Uniaxial step cyclic loading and unloading tests on siltstone were conducted to investigate the mechanisms and evolution characteristics of rock deformation, including elastic, viscoelastic, and plastic aspects. This study proposes a method for separating dissipated energy into damage energy, which is used for particle slippage and structural fractures, and plastic energy, which remains in cracks that do not open after unloading. Additionally, elastic energy is divided into particle elastic energy, released by particle rebound, and crack elastic energy, released by the reopening of compacted cracks. The results indicate that as the stress amplitude increases, the damage energy consumption, plastic energy consumption, particle elastic energy, and crack elastic energy increase. At peak stress, significant expansion and penetration of cracks within the rock sample occur, leading to a sharp increase in damage energy consumption and a dramatic decrease in the rock sample’s mechanical properties, with the particle elastic energy dropping quickly. Plastic energy dissipation relates solely to cracks that do not reopen during unloading, with minimal change after reaching peak stress. The calculated damage variables, based on damage energy consumption, align with the deformation and energy characteristics of the rock, providing a reasonable description of the damage development process of the rock under cyclic loading and unloading.

Digital inspection technologies are increasingly being adopted in the construction industry to improve efficiency, decision quality, and sustainability performance. Mixed reality (MR) systems can reduce rework, minimise human error, and support resource-efficient inspection processes. However, empirical evidence on how perceptions of efficiency and safety influence professional acceptance of MR technologies remains limited. This study investigates the adoption of MR for construction inspection using an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) that incorporates task efficiency and safety perception as domain-specific human factors. A within-subjects scenario-based experimental design was applied, in which 103 construction professionals evaluated four inspection modalities: HoloLens MR, smart glasses, tablet-based systems, and traditional paper-based methods. Data was analysed using linear mixed-effects models, structural equation modelling, mediation analysis, and dominance analysis. The results show that HoloLens MR achieved the highest perceived efficiency and safety perception, while imposing the lowest cognitive demand. Perceived efficiency was a strong predictor of device preference and significantly predicted perceived usefulness (β = 0.322, p < 0.001), which fully mediated its effect on behavioural intention. Safety perception accounted for a substantial proportion of the variance in user evaluations (η² = 0.237). These findings indicate that sustainable adoption of MR in construction inspection depends on combined perceptions of efficiency gains, usability, and safety support.

Mixed Reality (MR) technologies are increasingly used in construction to support inspection, visualization, and coordination. Despite growing adoption, the scientific understanding of how construction professionals evaluate the perceived value of MR technologies remains limited, particularly in the early stages of implementation. This study addresses the research gap by examining the scientific and applied dimensions of MR value, with a focus on usability and adaptability in construction environments. A cross-sectional survey of 129 construction professionals was conducted, and the data were analyzed using statistical methods including T-tests, exploratory factor analysis, and regression modelling. The results show that perceived value is not significantly influenced by device modality but is strongly determined by usability factors, particularly ease of use (β = 0.330, p = 0.003) and adaptability to site conditions (β = 0.206, p = 0.029). These findings contribute to scientific literature by conceptualizing perceived value as a multi-dimensional construct and provide practical insights for optimizing MR adoption in construction workflows. The study provides exploratory empirical evidence supporting user-centered design considerations for MR implementation and highlights the importance of contextual robustness for technology adoption in construction environments.

Mixed Reality (MR) overlays digital content onto the physical world, holding significant promise for improving construction collaboration and inspection. This study investigates its current role via a quantitative, survey based methodology, collecting data from 125 global construction professionals. Descriptive statistics revealed limited MR adoption, with 40.8% of respondents using the technology rarely and just 12.8% reporting frequent usage. Reliability analysis confirmed strong internal consistency for perceived benefits (α = 0.935) and acceptable consistency for barriers (α = 0.762). Exploratory factor analysis (KMO = 0.932; Bartlett’s test of sphericity, p < 0.001) validated the unidimensionality of the benefits construct. Multiple regression analysis revealed no significant relationship between perceived benefits or barriers and MR usage frequency (R² = 0.011, p = 0.512). Chi square analysis found no significant regional differences in MR use (χ² = 115.4, p = 0.899), though this result warrants cautious interpretation given the sparse expected cell counts. The findings suggest that MR adoption may be influenced by factors beyond user perceptions, highlighting the importance of organisational readiness, training, and infrastructure support.

Weakly cemented rocks, characterized by poor cementation, loose internal structures, and well-developed pore networks, exhibit pronounced heterogeneous deformation. This heterogeneity limits the applicability of conventional methods for identifying characteristic stresses based on strain, acoustic emission, or wave velocity. In this study, stepwise cyclic loading–unloading tests were conducted on argillaceous siltstone, a representative weakly cemented rock. The partitioning and transformation of energy during the loading–unloading process were systematically analyzed. By accounting for stress–strain asynchrony, elastic energy and dissipated energy were rigorously separated, and elastic energy was further decomposed into particle elastic energy and crack elastic energy. A quantitative method for determining characteristic stresses was proposed based on the ratios of particle elastic energy and crack elastic energy, along with the increment of dissipated energy. The closure stress (σ_cc), crack initiation stress (σ_ci), and damage stress (σ_cd) were determined by the energy-based method. Independent validation using the evolution of the dilatancy point and the acoustic emission hit count demonstrated strong consistency with the proposed energy-based method. By using the complete dataset obtained from stepwise cyclic loading–unloading tests and avoiding subjective interpolation or manual point selection, this approach provides a robust framework for accurately determining characteristic stresses in weakly cemented rocks.