Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108561
Haiyang Liu , Kaikai Wang , Ke Ma , Di Wu , Ziming Wang
The right-bank slope of the Dongzhuang Water Conservancy Project is characterized by steep relief and complex geology, making it susceptible to instability and challenging to evaluate. To monitor rock fracturing during excavation in real time, a high-precision microseismic monitoring system was deployed. A hybrid moment tensor inversion method helps to reveal the source mechanisms of these fractures. The study integrates geological anti-sliding analysis with borehole testing to identify compromised structural planes and assess the risk of potential sliding blocks. Most microseismic events are compressive fractures, predominantly located in high-stress zones and controlled by steep structural planes. Shear fractures constitute 17.86%, associated with pre-existing weaknesses, while tensile fractures occur mostly near free surfaces. Fracture sequences are classified into three categories based on source mechanisms. Sequence I is dominated by tensile-shear fractures. Sequence II shows a mix of shear-tensile and shear-compressive types with clear transitions. Sequence III exhibits variations between compressive-shear and tensile-shear fracturing. Two high-risk structural plane combinations (Mode II and Mode V) were detected on the right dam shoulder. These are controlled by mud-filled fractures (Rnj3), a fault (f5), and a bedding fracture (L60), and are consistent with field monitoring results.
{"title":"Identification of fracture mechanisms and potential instability modes in high-steep rock slopes using microseismic moment tensors: a case study","authors":"Haiyang Liu , Kaikai Wang , Ke Ma , Di Wu , Ziming Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108561","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108561","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The right-bank slope of the Dongzhuang Water Conservancy Project is characterized by steep relief and complex geology, making it susceptible to instability and challenging to evaluate. To monitor rock fracturing during excavation in real time, a high-precision microseismic monitoring system was deployed. A hybrid moment tensor inversion method helps to reveal the source mechanisms of these fractures. The study integrates geological anti-sliding analysis with borehole testing to identify compromised structural planes and assess the risk of potential sliding blocks. Most microseismic events are compressive fractures, predominantly located in high-stress zones and controlled by steep structural planes. Shear fractures constitute 17.86%, associated with pre-existing weaknesses, while tensile fractures occur mostly near free surfaces. Fracture sequences are classified into three categories based on source mechanisms. Sequence I is dominated by tensile-shear fractures. Sequence II shows a mix of shear-tensile and shear-compressive types with clear transitions. Sequence III exhibits variations between compressive-shear and tensile-shear fracturing. Two high-risk structural plane combinations (Mode II and Mode V) were detected on the right dam shoulder. These are controlled by mud-filled fractures (Rnj3), a fault (f5), and a bedding fracture (L60), and are consistent with field monitoring results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"363 ","pages":"Article 108561"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962693","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}
The seismic safety assessment of zoned earth dams that have been in operation for several decades requires a preliminary evaluation of their pre-seismic behavior through the interpretation of monitoring data and laboratory tests on construction materials, collected throughout the dam's service life. Once it is verified whether any factors have influenced the dam's performance and whether this behavior remains consistent with the original design expectations, the seismic response can be analyzed using either pseudo-dynamic (Newmark-based) or coupled elastoplastic continuum approaches. The most relevant damage mechanisms are those affecting watertightness. Zoned earth dams may develop seismic-induced fractures resulting from sliding through the core or from stress release associated with distributed deformation. Coupled analyses provide fundamental physical insight into the processes governing hydraulic fracturing under both seismic and post-seismic conditions, while pseudo-dynamic methods offer valuable information on potential sliding mechanisms and on whether failure surfaces are likely to propagate through the core. The integration of these two approaches enables a deeper understanding of core vulnerability and improves the overall reliability of seismic safety evaluations. This study explores these aspects through the analysis of the Conza Dam in Italy—a unique case where a major earthquake occurred during construction, and where comparative testing of original and recent materials revealed progressive changes in properties over decades of operation. The combined application of pseudodynamic and coupled dynamic analyses to this case demonstrates their complementarity and effectiveness in predicting potential earthquake-induced damage.
