Pub Date : 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2026.107901
Yuanjun Jiang , Yuanjia Zhu
Granular flows often exhibit size segregation along both the depth and flow-directions, yet the mechanisms driving segregation in the flow-direction remain poorly resolved. Using three-dimensional discrete element simulations, two intrinsic flow-direction segregation mechanisms that operate independently of depth-direction stratification: forward kinetic sieving, in which smaller particles advance due to higher granular temperature and geometric mobility, and shear-induced migration, in which larger particles with stronger contact networks transmit shear more efficiently and move forward. These mechanisms are distinct from secondary forward advection, where large particles elevated into faster surface layers by depth-direction segregation are subsequently carried downslope. The dominance of flow-direction segregation is shown to depend on the temporal stage of depth-direction structuring: forward kinetic sieving prevails during early stratification, whereas shear-induced migration governs once depth segregation stabilizes. Based on these insights, a continuum framework is developed that, for the first time, couples depth- and flow-direction segregation into a unified model, demonstrating strong agreement with simulation results. The findings clarify the bidirectional interplay of granular segregation and improve predictive modeling of hazard-related granular flows.
{"title":"Beyond depth-direction segregation: Independent flow-direction mechanisms drive size segregation in granular flows","authors":"Yuanjun Jiang , Yuanjia Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2026.107901","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2026.107901","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Granular flows often exhibit size segregation along both the depth and flow-directions, yet the mechanisms driving segregation in the flow-direction remain poorly resolved. Using three-dimensional discrete element simulations, two intrinsic flow-direction segregation mechanisms that operate independently of depth-direction stratification: forward kinetic sieving, in which smaller particles advance due to higher granular temperature and geometric mobility, and shear-induced migration, in which larger particles with stronger contact networks transmit shear more efficiently and move forward. These mechanisms are distinct from secondary forward advection, where large particles elevated into faster surface layers by depth-direction segregation are subsequently carried downslope. The dominance of flow-direction segregation is shown to depend on the temporal stage of depth-direction structuring: forward kinetic sieving prevails during early stratification, whereas shear-induced migration governs once depth segregation stabilizes. Based on these insights, a continuum framework is developed that, for the first time, couples depth- and flow-direction segregation into a unified model, demonstrating strong agreement with simulation results. The findings clarify the bidirectional interplay of granular segregation and improve predictive modeling of hazard-related granular flows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 107901"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924600","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.compgeo.2025.107886
Zheng-Shun Su , Chien-Chia Liu , Chuin-Shan Chen , Shu-Wei Chang
Contact detection between convex polyhedra is a central challenge in discrete element method (DEM) simulations. The common plane (CP) approach provides a rigorous framework, and the non-iterative CP formulation by Chang and Chen (2008) guarantees exact solutions. However, its direct implementation has been hindered by high computational complexity. To overcome this bottleneck, this paper introduces the Arc Forward Intersection Decomposition (AFID) algorithm, a novel procedure that achieves both exactness and efficiency in CP contact detection. AFID reduces the complexity of Gaussian map merging to near-linear order by selectively decomposing arc intersections through localized searches based on control vertex data. Numerical experiments demonstrate that AFID consistently identifies the true global maximum of the gap function while significantly reducing computational time, outperforming traditional iterative schemes that are prone to local extrema. Moreover, AFID is especially advantageous for geometrically complex models because it focuses only on the arc intersections that determine contact. By enabling exact and scalable polyhedral contact detection, AFID establishes a robust foundation for large-scale DEM simulations and for constructing benchmark datasets with ground truth, which are essential for advancing AI-based approaches to contact modelling.
