As the increasing demand for deep mineral resource extraction and the construction of deep vertical shafts by the artificial ground freezing method, the stability and safety of shaft that traverse thick alluvial depend significantly on their interaction with the surrounding deep frozen soil medium. Such interaction is directly conditioned by the mechanical properties of the deep frozen soil. To precisely capture these in-situ mechanical properties, the mechanical parameters tests using remodeled frozen specimens cannot ignore the disparities in consolidation history, stress environment and formation conditions between the deep and shallow soils. This study performs a series of long-term high-pressure K0 consolidation (where K0 represents the static earth pressure coefficient, describing the ratio of horizontal to vertical stress under zero lateral strain conditions), freezing under sustained load and unloading triaxial shear tests utilizing remodeled deep clay. This study presents the response of unloading strength and damage properties under varying consolidation stresses, durations, and freezing temperatures. The unloading strength increases sharply and then stabilizes with consolidation time. The unloading strength shows an approximate linear positive correlation with the consolidation stress, while a negative correlation with the freezing temperature. The strengthening rate of the unloading strength due to freezing temperature tends to decrease with increasing consolidation time. Additionally, an improved damage constitutive model was proposed and validated by incorporating the initial K0 stress state and a Weibull-based assumption for damage elements. Based on the back propagation (BP) neural network, a prediction method for the stress-strain curve was offered according to the consolidation stress level, initial stress state, and temperature. These results can provide references for improving the mechanical testing methods of deep frozen clay and revealing differences in mechanical properties between deep and shallow soils.

During the excavation of large-scale rock slopes and deep hard rock engineering, the induced rapid unloading serves as the primary cause of rock mass deformation and failure. The essence of this phenomenon lies in the opening-shear failure process triggered by the normal stress unloading of fractured rock mass. In this study, we focus on local-scale rock fracture and conduct direct shear tests under different normal stress unloading rates on five types of non-persistent fractured hard rocks. The aim is to analyze the influence of normal stress unloading rates on the failure modes and shear mechanical characteristics of non-persistent fractured rocks. The results indicate that the normal unloading displacement decreases gradually with increasing normal stress unloading rate, while the influence of normal stress unloading rate on shear displacement is not significant. As the normal stress unloading rate increases, the rocks brittle failure process accelerates, and the degree of rocks damage decreases. Analysis of the stress state on rock fracture surfaces reveals that increasing the normal stress unloading rate enhances the compressive stress on rocks, leading to a transition in the failure mode from shear failure to tensile failure. A negative exponential strength formula was proposed, which effectively fits the relationship between failure normal stress and normal stress unloading rate. The findings enrich the theoretical foundation of unloading rock mechanics and provide theoretical support for disasters prevention and control in rock engineering excavations. (c) 2025 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/ 4.0/).

Due to economic and demographic growth, there is a rising demand for land reclamation in coastal cities of East and Southeast Asia. Marine clays typically play a critical role in these projects, and the deformation characteristics of marine clays become a crucial problem in terms of the quality of the subsoil conditions. The long-term loading behavior of marine clays has been studied by many researchers. However, relatively few studies have been done on the unloading behavior of these clays after preloading; and thus, the strain rate dependency on the unloading behavior of marine clays remains unclear. The aim of this study was to accumulate experimental data on the unloading behavior of marine clays and to develop a strain rate-based model for improving the accuracy of the predictions of the swelling behavior of marine clays during unloading. The authors conducted a series of constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation tests from loading to unloading, and long-term unloading oedometer tests on Ariake clay, which is a well-known sensitive marine clay, to observe the swelling behavior during in unloading. The preloading time, corresponding to different strain rates at the end of preloading, was controlled to elucidate the effect of the stress history. Moreover, instead of parameter r ' p (preconsolidation pressure) for the normal consolidation visco-plastic behavior, the authors developed and proposed a new visco-plastic model by introducing the concept of a plastic rebound boundary and a new parameter R for swelling behavior during unloading. Parameter R represents the normalized distance from the current stress state to the plastic rebound boundary in logarithmic effective consolidation stress. Therefore, the visco-plastic model for the behavior in the loading stage was developed into the swelling visco-plastic behavior in the unloading stage for Ariake clay. Comparing the simulation and test results, the simplified visco-plastic swelling model was found to agree well with the test results. (c) 2025 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Japanese Geotechnical Society. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