{"title":"Seismic analysis of a zoned earth dam after decades of operation","authors":"Mariagrazia Tretola , Lucia Coppola , Stefania Sica , Luca Pagano","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108559","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108559","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The seismic safety assessment of zoned earth dams that have been in operation for several decades requires a preliminary evaluation of their pre-seismic behavior through the interpretation of monitoring data and laboratory tests on construction materials, collected throughout the dam's service life. Once it is verified whether any factors have influenced the dam's performance and whether this behavior remains consistent with the original design expectations, the seismic response can be analyzed using either pseudo-dynamic (Newmark-based) or coupled elastoplastic continuum approaches. The most relevant damage mechanisms are those affecting watertightness. Zoned earth dams may develop seismic-induced fractures resulting from sliding through the core or from stress release associated with distributed deformation. Coupled analyses provide fundamental physical insight into the processes governing hydraulic fracturing under both seismic and post-seismic conditions, while pseudo-dynamic methods offer valuable information on potential sliding mechanisms and on whether failure surfaces are likely to propagate through the core. The integration of these two approaches enables a deeper understanding of core vulnerability and improves the overall reliability of seismic safety evaluations. This study explores these aspects through the analysis of the Conza Dam in Italy—a unique case where a major earthquake occurred during construction, and where comparative testing of original and recent materials revealed progressive changes in properties over decades of operation. The combined application of pseudodynamic and coupled dynamic analyses to this case demonstrates their complementarity and effectiveness in predicting potential earthquake-induced damage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"363 ","pages":"Article 108559"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962645","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108562
Shun Ding, Shibin Tang
Understanding the time-dependent deformation and failure mechanisms of rock under coupled high stress and water pressure is essential for evaluating the long-term stability of deep rock engineering. This study employs a self-developed triaxial hydraulic loading system to investigate the seepage–creep behavior of sandstone, marble, and granite under different hydraulic boundary conditions. The results show that unpressurized seepage increases creep strain and reduces failure time, leading to tensile failure on the rock surface. Lateral pressurized seepage not only accelerates primary creep strain in dry rock samples but may also suppress secondary creep behavior. A notable finding is that as water pressure increases, the creep failure time presents a distinct U-shaped trend. Specifically, the shortest failure time is observed at 1 MPa when the axial stress exceeds the saturated uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). Compared with previous studies, the results indicate that pressurized seepage produces a dual strengthening effect under saturated conditions: pore water pressure partially offsets the axial stress, while lateral water pressure enhances creep resistance. Lithology is a dominant factor; high-porosity sandstone undergoes rapid degradation owing to weak cementation. However, creep failure still occurs once the cumulative microscopic damage induced by pore water pressure surpasses the strengthening effects. Notably, the unloading of water pressure can trigger an instantaneous increase in creep strain or even immediate failure, particularly in marble and granite. Overall, these findings provide important insight into developing a comprehensive understanding of both delayed and instantaneous water-induced failures in deep rock engineering.
{"title":"Creep behavior of rocks under coupled high stress and water pressure","authors":"Shun Ding, Shibin Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108562","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108562","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the time-dependent deformation and failure mechanisms of rock under coupled high stress and water pressure is essential for evaluating the long-term stability of deep rock engineering. This study employs a self-developed triaxial hydraulic loading system to investigate the seepage–creep behavior of sandstone, marble, and granite under different hydraulic boundary conditions. The results show that unpressurized seepage increases creep strain and reduces failure time, leading to tensile failure on the rock surface. Lateral pressurized seepage not only accelerates primary creep strain in dry rock samples but may also suppress secondary creep behavior. A notable finding is that as water pressure increases, the creep failure time presents a distinct U-shaped trend. Specifically, the shortest failure time is observed at 1 MPa when the axial stress exceeds the saturated uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). Compared with previous studies, the results indicate that pressurized seepage produces a dual strengthening effect under saturated conditions: pore water pressure partially offsets the axial stress, while lateral water pressure enhances creep resistance. Lithology is a dominant factor; high-porosity sandstone undergoes rapid degradation owing to weak cementation. However, creep failure still occurs once the cumulative microscopic damage induced by pore water pressure surpasses the strengthening effects. Notably, the unloading of water pressure can trigger an instantaneous increase in creep strain or even immediate failure, particularly in marble and granite. Overall, these findings provide important insight into developing a comprehensive understanding of both delayed and instantaneous water-induced failures in deep rock engineering.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"363 ","pages":"Article 108562"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962392","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108563
Ke Yin , Zhiping Hu , Rui Wang , Xianglong Xu , Boyu Wang , Chao Zhang
Irregular topography and faults significantly affect seismic responses, causing notable variations that may show within 1 km2. This study investigates a simply supported bridge site in the Tianshan region, which features a fault and T-shaped intersecting valley topography. The site's actual topography is simulated to establish 3D finite element models, either considering or neglecting the influence of the fault, with 25 seismic waves input from different directions. The seismic response characteristics and mechanisms of the site and their impact on the simply supported beam bridge were analyzed. The results show that irregular topography and faults mainly affect the site's short-period (0.1–0.5 s) spectral acceleration. Short-period spectral acceleration at the peak is approximately twice that at the valley. In terms of the influence of the fault, seismic motion parallel or perpendicular to the fault strike enhances the short-period response near the fault by 1.6 or 4.9 times, respectively. When the seismic motion is parallel to the fault, the footwall response increases slightly, while the hanging wall undergoes no significant change. When the seismic motion is perpendicular to the fault, both the footwall and hanging wall responses increase, with a greater enhancement in the hanging wall response. This is likely related to the dynamic behavior of the fault zone and the seismic wave propagation mechanism. Considering the influence of the fault, energy dissipation, damage, and deformation of the bridge piers on both sides of the fault increase, especially when the seismic motion is perpendicular to the fault strike. The seismic resistance of the bridge in the direction perpendicular to the fault strike should be enhanced.
