Amidst global scarcity, preventing pipeline failures in water distribution systems is crucial for maintaining a clean supply while conserving water resources. Numerous studies have modelled water pipeline deterioration; however, existing literature does not correctly understand the failure time prediction for individual water pipelines. Existing time-to-failure prediction models rely on available data, failing to provide insight into factors affecting a pipeline's remaining age until a break or leak occurs. The study systematically reviews factors influencing time-to-failure, prioritizes them using a magnitude-based fuzzy analytical hierarchy process, and compares results with expert opinion using an in-person Delphi survey. The final pipe-related prioritized failure factors include pipe geometry, material type, operating pressure, pipe age, failure history, pipeline installation, internal pressure, earth and traffic loads. The prioritized environment-related factors include soil properties, water quality, extreme weather events, temperature, and precipitation. Overall, this prioritization can assist practitioners and researchers in selecting features for time-based deterioration modelling. Effective time-to-failure deterioration modelling of water pipelines can create a more sustainable water infrastructure management protocol, enhancing decision-making for repair and rehabilitation. Such a system can significantly reduce non-revenue water and mitigate the socio-environmental impacts of pipeline ageing and damage.

The lack of global standardization in the testing methods for Stabilized Rammed Earth (SRE) hinders progress in advancing knowledge of this sustainable construction technique. This review compiles research from the last four years on SRE, focusing on manufacturing parameters, curing conditions, chemical stabilizer kinds, stabilizer dosage, testing methods, and mechanical and durability properties. Based on this analysis, a methodology is proposed to define and standardize SRE manufacturing parameters, curing, and testing conditions. The proposed methodology suggests that soil particle size distribution should be optimized to enhance mechanical strength and durability while reducing stabilizer dosage. The selection and dosage of stabilizers should be determined based on soil characteristics and environmental considerations. The standard proctor test is recommended for assessing manufacturing conditions, while curing should be performed by wrapping samples in plastic at laboratory temperature. Unconfined Compressive Strength is identified as the most relevant mechanical test and should be conducted at 7, 28, and 90 days. For durability assessment, erosion testing and exposure to liquid water are recommended at 28 days. This methodology represents one of the first steps toward the standardization of SRE testing methods, which must be accepted and adopted by researchers and practitioners. By implementing this methodology, comparable results across studies could be achieved, facilitating further research and collaboration among researchers. Such efforts would contribute to enhancing the available knowledge to improve the material's performance and further promote SRE as a sustainable construction technique.

This review explores the influence of soil-structure interaction (SSI) on the seismic response of structures, employing Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to identify research trends and thematic clusters. Key topics include the dynamic response of buildings, nonlinear modeling approaches, soil-foundation interaction, and performance-based seismic evaluation. SSI significantly modifies structural behavior, influencing vibration characteristics, wave propagation, and energy dissipation. Building parameters, soil stiffness, and foundation type were identified as critical factors impacting seismic performance. Advanced nonlinear modeling techniques, such as finite element analysis and optimization algorithms, have enhanced the accuracy of SSI simulations, enabling detailed assessments of soil-structure dynamics and damage probabilities. Innovations like gravel-rubber mixtures for seismic isolation and tuned mass dampers integrated with SSI were highlighted for their effectiveness in mitigating seismic impacts. The review highlights the necessity of incorporating SSI into design frameworks to address dynamic amplification, site-specific conditions, and fragility variations. However, critical gaps remain, particularly in large-scale fragility modeling, multi-hazard assessments, and experimental validations. These gaps highlight the need for further integration of SSI effects into seismic risk analyses and design codes. Future research should prioritize multi-disciplinary approaches that bridge theoretical advancements and practical applications to enhance structural resilience in seismically active regions. This study provides a comprehensive foundation for advancing SSI-informed seismic design practices and improving the safety and sustainability of infrastructure.

This direction paper explores the evolving landscape of physics-informed machine learning (PIML) methodologies in the field of geotechnical engineering, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of current advancements and propose future research directions. Recognising the intrinsic connection between geophysical phenomena and geotechnical processes, we delve into the inter of physics-based models and machine learning techniques. The paper begins by elucidating the significance of incorporating physics-informed approaches, emphasising their potential to enhance the interpretability, accuracy and reliability of predictive models in geotechnical applications. We review recent applications of PIML in soil mechanics, hydrology, geotechnical site investigation, slope stability analysis and foundation engineering, showcasing successes and challenges. Furthermore, we identify promising avenues for future research in geotechnical engineering, including the integration of domain knowledge, model explainability, multiphysics and multiscale problems, complex constitutive models, as well as digital twins and large AI models within PIML frameworks. As geotechnical engineering embraces the paradigm shift towards data-driven methodologies, this direction paper offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners, guiding the trajectory of PIML for sustainable and resilient infrastructure development.

