the water seal’s performance.

The Y-shaped seal ring is modeled and simulated using orthogonal testing. Through analysis of the impact of various seal section parameters on sealing performance, the maximum contact stress and maximum Von Mises stress are selected as indicators of sealing effectiveness.

The maximum contact stress is proportional to lip thickness and chamfer length but inversely proportional to lip length. Meanwhile, the maximum Von Mises stress is directly influenced by lip depth and the included angle of the lip and drill tail but is inversely proportional to the lip thickness. The enhanced Y-shaped water seal sees reductions of 15% and 45% in maximum contact stress and maximum Von Mises stress, respectively.

This paper used analytical method and model that is helpful for design of the water seal’s structure in complex working characteristics and the low viscosity of the water medium.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-11-2023-0366/

The induction of geological disasters is predominantly influenced by the dynamic evolution of the stress and plastic zones of the multilayer rock formations surrounding deep-rock roadways, and the behaviours and mechanisms of high in situ stress are key scientific issues related to deep-resource exploitation. The stress environment of deep resources is more complex owing to the influence of several geological factors, such as tectonic movements and landforms. Therefore, in practical engineering, the in situ stress field is in a complex anisotropic three-dimensional state, which may change the deformation and failure law of the surrounding rock. The purpose of this study is to investigate the tunnelling-induced stress and plastic evolution causing instability of multilayered surrounding rock by varying three-dimensional in situ stresses.

Based on data from the Yangquan Coal Mine, China, a finite difference model was established, and the elastic-plastic constitutive model and element deletion technology designed in the study were analysed. Gradual tunnelling along the roof and floor of the coal seam was used in the model, which predicted the impact tendency, and compared the results with the impact tendency report to verify the validity of the model. The evolutions of the stress field and plastic zone of the coal roadway in different stress fields were studied by modifying the maximum horizontal in situ stress, minimum horizontal in situ stress and lateral pressure coefficient.

The results shown that the in situ stress influenced the stress distribution and plastic zone of the surrounding rock. With an increase in the minimum horizontal in situ stress, the vertical in situ stress release area of the roof surrounding rock slowly decreased; the area of vertical in situ stress concentration area of the deep surrounding rock on roadway sides decreased, increased and decreased by turn; the area of roof now-shear failure area first increased and then decreased. With an increase in the lateral pressure coefficient, the area of the horizontal in situ stress release area of the surrounding rock increased; the area of vertical in situ stress release area of the roof and floor surrounding rock first decreased and then increased; the area of deep stress concentration area of roadway sides decreased; and the plastic area of the surrounding rock and the area of now-shear failure first decreased and then increased.

The results obtained in this study are based on actual cases and reveal the evolution law of the disturbing stress and plastic zone of multilayer surrounding rock caused by three-dimensional in situ stress during the excavation of deep rock roadways, which can provide a practical reference for the extraction of deep resources.

The purpose of this article is to understand the current research status and future development trends in the field of numerical simulation on rock mass grouting.

This article first searched the literature database (EI, Web of Science, CNKI, etc.) for keywords related to the numerical simulation of rock mass grouting to obtain the initial literature database. Then, from the initial database, several documents with strong relevance to the numerical simulation theme of rock mass grouting and high citation rate were selected; some documents from the references were selected as supplements, forming the sample database of this review study (a total of 90 articles). Finally, through sorting out the relationship among the literature, this literature review was carried out.

The numerical simulation of rock mass grouting is mainly based on the porous media model and the fractured media model. It has experienced the development process from Newtonian fluid to non-Newtonian fluid, from time-invariant viscosity to time-varying viscosity, and from generalized theoretical model to engineering application model. Based on this, this article summarizes four scientific problems that need to be solved in the future in this research field: the law of grout distribution at the cross fissures, the grout diffusion mechanism under multi-field coupling, more accurate grouting theoretical model and simulation technology with strong engineering applicability.

This research systematically analyzes the current research status and shortcomings of numerical simulation on rock mass grouting, summarizes four key issues in the future development of this research field and provides new ideas for the future research on numerical simulation on rock mass grouting.