{"title":"3D seismic response and disaster performance of T-shaped intersecting valley fault sites: A case study of a simply supported beam bridge across fault","authors":"Ke Yin , Zhiping Hu , Rui Wang , Xianglong Xu , Boyu Wang , Chao Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108563","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108563","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Irregular topography and faults significantly affect seismic responses, causing notable variations that may show within 1 km<sup>2</sup>. This study investigates a simply supported bridge site in the Tianshan region, which features a fault and T-shaped intersecting valley topography. The site's actual topography is simulated to establish 3D finite element models, either considering or neglecting the influence of the fault, with 25 seismic waves input from different directions. The seismic response characteristics and mechanisms of the site and their impact on the simply supported beam bridge were analyzed. The results show that irregular topography and faults mainly affect the site's short-period (0.1–0.5 s) spectral acceleration. Short-period spectral acceleration at the peak is approximately twice that at the valley. In terms of the influence of the fault, seismic motion parallel or perpendicular to the fault strike enhances the short-period response near the fault by 1.6 or 4.9 times, respectively. When the seismic motion is parallel to the fault, the footwall response increases slightly, while the hanging wall undergoes no significant change. When the seismic motion is perpendicular to the fault, both the footwall and hanging wall responses increase, with a greater enhancement in the hanging wall response. This is likely related to the dynamic behavior of the fault zone and the seismic wave propagation mechanism. Considering the influence of the fault, energy dissipation, damage, and deformation of the bridge piers on both sides of the fault increase, especially when the seismic motion is perpendicular to the fault strike. The seismic resistance of the bridge in the direction perpendicular to the fault strike should be enhanced.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"363 ","pages":"Article 108563"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962694","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108545
Boyoung Kim , Shashwat Maharjan , Bruno Guidio , Jacob Thomas , Fazle Mahdi Pranto , Chanseok Jeong
Voids in the subsurface pose significant challenges to infrastructure stability and safety, often leading to structural failures and costly repairs. In this study, we propose a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) framework for elastodynamic imaging of voids in a semi-infinite soil domain truncated by non-convolutional second-order complex-frequency-shifted perfectly matched layers (CFS-PML). The method employs element-wise classification to map void probabilities within the domain using elastodynamic surface responses from non-scanning type probing. The training datasets are generated using a level-set wave solver, producing input-layer features from measured surface responses and output-layer features as element grid maps indicating void probabilities. The DCNN is trained to predict the void probability in each element and reconstructs targeted voids by clustering high-probability elements. Numerical results demonstrate that, via rigorous out-of-distribution tests, the proposed DCNN can effectively detect and image voids, including those with complex shapes that were not even included in training data. The model’s performance remains stable under receiver uncertainties, including measurement noise and random tilting, with noise-trained models showing notably improved robustness. It also yields reasonable predictions under sparse receiver layouts and maintains stable performance across material-property variations. Compared with full-waveform inversion, our DCNN offers more accurate reconstructions, making void locations clearer. This study highlights the potential of integrating advanced deep-learning techniques with wave propagation models for improved subsurface exploration and characterization.