{"title":"Arc forward intersection decomposition: an exact and efficient algorithm for convex polyhedral contact detection","authors":"Zheng-Shun Su , Chien-Chia Liu , Chuin-Shan Chen , Shu-Wei Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107886","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107886","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Contact detection between convex polyhedra is a central challenge in discrete element method (DEM) simulations. The common plane (CP) approach provides a rigorous framework, and the non-iterative CP formulation by Chang and Chen (2008) guarantees exact solutions. However, its direct implementation has been hindered by high computational complexity. To overcome this bottleneck, this paper introduces the Arc Forward Intersection Decomposition (AFID) algorithm, a novel procedure that achieves both exactness and efficiency in CP contact detection. AFID reduces the complexity of Gaussian map merging to near-linear order by selectively decomposing arc intersections through localized searches based on control vertex data. Numerical experiments demonstrate that AFID consistently identifies the true global maximum of the gap function while significantly reducing computational time, outperforming traditional iterative schemes that are prone to local extrema. Moreover, AFID is especially advantageous for geometrically complex models because it focuses only on the arc intersections that determine contact. By enabling exact and scalable polyhedral contact detection, AFID establishes a robust foundation for large-scale DEM simulations and for constructing benchmark datasets with ground truth, which are essential for advancing AI-based approaches to contact modelling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 107886"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924604","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.compgeo.2025.107890
Jianping Liu , Liangping Yi , Zhaozhong Yang , Duo Yi , Xiaogang Li , Jianxin Fang
Hydraulic fracturing in cleat-developed coal seams is a multiscale problem involving both the opening behavior of cleats at the fine scale and the hydraulic fractures propagation at the macro scale. Traditional damage mechanics models fail to simultaneously describe fracture evolution across different scales. To address this limitation, this study proposes an adaptive cohesive phase-field model based on the multiscale finite element framework. Multiscale basis functions for the field variables are individually constructed by solving local linear boundary value problems, serving to transfer the degrees of freedom between the fine and coarse meshes. These basis functions from all coarse elements are then assembled into the global stiffness matrix and load vector, similar to the traditional finite element method, enabling multiscale computation on the coarse mesh. To alleviate the computational burden associated with the multiscale damage model, an adaptive mesh refinement technique is proposed. This technique utilizes the phase-field variable and its time derivative as refinement criteria to refine the mesh in the primary fracture region and the impending fracture region, respectively. The required refinement level is determined through a benchmark test, which demonstrates its effectiveness in significantly enhancing computational efficiency. Finally, the fracture initiation mechanisms and propagation patterns in cleat-developed coal seams are investigated from the fine scale and the macro scale, respectively.
{"title":"An adaptive multiscale cohesive phase-field method for hydraulic fracturing in cleat-developed coal seams","authors":"Jianping Liu , Liangping Yi , Zhaozhong Yang , Duo Yi , Xiaogang Li , Jianxin Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107890","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107890","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydraulic fracturing in cleat-developed coal seams is a multiscale problem involving both the opening behavior of cleats at the fine scale and the hydraulic fractures propagation at the macro scale. Traditional damage mechanics models fail to simultaneously describe fracture evolution across different scales. To address this limitation, this study proposes an adaptive cohesive phase-field model based on the multiscale finite element framework. Multiscale basis functions for the field variables are individually constructed by solving local linear boundary value problems, serving to transfer the degrees of freedom between the fine and coarse meshes. These basis functions from all coarse elements are then assembled into the global stiffness matrix and load vector, similar to the traditional finite element method, enabling multiscale computation on the coarse mesh. To alleviate the computational burden associated with the multiscale damage model, an adaptive mesh refinement technique is proposed. This technique utilizes the phase-field variable and its time derivative as refinement criteria to refine the mesh in the primary fracture region and the impending fracture region, respectively. The required refinement level is determined through a benchmark test, which demonstrates its effectiveness in significantly enhancing computational efficiency. Finally, the fracture initiation mechanisms and propagation patterns in cleat-developed coal seams are investigated from the fine scale and the macro scale, respectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 107890"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924601","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}
A grain-based model (GBM) replicating the exact mineral distribution of the experimental specimen was constructed, and hydraulic fracturing simulations were conducted using the finite–discrete element method (FDEM), enabling direct comparison with laboratory observations. To leverage FDEM’s ability to represent fracture surfaces explicitly, the GBM incorporated the mineral boundary geometries directly into the mesh. An extrinsic cohesive zone model (ECZM) was adopted to improve stress representation, and verification demonstrated that ECZM avoided the artificial stress oscillations characteristic of the Intrinsic CZM (ICZM). Simulations of Brazilian tensile strength tests and hydraulic fracturing tests exhibited both intergranular and transgranular cracking, producing tortuous fracture paths, and the resulting fracture metrics agreed with experiments. The analyses further revealed that fracture propagation pathways are controlled by the interplay between the stress concentration at the fracture tip and the local mineral strength. This framework provides a robust tool for investigating fracture processes in heterogeneous crystalline rock.
