Open research questions in Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis
152 gap statements mined from Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 2,050 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.
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What the literature leaves open
Prior work has focused on empirical models and laboratory tests, which have limitations in capturing the mechanical behavior of large-scale rock masses. There is a need for a more accurate and efficient method for assessing tunnel face stability in rock masses with persistent joint sets.
Analytical Model for Tunnel Face Stability in Equivalent Homogeneous Rock Masses with Persistent Joint Sets · 2026 · DOIIt also highlights the need for a quantitative index for tunnel resilience under foundation loss.
Structural Damage Assessment and Resilience Evolution Prediction of Immersed Tunnels During Sand Foundation Loss Using In Situ Sensing Data · 2026 · DOIFurther research could investigate the use of other optimization techniques for slope stability analysis. The application of the developed model to other types of slopes or soil conditions could be explored.
Reliability Analysis of Highway Embankment Using Monte Carlo Simulation Enhanced with ANN, PSO-ANN, and ANFIS · 2026 · DOIIt highlights the need for a reliability-based approach that considers the variability of soil parameters.
Reliability Analysis of Highway Embankment Using Monte Carlo Simulation Enhanced with ANN, PSO-ANN, and ANFIS · 2026 · DOIThe traditional method of slope stability assessment does not incorporate the uncertainties inherent to the soil property measurements. There is a need for a probabilistic slope stability analysis method that can consider uncertainties in soil behavior.
Assessment of soil property uncertainty in probabilistic slope stability analysis using coefficients of variation · 2026 · DOIThe study identifies the need for more efficient and environmentally friendly pipe jacking technologies. The current evaluation methods for slurry performance are insufficient. The study aims to address the gap in the current understanding of the influence of eco-friendly slurry on the shear behavior of sand-pipe structure interaction.
Influence of eco-friendly slurry on the shear behavior of sand-pipe structure interaction and its economic performance evaluation · 2026 · DOIFurther study is needed to verify the effectiveness of the large-span double central diaphragm method in different geological conditions. The influence of other factors, such as tunnel depth and surrounding rock properties, on the deformation control of the large-span double central diaphragm method should be investigated.
Multi-Objective Intelligent Optimization of Excavation and Support for Super-Large Cross-Section Small Clear Spacing Tunnels in Urban Sensitive Areas: An Integrated Study of Numerical Simulation and Machine Learning · 2026 · DOIThe paper identifies the need for deformation control in coastal subsea tunnels. It notes that the engineering environment of subsea tunnels is more complex than that of mountain tunnels.
Multi-Objective Intelligent Optimization of Excavation and Support for Super-Large Cross-Section Small Clear Spacing Tunnels in Urban Sensitive Areas: An Integrated Study of Numerical Simulation and Machine Learning · 2026 · DOIExisting case records are commonly incomplete with important hydro-mechanical parameters. The limited number of well-documented cases hinders the direct construction of reliable prediction models. High-fidelity numerical simulations are computationally expensive.
Machine-Learning-Based Prediction of Gushing-Induced Ground Disturbance Around Shield Tunnels · 2026 · DOIExisting laboratory tests do not adequately resolve the mechanical behaviour of conditioned soil. There is a need for a more comprehensive approach to determining a soil-conditioning scheme. The study aims to address the gap in existing research by proposing a new method.
Soil Conditioning for EPB Shield Tunnelling in Sand-Cobble Strata: An Integrated Laboratory-DEM Approach · 2026 · DOIThe assumption of a linear strength envelope is less rigorous. The curvature of geomaterial strength has been explored by many experimental studies, but the development of 3D stability analysis with nonlinear yield criterion is necessary.
Existing studies often analyze tunnels and excavations as isolated projects, but in practice they are often constructed sequentially or simultaneously. There is a lack of understanding of the combined effects of tunneling and excavation on adjacent pile foundations in clay. The impact of construction sequence on pile response is not well understood.
Model Test on the Multi-Effects of Tunneling and Excavation upon an Existing Pile in Clay · 2026 · DOIFurther research is needed to investigate the effects of other factors such as temperature and construction process on the water pressure and lining stress. The study can be extended to consider other tunnel geometries and materials. The analytical method can be improved by incorporating more complex boundary conditions and material properties.
Research and Application of Water Load and Internal Forces in Composite Linings of Subsea Tunnels · 2026 · DOIFurther research is needed to investigate the effects of seismic force on slope stability for different types of soil. The development of more advanced 3D stability analysis methods with nonlinear yield criterion is necessary. Research on the application of the findings to real-world landslide disaster reduction is needed.
Multi-stage high slopes in open-pit mines containing weak diabase dikes exhibit complex progressive stepwise sliding failure under the combined effects of excavation disturbance and rainfall, yet their staged instability evolution laws remain insufficiently clarified in existing research.
Analysis on deformation and failure of multi-stage high slopes in open-pit mines based on strength reduction method · 2026 · DOIIn terms of practical engineering, these findings imply that traditional strength‐based assessments are insufficient.
Instability Mechanism of Expansive Soil Slopes Based on the BExM Model: A Study on the Control Effects of Macro and Micro Parameters · 2026 · DOIThese realities create a coupled thermo‐hydro‐mechanical environment around tunnels that is far more complex than what is captured by classical consolidation theories, and the long‐term implications for ground deformation and tunnel serviceability remain insufficiently understood.