{"title":"Elastodynamic imaging of voids in a PML-truncated layered solid using a deep convolutional neural network","authors":"Boyoung Kim , Shashwat Maharjan , Bruno Guidio , Jacob Thomas , Fazle Mahdi Pranto , Chanseok Jeong","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108545","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108545","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Voids in the subsurface pose significant challenges to infrastructure stability and safety, often leading to structural failures and costly repairs. In this study, we propose a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) framework for elastodynamic imaging of voids in a semi-infinite soil domain truncated by non-convolutional second-order complex-frequency-shifted perfectly matched layers (CFS-PML). The method employs element-wise classification to map void probabilities within the domain using elastodynamic surface responses from non-scanning type probing. The training datasets are generated using a level-set wave solver, producing input-layer features from measured surface responses and output-layer features as element grid maps indicating void probabilities. The DCNN is trained to predict the void probability in each element and reconstructs targeted voids by clustering high-probability elements. Numerical results demonstrate that, via rigorous out-of-distribution tests, the proposed DCNN can effectively detect and image voids, including those with complex shapes that were not even included in training data. The model’s performance remains stable under receiver uncertainties, including measurement noise and random tilting, with noise-trained models showing notably improved robustness. It also yields reasonable predictions under sparse receiver layouts and maintains stable performance across material-property variations. Compared with full-waveform inversion, our DCNN offers more accurate reconstructions, making void locations clearer. This study highlights the potential of integrating advanced deep-learning techniques with wave propagation models for improved subsurface exploration and characterization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"363 ","pages":"Article 108545"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957172","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108558
Guoqing Cai , Fengjie Yin , Hengshuo Liu , Yanlin Su , Rui Yang
Red-bed mudstone is a widely distributed sedimentary fill material in western China and exhibits pronounced moisture sensitivity, making it susceptible to long-term creep deformation under unsaturated conditions. To elucidate its time-dependent mechanical behavior and underlying microstructural control mechanisms, a series of multi-stage creep tests was conducted using a GDS double-cell unsaturated triaxial apparatus under controlled matric suctions of 100, 200, and 300 kPa. The microstructural evolution before and after creep was systematically investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The results indicate that red-bed mudstone exhibits strongly nonlinear, time-dependent deformation characteristics under coupled matric suction-stress conditions. At high creep loading levels, increasing matric suction markedly suppresses pore collapse and compressive deformation, leading to a progressive transition in the creep mechanism from compression-dominated to shear-dominated behavior. Matric suction primarily inhibits creep deformation by enhancing structural stability, whereas higher stress levels intensify structural rearrangement and compaction. Microstructural analyses further reveal that increasing suction reduces pore connectivity and promotes face-to-face contacts between platy minerals, thereby effectively slowing the creep rate. In addition, the regulatory effect of matric suction on creep stiffness shows a pronounced dependence on stress level, and creep stiffness exhibits a characteristic time-dependent softening behavior. These findings provide new insights into the long-term creep deformation mechanisms of unsaturated red-bed mudstone and offer valuable reference information for evaluating the long-term stability of high-fill station-yard subgrades under complex geological conditions.
