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Rolling friction is of great importance for many applications, such as tires and conveyor belts. We study the rolling friction for hard cylinders rolling on flat rubber sheets. The rolling friction depends on the number of rolling cycles, the rolling speed, and the temperature. We show that when the rubber is cooled down below the glass transition temperature, the deformations of the rubber surface are frozen-in, resulting in a non-flat rolling track where uphill and downhill rolling movements strongly affect the rolling force. The experimental data are analyzed using the Persson rolling friction theory; good agreement with the experiments is obtained when the non-linear (strain-softening) properties of the viscoelastic modulus are taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of particles onto fluid membranes can lead to membrane-mediated interactions between particles that promote their self-assembly and lead to changes in membrane morphology. However, in contrast with rigid particles, relatively little is known about deformable particles, which introduce additional complexities due to the mutual deformability of the particles and the membrane. Here, we use Monte Carlo simulations and umbrella sampling to investigate the equilibrium properties of hinge-like particles adsorbed on membrane vesicles by means of anisotropic, attractive interactions. We vary the hinge stiffness, adhesive area fraction, patterning of adhesive regions, and number of adsorbed particles. Depending on their properties, isolated particles can conform to the vesicle, induce invaginations of the membrane, or exhibit multistable behavior in which they sample distinct classes of configurations due to the interplay of particle and membrane deformations. With two adsorbed particles, the properties of the particles can be used to promote aggregation, bias the particles to different parts of the vesicle, or stabilize the coexistence of both cases. With multiple adsorbed particles, the number and type control their organization and collective impact on the vesicle, which can adopt shapes ranging from roughly spherical to dumbbell-like and multi-lobed. Our results highlight how modifying the mechanical properties and patterned adhesion of deformable particles, which is possible with DNA nanotechnology, influences their self-assembly and the resulting shapes of both the particles and vesicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gradient nano-grained (GNG) structure demonstrates satisfactory surface strength. However, the underlying mechanism responsible for its strengthening lacks sufficient research. To explain how gradient nano-grained structures improve surface strength in detail, large-scale parallel molecular dynamics simulations are utilized in this study to investigate the mechanical deformation behavior of BCC tungsten with varying grain sizes during spherical nanoindentation. The findings suggest that a well-designed gradient structure can promote rational plasticity and an appropriate distribution of internal atomic stress. The critical point of maximum stress and hardness is observed when the initial grain size is 4.5 nm, with an average grain size of 7.1 nm. The interaction between grain boundary slip and migration in small grains, along with the enhanced activity of grain boundary dislocations in large grains, collectively contributes to the enhancement of the strength and hardness of the GNG structure. Compared with a homogeneous nano-grained structure, the gradient nano-grained structure exhibits a more rational distribution of dislocations and stress relaxation effects to enhance strength. The present work utilizes the molecular dynamics nanoindentation method to study GNG materials, providing a methodology for investigating the surface strengthening effects of GNG structures at the atomic scale and effectively revealing potential mechanisms for resisting surface deformation in GNG structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The examination of mechanical and wettability properties of commercial pure titanium (CP-Ti) introduced a novel challenge. The microstructure of samples was analyzed by using OM and SEM micro-images. In this study, the hardness of the surface and cross section of samples was evaluated, and the effect of several surface mechanical attrition treatments (SMATed) on samples was examined. Also, the tensile test was done to compare the effect of SMAT duration on mechanical properties of samples. The contact angle method was then employed to investigate the impact of SAMT duration on the wettability trend. According to results, as the treatment time increases, twins become evident in the deeper layers of the samples. In contrast, the near-surface twins are shorter than those found in the deeper material, signifying the presence of finer grains. Moreover, the elevated hardness in SMATed samples can be attributed to several key factors, including cold work, a rise in defects and twins, and grain refinement. The surface hardness increases across the sample series (up to Ti6) due to the substantial energy input. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that further continuation of the process will result in a constant surface hardness. The increased strength observed in SMATed samples can be attributed to factors such as reduction in grain size and the formation of twins. The wettability results show that the treated surfaces exhibited a significant change in wettability compared to the untreated samples, with a 25% reduction in the contact angle. This is attributed to the surface modifications induced by the treatment process, which introduced more hydrophilic functional groups. The results also show that after 4 h of treatment, the contact angle increases, suggesting that the trend may plateau with additional treatment time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed Scatterers Interferometry (DS-InSAR) has been widely applied to increase the number of measurement points (MP) in complex mountainous areas with dense vegetation and complicated topography. However, DS-InSAR method adopts batch processing mode. When new observation data acquired, the entire archived data is reprocessed, completely ignoring the existing results, and not suitable for high-performance processing of operational observation data. The current research focuses on the automation of SAR data acquisition and processing optimization, but the core time series analysis method remains unchanged. In this paper, based on the traditional Sequential Estimator proposed by Ansari in 2017, a Recursive Sequential Estimator with Flexible Batches (RSEFB) is improved to divide the large dataset flexibly without requirements on the number of images in each subset. This method updates and processes the newly acquired SAR data in near real-time, and obtains long-time sequence results without reprocessing the entire data archived, helpful to the early warning of landslide disaster in the future. 132 Sentinel-1 SAR images and 44 TerraSAR-X SAR images were utilized to inverse the line of sight (LOS) surface deformation of Xishancun landslide and Huangnibazi landslide in Li County, Sichuan Province, China. RSEFB method is applied to retrieve time-series displacements from Sentinel-1 and TerraSAR-X datasets, respectively. The comparison with the traditional Sequential Estimator and validation through Global Position System (GPS) monitoring data proved the effectiveness and reliability of the RSEFB method. The research shows that Xishancun landslide is in a state of slow and uneven deformation, and the non-sliding part of Huangnibazi landslide has obvious deformation signal, so continuous monitoring is needed to prevent and mitigate possible catastrophic slope failure events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is suggested that in addition to seismicity deep fluid injection may cause surface uplift and subsidence in oil and gas‐producing regions. This study uses the Raton Basin as an example to investigate the hydromechanical processes of surface uplift and subsidence during wastewater injection. The Raton Basin, in southern central Colorado and northern central New Mexico, has experienced wastewater injection related to coalbed methane and gas production starting in 1994. In this study, we estimate the extent and magnitude of total vertical deformation in the Raton Basin from 1994 to 2020 and incremental deformation between the years 2017 to 2020. Results indicate a modeled uplift as much as 15 cm occurring between 1994 and 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, up to 3 cm of uplift occurred, largely near the northwestern injection wells. Most modeled uplift between 1994 and 2020 occurred near the southern wells, where the greatest cumulative volume of wastewater was injected. However, modeled subsidence occurred around the southern and eastern wells between 2017 and 2020, after the rate of injection decreased. Modeling indicates that while the magnitude of modeled uplift corresponds to cumulative injection volume and maximum rate in the long‐term, short‐term incremental deformation (uplift or subsidence) is controlled by changes in the rate of injection. The number of yearly earthquake events follows periods of rapid modeled uplifting throughout the Basin, suggesting that measurable surface deformation may be caused by the same injection‐induced pore pressure perturbations that initiate seismicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating building damage in mining areas using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) has inherent challenges. This work presents a Delaunay Triangulation of Surface Deformation (DTSD) model that utilizes Permanent Scatter InSAR to analyze various types of deformations in villages. This model created a network of irregular triangles using Delaunay triangulation and PS points as the input. The calculation involved determining the inclination of triangular edges and the torsion of spatial Bezier curves fitted by these edges. The PS points' maximum inclination and curvature values were identified by solving over-determined equations. Results from a slurry injection mine in Huaibei, China, indicate that the various types of deformations in the neighboring communities were below 8 %, and the buildings experienced minimal damage. The DTSD model offers a theoretical framework for monitoring and assessing various types of surface deformation and designing essential zones for building protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing complexity of mining conditions, the high