As shallow mineral and energy resources become depleted, deep resource extraction and large-scale underground engineering have become inevitable. However, deep geological environments pose extreme challenges due to high in-situ stress, high water pressure, high salinity, elevated temperature, and strong dynamic disturbances. These coupled conditions often trigger large deformation, rockburst, water inrush, collapse, and corrosion of engineering materials, threatening both structural safety and durability. Traditional geotechnical materials and reinforcement technologies generally lack adaptability, durability, and repair capacity under such aggressive conditions. Meanwhile, rapid progress in materials science—particularly in nano-engineering, biomimetic self-healing, corrosion-resistant design, and solid waste recycling—offers new opportunities to enhance the resilience and intelligence of hazard prevention systems in deep underground applications.
This Research Topic aims to advance the transition from passive hazard resistance to active prevention and intelligent control in deep underground engineering, with a focus on the development and application of advanced structural materials. It encourages research that explores novel grouting, flexible support, and energy-absorbing anchoring materials capable of withstanding extreme deep conditions; functional materials with self-healing, self-sensing, and phase-change storage properties for real-time hazard perception and adaptive regulation; and cemented backfill materials derived from industrial solid wastes, balancing hazard control with sustainability. Additionally, the Research Topic welcomes modelling studies linking material performance to rock mass mechanical behaviour and integrating multi-source monitoring and digital twin frameworks to establish material-based early warning and dynamic response systems for deep geological hazards.
To further promote safe and sustainable deep engineering, this Research Topic welcomes Original Research articles, Reviews, and Perspectives focusing on innovative materials and technologies for underground hazard prevention and control. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
o Advanced grouting, anchoring, and shotcreting materials for high-stress, high-salinity, and high-temperature deep environments
o Nano-modification, fibre reinforcement, biomimetic and corrosion-resistant strategies to improve structural performance and durability
o Solid waste-based cemented backfill materials and their effects on long-term rock stability
o Functional materials such as self-healing, self-sensing, and phase-change systems for early warning and adaptive control
o Coupled mechanical and environmental behaviour of rock–material systems and material-based mitigation strategies for rockburst, water inrush, and corrosion-induced failure
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Opinion
Original Research
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Opinion
Original Research
Perspective
Review
Technology and Code
Keywords: Deep engineering hazards, High-performance grouting materials, Advanced support materials, Nano-modified materials, Self-healing materials, Corrosion-resistant materials, Solid waste-based cemented materials, Rock mechanics, Surrounding rock stability
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