{"title":"Modeling of hydraulic fracturing process in crystalline rock reflecting actual mineral distribution using FDEM based on extrinsic cohesive zone model","authors":"Yutaro Maeda , Sho Ogata , Daisuke Fukuda , Naoki Kinoshita , Hideaki Yasuhara , Kaisei Ishii , Atsushi Okamoto , Shunya Okino , Toru Inui , Hongyuan Liu , Kiyoshi Kishida","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107873","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107873","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A grain-based model (GBM) replicating the exact mineral distribution of the experimental specimen was constructed, and hydraulic fracturing simulations were conducted using the finite–discrete element method (FDEM), enabling direct comparison with laboratory observations. To leverage FDEM’s ability to represent fracture surfaces explicitly, the GBM incorporated the mineral boundary geometries directly into the mesh. An extrinsic cohesive zone model (ECZM) was adopted to improve stress representation, and verification demonstrated that ECZM avoided the artificial stress oscillations characteristic of the Intrinsic CZM (ICZM). Simulations of Brazilian tensile strength tests and hydraulic fracturing tests exhibited both intergranular and transgranular cracking, producing tortuous fracture paths, and the resulting fracture metrics agreed with experiments. The analyses further revealed that fracture propagation pathways are controlled by the interplay between the stress concentration at the fracture tip and the local mineral strength. This framework provides a robust tool for investigating fracture processes in heterogeneous crystalline rock.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 107873"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924598","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.compgeo.2025.107874
Lluís Monforte , Marcos Arroyo , Antonio Gens
Cone penetration tests (CPTu) are frequently performed in soils that are not fully saturated. Test results are strongly affected by partial saturation but it is not well understood how those changes come about and how are they related to unsaturated soil behavior. A special difficulty relates to water flow conditions around the probe, which are affected not just by intrinsic soil permeability but also by the unsaturated soil condition. Numerical simulation is here employed to explore the relation between partly saturated soil conditions and CPTu measurements. Simulations employ the particle finite element method (PFEM) to represent cone penetration in a material described by a finite strain elasto-plastic critical state model extended to partly saturated conditions. Model parameters are chosen to represent loose soils of low plasticity. A systematic parametric study is carried out to explore the effect of suction levels and soil intrinsic permeability on cone response. Backbone curves for changes in tip resistance, sleeve friction and recorded pore pressure with normalized cone velocity are presented. It is shown how the transition between constant suction and constant water content conditions generalizes the drained to undrained transition of saturated soils. The effect of initial suction, water retention and suction hardening on the backbone curves is presented. The conditions in which an advancing cone re-saturates the soil and records positive pore pressure are clarified.