degree of development of fractures in roadway surrounding rock significantly affects the stability of the rock mass in space, leading to difficulties in maintaining numerous roadways. In response to the challenges posed by the development of fractures in deeply buried roadway surrounding rock under complex geological conditions, a novel method for scientifically and reasonably characterizing the complex fractures in surrounding rock stability analysis of roadways was proposed, which combines field measurements, numerical simulations, and physical experiments, providing strong capabilities for comprehensive analysis. The development of fractures in coal mine sites was investigated and statistically analyzed using the scanning survey method, on the basis of which the probability density model of various fracture parameters was established by computational analysis. The Monte Carlo stochastic simulation technique was used to reconstruct and recover the fractures obtained from the field investigation using a discrete fracture network (DFN), which realizes the characterization of complex fractures in engineering field conditions. On this basis, and in conjunction with the finite difference method (FDM), the FDM–DFN coupling model was implemented into FLAC3D (version 5.01). A parametric study of the proposed FDM–DFN coupling model was carried out, and the results were compared to Mohr–Coulomb and strain-softening models. It has been shown that the fracture density, which is a newly considered parameter in the proposed model, exhibits noticeable effects on the deformation and failure of the roadway rock mass. Thus, the FDM–DFN coupling model offers a more realistic simulation of the roadway behavior than Mohr–Coulomb and strain softening models. The proposed model can be utilized for other applications involving rock reinforcement of mine openings under similar geotechnical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining-induced surface deformation disrupts ecological balance and impedes economic progress. This study employs SBAS-InSAR with 107-view of ascending and descending SAR data from Sentinel-1, spanning February 2017 to September 2020, to monitor surface deformation in the Fa'er Coal Mine, Guizhou Province. Analysis on the surface deformation time series reveals the relationship between underground mining and surface shifts. Considering geological conditions, mining activities, duration, and ranges, the study determines surface movement parameters for the coal mine. It asserts that mining depth significantly influences surface movement parameters in mountainous mining areas. Increasing mining depth elevates the strike movement angle on the deeper side of the burial depth by 22.84°, while decreasing by 7.74° on the shallower side. Uphill movement angles decrease by 4.06°, while downhill movement angles increase by 15.71°. This emphasizes the technology's suitability for local mining design, which lays the groundwork for resource development, disaster prevention, and ecological protection in analogous contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores how the ice cover on water surfaces affects the deformation of the channel bed around non-submerged spur dikes. Laboratory experiments have been conducted by using two types of model ice cover with different roughness coefficients and three sands with different median grain sizes. The effects of various layout angles of non-submerged spur dikes on the maximum scour depth and scour patterns around spur dikes have been evaluated. Results showed that the dike orientation angle is the critical factor influencing the maximum scour depth. The presence of an ice cover and its roughness coefficient dramatically affect the channel bed deformation around spur dikes. The combined effect of the dike orientation angle, ice cover roughness, and flow Froude number resulted in different scour patterns. For instance, the upstream length of scour holes decreases by approximately 60% when the dike angle changes from 90º to 60º, while an increase in flow rate by about 50% leads to a 20% increase in the downstream length of scour holes. Equations have been derived to determine the maximum scour depth around spur dikes, considering the effects of ice cover, bed material and the dike layout angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roads are exposed to various degradation mechanisms during their lifetime. The pavement deterioration caused by the surrounding environment is particularly severe in winter when the humidity and subfreezing temperatures prevail. Frost heave-induced damage is one of the winter-related pavement deterioration. It occurs when the porewater in the soil is exposed to freezing temperatures. The study of frost heave requires conducting a multiphysics analysis, considering the thermal, mechanical, and hydraulic fields. This paper presents the use of a coupled thermo-mechanical approach to simulate frost heave in saturated soils. A function predicting porosity evolution is implemented to couple the thermal and mechanical field analyses. This function indirectly considers the effect of the water seepage inside the soil. Different frost heave scenarios with uniform and non-uniform boundary conditions are considered to demonstrate the capabilities of the method. The results of the simulations indicate that the thermo-mechanical model captures various processes involved in the frost heave phenomenon, such as water fusion, porosity variation, cryogenic suction force generation, and soil expansion. The characteristics and consequences of each process are determined and discussed separately. Furthermore, the results show that non-uniform thermal boundaries and presence of a culvert inside the soil result in uneven ground surface deformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connections between parameter surfaces enable the development of various geometric designs. However, these surfaces are generally connected along their boundaries in a rectangular domain. This study investigated the methods for connecting surfaces along a curve. To this end, we introduced two-variable degenerate functions and utilized their algebraic properties to characterize the form of the parameter surfaces for practical surface construction. The results were used to deform the surfaces along the curve. For application, we presented the examples of deformations using Bézier surfaces and extended them to general surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guangdong Province, home to 21 cities and a permanent population of 127.06 million people, boasts the largest provincial economy in China, contributing 11.76% to the national GDP in 2023. However, it is prone to geological hazards due to its geological conditions, extreme weather, and extensive human activities. Geohazards not only endanger lives but also hinder regional economic development. Monitoring surface deformation regularly can promptly detect geological hazards and allow for effective mitigation strategies. Traditional ground subsidence monitoring methods are insufficient for comprehensive surveys and rapid monitoring of geological hazards in the whole province. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology using satellite images can achieve wide-area geohazard monitoring. However, current geological hazard monitoring in Guangdong Province based on InSAR technology lacks regional analysis and statistics of surface deformation across the entire province. Furthermore, such monitoring fails to analyze the spatial–temporal characteristics of surface deformation and disaster evolution mechanisms by considering the local geological features. To address these issues, current work utilizes Sentinel-1A/B satellite data covering Guangdong Province from 2015 to 2022 to obtain the wide-area surface deformation in the whole province using the multi-temporal (MT) InSAR technology. Based on the deformation results, a wide-area deformation region automatic identification method is used to identify the surface deformation regions and count the deformation area in each city of Guangdong Province. By analyzing the results, we obtained the following findings: (1) Using the automatic identification algorithm we identified 2394 deformation regions. (2) Surface subsidence is concentrated in the delta regions and reclamation areas; over a 4 cm/year subsidence rate is observed in the hilly regions of northern Guangdong, particularly in mining areas. (3) Surface deformation is closely related to geological structures and human activities. (4) Sentinel-1 satellite C-band imagery is highly effective for wide-area geological hazard monitoring, but has limitations in monitoring small-area geological hazards. In the future, combining the high-spatial–temporal-resolution L-band imagery from the NISAR satellite with Sentinel-1 imagery will allow for comprehensive monitoring and early warning of geological hazards, achieving multiple geometric and platform perspectives for geological hazard monitoring and management in Guangdong Province. The findings of this study have significant reference value for the monitoring and management of geological disasters in Guangdong Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its unique geographical location and rapid urbanization, Xiamen is particularly susceptible to geological disasters. This study employs 80 Sentinel-1A SAR images covering Xiamen spanning from May 2017 to December 2023 for comprehensive dynamic monitoring of the land subsidence. PS-InSAR and SBAS-InSAR techniques were utilized to derive the surface deformation field and time series separately, followed by a comparative analysis of their results. SBAS-InSAR was finally chosen in this study for its higher coherence. Based on its results, we conducted cause analysis and obtained the following findings. (1) The most substantial subsidence occurred in Maluan Bay and Dadeng Island, where the maximum subsidence rate was 24 mm/yr and the maximum cumulative subsidence reached 250 mm over the course of the study. Additionally, regions exhibiting subsidence rates ranging from 10 to 30 mm/yr included Yuanhai Terminal, Maluan Bay, Xitang, Guanxun, Jiuxi entrance, Yangtang, the southeastern part of Dadeng Island, and Yundang Lake. (2) Geological structure, groundwater extraction, reclamation and engineering construction all have impacts on land subsidence. The land subsidence of fault belts and seismic focus areas was significant, and the area above the clay layer settled significantly. Both direct and indirect analysis can prove that as the amount of groundwater extraction increases, the amount of land