Rocks are encountered in the fields of mining, civil construction, gas storage, hydraulic fracturing, and other geotechnical engineering fields. However, due to their complex structures and variety of ground conditions, there is a need for better characterization and quantification methods. Rock masses in the geological environment may be in extreme temperatures, under high in situ stresses and other variable physical and chemical conditions. Therefore, an improved understanding of the properties of rock mass, including the deformation and strength characteristics of rock mass and the interactions between flowing fluids and rocks is of great importance.

This Special Issue will collect high-quality original research articles and review papers reflecting the advances in research into the mechanical characteristics of rock masses, their behaviors under different extreme conditions and interactions between fluid and rock masses. They could be based on theoretical or numerical studies, or laboratory experiments.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Behaviour of rock masses under high temperature, high ground stress and other extreme physical and chemical conditions
• Deformation and strength characteristics of rocks and rock masses
• New physical testing methods for rocks and models of rock behaviour
• Probability and risk in rock engineering under different extreme conditions
• Seepage in rock masses and prevention methods
• The effects of extreme conditions on the corrosion and erosion in rock masses
• Heat & mass transfer and fluid flow in shale gas reservoirs
• Other rock mechanical problems caused by extreme conditions in geotechnical engineering