{"title":"Numerical simulation of cone penetration tests in loose unsaturated soils","authors":"Lluís Monforte , Marcos Arroyo , Antonio Gens","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107874","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107874","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cone penetration tests (CPTu) are frequently performed in soils that are not fully saturated. Test results are strongly affected by partial saturation but it is not well understood how those changes come about and how are they related to unsaturated soil behavior. A special difficulty relates to water flow conditions around the probe, which are affected not just by intrinsic soil permeability but also by the unsaturated soil condition. Numerical simulation is here employed to explore the relation between partly saturated soil conditions and CPTu measurements. Simulations employ the particle finite element method (PFEM) to represent cone penetration in a material described by a finite strain elasto-plastic critical state model extended to partly saturated conditions. Model parameters are chosen to represent loose soils of low plasticity. A systematic parametric study is carried out to explore the effect of suction levels and soil intrinsic permeability on cone response. Backbone curves for changes in tip resistance, sleeve friction and recorded pore pressure with normalized cone velocity are presented. It is shown how the transition between constant suction and constant water content conditions generalizes the drained to undrained transition of saturated soils. The effect of initial suction, water retention and suction hardening on the backbone curves is presented. The conditions in which an advancing cone re-saturates the soil and records positive pore pressure are clarified.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 107874"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924605","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 : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2026.107903
Shuairong Wang , Shuai Zhang , Haoquan Wang , Hui Wang , Fan Zhang , Ping Shen , Wei Yan , Wenjun Zhang , Zhuofeng Li , Liangtong Zhan
Rapid urbanization has caused numerous waste soil landfills. While most stratigraphic modeling has focused on natural geological formations, the stratigraphic characteristics of man-made landfills remain underexplored, posing potential safety risks. This study aims to characterize the stratigraphic heterogeneity and model the stratigraphic configuration of waste soils using multiple unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data. The reverse stockpiling method, combined with a progressive front dumping strategy, forms inclined dumping surfaces and produces rotated anisotropic strata in landfills. A novel UAV-based stratigraphic modeling method is developed to encode these anisotropic features and perform the stratigraphic interpolation by integrating Markov random fields and Bayesian approaches. UAV imagery is used to interpret the spatial distribution of visible soils. Three anisotropic potential functions are custom-designed to reflect the spatial constraint structure of inclined strata. Bayesian model comparison approach identifies model parameters, i.e., spatial correlation lengths, and selects the most plausible potential functions and stratigraphic profiles. The method is validated through a real-world landfill case. Results show the largest spatial correlation length along the strike direction of the inclined surface, followed by the dip direction, and the smallest along the normal direction, reflecting the level of anisotropy. Simulated stratigraphic profiles align with the observed inclined stratum structure in fields. This study provides a new approach and a good dataset for modeling the stratigraphic heterogeneity of waste soil, contributing to the safety assessment of man-made landfills.
{"title":"Probabilistic stratigraphic modeling of waste soil landfills using multiple UAV data","authors":"Shuairong Wang , Shuai Zhang , Haoquan Wang , Hui Wang , Fan Zhang , Ping Shen , Wei Yan , Wenjun Zhang , Zhuofeng Li , Liangtong Zhan","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2026.107903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2026.107903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rapid urbanization has caused numerous waste soil landfills. While most stratigraphic modeling has focused on natural geological formations, the stratigraphic characteristics of man-made landfills remain underexplored, posing potential safety risks. This study aims to characterize the stratigraphic heterogeneity and model the stratigraphic configuration of waste soils using multiple unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data. The reverse stockpiling method, combined with a progressive front dumping strategy, forms inclined dumping surfaces and produces rotated anisotropic strata in landfills. A novel UAV-based stratigraphic modeling method is developed to encode these anisotropic features and perform the stratigraphic interpolation by integrating Markov random fields and Bayesian approaches. UAV imagery is used to interpret the spatial distribution of visible soils. Three anisotropic potential functions are custom-designed to reflect the spatial constraint structure of inclined strata. Bayesian model comparison approach identifies model parameters, i.e., spatial correlation lengths, and selects the most plausible potential functions and stratigraphic profiles. The method is validated through a real-world landfill case. Results show the largest spatial correlation length along the strike direction of the inclined surface, followed by the dip direction, and the smallest along the normal direction, reflecting the level of anisotropy. Simulated stratigraphic profiles align with the observed inclined stratum structure in fields. This study provides a new approach and a good dataset for modeling the stratigraphic heterogeneity of waste soil, contributing to the safety assessment of man-made landfills.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 107903"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924594","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 : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107887