Thermal‐Mechanical Solution of Saturated Soft Soil around a Semi‐Permeable Tunnel Considering Internal Heat Effects · 2026 · DOIAlthough previous studies have examined soil arching using discrete or continuum methods, the soil–pipeline interaction under localized subsidence remains insufficiently quantified.
Coupled Discrete–Continuum Modeling of Soil Arching and Failure Modes in Pipeline‐Affected Ground Subsidence · 2026 · DOIMoreover, both the coordination number and fabric anisotropy analyses highlight microstructural degradation and directional instability with increasing pipeline diameter, revealing multiscale mechanisms governing stress redistribution and soil–structure interaction that have not been previously reported in trapdoor studies.
Coupled Discrete–Continuum Modeling of Soil Arching and Failure Modes in Pipeline‐Affected Ground Subsidence · 2026 · DOIThe original geotechnical investigation was too shallow, and the ground conditions should have been classified as difficult, corresponding to geotechnical category II. The investigation highlights the importance of sufficiently detailed and deep geotechnical investigations.
Diagnosis-Driven Low-Impact Remediation of a Reconstructed Underground Shooting Range Tunnel Affected by Groundwater Ingress: A Case Study · 2026 · DOIFurther study on the effects of joint orientation and rock mass quality on tunnel face stability, - Investigation of the mechanical behavior of large-scale rock masses, - Development of more advanced models that account for the influence of joint orientation on rock mass…
Analytical Model for Tunnel Face Stability in Equivalent Homogeneous Rock Masses with Persistent Joint Sets · 2026 · DOIInvestigating the effects of different construction sequences on pile response. Studying the impact of excavation unloading on the performance of adjacent piles in various soil types. Developing more complex pile-soil interface models for numerical simulations.
Model Test on the Multi-Effects of Tunneling and Excavation upon an Existing Pile in Clay · 2026 · DOIThe study only considered a hypothetical slope model, - The model consists of a simple geometry with a 1 V:1 H gradient and a height of 6 m, - The number of simulations is limited to 15,000 or 20,000, - The study did not account for other factors that may affect slope…
Assessment of soil property uncertainty in probabilistic slope stability analysis using coefficients of variation · 2026 · DOIFurther evaluation of the reliability of different predictors beyond the aggregated metrics, - Investigation of the application of the proposed framework to other types of tunnels or geological…
Machine-Learning-Based Prediction of Gushing-Induced Ground Disturbance Around Shield Tunnels · 2026 · DOIRigorous hydro-mechanical coupling analysis, - Further research on the application of SRM-based workflow to other rock-slope…
Analysis on deformation and failure of multi-stage high slopes in open-pit mines based on strength reduction method · 2026 · DOI
Most-cited papers in Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis
- Tunneling · American Economic Review · 2000 · 2,168 citations
- Propping and Tunneling · Journal of Comparative Economics · 2003 · 484 citations
- Application of artificial intelligence in geotechnical engineering: A state-of-the-art review · Earth-Science Reviews · 2022 · 344 citations
- Advances in reliability and risk analyses of slopes in spatially variable soils: A state-of-the-art review · Computers and Geotechnics · 2021 · 246 citations
- Soft computing approach for prediction of surface settlement induced by earth pressure balance shield tunneling · Underground Space · 2021 · 216 citations
- Comprehensive review of machine learning in geotechnical reliability analysis: Algorithms, applications and further challenges · Applied Soft Computing · 2023 · 190 citations
- Deformation analysis and safety assessment of existing metro tunnels affected by excavation of a foundation pit · Underground Space · 2021 · 182 citations
- Scientific problems and research proposals for Sichuan–Tibet railway tunnel construction · Underground Space · 2021 · 172 citations
- Identification of Tunnel Settlement Caused by Land Subsidence in Soft Deposit of Shanghai · Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities · 2017 · 164 citations
- Zoned Excavation of an Oversized Pit Close to an Existing Metro Line in Stiff Clay: Case Study · Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities · 2014 · 139 citations
Most recent work
- A thin-shell model for densely packed pre-reinforcement shell structures in weak rock tunnels · Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology · 2026
- Optimization of Earth Dam Cross-Sections Using the Max–Min Ant System and Artificial Neural Networks with Real Case Studies · Buildings · 2026
- XAI-Aided Method for Accurately Assessing the Stability of Unlined Double Tunnels in Rock Masses · Transportation Geotechnics · 2026
- Model Test Study on the Effect of Quasi-Rectangular Shield Tunnel Excavation on Adjacent Pile Foundation in Sand · Buildings · 2026
- Longitudinal soil arch evolution in cobble tunnels using shallow tunnelling method: Experimental and DEM insights · Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology · 2026
- Mechanical responses during loess tunnel construction resulting from groundwater level changes due to injection well leakage · Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology · 2026
- Mechanical properties of novel prefabricated inverted arch in NATM tunnels: Insights from numerical experiment and in-situ tests · Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology · 2026
- Pseudo-dynamic lateral earth pressure on stabilizing piles in sandy slopes considering arching effect · Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering · 2026
- Dual-Modal Feature Learning Approach for Probabilistic Semisupervised Interpretation of Subsurface Stratigraphy from Sparse Boreholes and Cone Penetration Tests · Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering · 2026
- Reliability-informed inverse design of dual tunnels with deep evidential regression · Reliability Engineering & System Safety · 2026
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