subsidence increases. Significant subsidence is prone to occur after the initial land reclamation, during the consolidation period of the old fill materials, and after land compaction. The construction changes the soil structure, and the appearance of new buildings increases the risk of subsidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern margin of the South Tian Shan has drawn attention due to the intense compressional deformation and seismic activity associated with its thrust structures. However, the deformation and seismic activity in the thick-skinned thrust sheets of the root zones are minimal. The Mw 7.1 Wushi earthquake on 23 January 2024 serves as a window to reveal these unknown aspects of the seismic mechanisms in this structural setting. Using the Leveraging Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique, we unlock critical insights into the coseismic deformation fields. The seismogenic fault is an unmapped segment within the Maidan Fault system, exhibiting a strike ranging from 241° to 222°. It is characterized by a shallow dip angle of 62° and a deeper dip angle of 56°. Remarkably, the seismic rupture did not propagate to the Earth's surface. The majority of slip distribution is concentrated within a range of 4 to 26 km along the strike, indicating that this earthquake was a thrust event on a blind fault within the thick-skinned tectonics of the South Tian Shan. Coulomb stress changes indicate that aftershocks primarily occur in the stress-loading region. Interestingly, some aftershocks are very shallow, causing clear surface deformation. Inversion results show that the fault planes of two aftershocks are located above the main shock fault plane at extremely shallow depths (<6 km). Combining geophysical profile data, we infer that ruptures in the deep-seated thick-skinned structures during the main shock triggered ruptures in the shallow thrust structures. This triggering relationship highlights the potential for combined ruptures of the main shocks and aftershocks in the deep-seated thick-skinned structures beneath the South Tian Shan to result in larger disasters than typical seismic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EarthExplorer 10 mission Harmony by the European Space Agency ESA, scheduled for launch around 2029–2030, consists of two passive C-band synthetic-aperture-radar companion satellites flying in a flexible constellation with one Sentinel-1 radar satellite as an illuminator. Sentinel-1 will serve as transmitter and receiver of radar waves, and the two Harmonys will serve as bistatic receivers without the ability to transmit. During the first and last year of the 5-year mission, the two Harmony satellites will fly in a cross-track interferometric constellation, such as that known from TanDEM-X, about 350 km ahead or behind the assigned Sentinel-1. This constellation will provide 12-day repeat DEMs, among other regions, over most land-ice and permafrost areas. These repeat DEMs will be complemented by synchronous lateral terrain displacements from the well-established offset tracking method. In between the cross-track interferometry phases, one of the Harmony satellites will be moved to the opposite side of the Sentinel-1 to form a symmetric bistatic "stereo" constellation with ±~350 km along-track baseline. In this phase, the mission will provide opportunity for radar interferometry along three lines of sight, or up to six when combining ascending and descending acquisitions, enabling the measurement of three-dimensional surface motion, for instance sub- and emergence components of ice flow, or three-dimensional deformation of permafrost surfaces or slow landslides. Such measurements would, for the first time, be available for large areas and are anticipated to provide a number of novel insights into the dynamics and mass balance of a range of mass movement processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) can accurately estimate the location and probability of landslides. An effective approach for precise LSM is crucial for minimizing casualties and damage. The existing LSM methods primarily rely on static indicators, such as geomorphology and hydrology, which are closely associated with geo-environmental conditions. However, landslide hazards are often characterized by significant surface deformation. The Small Baseline Subset-Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) technology plays a pivotal role in detecting and characterizing surface deformation. This work endeavors to assess the accuracy of SBAS-InSAR coupled with ensemble learning for LSM. Within this research, the study area was Shiyan City, and 12 static evaluation factors were selected as input variables for the ensemble learning models to compute landslide susceptibility. The Random Forest (RF) model demonstrates superior accuracy compared to other ensemble learning models, including eXtreme Gradient Boosting, Logistic Regression, Gradient Boosting Decision Tree, and K-Nearest Neighbor. Furthermore, SBAS-InSAR was utilized to obtain surface deformation rates both in the vertical direction and along the line of sight of the satellite. The former is used as a dynamic characteristic factor, while the latter is combined with the evaluation results of the RF model to create a landslide susceptibility optimization matrix. Comparing the precision of two methods for refining LSM results, it was found that the method integrating static and dynamic factors produced a more rational and accurate landslide susceptibility map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of ultrasonic-assisted micro-forming, in addition to acoustic softening, impact effects also play a significant role, especially in terms of influencing the deformation behavior of surfaces, such as by generating more deformation on surface asperity. In this study, to understand the mechanisms involved in the effect of an impact, ultrasonic-assisted micro-forging tests were conducted on commercially pure copper, pure aluminum, and pure titanium. A method that can measure the increment in the temperature during ultrasonic vibration was developed. As a result, changes in the surface temperature of the material under the impact effect and acoustic softening were measured. It is indicated that, during ultrasonic vibration, the heat generated through acoustic softening is very limited and the main heat increase occurs after the impact effect. Once the impact effect occurs, the surface temperature increases with increasing amplitude. Nevertheless, for materials with different crystal structures, the influences of the impact effect are also different. The surfaces of copper and aluminum soften, creating more surface deformation, but the exact opposite effect is seen on a titanium surface. Observing the evolution of the microstructure on the material surface with EBSD demonstrates that the impact effect on FCC materials can reach deeper below the surface in terms of temperature diffusion compared to titanium. Meanwhile, the impact effect in the case of titanium causes the regeneration of twinning, which is reduced under the influence of the acoustic softening effect, consequently resulting in strain hardening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional geodetic methods rely on point measurements, which have drawbacks for detecting and tracking geologic disasters at specific locations. In this study, the time series Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) approach was incorporated to estimate non-linear surface deformation caused by tectonic, shoreline reclamation, and other anthropogenic activities in economically important urban regions of Pakistan's southern coast, which possesses around 270 km. The shoreline is extended from the low-populated area on the premises of the Hub River in the west to the highly populated Karachi City and Eastern Industrial Zone, where we collected the Sentinel-1A C-band data from 2017 to 2023 to address urban security and threats to human life and property. The main advantage of opting for the non-linear persistent scatterer interferometric SAR (PSInSAR) approach for this study is that it exposes minute movements without any prior consideration of conventional monitoring techniques, making it valid in continuously varying regions. An average vertical displacement range of − 170 to + 82 mm per year was found, which was used to investigate the potential correlation with the most effective causative parameters of deformation. The densely populated areas of the study area experience an annual subsidence of 170 mm, and the less populated western region experiences an uplift of 82 mm annually. Land deformation varies along the coast of the study area, where the eastern region is highly reclaimed and is affected by erosion. Groundwater table-depleting regions experienced high levels of land subsidence, and tectonic activities controlled vertical displacement in the region. Major variation was detected after an earthquake occurred along fault lines. This study was designed because a non-linear approach is required to address ground movement activities acutely, and it will make it possible to plan surface infrastructure and handle issues brought on by subsidence more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystal size engineering allows tailoring of flexible metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to achieve new properties. The gating type flexibility of the DUT-8(Zn) ([Zn2(2,6-ndc)2(dabco)]n, 2,6-ndc = 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate, dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]-octane) compound is known to be extremely particle size sensitive. Here, the physisorption of ethanol vapor gives rise to so-called shape-memory effect, leading to rigidification and flexibility suppression. According to powder X-ray diffraction and nitrogen physisorption experiments, the open pore phase is retained selectively after desorption of alcohols, which could be attributed to the nano-structuring and surface deformation of the crystals as a result of exposure to alcohols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) has been widely adopted due to its simplicity and cost‐effectiveness. But until now, its application materials are still limited. Polyolefin material is one of the most commonly used plastics. However, low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) is rarely used in FFF due to the inadequate strength of the filaments and the warpage of the printed parts. In this work, polystyrene (PS) is added to LDPE to obtain blend filaments. After that, the filaments are used to validate the possibility of in situ microfibrillation directly in the process. The results show that the addition of PS can significantly improve the bending strength, bending modulus, and hardness without affecting the heat resistance and crystal transition of the composite. Besides, the PS dispersed phase can form microfibers under the influence of the shear field. The formation of microfibers can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of composites. The tensile strength and Young's modulus increase by 140% and 221%, respectively. The warping deformation and surface morphology of printed parts are also improved. This study provides a new idea for utilizing low‐strength polyolefin in 3D printing and achieving performance enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decades of research has been dedicated to investigating inverted pavement as an alternative to traditional flexible pavement structures. While previous studies have largely focused on the stress dependency of the unbound aggregate base (UAB) layer using numerical simulations, there is limited research on the construction and use of geogrid reinforcement in inverted pavement. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of full-scale inverted pavements, specifically assessing the impact of geogrid reinforcement on rutting performance. The results indicate that adding geogrid to the UAB layer improves rutting resistance, with optimal results achieved when the geogrid is placed in the upper third of the layer. On the other hand, when the geogrid was positioned in the bottom two-thirds of the layer, it led to inferior rutting performance compared to the inverted pavement where geogrid reinforcement was placed in the upper one-third of the UAB layer. Numerical simulations validate the field test results, demonstrating that higher tensile strains in the upper third location enhance aggregate interlocking and stiffness due to the geogrid's enhanced constraining capacity and reinforcement. Conversely, lower tensile strains in the bottom two-thirds location limit geogrid constraints, leading to increased rutting and surface deformation. • Structural performance of the inverted pavement was investigated using a full-scale accelerated pavement test. • Geogrid-reinforcing effect within the inverted pavement structure was evaluated. • Optimum position of biaxial geogrid within the unbound aggregate base layer in the inverted pavement was studied. • Geogrid-reinforcing mechanism within the unbound aggregate base layer in the inverted pavement was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating occurrence of landslides has drawn increasing attention from the scientific community, primarily driven by a combination of natural phenomena such as unpredictable seismic events, intensified precipitation, and rapid snowmelt attributable to climate fluctuations, compounded by inadequacies in engineering practices during site selection. Within the scope of this investigation, contemporary geodetic techniques using the GNSS were employed to monitor structural and surface deformations in and around a hospital edifice situated within an ancient fossil landslide region. Additionally, inclinometer measurements facilitated the determination of slip circle parameters. A subsequent analysis integrated these datasets to scrutinize both the hospital structure and its surrounding slopes. In addition to the finite element method, four different limit equilibrium methods (Bishop, GLE–Morgenstern–Price, Spencer, and Janbu) were used in the evaluation of stability. Since the safety number determined in all analyses was <1, it was determined that the slope containing the hospital building was unstable. The movement has occurred again due to the additional load created by the hospital building built on the currently stable slope, the effect of surface and groundwater, and the improperly designed road route. As a result of geodetic monitoring, it was determined that the sliding speed on the surface was in the N-E direction and was approximately 3 cm, and this situation almost coincided with inclinometer measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Heihe River Basin (HRB), located on the northeast margin of the Qilian Mountains, is China's second largest inland river basin. It is a typical oasis-type agricultural area in northwest China's arid and semiarid areas. It is important to monitor and investigate the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and mechanisms of surface deformation in HRB for the ecology of inland river basins. In recent years, research on HRB has mainly focused on hydrology, meteorology, geology, or biology. Few studies have conducted wide-area monitoring and mechanism analysis of the surface stability of HRB. In this study, an improved interferometric point target analysis InSAR (IPTA-InSAR) technique is used to process 101 Sentinel-1 SAR images from two adjacent track frames covering the HRB from 2019 to 2020. The wide-area deformation of the HRB is obtained first for this period. The results show that most of the surface around the HRB is relatively stable. There are six areas with an extensive deformation range and magnitude in the plain oasis area. The maximum deformation rate is more than 50 mm/year. The maximum seasonal subsidence and uplift along the satellites' line-of-sight (LOS) direction can be up to −70 mm and 60 mm, respectively. Moreover, we use the Google Earth Engine platform to process the multisource optical images and analyze the deformation areas. The remote sensing indicators of the deformation areas, such as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), soil moisture (SMMI), and precipitation, are obtained during the InSAR monitoring period. We combine these integrated remote sensing results with soil type and precipitation to analyze the surface deformations of the HRB. The spatiotemporal relationships between soil moisture, vegetation cover, and surface deformation of the HRB are revealed. The results will provide data support and reference for the healthy and sustainable development of the inland river basin economic zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-series Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology, renowned for its high-precision, wide coverage, and all-weather capabilities, has become an essential tool for Earth observation. However, the quality of the interferometric baseline network significantly influences the monitoring accuracy of InSAR technology. Therefore, optimizing the interferometric baseline is crucial for enhancing InSAR's monitoring accuracy. Surface vegetation changes can disrupt the coherence between SAR images, introducing incoherent noise into interferograms and reducing InSAR's monitoring accuracy. To address this issue, we propose and validate an optimization method for the InSAR baseline that considers changes in vegetation coverage (OM-InSAR-BCCVC) in the Yuanmou dry-hot valley. Initially, based on the imaging times of SAR image pairs, we categorize all interferometric image pairs into those captured during months of high vegetation coverage and those from months of low vegetation coverage. We then remove the image pairs with coherence coefficients below the category average. Using the Small Baseline Subset InSAR (SBAS-InSAR) technique, we retrieve surface deformation information in the Yuanmou dry-hot valley. Landslide identification is subsequently verified using optical remote sensing images. The results show that significant seasonal changes in vegetation coverage in the Yuanmou dry-hot valley lead to noticeable seasonal variations in InSAR coherence, with the lowest coherence in July, August, and September, and the highest in January, February, and December. The average coherence threshold method is limited in this context, resulting in discontinuities in the interferometric baseline network. Compared with methods without baseline optimization, the interferometric map ratio improved by 17.5% overall after applying the OM-InSAR-BCCVC method, and the overall inversion error RMSE decreased by 0.5 rad. From January 2021 to May 2023, the radar line of sight (LOS) surface deformation rate in the Yuanmou dry-hot valley, obtained after atmospheric correction by GACOS, baseline optimization, and geometric distortion region masking, ranged from −73.87 mm/year to 127.35 mm/year. We identified fifteen landslides and potential landslide sites, primarily located in the northern part of the Yuanmou dry-hot valley, with maximum subsidence exceeding 100 mm at two notable points. The OM-InSAR-BCCVC method effectively reduces incoherent noise caused by vegetation coverage changes, thereby improving the monitoring accuracy of InSAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring active volcanoes is necessary to analyze their current status to pose a mitigation hazard. Mount Melbourne is an active volcano that has erupted in the past, and future eruptions are possible. This condition could threaten future eruptions, particularly near scientific bases. Jang Bogo, a South Korean research station, is located only 30 km from the summit and could be affected by significant ash fallout in case of an explosive eruption. This condition leads to the necessity of observing Mount Melbourne's activity frequently. This study used Sentinel-1 SAR data acquired from 2017 to 2024 to monitor the volcanic activity of Mount Melbourne by utilizing InSAR multitemporal time-series analysis implementing the improved combined scatterers interferometry with optimized point scatterers (ICOPS) method. The ICOPS method combined persistent scatterer (PS) and distributed scatterer (DS) with measurement point (MP) optimization based on convolutional neural network (CNN) and optimized hot spot analysis (OHSA). The ICOPS measurement results maintain reliable MP along the Mount Melbourne summit and around Jang Bogo station. The absence of GPS stations around these two areas makes it difficult to validate the result with the ground truth measurement, so the comparison with another method, small baseline (SBAS) measurement, is made to evaluate the reliability of the ICOPS measurement points. The comparison between the MP from ICOPS and the SBAS methods shows a good correlation with R2 of about 0.8134 in the Melbourne area and 0.8678 in the Jang Bogo area. The selected time-series plot around the summit of Mount Melbourne and the Jang Bogo area shows a stable trend of surface deformation. Thus, a total accumulated deformation of around 0.82 cm and an average deformation of about 0.10 cm/year was found around Mount Melbourne. Meanwhile, the Jang Bogo area exhibits a total