Chen-Xi Tong , Xiao-Yi Qi , Hong-Wei Liu , Gang-Hai Huang , Hai-Chao Li , Sheng Zhang
The computational efficiency of modelling irregular particles has always been a challenge, particularly when particle breakage needs to be considered. This paper first proposes a novel particle packing method for ballast samples based on the Monte Carlo, dichotomy, and random iteration methods for reducing particle contact, minimizing the gravitational potential energy, and optimizing the spatial position of ballast particles. The packing method is then applied to one-dimensional compression tests of ballast samples within the Sphere Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (SDDA) framework. The differences in the crushing behaviour of ballast particles with varying shapes under various contact conditions are investigated. The results indicate a distinct three-stage crushing process for the ballast samples. In the initial compaction stage, particle rearrangement and corner damage without penetrating fracture are observed. A sharp force increases with significant fluctuations, and penetrating fractures, including primary, secondary, and tertiary types, are observed during the rapid development stage. The sample reaches a structurally stable state due to the cessation of particle fracture. Furthermore, the crushing behaviour of ballast particles is strongly influenced by inter-particle interactions, leading to characteristics that differ from single-particle simulations.
{"title":"A rapid packing method for Sphere Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (SDDA) simulation of confined compression of crushable ballast","authors":"Chen-Xi Tong , Xiao-Yi Qi , Hong-Wei Liu , Gang-Hai Huang , Hai-Chao Li , Sheng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107887","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107887","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The computational efficiency of modelling irregular particles has always been a challenge, particularly when particle breakage needs to be considered. This paper first proposes a novel particle packing method for ballast samples based on the Monte Carlo, dichotomy, and random iteration methods for reducing particle contact, minimizing the gravitational potential energy, and optimizing the spatial position of ballast particles. The packing method is then applied to one-dimensional compression tests of ballast samples within the Sphere Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (SDDA) framework. The differences in the crushing behaviour of ballast particles with varying shapes under various contact conditions are investigated. The results indicate a distinct three-stage crushing process for the ballast samples. In the initial compaction stage, particle rearrangement and corner damage without penetrating fracture are observed. A sharp force increases with significant fluctuations, and penetrating fractures, including primary, secondary, and tertiary types, are observed during the rapid development stage. The sample reaches a structurally stable state due to the cessation of particle fracture. Furthermore, the crushing behaviour of ballast particles is strongly influenced by inter-particle interactions, leading to characteristics that differ from single-particle simulations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 107887"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924207","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 : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107889
Yang Lou , Pengfei Fang , Rihong Zhang , Xinyu Xie , Anfeng Hu , Zhongjin Wang , Bosen Wan
Pre-bored grouted planted geothermal energy piles are a novel foundation with a composite enlarged base structure, which introduces complex thermo-mechanical behavior. Based on a field-validated 3D finite element model, this paper investigates the non-uniform cross-sectional response and how the geometric features of the composite enlarged base structure influence the thermo-mechanical behavior. The results reveal significant non-uniform distributions of cross-sectional temperature and stress. Under single-U asymmetric heating (60 W/m), the peak temperature and stress reach up to 3.0 and 2.3 times their respective averages. This non-uniformity leads to a 50 % probability that a conventional single point analysis may underestimate the peak stress by over 64 %, challenging structural monitoring and stress assessment. Furthermore, a parametric analysis of the composite structure geometry (including cemented soil diameter, enlarged base diameter, and height) shows that the thermally-induced null point (TNP) is bounded by two limiting cases: a straight pile with no enlarged base (upper limit) and a pile with a full-length enlarged shaft (lower limit). Increasing the geometric dimensions of the structure shifts the TNP toward its lower limit. The influence of the diameters is approximately linear, while the effect of the base height decays exponentially. These findings offer new insights into the thermo-mechanical behavior of composite geothermal energy piles with enlarged base structures, providing a scientific basis for their refined design and safety assessment.