{"title":"Creep behavior and microstructural evolution of unsaturated red-bed mudstone under coupled matric suction-stress effects","authors":"Guoqing Cai , Fengjie Yin , Hengshuo Liu , Yanlin Su , Rui Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108558","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108558","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Red-bed mudstone is a widely distributed sedimentary fill material in western China and exhibits pronounced moisture sensitivity, making it susceptible to long-term creep deformation under unsaturated conditions. To elucidate its time-dependent mechanical behavior and underlying microstructural control mechanisms, a series of multi-stage creep tests was conducted using a GDS double-cell unsaturated triaxial apparatus under controlled matric suctions of 100, 200, and 300 kPa. The microstructural evolution before and after creep was systematically investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The results indicate that red-bed mudstone exhibits strongly nonlinear, time-dependent deformation characteristics under coupled matric suction-stress conditions. At high creep loading levels, increasing matric suction markedly suppresses pore collapse and compressive deformation, leading to a progressive transition in the creep mechanism from compression-dominated to shear-dominated behavior. Matric suction primarily inhibits creep deformation by enhancing structural stability, whereas higher stress levels intensify structural rearrangement and compaction. Microstructural analyses further reveal that increasing suction reduces pore connectivity and promotes face-to-face contacts between platy minerals, thereby effectively slowing the creep rate. In addition, the regulatory effect of matric suction on creep stiffness shows a pronounced dependence on stress level, and creep stiffness exhibits a characteristic time-dependent softening behavior. These findings provide new insights into the long-term creep deformation mechanisms of unsaturated red-bed mudstone and offer valuable reference information for evaluating the long-term stability of high-fill station-yard subgrades under complex geological conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"363 ","pages":"Article 108558"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957171","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-11DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108557
Zhen-Lei Wei, Xuan-Mei Fan, Xiao-Jian Wang, Jing-Kan Huo, Jie Yang
The inclusion of soil moisture metrics in hydro-meteorological criteria has proven effective in improving debris flow predictions. However, the applicability of simulated soil moisture index in forecasting post-earthquake debris flows remains unclear. This study evaluates hydro-meteorological thresholds for post-earthquake debris flows using both simulated and observed soil moisture data. We analyzed in-situ monitoring data from two rainy seasons in a debris flow-prone catchment, comparing thresholds derived from a simulated soil moisture index (based on a conceptual hydrological model) with those from in-situ. Two models, bi-linear and random forest, were used to establish thresholds. The results show that, in bi-linear models, simulated thresholds yielded a slightly higher accuracy (0.92) compared to observed thresholds (0.90). In random forest models, both simulated and observed thresholds performed comparably, with accuracies near 0.89. While simulated thresholds demonstrate practical utility for early warning systems (as they can be pre-calculated using rainfall forecasts), observed thresholds retain importance as they allow direct measurement, facilitating debris flow identification and characterization. This analysis highlights context-dependent trade-offs rather than a universal superiority of either approach, offering insights for optimizing debris flow prediction.
{"title":"Evaluating the applicability of simulated soil moisture index in forecasting post-earthquake debris flows","authors":"Zhen-Lei Wei, Xuan-Mei Fan, Xiao-Jian Wang, Jing-Kan Huo, Jie Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108557","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108557","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The inclusion of soil moisture metrics in hydro-meteorological criteria has proven effective in improving debris flow predictions. However, the applicability of simulated soil moisture index in forecasting post-earthquake debris flows remains unclear. This study evaluates hydro-meteorological thresholds for post-earthquake debris flows using both simulated and observed soil moisture data. We analyzed in-situ monitoring data from two rainy seasons in a debris flow-prone catchment, comparing thresholds derived from a simulated soil moisture index (based on a conceptual hydrological model) with those from in-situ. Two models, bi-linear and random forest, were used to establish thresholds. The results show that, in bi-linear models, simulated thresholds yielded a slightly higher accuracy (0.92) compared to observed thresholds (0.90). In random forest models, both simulated and observed thresholds performed comparably, with accuracies near 0.89. While simulated thresholds demonstrate practical utility for early warning systems (as they can be pre-calculated using rainfall forecasts), observed thresholds retain importance as they allow direct measurement, facilitating debris flow identification and characterization. This analysis highlights context-dependent trade-offs rather than a universal superiority of either approach, offering insights for optimizing debris flow prediction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"363 ","pages":"Article 108557"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957174","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108544
Laura Pedretti , Pietro Teatini , Tommaso Letterio , Guadalupe Bru , Carolina Guardiola-Albert , Roberto Tomás , María I. Navarro-Hernández , Alessandro Bondesan , Yuri Taddia , Claudia Meisina
Low-elevation reclaimed coastlands face significant challenges from land subsidence and sea-level rise, making long-term monitoring of ground movements crucial to ensure infrastructure safety and preserve the natural environment. This study aims to reconstruct the long-term historical ground deformation of the reclaimed farmland in the Po River Delta by: i) integrating nearly 30 years of multisource, multi-temporal, and multisensor Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) satellite data (ERS-1/2, RADARSAT-1/2, Sentinel-1); ii) combining multisource InSAR datasets generated using different algorithms covering distinct or overlapping time periods (Sentinel-1 PSI, P-SBAS, and IPTA); and iii) developing a 3D engineering-geological model focused on the under-consolidated fine-grained deposits that are more prone to subsidence. By combining multiple monitoring techniques, this multidisciplinary approach reveals that land subsidence is primarily driven by autocompaction of under-consolidated finegrained sediments, locally accelerated by building construction, as evidenced by InSAR data. The highest subsidence rates occur in the youngest reclaimed areas with thicker under-consolidated fine-grained deposits.