deformation of about 0.15 cm with an average deformation of about 0.02. Overall, this research is a preliminary study of the ability of the ICOPS algorithm to monitor volcanic activity in snow-covered areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to map and analyze the spatial pattern of the surface deformation associated with the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake (Mw7.5) using structure-from-motion/multi-view-stereo (SfM–MVS), an advanced photogrammetric technique. The analysis was conducted using digital aerial photographs with a ground pixel dimension of 0.2 m (captured the day after the earthquake). Horizontal locations of GCPs were determined using pre-earthquake data to remove the wide-area horizontal crustal deformation component. The elevations of the GCPs were corrected by incorporating quasi-vertical values derived from a 2.5-dimensional analysis of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) results. In the synclinorium structure area, where no active fault had previously been identified, we observed a 5 km long uplift zone (0.1 to 0.2 km in width), along with multiple scarps that reached a maximum height of 2.2 m. The area and shape of the surface deformation suggested that the induced uplift and surrounding landslides were related to fold structures and their growth. Thus, our study shows the efficacy of SfM–MVS with respect to accurately mapping earthquake-induced deformations, providing crucial data for understanding seismic activity and informing disaster-response strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Affected by geological factors, the scale of surface deformation in a hilly semi-desertification mining area varies. Meanwhile, there is certain dense vegetation on the ground, so it is difficult to construct a high-precision and complete image of a subsidence basin by using a single monitoring method, and hence the laws of the deformation and inversion of mining parameters cannot be known. Therefore, we firstly propose conducting collaborative monitoring by using InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar), UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), and 3DTLS (three-dimensional terrestrial laser scanning). The time-series complete surface subsidence basin is constructed by fusing heterogeneous data. In this paper, SBAS-InSAR (Small Baseline Subset) technology, which has the characteristics of reducing the time and space discorrelation, is used to obtain the small-scale deformation of the subsidence basin, oblique photogrammetry and 3D-TLS with strong penetrating power are used to obtain the anomaly and large-scale deformation, and the local polynomial interpolation based on the weight of heterogeneous data is used to construct a complete and high-precision subsidence basin. Compared with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) monitoring data, the mean square errors of 1.442 m, 0.090 m, 0.072 m are obtained. The root mean square error of the high-precision image of the subsidence basin data is 0.040 m, accounting for 1.4% of the maximum subsidence value. The high-precision image of complete subsidence basin data can provide reliable support for the study of surface subsidence law and mining parameter inversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Le'an Town, located in the southwest of Qingchuan County, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, boasts a unique geographical position. The town's terrain is complex, and its geological environment is fragile. Multiple phases of tectonic movements have resulted in numerous cracks and faults, making the area prone to landslides, debris flows, and other disasters. Additionally, heavy rainfall and fluctuating groundwater levels further exacerbate the instability of the mountains. Human activities, such as overdevelopment and deforestation, have significantly increased the risk of geological disasters. Currently, the methods for landslide prediction in Le'an Town are limited; traditional techniques cannot provide precise forecasts, and the study area is largely covered by tall vegetation. Therefore, this paper proposes a method that combines SBAS-InSAR technology with dynamic changes in land use and hydrological conditions. SBAS-InSAR technology is used to obtain surface deformation information, while land-use changes and hydrological condition data are incorporated to analyze the dynamic characteristics and potential influencing factors of landslide areas. The innovation of this method lies in its high-precision surface deformation monitoring capability and the integration of multi-source data, which can more comprehensively reveal the geological environmental characteristics of the study area, thereby achieving accurate predictions of landslide development. The study results indicate that the annual subsidence rate in most deformation areas of Le'an Town ranges from −10 to 0 mm, indicating slow subsidence. In some areas, the subsidence rate exceeds −50 mm per year, showing significant slope aspect differences, reflecting the combined effects of geological structures, climatic conditions, and human activities. It is evident that land-use changes and hydrological conditions have a significant impact on the occurrence and development of landslides. Therefore, by utilizing SBAS-InSAR technology and cross-verifying it with other techniques, the consistency of identified landslide deformation areas can be enhanced, thereby improving results. This method provides a scientific basis for the monitoring and early warning of landslide disasters and has important practical application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphing wing technology is crucial for enhancing the flight performance of aircraft. To address the monitoring challenges of full-scale variable-camber leading edges under flight conditions, this study introduces a ground-based strength testing technique aimed at precisely evaluating the deformation patterns and structural strength during actual operation. Firstly, the motion characteristics of the variable-camber leading edge were analyzed using numerical simulation based on kinematic theory. Secondly, a tracking loading test rig was designed and constructed to simulate the actuated deformation and aerodynamic loads of the leading edge. Next, mechanical boundary numerical simulation was then utilized to predict the motion trajectories of loading points on the upper and lower wing surfaces, and a multi-point coordinated control system was developed to achieve accurate experimental control. Finally, a multi-sensor iterative method was employed to ensure loading precision throughout the testing process. A case study was conducted using a leading edge test piece from a specific commercial aircraft. The results indicated that in the motion test of the variable-camber leading edge, the average error of the deflection angle was 4.59%; in the strength test, the average errors in the magnitude and direction of the applied load were 0.54% and 0.24%, respectively. These findings validate the effectiveness of the proposed technique in simulating the flight conditions of deforming wings and accurately obtaining the leading edge shape change curve, deformation accuracy curve, and strain curves of the upper and lower wing surfaces under deflection angles. Furthermore, this paper compares the deformation accuracy of different testing methods under test conditions, providing scientific evidence and technical support for the testing and evaluation of variable-camber leading edges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: On September 20, 2019, the Jungong ancient landslide in Lajia Town, Maqin County, Qinghai Province, China suffered a local failure, which led to the interruption of traffic and seriously threatened the safety of local resident's lives and properties. It is urgent to find out the deformation area and deformation law of the ancient landslide, and to provide the support for prevention and control engineering design, monitoring and early warning. Methods: First, using high-resolution satellite images, digital elevation model data and combined with field investigations, the ancient landslide were zoned based on landslide morphological characteristics and signs of deformations; further, Sentinel-1 radar satellite descending data from January 2017 to December 2020 were used to analyze the surface deformation characteristics and deformation patterns of the ancient landslide based on small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar technology (SBAS-InSAR). Results: Based on the morphological characteristics and deformation signs of the landslide, the ancient landslide was divided into four sub-areas. The SBAS-InSAR results show that the ancient landslide is in a continuous slow creeping state. The strong deformation area of the landslide is mainly located in the road excavation section. Human activities greatly disturb the stability of the ancient landslide. The deformation rate of the strong deformation area of the landslide has a good relationship with rainfall. Conclusions: Although the ancient landslide has been partially treated with anti-slide piles and other projects, the ancient landslide has multi-level sliding surfaces, and the depth of the existing anti-slide piles is not enough. Although the ancient landslide has played a certain role in anti-slide, it has not completely prevented the creep deformation of the land‐ slide. It is suggested that the subsequent treatment projects should use drilling and other exploration techniques to find out the depth of the multi-level sliding surfaces before designing, and installing onsite real-time monitoring and early warning equipment such as crack meters in the strongly deformed areas. Combined with the medium and long-term monitoring of radar satellite InSAR, a point-surface monitoring and early warning system could be realized [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The response law of ancient (old) landslides in the reservoir area is an important research topic. Previous research primarily analyzed real-time surface displacement and reservoir water level data. However, professional monitoring conditions are often lacking on most reservoir bank slopes. This complicates tracking the landslide's historical deformation. Satellite and airborne remote sensing platforms enable multi-scale, long-term monitoring of landslide deformation and damage. Methods: This study employs multi-source three-dimensional observation technologies including aerial, space-based, and terrestrial platforms to monitor the deformation and evolution of the Pubugou