{"title":"Numerical investigation of thermo-mechanical behavior of pre-bored grouted planted geothermal energy piles","authors":"Yang Lou , Pengfei Fang , Rihong Zhang , Xinyu Xie , Anfeng Hu , Zhongjin Wang , Bosen Wan","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107889","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107889","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pre-bored grouted planted geothermal energy piles are a novel foundation with a composite enlarged base structure, which introduces complex thermo-mechanical behavior. Based on a field-validated 3D finite element model, this paper investigates the non-uniform cross-sectional response and how the geometric features of the composite enlarged base structure influence the thermo-mechanical behavior. The results reveal significant non-uniform distributions of cross-sectional temperature and stress. Under single-U asymmetric heating (60 W/m), the peak temperature and stress reach up to 3.0 and 2.3 times their respective averages. This non-uniformity leads to a 50 % probability that a conventional single point analysis may underestimate the peak stress by over 64 %, challenging structural monitoring and stress assessment. Furthermore, a parametric analysis of the composite structure geometry (including cemented soil diameter, enlarged base diameter, and height) shows that the thermally-induced null point (TNP) is bounded by two limiting cases: a straight pile with no enlarged base (upper limit) and a pile with a full-length enlarged shaft (lower limit). Increasing the geometric dimensions of the structure shifts the TNP toward its lower limit. The influence of the diameters is approximately linear, while the effect of the base height decays exponentially. These findings offer new insights into the thermo-mechanical behavior of composite geothermal energy piles with enlarged base structures, providing a scientific basis for their refined design and safety assessment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 107889"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924592","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 : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107881
Run Shi, Jian Zhao
Microwave-assisted hard rock breakage technique can promote the excavation efficiency in a sustainable way. While beneficial, its complex and unclear multiphysics coupling mechanism limits its application and precise control. We qualitatively and quantitively analyse the involving Electromagnetic(E)-Thermal(T)-Mechanical(M) coupling mechanism from macro to meso-perspectives via a novel 3D high-fidelity heterogeneous rock numerical study. The results show that rock heterogeneity has a significant disturbing effect on the multiphysics field, with the maximum disturbance degree reaching 345.92 % in electromagnetic loss density, 12.48 % in temperature, and 104.96 % in first principal strain. Furthermore, microwave power intensity can amplify the disturbance effect of rock heterogeneity, as quantified by the Disturbance Amplification Factor (DAF), which under high intensity 6 kW microwave radiation for 1 min amplified the effect 6 times of electromagnetic field, 3.22 ∼ 4.44 times of thermal field, 1.98 ∼ 2.31 times of mechanical field, compared with the 1 kW for 6 min condition. This amplification effect decays along the ETM pathway, where microwave power nonlinearly intensifies multifield disturbances initially driven by mineral dielectric disparity. The multifield presents a 3D high core area coupling relation from the macroscopic level, and the spatio-temporal anchoring effect of mineral components under microwave radiation was dissected through time evolution analysis from the mesoscopic level. This approach reveals the multifield coupling laws and highlights the rock heterogeneity effects, which provide a foundation for target control strategies for future microwave rock breakage.