While integrating multisensor InSAR datasets from diverse sources to reconstruct longterm ground deformation presents challenges, it also yields valuable insights. In this work, we demonstrate that heterogeneous datasets can still be valuable when interpreted carefully and that the feasibility of combining legacy and modern InSAR data for long historical deformation reconstruction is a practical challenge in real-world data integration.
Moreover, this comprehensive approach enables updating spatial and temporal records of land movement and identifying conditioning factors for inclusion in land movement susceptibility and risk maps supporting land planning.
{"title":"Vertical land movements assessment integrating Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, in-situ data, and engineering-geological model: The case study of the reclaimed farmland of the Po River Delta (Italy)","authors":"Laura Pedretti , Pietro Teatini , Tommaso Letterio , Guadalupe Bru , Carolina Guardiola-Albert , Roberto Tomás , María I. Navarro-Hernández , Alessandro Bondesan , Yuri Taddia , Claudia Meisina","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Low-elevation reclaimed coastlands face significant challenges from land subsidence and sea-level rise, making long-term monitoring of ground movements crucial to ensure infrastructure safety and preserve the natural environment. This study aims to reconstruct the long-term historical ground deformation of the reclaimed farmland in the Po River Delta by: i) integrating nearly 30 years of multisource, multi-temporal, and multisensor Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) satellite data (ERS-1/2, RADARSAT-1/2, Sentinel-1); ii) combining multisource InSAR datasets generated using different algorithms covering distinct or overlapping time periods (Sentinel-1 PSI, P-SBAS, and IPTA); and iii) developing a 3D engineering-geological model focused on the under-consolidated fine-grained deposits that are more prone to subsidence. By combining multiple monitoring techniques, this multidisciplinary approach reveals that land subsidence is primarily driven by autocompaction of under-consolidated finegrained sediments, locally accelerated by building construction, as evidenced by InSAR data. The highest subsidence rates occur in the youngest reclaimed areas with thicker under-consolidated fine-grained deposits.</div><div>While integrating multisensor InSAR datasets from diverse sources to reconstruct longterm ground deformation presents challenges, it also yields valuable insights. In this work, we demonstrate that heterogeneous datasets can still be valuable when interpreted carefully and that the feasibility of combining legacy and modern InSAR data for long historical deformation reconstruction is a practical challenge in real-world data integration.</div><div>Moreover, this comprehensive approach enables updating spatial and temporal records of land movement and identifying conditioning factors for inclusion in land movement susceptibility and risk maps supporting land planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"363 ","pages":"Article 108544"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957173","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}
Static liquefaction landslides are among the most catastrophic geohazards, causing severe casualties and damage worldwide. The rapid mobility of this kind of landslide is the most spectacular in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). However, it has been challenging to accurately predict initiation and failure in static liquefaction loess landslides. Here, we conduct a series of undrained triaxial compression tests on undisturbed and remolded loess samples in CLP, compiling a comprehensive database of undrained triaxial compression tests on saturated loess that combines current and published triaxial tests. Based on the database, we analyze the relationship between the normalized stress ratio and pore water pressure ratio within a stress state framework, then obtain two fitted parameters at the instability and failure points. The two ratios and the fitted parameters are integrated into the limit equilibrium equation to build a sliding-block model. The model accurately predicts the factor of safety against initiation and failure of eight static liquefaction loess landslides and one unfailed loess slope. The scanning electron microscope images and grain size distribution confirm that the packing structure affects shear behavior and the critical state locus in triaxial tests. Pore water pressure and boundary parameters in landslides are more sensitive to changes than those parameters extracted from the triaxial laboratory in the sliding-block model. Finally, we develop a hydro-mechanical coupling criterion for predicting the instability and failure of future static liquefaction landslides. These results show that the novel sliding-block model bridges the gap between triaxial shear parameters and slope field stability conditions. Our findings indicate that the model can serve as an effective method for predicting static liquefaction landslides in loess and other soil types.