Hydropower Station's Hongyanzi landslide over approximately 10 years. It utilizes unmanned aerial vehicle photography (optical imaging) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) for detailed topographic mapping and deformation analysis from 2009 to 2020. Additionally, time-series interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology is used to track long-term surface deformations from October 2014 to July 2020. Field investigations have identified typical deformation and failure characteristics of the landslide, incorporating geological conditions and external factors such as rainfall and reservoir water levels to analyze causal mechanisms and dynamic trends. Results: The irregularly semicircular Hongyanzi landslide spans 20-50 m in thickness, encompasses approximately 15.53 million m³ in volume, and slides at an approximate bearing of 340°. Composed of quaternary pebbled stones, silty sand, and clay, the landslide's bed slopes between 20° and 25°. Its lithology includes Emeishan Formation basalt and Yangxin Formation dolomite. Existing since 2006 or earlier, the landslide features elements like walls and steps. LiDAR imagery from 2009 clearly delineates its boundaries, though it shows no new signs of deformation or failure. Following reservoir impoundment, the reactivated landslide develops new, widening cracks along its rear edge. Post-reactivation, the landslide predominantly undergos uniform deformation, with more significant movement at the trailing edge than the leading edge, without marked acceleration. Heavy rainfall is the most significant control factor, imparting stepwise deformation characteristics to the landslide. Conclusions: A comprehensive analysis of multi-source data reveals that phenomena like the Hongyanzi landslide exhibit typical long-term, gradual, and seasonal movements. Long-term InSAR effectively captures these characteristics. Multi-stage optical remote sensing and surface point cloud data from LiDAR, after vegetation removal, enable more intuitive comparisons of macroscopic deformation across different landslide areas. Integrating this with geological assessments and field investigations allows for detailed engineering analyses to ascertain the causes, patterns, and future trends of landslide activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The continuous exploitation of the Liaohe Delta oilfield has resulted in severe surface subsidence, impacting oil recovery rates, production operations, and posing threats to surface infrastructure and ecological environments. To ensure the safe exploitation of underground fluid resources and protect the regional environment, monitoring implementation is needed for this region. Methods: The method of small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS-InSAR) technology with coherence information as weights was used to analyze the surface deformation. Using the fusion decomposition of synthetic aperture radar descending and ascending orbit results to extract both vertical and horizontal east-west deformation within the Shuguang oilfield area. Subsequently, a reservoir compaction-induced subsidence inversion model is applied to the Shuguang oilfield to simulate and interpret the observed subsidence phenomena, linking them to the underground fluid resource exploitation activities.Results: The results reveal significant ground subsidence throughout the Liaohe Delta region, particularly in the Shuguang oilfield and Huanxiling oilfield. The average line of sight subsidence rates reaching 158 mm/a and 73 mm/a, respectively. In the Shuguang oilfield, there is horizontal movement towards the subsidence center, with approximately equal magnitudes of movement on the east and west sides. The maximum horizontal movement rate is observed to be − 62 mm/a (westward motion). Furthermore, the reservoir compaction and subsidence model based on Shuguang oilfield reservoir parameters effectively invert the maximum subsidence position at the center of the oilfield, with subsidence range and magnitude consistent with the InSAR observation results. Conclusions: The study concludes that continuous exploitation of oil has led to significant ground subsidence in the Liaohe Delta region, especially in Shuguang oilfield and Huanxiling oilfield, with clear patterns of subsidence and horizontal movement detected using SBASInSAR technology. The developed reservoir compaction-induced subsidence inversion model proves effective in simulating subsidence phenomena associated with oilfield operations. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and managing subsidence risks to ensure the safe exploitation of underground resources and to protect regional ecological environments in the Liaohe Delta region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Geological hazard points and hidden danger points are the data basis for geological hazard evaluation, while the existing records of geological hazard points have poor timeliness and are incomplete. To solve this problem, the deformation information obtained by multi-temporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) was integrated into the geological hazard evaluation model. And we explore how to make better use of the deformation information. Methods: The greater the deformation level, the greater the possibility of geological hazards. This paper not only takes the deformation points obtained by multi-temporal InSAR as the geological hazard points/hidden danger points, but also integrates the deformation level information obtained by multi-temporal InSAR as an evaluation factor into the susceptibility evaluation model, making full use of the effective deformation information obtained by multi-temporal InSAR. And the evaluation model adopts the coupling model based on information value model and the analytic hierarchy process model to obtain the susceptibility evaluation and zoning of the geological hazards in Baiyin City, Gansu Province,China. Results: Through the verification of the existing geological disaster point data, it is found that the partitions in this paper are in good agreement with the existing geological hazard points distribution.In the designated extremely high-prone areas, there are nearly 8 geological disaster points within 10 km2 , while less than one in the extremely low-prone areas. Conclusion: The multi-temporal InSAR deformation information added to the geological hazard evaluation model greatly improves the timeliness and quantity of records of geological hazard points/hidden points. However, only one kind of synthetic aperture radar data cannot completely identify all geological hazard points/hidden danger points, due to the limitations of incidence angle and microwave wavelength. In the futher work, we will focus on the combination of multiple deformation monitoring technologies to jointly monitor surface deformation, such as multi-sensor and multi-track InSAR technology, airborne light laser detection and ranging and high-resolution optical remote sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Pixel offset tracking (POT) for optical remote sensing imagery is widely used to invert coseismic deformation fields and monitor landslides. Traditional pixel offset tracking method estimates the displacement of the central pixel by searching for the matching window with the highest correlation, which is computationally inefficient and suffers from inaccurate deformation boundary extraction due to the decoherence effects in the region with dynamical deformation. We introduce the optical flow field model commonly used in computer vision to the pixel offset tracking problem to obtain accurate surface deformation efficiently. Methods: The optical flow field method applicable to optical remote sensing images and the improved inversion algorithm for the time series analysis are proposed to inverse the surface deformation. Experiments on the simulated coseismic deformation fields in Tajikistan are detailed to assess the feasibility and the minimum detectable deformation of the optical flow field method. The advantages of the proposed method over computational cost and deformation boundary extraction accuracy are illustrated by the co-seis‐mic deformation field of the California earthquake and the displacement of the Baige landslide. Further‐ more, the performance on estimating large gradient deformation and the robustness of the improved time series inversion algorithm are discussed by analyzing the time series deformation of the Baige landslide. Results: The results show that compared with the traditional window correlation matching method, the optical flow field method has an offset tracking accuracy of 0.032 pixel, which improves the computational efficiency by about 20 times, and the accuracy of the deformation zone is improved by 25.9%. The time series weighted inversion algorithm reduces the uncertainties in the estimation of east-west and north-south dis‐ placements of optical remote sensing images by 16.2% and 12.4%, respectively. Conclusions: The pro‐ posed method alleviates the pixel offset tracking problem in the boundary region with large gradient deformation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 3 month long eruption of Kı̄lauea volcano, Hawaii in 2018, the pre‐existing summit caldera collapsed in over 60 quasi‐periodic failure events. The last 40 of these events, which generated Mw > 5 very long period (VLP) earthquakes, had inter‐event times between 0.8 and 2.2 days. These failure events offer a unique data set for testing methods for predicting earthquake recurrence based on locally recorded GPS, tilt, and seismicity data. In this work, we train a deep learning graph neural network (GNN) to predict the time‐to‐failure of the caldera collapse events using only a fraction of the data recorded at the start of each cycle. We find that the GNN generalizes to unseen data and can predict the time‐to‐failure to within a few hours using only 0.5 days of data, substantially improving upon a null model based only on inter‐event statistics. Predictions improve with increasing input data length, and are most accurate when using high‐SNR tilt‐meter data. Applying the trained GNN to synthetic data with different magma‐chamber pressure decay times predicts failure at a nearly constant stress threshold, revealing that the GNN is sensing the underling physics of caldera collapse. These findings demonstrate the predictability of caldera collapse sequences under well monitored conditions, and highlight the potential of machine learning methods for forecasting real world catastrophic events with limited training data. Plain Language Summary: During