During the development blasting of circular tunnels, the detonation of multiple blastholes arranged on concentric circles induces a complex dynamic response in the surrounding rocks. This process involves multiple blast loadings, static stress unloadings, and stress redistributions. In this study, the dynamic stresses of the surrounding rocks during development blasting, considering multiple blasting-unloading stages with exponential paths and triangular paths (linear simplified paths of exponential paths), are solved based on the dynamic theory and the Fourier transform method. Then, a corresponding discrete element model is established using particle flow code (PFC). The multiple-stage dynamic stress and fracture distribution under different in situ stress levels and lateral coefficients are investigated. Theoretical results indicate that the peak compressive stresses in the surrounding rocks induced by both triangular and exponential paths are equal, while the triangular path generates greater additional dynamic tensile stresses, particularly in the circumferential direction, compared to the exponential path. Numerical results show that the exponential path causes less dynamic circumferential tensile damage and forms fewer radial fractures than the triangular path in the first few blast stages; conversely, it exacerbates the damage and instability in the final blasting-unloading stage and forms more circumferential fractures. Furthermore, the in situ stress determines which of the two opposite effects is dominant. Therefore, when using overly simplified triangular paths to evaluate the stability of surrounding rocks, potential overestimation or underestimation caused by different failure mechanisms should be considered. Specifically, under high horizontal and vertical stresses, the static stress redistribution with layer-by-layer blasting suppresses dynamic circumferential tensile and radial compressive damage. The damage evolution of surrounding rocks in multi-stage blasting under different in situ stresses is summarized and classified according to the damage mechanism and characteristics, which can guide blasting and support design. (c) 2025 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/ 4.0/).

This study investigates the simultaneous influence of particle shape and initial suction on the hydromechanical behavior of unsaturated sandy soils. Anisotropic loading-unloading tests at constant water content conditions were conducted on three sands with distinct shapes (Firoozkooh-most angular, Babolsar-Subangular, and Mesr-roundest) using a direct shear apparatus. Particle shapes were quantified in terms of sphericity, roundness, and regularity using the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests. In addition, a coupled hydromechanical model based on elasto-viscoplasticity was developed and validated against the experimental results first. The model was then employed to conduct a parametric study (compressibility, pore water pressure, and permeability) with an emphasis on the role of particle morphology and shape. The findings revealed rounder particles (higher regularity) experienced higher volumetric strain (epsilon v) under lower suction but less epsilon vwith increasing suction compared to angular sands. Moreover, the rate of permeability reduction during loading in Mesr sand was 1.5 times and 2.4 times higher than that of Babolsar and Firoozkooh sands at near-saturation condition. However, this amount decreased with increasing suction. Pore water pressure (PWP) generation was highest in the most angular sand due to its retention characteristics. The relationship between void ratio and PWP was independent of loading cycles and exhibited a linear dependence. Particle shape significantly impacted this relationship, with rounder sands showing a higher rate of void ratio change per unit change in PWP.

To investigate the unloading mechanical properties of deeply buried silty soil in dam foundation cover layers, a series of consolidated drained triaxial compression tests along multi-stage loading-unloading path were performed on both undisturbed samples (including horizontally and vertically oriented samples) and remolded samples. The test results demonstrate that: (1) the vertically oriented soil samples exhibit strain softening under low confining pressures (100, 200, and 400 kPa), transitioning to strain hardening at high confining pressures (800 and 1600 kPa). In contrast, the horizontally oriented specimens consistently exhibit strain softening across all confining pressures, whereas the remolded samples display strain hardening under all confining conditions; (2) the strength of vertically oriented soil specimens is significantly higher than that of horizontally oriented specimens, ranging from 1.18 to 1.43 times greater. Remolded samples, however, remolded samples are slightly weaker than horizontally oriented specimens under low confining pressures (100, 200, and 400 kPa), while at high confining pressures (800 and 1600 kPa), their strength approaches that of horizontally oriented specimens; (3) the deeply buried silty soil also exhibits pronounced unloading-induced volume contraction characteristics, which increase with the initial axial strain at the beginning of unloading and diminish as confining pressure increases; (4) the unloading modulus is obviously higher than the initial loading modulus, with the ratio of the unloading modulus to the initial loading modulus ranging from 1.4 to 3.6. This ratio increases with increasing confining pressure but decreases with increasing axial strain at the onset of unloading.

A series of true triaxial unloading tests are conducted on sandstone specimens with a single structural plane to investigate their mechanical behaviors and failure characteristics under different in situ stress states. The experimental results indicate that the dip angle of structural plane (B) and the intermediate principal stress (o2) have an important influence on the peak strength, cracking mode, and rockburst severity. The peak strength exhibits a first increase and then decrease as a function of o2 for a constant B. However, when o2 is constant, the maximum peak strength is obtained at B of 90 degrees, and the minimum peak strength is obtained at B of 30 degrees or 45 degrees. For the case of an inclined structural plane, the crack type at the tips of structural plane transforms from a mix of wing and anti-wing cracks to wing cracks with an increase in o2, while the crack type around the tips of structural plane is always anti-wing cracks for the vertical structural plane, accompanied by a series of tensile cracks besides. The specimens with structural plane do not undergo slabbing failure regardless of B, and always exhibit composite tensile-shear failure whatever the o2 value is. With an increase in o2 and B, the intensity of the rockburst is consistent with the tendency of the peak strength. By analyzing the relationship between the cohesion (c), internal friction angle (4), and B in sandstone specimens, we incorporate B into the true triaxial unloading strength criterion, and propose a modified linear Mogi-Coulomb criterion. Moreover, the crack propagation mechanism at the tips of structural plane, and closure degree of the structural plane under true triaxial unloading conditions are also discussed and summarized. This study provides theoretical guidance for stability assessment of surrounding rocks containing geological structures in deep complex stress environments. (c) 2025 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/ 4.0/).