{"title":"Unveiling rock heterogeneity-driven multiphysics field coupling mechanisms under microwave radiation by 3D numerical study","authors":"Run Shi, Jian Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107881","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107881","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microwave-assisted hard rock breakage technique can promote the excavation efficiency in a sustainable way. While beneficial, its complex and unclear multiphysics coupling mechanism limits its application and precise control. We qualitatively and quantitively analyse the involving Electromagnetic(E)-Thermal(T)-Mechanical(M) coupling mechanism from macro to <em>meso</em>-perspectives via a novel 3D high-fidelity heterogeneous rock numerical study. The results show that rock heterogeneity has a significant disturbing effect on the multiphysics field, with the maximum disturbance degree reaching 345.92 % in electromagnetic loss density, 12.48 % in temperature, and 104.96 % in first principal strain. Furthermore, microwave power intensity can amplify the disturbance effect of rock heterogeneity, as quantified by the Disturbance Amplification Factor (DAF), which under high intensity 6 kW microwave radiation for 1 min amplified the effect 6 times of electromagnetic field, 3.22 ∼ 4.44 times of thermal field, 1.98 ∼ 2.31 times of mechanical field, compared with the 1 kW for 6 min condition. This amplification effect decays along the ETM pathway, where microwave power nonlinearly intensifies multifield disturbances initially driven by mineral dielectric disparity. The multifield presents a 3D high core area coupling relation from the macroscopic level, and the spatio-temporal anchoring effect of mineral components under microwave radiation was dissected through time evolution analysis from the mesoscopic level. This approach reveals the multifield coupling laws and highlights the rock heterogeneity effects, which provide a foundation for target control strategies for future microwave rock breakage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 107881"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924555","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 : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107884
Shuqing Wang, Hong Zheng
A triple-layer liner composed of a geomembrane (GMB), a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), and a compacted clay liner (CCL) is widely adopted in landfill liner systems to impede leachate migration, resulting in a typically inhomogeneous problem. In this study, a fully coupled three-field (u-p-c) formulation is established for GMB/GCL/CCL composite liners. Then, a numerical manifold method (NMM) is developed to address the drawbacks of the finite element method in weakly discontinuous porous media, including the need for interface-fitted meshes, the difficulty in capturing derivative discontinuities, and the element distortion caused by cover cutting. Nonetheless, this also raises the issue of how to enforce the interface continuity of approximations to displacement (u), pore pressure (p), and pollutant concentration (c). Unlike the situation where only a physical field is involved, in which interface continuity can be approximated by either the penalty method or Lagrange multiplier methods, it is difficult to find a proper set of penalties for the coupled variables u, p and c. In this study, this difficulty is overcome by constructing the approximations of u, p and c such that they exactly satisfy the interface continuity conditions. As a result, it avoids the cover-cutting induced by interfaces as well as the need for penalty parameters or Lagrange multipliers. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method can accurately simulate solute migration in composite liners and reveal solute migration characteristics, providing valuable guidance for the improvement of liner materials.
{"title":"Numerical manifold method for the transient HMC fully coupled model in triple-layer composite liners","authors":"Shuqing Wang, Hong Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107884","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.107884","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A triple-layer liner composed of a geomembrane (GMB), a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), and a compacted clay liner (CCL) is widely adopted in landfill liner systems to impede leachate migration, resulting in a typically inhomogeneous problem. In this study, a fully coupled three-field (<strong><em>u</em></strong><em>-p-c</em>) formulation is established for GMB/GCL/CCL composite liners. Then, a numerical manifold method (NMM) is developed to address the drawbacks of the finite element method in weakly discontinuous porous media, including the need for interface-fitted meshes, the difficulty in capturing derivative discontinuities, and the element distortion caused by cover cutting. Nonetheless, this also raises the issue of how to enforce the interface continuity of approximations to displacement (<strong><em>u</em></strong>), pore pressure (<em>p</em>), and pollutant concentration (<em>c</em>). Unlike the situation where only a physical field is involved, in which interface continuity can be approximated by either the penalty method or Lagrange multiplier methods, it is difficult to find a proper set of penalties for the coupled variables <strong><em>u</em></strong>, <em>p</em> and <em>c</em>. In this study, this difficulty is overcome by constructing the approximations of <strong><em>u</em></strong>, <em>p</em> and <em>c</em> such that they exactly satisfy the interface continuity conditions. As a result, it avoids the cover-cutting induced by interfaces as well as the need for penalty parameters or Lagrange multipliers. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method can accurately simulate solute migration in composite liners and reveal solute migration characteristics, providing valuable guidance for the improvement of liner materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55217,"journal":{"name":"Computers and Geotechnics","volume":"192 ","pages":"Article 107884"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924597","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}