the summer of 2018, Kı̄lauea volcano, Hawaii, experienced a dramatic series of large earthquakes, coinciding with the collapse of the summit caldera in a series of repeated failure events. These collapse events occurred periodically, with inter‐event timings between 0.8 and 2.2 days. Because of the significance of this event, there is interest to understand more about the dynamics of this collapse sequence. We study whether observational measurements of deformation recorded on the surface of the volcano carry signatures that indicate the timing of the upcoming collapse events. By using machine learning, we train a series of models that aim to predict the time‐to‐failure of each cycle based on the observed deformation data, and we experiment with using different combinations of input data sets. We find our models can accurately predict the timing of most collapse events to within a few hours, including for events that the models were never trained on and that have longer durations than the training events. These results shed new light on the dynamics and predictability of the Kı̄lauea caldera collapse sequence. Key Points: A sequence of >M5 caldera collapse earthquakes occurred at Kı̄lauea Volcano with recurrence intervals of 0.8–2.2 daysA Graph Neural Network trained with locally recorded GPS and tilt data could predict failure times of most collapse events to within a few hoursThe deep learning model generalizes to cycles longer than the training cycles and can handle arbitrarily long time series inputs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large bursts of non‐volcanic tremor ("major" tremor episodes) correlated with geodetic deformation recur regularly in the Cascadia subduction zone and are often called episodic tremor and slip (ETS). Minor episodes of tremor between ETS are ubiquitous but have been understudied. This paper assesses time‐invariant characteristics of tremor episodes of all sizes within northern Cascadia. We derive a catalog of tremor episodes ranging in size from 10 to >13,000 tremor events using the results of 17 years of tremor monitoring. Minor episodes represent ∼96% of all 896 tremor episodes and their occurrence varies on 10‐km scales. Using estimates for the depth of the forearc Moho and subducting slab, we observe an association between the location of the forearc mantle corner (FMC) and tremor occurrence that leads to along‐dip modality. Bimodality, present in southern Washington and Vancouver Island, represents the segmentation of major and minor episodes up‐dip and down‐dip of the FMC, respectively. Unimodality, present in Puget Sound, results when the FMC is located near the down‐dip edge of the ETS zone and no segmentation occurs. We also use our extensive tremor episode catalog alongside three‐dimensional regional tomographic velocity models to reassess the relationship between tremor activity and low Vp/Vs signatures in the forearc. We do not find a correlation between tremor episode recurrence intervals and Vp/Vs, contrary to some previous work, suggesting that controls on silica precipitation in the forearc crust are not dominant controls of tremor episode recurrence, or that the association is not widely observable. Plain Language Summary: The Cascadia subduction zone hosts slow earthquakes that are observed as non‐volcanic tremor and surface deformation. Tremor events are typically clustered in time and space, and we define minor and major tremor episodes to be clusters consisting of small and large numbers of tremor events, respectively. Based on a 17‐year record of tremor in northern Cascadia, we use observations of a wide range of episode sizes (10 to >13,000 tremor events) to investigate their spatial characteristics and improve our understanding of the subduction zone. We find that the intersection of the upper‐plate crust/mantle boundary and the subducting plate, called the forearc mantle corner, controls the distribution of tremor along the dip‐direction of the subduction zone as well as the separation of major and minor episodes. From this, we infer that the forearc mantle corner creates a variety of physical conditions that result in specific spatial patterns of tremor behaviors. We also use our record of tremor episodes to reassess the relationship between upper‐plate composition and the recurrence of tremor episodes. Contrary to previous work, we do not find any link between the two, suggesting that processes controlling tremor episode recurrence do not significantly influence the composition of the continental crust. Key Points: Tremor episodes in northern Cascadia are defined from the longest tremor catalog spanning the years 2006–2023Spatial bimodality of tremor along dip results from major and minor episode segmentation controlled by the forearc mantle cornerEpisode recurrence intervals are not correlated with tomographic forearc Vp/Vs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double-walled carbon nanotube-yttria-stabilized ZrO2 nanocomposites are prepared by a mixing route followed by Spark Plasma Sintering. The double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) have been previously subjected to a covalent functionalization. The nanocomposites present a high densification and show a homogenous dispersion of DWCNTs into a matrix about 100 nm in size. The DWCNTs are well distributed at the matrix grain boundaries but form larger bundles upon the increase in carbon content. The Vickers microhardness of the nanocomposites decreases regularly upon the increase in carbon content. Incorporation of carbon at contents higher than 2 wt.% results in significantly lower friction coefficients, both against alumina and steel balls, possibly because of the elastic deformation of the DWCNTs at the surface of the sample. Their presence also favors a reduction of the steel/ceramic contacts and reduces the wear of the steel ball at high loads. DWCNTs improve wear resistance and reduce friction without incurring any severe damage, contrary to multi-walled carbon nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In natural rock masses, joints or fractures usually occur at different penetrations. To study the deformation and failure behavior of rock mass with different fracture penetrations, a series of triaxial compression experiments were conducted on rock specimens containing prefabricated fracture at penetrations of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The results show that the greater the fracture penetration and the smaller the strength of the rock sample, the more obvious the plastic deformation section of the stress–strain curve. Confining pressure can greatly improve the compressive strength of rock samples. For intact rock samples, confining pressure will change the failure mode from tensile failure to shear failure. For fractured rock samples, the confining pressure will aggravate the degree of damage to the rock sample. PFC 3D simulation shows that the failure process of rock samples is accompanied by the transformation of strain energy to damping energy and particle sliding energy, which can quantitatively characterise the damage process of rock. The increasing trend of crack number is slow-steep-slow, which is the 'S' type. It began to grow rapidly after reaching peak strength and gradually stabilised after reaching residual strength. It is consistent with the trend of energy change. The article carried out multi-scale experimental study of fractured rock mass with the same length and different penetration. The larger the fracture penetration, the lower the strength of the rock sample, and the more complex the crack when it is destroyed. The article analysed and summarised the mechanical properties and failure modes of rock samples with different fissures under different confining pressures and clearly recognised the deterioration effect of fissure penetration on rock samples. PFC 3D was used to simulate the test, which clearly showed the crack propagation process of fractured rock samples under triaxial compression, quantitatively characterised the damage law and revealed the failure mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slope on the left side of the spillway tunnel at Wudongde Hydropower Station's water cushion pool exhibited significant deformation during excavation. Based on long-term monitoring data, an analysis was conducted on the deformation mechanism of the stratified rock and soil slope. A geological model of a high and very steep slope was established using FLAC3D to evaluate its stability. It was observed that the left stratified rock and slope at the spillway tunnel is prone to deformation due to long-term construction disturbance and fissure water seepage. Construction disturbance strongly impacts the artificially excavated area below 1070 m, while it has limited influence on the mountain above 1070 m. The maximum rock deformation and surface displacement reached 92.2 mm and 312.5 mm, respectively. After water filling, there will be a significant increase in deformation for the natural mountain on the left bank at the outlet of the spillway tunnel; however, deformations in unexcavated parts of this natural mountain remain below 20 mm. Furthermore, deformation of the left bank was higher compared to those observed in the right bank. Numerical simulation indicates that once the excavation is complete, fundamental safety factor of approximately 1.3 can be achieved for the left bank slope at the exit from the spillway tunnel. The rate of increase in deformation for the water cushion pond behind the dam is slight over time, and the trend of displacement change in-situ monitoring is mostly consistent without numerical calculation, eventually showing a convergence trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a physics-informed fusion methodology for deformation detection using multi-sensor thermal data. A challenge with additive manufacturing (AM) is that abnormalities commonly occur due to rapid changes in the thermal gradient. Different non-destructive in-situ thermal sensors capture parts of the thermal history but are limited by the visible temperature spectrum and sensor field of view of the fabrication process. Various sensors mitigate problems with the loss of thermal history information; however, it brings forth challenges with integrating different data streams and the need to interpolate the internal thermal history. This study develops a thermal data-informed heat flux methodology that fills the gap in fusing numerical temperature approximation with data-driven knowledge of the surface of additive manufactured components. First, this study fuses infrared (IR) thermal