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Accurate estimation of slope stability based on numerous candidate estimation methods is difficult as different results may be yielded. It becomes even more challenging when only limited data of geotechnical parameters (e.g., shear strength parameters) are available to evaluate slope reliability. Based on the Bayesian sequential updating technology, a hybrid framework for slope reliability was proposed in this study, through which prior knowledge, multiple estimation methods, and corresponding model uncertainties could be integrated to estimate slope reliability using a small amount of geotechnical data. Three slope examples with various stratigraphic configurations and soil properties were used to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed framework, during which the Bishop’s simplified method, the upper bound limit analysis method, and the finite element method were adopted. The results showed that with results of direct Monte Carlo simulation based on each method as the benchmark, a compromised mean of the factor of safety (μFS), and conservative standard deviation of the factor of safety (σFS) and failure probability (Pf) were yielded through the proposed framework. When the sample size of geotechnical parameters was greater than a threshold, the estimated μFS was stable, while the σFS and Pf synchronously varied within a small range with the increase in sample size. Demonstrations of the three examples indicated that the proposed hybrid framework can provide reliable and accurate estimations of slope reliability. The proposed framework may serve as a promising vehicle for slope/landslide engineering including failure and preventative mechanisms, movement prediction, and back analysis of geotechnical parameters in a probabilistic context, and big data analysis of geological and geotechnical problems as well.

HighlightsA novel BAS-DNN model for prediction of TBM advance rate is developed.A database involving geotechnical and operating risks (RMR, TWCR, and RI) is set up.Quadratic relationships exist between RMR, TWCR, and AR.AR decreases while the descending rate gradually increases with RI increasing.The BAS-DNN model shows good performance in the tunnel section with a jamming event.

The rock chip information (shape, size, and particle size distribution) could comprehensively reflect the characteristics of rock mass and rock-breaking efficiency of TBM. This study is aimed at defining a novel index (effective rock-breaking ratio, Pr) to identify the rock-breaking efficiency of TBM based on the rock chip information. To evaluate this approach, a series of field sieving and measuring tests of rock chips was conducted at the water conveyance tunnel construction projects of China. The rock-breaking efficiency evaluation and tunneling parameter improvement of TBM were researched based on Pr index. The results showed as follows: (1) from the perspective of energy conversion, the rock chip surface area was calculated through the rock chip cumulative volume distribution model. Pr is used to evaluate the rock-breaking efficiency of TBM based on the proportion of surface area of rock chips with particle size larger than 5 mm; (2) Pr has a good linear correlation with coarseness index (CI) and specific energy (SE), the higher the TBM tunneling efficiency, the larger Pr and CI values, the less SE values; (3) Pr increases at first and then decreases with the rise of thrust force of TBM. The optimal thrust force intervals for grade II and III surrounding rocks can be determined to improve the rock-breaking efficiency of TBM. Findings from this study are insightful in terms of accurately evaluating the excavation efficiency and improving the tunneling parameters of TBM.

The research is aimed at exploring the influences of microwave irradiation on the physicomechanical properties and Cerchar abrasivity index (CAI) of rocks. For this purpose, basalt collected in Chifeng (the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China) was taken as research objects to carry out microwave irradiation tests for different durations in a multimode cavity. By using the MTS815 mechanical testing machine and the abrasion servo tester of rocks, mechanical tests and Cerchar abrasion tests were conducted before and after microwave irradiation. Changes in the mass, volume, surface fractures, surface temperature, ultrasonic wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and CAI of the basalt samples before and after microwave irradiation were analyzed. Results show that the surface temperature of basalt samples linearly increases with the duration of microwave irradiation. The volume and fracture coalescence of the rock samples both increase with the prolonging duration of microwave irradiation. The mass, ultrasonic wave velocity, UCS, and CAI of the basalt samples all decrease with the increase in the duration of microwave irradiation. The reduction of the physicomechanical properties and CAI of rocks indicates that microwave irradiation can reduce the wear of rock-breaking tool and thus improve the efficiency of rock breaking.

