Jiangyu Wu

1. The long-term accumulation of substantial solid waste, such as coal gangue generated during mining operations, poses serious safety and ecological risks, including environmental pollution and st...

The mechanical properties of granular rocks are intrinsically linked to the heterogeneity of mineral grains. In this study, a 3D grain‐based model (PFC3D‐GBM) incorporating a hybrid contact model was established. Triaxial compression numerical simulations were conducted to investigate how confining pressure and mineral heterogeneity—characterized by spatial distribution, volume fraction, geometric size, and boundary strength of mineral grains—affect the fracture behavior and mechanical properties of coarse‐grained limestone. The results show that force chains serve as load‐bearing paths that distribute the external load. The orientation of these chains remains uniform, irrespective of the load magnitude. The ratio of high‐strength force chains to weak‐strength force chains ( R _HF/WF ) and the ratio of high‐strength force chains to microcracks ( R _HF/c ) serve as quantitative indicators of bearing capacity and fracture resistance. At lower confining pressure ( σ ₃ ≤ 10 MPa), the specimens exhibit reduced peak strength and increased brittleness, with failure typically occurring along a single macroscopic fracture plane. As σ ₃ increases, the formation of “X”‐shaped failure becomes more pronounced. At the grain scale, a higher dolomite volume facilitates the formation of additional high‐strength force chains within the specimen, along with an increase in Tran‐D‐cs at peak stress. As Tran‐D‐cs require a higher concentration of stress, σ _p increases by 13%. Moreover, stronger grain boundary strength enhances the stress concentration needed for fracture by modifying the proportion of Trans‐c, leading to a 70 MPa increase in σ _p . Larger grain sizes, in turn, accommodate more force chains, necessitating a higher σ _p for fracture.

Global energy transition and urbanization are driving unprecedented demand for mineral resources in terms of both scale and speed. However, conventional resource extraction models and linear economic paradigms remain major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. Addressing this contradiction requires a fundamental shift toward a new paradigm for Earth resource development centered on systemic, circular, and intelligent principles. In this context, Sustainable Earth Resources Communications is launched as a high-level platform for global academia and industry, focusing on three interconnected pillars: green mineral extraction, circular utilization of mine solid waste, and repurposing of mine geothermal resources. The journal aims to advance the integration of Earth sciences, engineering, and sustainable development goals while providing scientific support for a global low-carbon future. Document Type: Editorial Cited as: Ma, D., Wu, J., Cai, X. Advancing integrated and intelligent solutions for resource-energy-environment systems. Sustainable Earth Resources Communications, 2025, 1(1): 1-3. https://doi.org/10.46690/serc.2025.01.01

Grouting is a key way to prevent and control water inrush disasters in mines, which can actively modify the rock mass. However, achieving efficient transformation of the original rock seepage field to prevent water inrush is still a fundamental issue, especially since the evolution law of the rock seepage field under the two-phase action of water and grouting slurry is unclear. Therefore, a permeability evolution model for porous media considering two-phase seepage–deposition interactions was developed. Numerical simulations were conducted to analyze the temporal and spatial evolution of rock permeability and the regional seepage field during grouting in structurally influenced areas. The effects of grouting parameters on these processes were also investigated, and the performance of different grouting schemes was compared. The results indicate that rock permeability decreases nonlinearly over time, with a rapid initial decline followed by slower rates of change. Grouting can alter both the velocity and direction of groundwater flow. Increasing grouting pressure significantly reduces rock mass permeability, while low water–cement ratio slurry proves more effective for high-permeability rock masses, exerting a greater influence on the seepage field within the diffusion range. High-pressure grouting with medium-to-high water–cement ratio slurry in aquifers reduces the average seepage velocity by 37.92%, delivering the best overall performance despite stricter application requirements. Fault grouting emerges as the second most effective strategy, combining good performance with broader applicability. Surrounding rock grouting, however, has a more limited impact on the seepage field.

Building upon the foundations of classical fractional derivatives, the general fractional derivative emerges as a significant advancement in the development of constitutive models, especially for materials with complex properties. This derivative distinguishes itself through a kernel function of variable form, enabling it to encapsulate diverse characteristics of the creep process more effectively than its classical counterpart. This study introduces a general-variable order fractional creep constitutive model, ingeniously linking the order of the fractional derivative to Talbot gradation, which describes the aggregate gradation of cemented backfill materials, alongside dosage and confining pressure parameters. The model's innovative design synergizes the kernel function's diversity from the general fractional derivative with the phase adaptability inherent in the variable-order derivative. This integration permits a comprehensive description of each stage of the creep curve for cementitious filling materials in varying compositions, leveraging the Gamma function's properties within the positive real number domain. The model's rationality and validity are substantiated through a comparative analysis between experimental creep curves and theoretical predictions, affirming its relevance and accuracy in practical applications. This approach represents a notable contribution to the understanding of cemented backfill materials' behavior, offering a robust tool for engineering analysis and design.