Groundwater is widely distributed in various rock and soil media and underground structures. Groundwater seepage inside the silty-fine sand layer causes infiltration erosion, leading to uneven settlement and cracking damage to the foundation and its structures. An analysis was conducted on the mechanisms of flowing soil and piping, and it was pointed out that flowing soil is caused by the effective gravity of sand particles, resulting in the floating and failure of sand particle groups due to the permeability greater than that of sand particles; Pipe surge refers to the migration and loss of movable fine particles, and the formation of water inflow channels through the interior of the silty-fine sand layer. Propose technical measures to improve the physical and mechanical properties of silty-fine sand layers and prevent infiltration damage through grouting. The mechanism of infiltration, splitting and compaction grouting was explained and analyzed, and the grouting materials such as plant glue modified cement sodium silicate, geopolymer, microbial solution, nano silica sol, emulsified asphalt, polyurethane, etc. were discussed and sorted out, aiming to contribute to improving the quality of silty-fine sand layer engineering projects.

Coarse-grained soil is generally used in cold-regions infrastructure to mitigate the frost damage to engineering because of its non-frost heave susceptibility; however, in certain cases, coarse-grained fill has been observed to experience frost heave under hydraulic pressure. To reveal the mechanism of hydraulic pressure on coarsegrained soil frost heave, a model was developed to describe the frost heave in coarse-grained soil, incorporating the migration of external water to ice lenses through an unfrozen water film under hydraulic pressure, then the model was validated using published results. Subsequently, based on the validated model, the influence mechanism of hydraulic pressure and fine content on coarse-grained soil frost heave were analyzed. The calculation results demonstrate that the hydraulic pressure aggravates frost heave by increasing the pore water pressure gradient in the unfrozen water film. Additionally, frost heave rate increases with fine content because of the thickening of the film, which facilitates water flow and ice segregation. Furthermore, gray correlation analysis demonstrated that the impact of hydraulic pressure on frost heave in coarse-grained soil is more significant than that of fine content. Finally, the study discusses frost damage that occurred in high-speed railway subgrade and proposes the preventive measures.

Revetment breakwaters on reclaimed coral sand have demonstrated vulnerability to seismic damage during strong earthquakes, wherein soil liquefaction has been identified as a substantial contributor. Based on the results of three centrifuge shaking table tests, this study investigates the characteristic seismic response of revetment breakwater on reclaimed coral sand and the influence of soil liquefaction. The basic mechanical properties of reclaimed coral sand were measured using undrained triaxial and hollow cylinder torsional shear tests. The centrifuge test results indicate that liquefaction of coral sand can result in significant displacement and even failure of revetment breakwaters, encompassing: (a) tilting, horizontal displacement, and settlement of the crest wall; (b) seismic subsidence in the foundation and backfill. The liquefaction consequence of the reclaimed coral sand increased with a decrease in soil density and rise in sea water level (SWL). Post-earthquake rapid reinforcement measure via sandbags is found to be effective in limiting excess pore pressure buildup in foundation soil and structure deformation under a second shaking event. Based on the test results, the effectiveness of current simplified design procedures in evaluating the stability and deformation of breakwaters in coral sand is assessed. When substantial excess pore pressure generation and liquefaction occur within the backfill and foundation coral sand, the pseudo-static and simplified dynamic methods are inadequate in assessing the stability and deformation of the breakwater.