{"title":"Prediction of static liquefaction landslides in loess: Integrating triaxial shear parameters into the sliding-block model","authors":"Fanyu Zhang , Jianbing Peng , Yixiao Zhang , Yapeng Wang , Tongwei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108549","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Static liquefaction landslides are among the most catastrophic geohazards, causing severe casualties and damage worldwide. The rapid mobility of this kind of landslide is the most spectacular in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). However, it has been challenging to accurately predict initiation and failure in static liquefaction loess landslides. Here, we conduct a series of undrained triaxial compression tests on undisturbed and remolded loess samples in CLP, compiling a comprehensive database of undrained triaxial compression tests on saturated loess that combines current and published triaxial tests. Based on the database, we analyze the relationship between the normalized stress ratio and pore water pressure ratio within a stress state framework, then obtain two fitted parameters at the instability and failure points. The two ratios and the fitted parameters are integrated into the limit equilibrium equation to build a sliding-block model. The model accurately predicts the factor of safety against initiation and failure of eight static liquefaction loess landslides and one unfailed loess slope. The scanning electron microscope images and grain size distribution confirm that the packing structure affects shear behavior and the critical state locus in triaxial tests. Pore water pressure and boundary parameters in landslides are more sensitive to changes than those parameters extracted from the triaxial laboratory in the sliding-block model. Finally, we develop a hydro-mechanical coupling criterion for predicting the instability and failure of future static liquefaction landslides. These results show that the novel sliding-block model bridges the gap between triaxial shear parameters and slope field stability conditions. Our findings indicate that the model can serve as an effective method for predicting static liquefaction landslides in loess and other soil types.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"363 ","pages":"Article 108549"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957214","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108550
Gaosheng Li , Yundong Zhou , Xiangtian Xu , Yuqin Zhao , Henglin Xiao , Ruiqiang Bai , Yongtao Wang , Yuhang Liu
Snow possesses poor heat conduction properties due to its high reflectivity and low thermal conductivity, which significantly influences the energy exchange between the ground and the atmosphere. The randomness of the change in snow depth also exacerbates the complexity of the frost damage problem in highway engineering in cold regions. The conventional snow model is predicated on empirical formulas and a plethora of undetermined parameters, which renders it challenging to achieve the efficient integration of the dynamic change of snow depth and the multi-physical field coupling process of frozen soil. In this study, we proposed a simple and efficient method to equivalent the dynamic boundary conditions to periodic time-varying boundary conditions for simulating the variation of ground surface temperature under seasonal snow cover conditions. The accuracy of the method was verified using measured data. The present study developed a functional relationship between land surface temperature and ground surface temperature in seasonal snow cover areas by comparing the differences in the variation of ground surface temperature under the conditions of four kinds of snow melting time and seven kinds of maximum snow depths in the annual cycle. Finally, based on the engineering geological information of the surveyed Genhe-Mangui highway, we established a thermal-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling model of permafrost snow-covered subgrade, and fully considered the randomness of the maximum snow depth. This work can provide a practical theoretical model for predicting the ground surface temperature of snow-covered ground, and offer a novel understanding of the frost damage caused by snow-covered subgrade.
{"title":"A theoretical model for ground surface temperature under seasonal snow cover condition and numerical application in THM coupling of permafrost subgrade","authors":"Gaosheng Li , Yundong Zhou , Xiangtian Xu , Yuqin Zhao , Henglin Xiao , Ruiqiang Bai , Yongtao Wang , Yuhang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108550","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108550","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Snow possesses poor heat conduction properties due to its high reflectivity and low thermal conductivity, which significantly influences the energy exchange between the ground and the atmosphere. The randomness of the change in snow depth also exacerbates the complexity of the frost damage problem in highway engineering in cold regions. The conventional snow model is predicated on empirical formulas and a plethora of undetermined parameters, which renders it challenging to achieve the efficient integration of the dynamic change of snow depth and the multi-physical field coupling process of frozen soil. In this study, we proposed a simple and efficient method to equivalent the dynamic boundary conditions to periodic time-varying boundary conditions for simulating the variation of ground surface temperature under seasonal snow cover conditions. The accuracy of the method was verified using measured data. The present study developed a functional relationship between land surface temperature and ground surface temperature in seasonal snow cover areas by comparing the differences in the variation of ground surface temperature under the conditions of four kinds of snow melting time and seven kinds of maximum snow depths in the annual cycle. Finally, based on the engineering geological information of the surveyed Genhe-Mangui highway, we established a thermal-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling model of permafrost snow-covered subgrade, and fully considered the randomness of the maximum snow depth. This work can provide a practical theoretical model for predicting the ground surface temperature of snow-covered ground, and offer a novel understanding of the frost damage caused by snow-covered subgrade.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 108550"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939758","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}
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