## 3 Highlights and Key Contributions of Published Articles
### Mechanical Properties and Models of Rock  
The study of rock mechanics properties is fundamental to various areas of engineering research related to rocks, and its importance is evident. The following section investigates issues related to the creep and shear characteristics of rocks. [PERSON] et al. (contribution 5) derived the discrete equations for Darcy flow and Forchheimer flow in fractures based on the finite volume method and proposed a solution method for coupled seepage flow. Using this method, they studied the nonlinear seepage characteristics of deeply buried fractured rock mass tunnels under high water head conditions. The results show that the flow velocity at the bottom of the tunnel is greater than that at the top. The flow rate along the fracture's flow direction is also greater than that perpendicular to it, with a maximum difference of up to 60 times. The uniformity and density of fracture distribution are important factors influencing the hydraulic characteristics of fractured rock mass tunnels. The more concentrated and dense the fractures are in the direction of water pressure, the greater the water conductivity of the surrounding rock and the flow rate in the tunnel. [PERSON] et al. (contribution 6) constructed an analytical method of sized slate stability based on the equivalent support stiffness method. A stability analysis of the roof slab of Yuanjue Cave was carried out by establishing a three-dimensional numerical calculation model. Through comparative analysis of the results of stress and displacement fields under different conditions, the stress and deformation characteristics of the roof slab were revealed, and a study of the main factors affecting the stability of the roof slab and the key slate to be monitored was conducted. [PERSON] et al. (contribution 9) improved a viscoplastic model using fractal theory and a scale transformation method, developing a new damage-inclusive transient creep model to describe the entire creep process of anthracite. They studied the effects of the damage variable on the initial and accelerated creep through staged-loading creep tests. Based on experimental data, they performed an inversion of the model's parameters and a sensitivity analysis. The model was able to explain how the damage content affected the initial and accelerated creep strains under different loading levels, revealing a specific functional relationship between them. [PERSON] et al. (contribution 11) explored the cyclic shear properties and strength degradation mechanisms of argillaceous siltstone rockfill, important for analyzing high-fill slope stability. Using cyclic direct shear test apparatus, they assessed how varying coarse particle content affects the shear strength, hysteresis area, damping ratio, shear strength parameters, and shear stiffness. Their findings reveal that the shear strength of the rockfill is significantly influenced by both the content and number of coarse particles. [PERSON] et al. (contribution 12) examined the creep and hardening characteristics of anthracite coal under static-dynamic coupled loading, which is crucial for the stability of remaining coal pillars in remining areas. Graded-loading creep tests with varying rates showed that dynamic pressure accelerates instability. The key findings included an increase in the instantaneous elastic modulus and a decrease in strain rate, indicating hardening; an increase in the modulus by 0.16 to 2.32 times as the loading rates rise from 0.01 to 0.1 mm/s; and a sudden modulus increase at failure stress, explaining instantaneous failure. A functional relationship was established to describe how loading rates affect creep and hardening, aiding in predicting creep damage. [PERSON] et al. (contribution 23) examined the mechanical properties of steel-polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete after exposure to high temperatures using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar. Tests were conducted at six temperature levels and three impact pressures.