The construction environment of deep rock tunnels is complex, and effectively enhancing tunnel boring machine (TBM) tunneling efficiency is paramount. Increasing rock-breaking efficiency and minimizing cutter consumption are essential strategies for improving TBM tunneling efficiency. Selecting suitable tunneling parameters is crucial for enhancing rock-breaking efficiency and reducing cutter consumption. Existing research on the optimization of the ratio of maximum cutter spacing to penetration (Smax/P) based on field-measured data is limited, and few studies compare and analyze the relationship between SE, CI, and the Smax/P ratio separately. Consequently, this study determined optimal tunneling parameters for various types of surrounding rock and construction environments, aiming to more accurately optimize TBM tunneling performance during construction processes based on on-site construction data. This study conducted a comparative analysis of specific energy (SE) and the coarseness index (CI). Under both working conditions, the quadratic fitting coefficients of the CI are 4.2% and 10.6% higher than those of the SE, respectively, with the CI selected to represent the particle size distribution of rock chips. Finally, taking into account both the correlations between the CI and the ratio of maximum cutter spacing to penetration (Smax/P), as well as cutter consumption and the Smax/P ratio, an optimization method for the TBM tunneling parameter was established under both dry and saturated conditions. The research findings indicate that cutter consumption exhibits an exponential increase with a higher rock Cerchar Abrasivity Index (CAI); it initially decreases as the Smax/P ratio increases and subsequently increases in both dry and saturated conditions. Instead, the CI demonstrates an initial increase and subsequent decrease as the Smax/P ratio increases. Maximizing rock-breaking efficiency and minimizing cutter consumption are crucial for improving tunneling performance. In saturated conditions, the corresponding optimal Smax/P ratio ranges are 7.055–8.319 for soft rock, 8.606–8.931 for medium–hard rock, and 13.50–14.00 for hard rock, and these optimal ranges under dry conditions are 8.495–9.457, 10.972–12.169, and 16.5–17.5 for the same rock types. This study provides optimal Smax/P ratio ranges for TBM tunneling, thereby significantly enhancing tunneling efficiency.

Triaxial rheological tests are performed on mudstones collected from the soft interlayer in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. In the tests, both dry and saturated conditions are considered, and a complete rheological process is then observed. Based on such laboratory observations of stress-strain, a four-element rheological constitutive model is developed, which is composed of (i) the Hook element, (ii) the Kelvin element, (iii) the viscoelastic-plastic body, and (iv) the nonlinear viscous body (HKCV model). The HKCV model adopts the one-dimensional and three-dimensional equations that are derived. The rheological parameters required are identified, allowing the successful development of the HKCV model. A comparison with the laboratory test observations and the existing model estimates shows that the estimates of the HKCV model are relatively consistent with the observations of the triaxial rheological test. The HKCV model better characterizes the rheological process than the three existing models. However, the HKCV model has the limitation of requiring more parameters than the existing models.

Despite reports on previous research associated with the dynamic strength of mudded intercalations during cyclic loading, a systematic investigation of the impact factors of this strength is still valuable. This work aimed at experimentally revealing the impact factors of the strength along with their impacts. The potential impact factors considered in this work include (i) water content, (ii) clay mineral composition, (iii) clay content, (iv) confining pressure, and (v) cyclic failure time. Specimens of mudded intercalations were collected from China and were remolded and prepared for a dynamic triaxial test under cyclic loads. The test results showed that the dynamic strength is impacted by water content (strongly), clay mineral composition (moderately), confining pressure (moderately), and cyclic failure time (weakly); no significant impact of clay content was detected. Moreover, the dynamic cohesion is correlated with clay mineral composition (strongly), water content (moderately), and cyclic failure time (weakly); no significant correlation with clay content or confining pressure was detected. Finally, the dynamic friction angle is correlated with water content (strongly), clay content (moderately), and cyclic failure time (weakly); no significant correlation with clay mineral composition or confining pressure was detected.

The Terzaghi method is widely used to correct the line-sampling bias of rock discontinuity orientations. The method includes four procedures, one of which is meshing the stereographic projection diagram into cells. The method is based on the bias-compensatory factor, 1/sin θ, where θ is the angle between the scanline and the discontinuity defined at each cell center. This paper presents a modified Terzaghi method that eliminates meshing, thereby reducing the method to three steps that (1) count the frequencies, (2) weigh the frequencies by the bias-compensatory factor, and (3) round the weighed frequencies to the nearest integer. Due to the elimination of the mesh, the counting object has changed to the frequency at each pole, and θ in the bias-compensatory factor is redefined as the angle between the scanline and the discontinuity at each pole. The applicability of the redefined bias-compensatory factor is verified through a mathematical logical deduction. The accuracy of the conventional and the modified Terzaghi methods are compared using a case study in Wenchuan, China, revealing improved accuracy for the latter.

Sand layer sampling is important in water conservancy and hydropower exploration, and the accurate identification of sand layers is the premise for foundation design and treatment. In this study, a new method for identifying sand layers based on key drilling parameters was proposed. Simulated formation laboratory experiments using a self-developed measurement-while-drilling system were first conducted to study the relationships between four drilling parameters and sand layers. Quantitative criteria based on key drilling parameters for sand layer identification were then proposed, followed by validation through three engineering projects. The results showed that bit pressure and drilling speed are sensitive to formation changes and can be used for sand layer identification. Specifically, in sand layers, the variation ratio of drilling speed is more than 150% and the variation ratio of bit pressure is less than 200%. Applications of the proposed method in Na water conservancy project, Sancha water conservancy project, and Tuodan reservoir project show satisfying accuracy, indicating that it can be used as an effective tool for sand layer identification in various engineering projects.