Large displacement misalignment under the action of active faults can cause complex three-dimensional deformation in subway tunnels, resulting in severe damage, distortion and misalignment. There is no developed system of fortification and related codes to follow. There are scientific problems and technical challenges in this field that have never been encountered in past research and practices.

This paper adopted a self-designed large-scale active fault dislocation simulation loading system to conduct a similar model test of the tunnel under active fault dislocation based on the open-cut tunnel project of the Urumqi Rail Transit Line 2, which passes through the Jiujiawan normal fault. The test simulated the subway tunnel passing through the normal fault, which is inclined at 60°. This research compared and analyzed the differences in mechanical behavior between two types of lining section: the open-cut double-line box tunnel and the modified double-line box arch tunnel. The structural response and failure characteristics of the open-cut segmented lining of the tunnel under the stick-slip part of the normal fault were studied.

The results indicated that the double-line box arch tunnel improved the shear and longitudinal bending performance. Longitudinal cracks were mainly distributed in the baseplate, wall foot and arch foot, and the crack position was basically consistent with the longitudinal distribution of surrounding rock pressure. This indicated that the longitudinal cracks were due to the large local load of the cross-section of the structure, leading to an excessive local bending moment of the structure, which resulted in large eccentric failure of the lining and formation of longitudinal cracks. Compared with the ordinary box section tunnel, the improved double-line box arch tunnel significantly reduced the destroyed and damage areas of the hanging wall and footwall. The damage area and crack length were reduced by 39 and 59.3%, respectively. This indicates that the improved double-line box arch tunnel had good anti-sliding performance.

This paper adopted a self-designed large-scale active fault dislocation simulation loading system to conduct a similar model test of the tunnel under active fault dislocation. This system increased the similarity ratio of the test model, improved the dislocation loading rate and optimized the simulation scheme of the segmented flexible lining and other key factors affecting the test. It is of great scientific significance and engineering value to investigate the structure of subway tunnels under active fault misalignment, to study its force characteristics and damage modes, and to provide a technical reserve for the design and construction of subway tunnels through active faults.

The complexity of analysis of geotechnical behavior is due to multivariable dependencies of soil and rock responses. In order to cope with this complex behavior, traditional forms of engineering design solutions are reasonably simplified. Incorporating simplifying assumptions into the development of the traditional models may lead to very large errors. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate capabilities of promising variants of genetic programming (GP), namely linear genetic programming (LGP), gene expression programming (GEP), and multi‐expression programming (MEP) by applying them to the formulation of several complex geotechnical engineering problems.

LGP, GEP, and MEP are new variants of GP that make a clear distinction between the genotype and the phenotype of an individual. Compared with the traditional GP, the LGP, GEP, and MEP techniques are more compatible with computer architectures. This results in a significant speedup in their execution. These methods have a great ability to directly capture the knowledge contained in the experimental data without making assumptions about the underlying rules governing the system. This is one of their major advantages over most of the traditional constitutive modeling methods.

In order to demonstrate the simulation capabilities of LGP, GEP, and MEP, they were applied to the prediction of: relative crest settlement of concrete‐faced rockfill dams; slope stability; settlement around tunnels; and soil liquefaction. The results are compared with those obtained by other models presented in the literature and found to be more accurate. LGP has the best overall behavior for the analysis of the considered problems in comparison with GEP and MEP. The simple and straightforward constitutive models developed using LGP, GEP and MEP provide valuable analysis tools accessible to practicing engineers.

The LGP, GEP, and MEP approaches overcome the shortcomings of different methods previously presented in the literature for the analysis of geotechnical engineering systems. Contrary to artificial neural networks and many other soft computing tools, LGP, GEP, and MEP provide prediction equations that can readily be used for routine design practice. The constitutive models derived using these methods can efficiently be incorporated into the finite element or finite difference analyses as material models. They may also be used as a quick check on solutions developed by more time consuming and in‐depth deterministic analyses.