Soil erosion has both on-farm and off-farm effects. On-farm, reduced soil depth can decrease land productivity, while off-farm, sediment transfer can damage streams, lakes, and estuaries. Therefore, optimal soil erosion modeling is a crucial first step in soil erosion research. One of the most important aspects of this modeling is the accuracy and applicability of the soil erosion factors used. Various methods for calculating these factors are discussed in the literature, but no single method is universally accurate. After an extensive review of the literature, we propose using the existing revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) factors for global application. Additionally, we conducted a grassroots-level experiment to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. RUSLE is identified as the most suitable model for global-scale soil erosion modeling. We evaluated the potential impacts of climate and land use and land cover (LULC) by utilizing shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs) alongside projected LULC scenarios. A suitable general circulation model (GCM) was selected after comparing it with recorded data from a base period. This model was validated with experimental observations, confirming its effectiveness. This review article outlines the future direction of soil erosion modeling and provides recommendations.Graphical AbstractThe graphical abstract visually summarizes the comprehensive methodology and key findings associated with optimal soil erosion modeling and management. It highlights a structured approach, beginning with identifying optimal methods for assessing soil erosion factors: Rainfall and Runoff Erosivity (R), Soil Erodibility (K), Slope Length and Steepness (LS), Cover and Management (C), and Support Practice (P) integral components of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). It illustrates the detailed methodological framework, emphasizing selecting suitable climate models for projecting future R factors, combined with projected land use and land cover (LULC) scenarios derived from Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs). The scenarios shown range from lower emissions (SSP 126) to higher emissions (SSP 585), indicating progressive increases in future erosion risk. Moreover, it explicitly ties the research findings to policy recommendations, underscoring a holistic approach aligning soil conservation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): specifically, Climate Action (SDG 13), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Zero Hunger (SDG 2). Suggested measures include integrating soil erosion control into broader policy frameworks, promoting sustainable land management practices such as agroforestry and contour plowing, and fostering policy integration and collaboration to enhance conservation effectiveness. Overall, the graphical abstract succinctly depicts how climate change, socio-economic dynamics, and LULC variations amplify future soil erosion risks, reinforcing the need for targeted, sustainable, and integrated soil conservation strategies globally.

Due to the insufficient burial depth of shallow-buried foundation bridges, foundation voiding easily occurs during floods or rapid water flows. When heavy vehicles pass over these partially voided bridges, the stress state of the foundation deteriorates instantaneously, causing critical components to exceed their load-bearing capacity in a short period, leading to a chain reaction that results in the rapid collapse and overall failure of the bridge structure. Previous numerical simulations of bridge water damage often neglected the strong coupling between water flow, soil, and structure during the scouring process. This paper applies a fluid-solid coupling simulation modeling method for bridge damage behavior under scouring action to study the structural damage behavior of shallow-buried foundation bridges under the combined effects of flood scouring and heavy vehicle load. This method employs point cloud reverse engineering technology to solve the difficult problem of converting the complex scour morphology around the foundation under flood scouring into a structural model, and investigates the multi-hazard damage behavior of shallow-buried foundations by coupling extreme hydraulic effects on the pier surface and placing the most unfavorable heavy vehicle loads on the bridge deck.

To assess the mechanical behavior of granular materials in triaxial tests, a mandatory condition is to guarantee a representative elemental volume (REV) sample. This is achieved by limiting the minimum sample size and the coarsest particle in the sample (dmax\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$d_\textrm{max}$$\end{document}). The common geotechnical practice is based on the sample scales H/D and alpha=D/dmax\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha = D/d_\textrm{max}$$\end{document}, where D is the sample diameter and H is its height. While, it is widely accepted that H/D should be between 2 and 2.5, international standards do not agree on the minimum alpha\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha$$\end{document}, and the recommended values vary widely between 5 and 20. Moreover, the impact of particle size distribution on REV is not well understood and is consequently overlooked by most standards. In this paper, we present a study of the effects of alpha\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha$$\end{document} and grading on the critical shear strength of granular materials. We conducted DEM simulations of triaxial tests on samples with values of alpha\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha$$\end{document} ranging from 5 to 20 and grading that varied from mono-size particle assemblies to samples, where the ratio between the coarsest and finest particle was dmax/dmin=4\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$d_\textrm{max}/d_\textrm{min}\ = 4$$\end{document}. The results show that the minimum alpha\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha$$\end{document} required to obtain an REV depends on grading. While, for mono-size particle assemblies REV conditions are obtained for alpha >= 12.5\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha \ \ge 12. 5$$\end{document}, better graded samples behave as REV once alpha >= 8\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha \ \ge \ 8$$\end{document}. A detailed analysis of macro and microscopic parameters reveals that alpha\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha$$\end{document} is not necessarily the most suitable parameter to assess REV scales. We discover that, in our samples, a unique relationship between critical shear strength and the number of grains carrying interparticle forces (Np & lowast;\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$N_p*$$\end{document}) exists independently of grading. In effect, REV can be systematically defined as long as Np & lowast;>= 3000\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$N_p* \ge 3000$$\end{document}. The physical source of this observation is linked to the evolution of contact arrangement and force transmission mechanisms, which evolve according to the number of particles engaged in load bearing.