About this Research Topic
The study of geomaterial instability lies at the intersection of geology, physics, and mechanics, focusing on understanding the underlying processes driving phenomena such as landslides, rockfalls, and seismic events. Geomaterials, including soils, rocks, and sediments, exhibit complex behaviors under various stress conditions, often leading to catastrophic events with significant societal and economic impacts. Researchers in this field aim to elucidate the fundamental physics and mechanics governing the initiation, propagation, and arrest of instability in geomaterials, thereby enhancing our ability to predict and mitigate geohazards. This interdisciplinary area of study draws upon principles from geotechnical engineering, structural geology, seismology, and materials science to unravel the intricacies of geomaterial behavior under diverse environmental conditions. Understanding these processes is crucial for informing hazard assessment, land-use planning, and engineering design practices in geologically active regions worldwide.
This Research Topic aims to deepen our comprehension of the fundamental physics and mechanics governing geomaterial instability, thereby elucidating its consequences for geohazard management and its relevance in fundamental physics inquiries. By addressing key research questions related to the initiation, propagation, and mitigation of instability in geomaterials, we aim to develop comprehensive frameworks and predictive models that can enhance hazard assessment, risk management, and infrastructure resilience. Through collaborative efforts across disciplines, including geology, physics, mechanics, and engineering, we seek to identify novel approaches and methodologies for characterizing and monitoring geomaterial behavior under varying environmental conditions and loading scenarios.
To gather further insights into the physics and mechanics underlying geomaterial instability, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Physico-Mechanical Properties: Investigations into the physical and mechanical properties, such as strength, stiffness, and ductility, of various geomaterials under different loading and environmental conditions.
- Thermodynamic Principles: Studies elucidating the thermodynamic mechanisms associated with geomaterial instability, including local and nonlocal deformations.
- Experimental and Numerical Modeling: Advances in experimental techniques and numerical modeling approaches revealing the physics underlying geomaterial instability.
- Multi-scale Analysis: Integrate multi-scale modeling and experimental approaches to bridge the gap between microscale processes and macroscale behavior in geomaterial instability.
This Research Topic aims to deepen our comprehension of the fundamental physics and mechanics governing geomaterial instability, thereby elucidating its consequences for geohazard management and its relevance in fundamental physics inquiries. By addressing key research questions related to the initiation, propagation, and mitigation of instability in geomaterials, we aim to develop comprehensive frameworks and predictive models that can enhance hazard assessment, risk management, and infrastructure resilience. Through collaborative efforts across disciplines, including geology, physics, mechanics, and engineering, we seek to identify novel approaches and methodologies for characterizing and monitoring geomaterial behavior under varying environmental conditions and loading scenarios.
To gather further insights into the physics and mechanics underlying geomaterial instability, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Physico-Mechanical Properties: Investigations into the physical and mechanical properties, such as strength, stiffness, and ductility, of various geomaterials under different loading and environmental conditions.
- Thermodynamic Principles: Studies elucidating the thermodynamic mechanisms associated with geomaterial instability, including local and nonlocal deformations.
- Experimental and Numerical Modeling: Advances in experimental techniques and numerical modeling approaches revealing the physics underlying geomaterial instability.
- Multi-scale Analysis: Integrate multi-scale modeling and experimental approaches to bridge the gap between microscale processes and macroscale behavior in geomaterial instability.
Keywords: Material instability, Critical state, Thermodynamic principle, Structural analysis, Strain localization, Geological hazards, Seismicity, Soil mechanics
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