This study investigated the bearing capacity and failure characteristics of a shield tunnel lining structure subjected to top overload and simultaneous unloading on both sides of a tunnel, considering the presence of internal water pressure. The results show that the structural response of the shield tunnel lining is most unfavourable under the condition of a fully filled pipe, where the internal water pressure reduces the axial force of the lining ring section, compared with the conditions of an empty pipe and a partially filled pipe. When the internal water pressure increases from 0 MPa to 0.6 MPa, the convergence deformation of the lining ring under a top overload of 400 kPa increases by 23.6%, resulting from a reduction of 27.2% in the maximum axial force at the lining section. Similarly, the convergence deformation of the lining ring under simultaneous unloading of 400 kPa on both sides of the tunnel increases by 21.6% because of a reduction of 56.4% in the maximum axial force at the lining section. The shield tunnel lining rings under the action of internal water pressure when subjected to top overload or simultaneous unloading on both sides of the tunnel exhibit the same failure characteristics. As the overload or unloading value increases, the lining ring deformation gradually increases, the joint opening exceeds the waterproof design limit, and the bolt enters a plastic yield state as its stress exceeds the yield strength. Cracks occur in the concrete at the positions of the lining segments, segmental joints, and handholes because of the large strain values. Moreover, the stress of the steel bars, joint panels, and anchor bars inside the lining segments may exceed their yield strength. During the top overload, the bending moment and axial force of the lining ring increase, whereas when unloading on both sides of the tunnel, the bending moment increases and the axial force decreases. Compared with the case with an overload value of 400 kPa, the maximum positive and negative bending moments of the lining ring under a lateral unloading value of 400 kPa decrease by 11.5% and 14.4%, respectively, whereas the maximum axial force decreases by 73.1%. This considerable decrease in axial force during lateral unloading leads to greater eccentricity and a more adverse structural response of the lining structure than does top overload. Therefore, during the operation of shield tunnels with internal water pressure, the influence of unloading on both sides of the lining structure caused by soil stress relaxation should be taken seriously.

This study introduces a unified cylindrical and spherical cavity reverse expansion model to simulate the formation of compaction grouting bodies and grout diffusion along pile shafts. Stress field expression employs the superposition method, while displacement field analysis utilizes the nonassociated Mohr-Coulomb criterion. By combining the displacement expression for cylindrical cavity reverse expansion with the fluid flow equation, a calculation method is proposed to compute the upward and downward diffusion heights of grout, considering the unloading effect. The parameter analysis demonstrates that ultimate grouting pressure increases with increasing soil strength and grouting depth, with the ultimate grouting pressure at the pile tip being greater than that at the pile side. The value of grout diffusion height is negatively correlated with unloading ratio and grouting depth while positively correlated with grouting pressure and pile diameter. The deeper the grouting depth, the greater the impact of unloading on grout diffusion height. Three case studies validate the effectiveness of the proposed model. Analysis reveals that when grouting pressure exceeds the ultimate pressure, the size of the grout body is related to the grouting volume. Neglecting the unloading effect in the prediction of grout diffusion height for pile foundations would lead to conservative results.

Preexisting cracks inside tight sandstones are one of the most important properties for controlling the mechanical and seepage behaviors. During the cyclic loading process, the rock generally exhibits obvious memorability and irreversible plastic deformation, even in the linear elastic stage. The assessment of the evolution of preexisting cracks under hydrostatic pressure loading and unloading processes is helpful in understanding the mechanism of plastic deformation. In this study, ultrasonic measurements were conducted on two tight sandstone specimens with different bedding orientations subjected to hydrostatic loading and unloading processes. The P-wave velocity was characterized by a similar response with the volumetric strain to the hydrostatic pressure and showed different strain sensitivities at different loading and unloading stages. A numerical model based on the discrete element method (DEM) was proposed to quantitatively clarify the evolution of the crack distribution under different hydrostatic pressures. The numerical model was verified by comparing the evolution of the measured P-wave velocities on two anisotropic specimens. The irreversible plastic deformation that occurred during the hydrostatic unloading stage was mainly due to the permanent closure of plastic-controlled cracks. The closure and reopening of cracks with a small aspect ratio account for the major microstructure evolution during the hydrostatic loading and unloading processes. Such evolution of microcracks is highly dependent on the stress path. The anisotropy of the crack distribution plays an important role in the magnitude and strain sensitivity of the P-wave velocity under stress conditions. The study can provide insight into the microstructure evolution during cyclic loading and unloading processes. (c) 2025 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/ 4.0/).