data complexities during the AM process with the Goldak double ellipsoidal heat flux to model the energy input into the component. Second, a thermal physics-informed model input (PIMI) is created with thermal data-informed heat flux to capture internal thermal history. Lastly, a regression convolutional neural network (CNN) captures the relationship between the three-dimensional thermal gradient and the resulting surface deformation. The rapid thermal gradient formation and identification of deformation is a key step toward using thermal history data and machine learning to improve quality control in AM. The proposed surface deformation detection model achieved an mean squared error of 1.14 mm and an R² of 0.89 in the case study when fabricating thin-walled structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abnormal deformation of urban surfaces threatens the human living environment, and extreme regional weather can affect the response law of surface deformation. To explore the changes in surface time series response after extreme weather and the causes of deformation in Zhengzhou, the MTInSAR was used to obtain the surface deformation from 2020 to 2022, and the time series changes of groundwater equivalent water height were retrieved by GRACE. The results show that: (a) There are three large subsidence bowls in Zhengzhou, and the maximum subsidence rate is −40.2 mm/yr. (b) The extreme rainstorm in Zhengzhou alleviated the surface deformation quickly, lasting approximately 6 months. However, surface subsidence still occurred after the extreme rainstorm. The water storage coefficient of the elastic skeleton in the Zhengzhou area showed an increasing trend. (c) Precipitation can lead to surface uplift by influencing the change of groundwater level. There is a delay time of 0.75–1 month between groundwater level change and surface uplift response in the characteristic region. These results provide scientific data support and causal analysis for disaster prevention and reduction of abnormal deformation in Zhengzhou. Key Points: Impact of extreme rainstorm on surface in Zhengzhou from 2020 to 2022There are three subsidence bowls in Zhengzhou area, and the uneven deformation is obviousExtreme rainstorm weather can alleviate the occurrence of surface subsidence in short term [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The period of more than twenty years in which recent movements in the Mountainous Altai were measured by methods of satellite geodesy includes various phases of the seismic process. A network consisting of 20 observing stations extends over a large area from Novosibirsk City in the north to the Mongolian border in the south, from the border with Kazakhstan in the west to the Sayan Mountains in the east. The Chuya earthquake of September 2003 divides, in a natural manner, the period of observation from 2000 to 2022 into several phases: the preseismic (2000‒2003), the coseismic (2003‒2004), the postseismic phase for the epicentral area of the Chuya earthquake (2004‒2013), and the interseismic phase for the other regions of the Mountainous Altai that have not been seriously affected by the earthquake (2000‒2022). The data supplied by multiyear measurements were analyzed using special programs of the most recent modifications. We have identified conspicuous features in the displacement fields during each phase: anomalous displacement rates before the Chuya earthquake, the coseismic displacements during the earthquake, postseismic effects in the epicentral zone, and slow tectonic movements. Our interpretation relied on 2D and 3D elastic and viscoelastic models of the crust. The depth of focus has been determined (14 km), as well as the two-meter relative right lateral displacement jump on the seismic fault. With a two-layered model, we obtained the value of viscosity in the lower crust for a variety of elastic modulus values η = 5 × 1019‒1.1 × 1020 Pa s. The recent movements in that part of the Mountainous Altai which has not been affected by the Chuya earthquake were 0.8 mm/yr toward NNW. The rate of surface deformation in the southern mountainous part reached 2 × 10–8/yr in the epoch 2000‒2022, which is an order of magnitude higher than that in the northern flat part of the area of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applied to the epicardium in-vivo , regenerative cardiac patches support the ventricular wall, reduce wall stresses, encourage ventricular wall thickening, and improve ventricular function. Scaffold engraftment, however, remains a challenge. After implantation, scaffolds are subject to the complex, time-varying, biomechanical environment of the myocardium. The mechanical capacity of engineered tissue to biomimetically deform and simultaneously support the damaged native tissue is crucial for its efficacy. To date, however, the biomechanical response of engineered tissue applied directly to live myocardium has not been characterized. In this paper, we utilize optical imaging of a Langendorff ex-vivo cardiac model to characterize the native deformation of the epicardium as well as that of attached engineered scaffolds. We utilize digital image correlation, linear strain, and 2D principal strain analysis to assess the mechanical compliance of acellular ice templated collagen scaffolds. Scaffolds had either aligned or isotropic porous architecture and were adhered directly to the live epicardial surface with either sutures or cyanoacrylate glue. We demonstrate that the biomechanical characteristics of native myocardial deformation on the epicardial surface can be reproduced by an ex-vivo cardiac model. Furthermore, we identified that scaffolds with unidirectionally aligned pores adhered with suture fixation most accurately recapitulated the deformation of the native epicardium. Our study contributes a translational characterization methodology to assess the physio-mechanical performance of engineered cardiac tissue and adds to the growing body of evidence showing that anisotropic scaffold architecture improves the functional biomimetic capacity of engineered cardiac tissue. Engineered cardiac tissue offers potential for myocardial repair, but engraftment remains a challenge. In-vivo , engineered scaffolds are subject to complex biomechanical stresses and the mechanical capacity of scaffolds to biomimetically deform is critical. To date, the biomechanical response of engineered scaffolds applied to live myocardium has not been characterized. In this paper, we utilize optical imaging of an ex-vivo cardiac model to characterize the deformation of the native epicardium and scaffolds attached directly to the heart. Comparing scaffold architecture and fixation method, we demonstrate that sutured scaffolds with anisotropic pores aligned with the native alignment of the superficial myocardium best recapitulate native deformation. Our study contributes a physio-mechanical characterization methodology for cardiac tissue engineering scaffolds. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instead of pickling and solvent fluxing in the conventional batch hot-dip galvanizing, ball-milling pretreatment was used to study the crystal orientation of the Q235 steel surface and the structure growth of the Zn-5 wt pct Al coating. The results show that both pickling (P) and ball-milling (BM) treatments effectively eliminate rust without changing the phase composition and the structure of the Q235 matrix surface. The surface grains of both P-Q235 and BM-Q235 exhibit preferential orientation relationships. The ordering of the area fractions for grains with different orientations is (101) > (001) > (111). In this case, the area fraction of (101) crystalline decreases from 52 pct in P-Q235 to 39 pct in BM-Q235, which is caused by the rearrangement of grain internal crystallography induced by plastic deformation on the surface of the BM-Q235 matrix. The change in grain size on the surface of the matrix was negligible, decreasing from 6.9 ± 1.2 μm in P-Q235 to 6.0 ± 1.5 μm in BM-Q235. The free energy at Fe-Al interfaces with different crystallographic orientations is calculated based on first-principle simulations, and the influence of α-Fe grains with varying crystallographic orientations on the nucleation and the growth of Fe-Al alloy phases is studied. The results show that the bonding between Al and α-Fe is anisotropic. The free energy of the Fe-Al systems on the Fe crystal plane exhibit the order of (101) < (001) < (111), and the Fe(101) system demonstrates a significantly lower free energy than others. In comparison to the Al crystal plane, the Fe crystal plane exerts a more pronounced influence on the free energy of the Fe-Al system. The Fe(101) surface shows a tendency for the preferential nucleation of the Fe-Al alloy phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslide hazards pose a significant threat to lives and infrastructure, especially in mountainous regions like the Three Gorges Reservoir area. While the mechanisms driving landslide initiation and progression in reservoir environments are not fully understood. This study aimed to leverage the capabilities of Sentinel-1 satellite imagery and the Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique to detect and monitor potential landslide deformations in Yunyang County, Chongqing, China. We utilized Sentinel-1 data acquired between January 1, 2020, and December 28, 2022, to generate deformation velocity maps. Twelve potential landslides were identified, primarily concentrated near residential areas and along the Yangtze River. Precipitation emerged as the primary driver of surface deformation and landslide initiation, with potential landslides in residential vicinities and along the river exhibiting significantly higher deformation rates during the wet season compared to the dry season. These sites are susceptible to slope failures and geological disasters upon reaching critical antecedent rainfall thresholds, highlighting the necessity for continuous monitoring. Other potential landslides maintained consistent deformation rates across seasons but experienced brief accelerations following heavy precipitation events. Notably, potential landslides adjacent to the Yangtze River experienced accelerated deformation during periods of significant river water level reductions, suggesting that the river's cyclical water level fluctuations influence slope stability. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of SBAS-InSAR in detecting millimetric deformations in incipient landslides, a crucial step in averting landslide disasters and ensuring public safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]