Comparative Study on Response Surfaces for Reliability Analysis of Spatially Variable Soil Slope

This paper focuses on the performance of the second-order polynomial-based response surfaces on the reliability of spatially variable soil slope. A single response surface constructed to approximate the slope system failure performance function G(X) (called single RS) and multiple response surfaces constructed on finite number of slip surfaces (called multiple RS) are developed, respectively. Single RS and multiple RS are applied to evaluate the system failure probability pf for a cohesive soil slope together with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). It is found that pf calculated by single RS deviates significantly from that obtained by searching a large number of potential slip surfaces, and this deviation becomes insignificant with the decrease of the number of random variables or the increase of the scale of fluctuation. In other words, single RS cannot approximate G(X) with reasonable accuracy. The value of pf from multiple response surfaces fits well with that obtained by searching a large number of potential slip surfaces. That is, multiple RS can estimate G(X) with reasonable accuracy.     

An Artificial Neural Network-Based Response Surface Method for Reliability Analyses of c-? Slopes with Spatially Variable Soil

This paper presents an artificial neural network (ANN)-based response surface method that can be used to predict the failure probability of c-? slopes with spatially variable soil. In this method, the Latin hypercube sampling technique is adopted to generate input datasets for establishing an ANN model; the random finite element method is then utilized to calculate the corresponding output datasets considering the spatial variability of soil properties; and finally, an ANN model is trained to construct the response surface of failure probability and obtain an approximate function that incorporates the relevant variables. The results of the illustrated example indicate that the proposed method provides credible and accurate estimations of failure probability. As a result, the obtained approximate function can be used as an alternative to the specific analysis process in c-? slope reliability analyses.     

An artificial neural network-based response surface method for reliability analyses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>-φ slopes with spatially variable soil

This paper presents an artificial neural network (ANN)-based response surface method that can be used to predict the failure probability of c-φ slopes with spatially variable soil. In this method, the Latin hypercube sampling technique is adopted to generate input datasets for establishing an ANN model; the random finite element method is then utilized to calculate the corresponding output datasets considering the spatial variability of soil properties; and finally, an ANN model is trained to construct the response surface of failure probability and obtain an approximate function that incorporates the relevant variables. The results of the illustrated example indicate that the proposed method provides credible and accurate estimations of failure probability. As a result, the obtained approximate function can be used as an alternative to the specific analysis process in c-φ slope reliability analyses.     

波致海底缓倾角无限坡滑动稳定性计算分析探讨

波浪作用下海底无限坡滑动稳定性计算的极限平衡法中,忽略了坡体水平向应力状态的影响,为此,针对波浪作用下海底缓倾角无限边坡的特点,提出直接基于滑动面处土体应力状态的滑动稳定性计算方法(简称应力状态法),并分析了其适用范围。对具体算例的分析表明,应力状态法计算得出的安全系数大于极限平衡法的安全系数,且随着滑动面深度的增加、土体泊松比以及边坡坡角的增大,两种计算方法得出的安全系数的差异会逐渐增大;对于波浪作用下的海底缓倾角无限边坡,在失稳时极可能沿具有一定厚度的滑动带而不是单一的滑动面而滑动,且波致最大剪应力所在的深度,常常不是斜坡体最易失稳滑移的深度。     

Structural Types of Sea Embankment and Their Stability Analysis

In this paper based on investigation on the structural types of sea embankments in thesoutheast coastal area of China,as well as the related tidal stages,waves and strength of marine soils,thefinite element method(FEM)calculations for seepage flow stability,including the overall stability againstsliding and local stability of sloping surface under the action of tidal stage and waves are carried out.Acomparison of the computational results of FEM for single circular slip,composite circular slip andgeogrid reinforcement against sliding shows that for calculation of stability against sliding of marine softsoil foundation it is even more reasonable to use the composite circular slip.The stability of sloping typesea embankment against sliding is slightly better than that of the vertical face type;for the combination ofthree defences(wave,scour and seepage defences)the sea embankment structural type of a compositecross section with a platform should be a good one,but it still should be suitable to local condit     

波浪溢流作用下海堤内坡高性能加筋草皮护坡防侵蚀特征研究

基于1∶1的大型水槽试验结果,分析了波浪溢流过程中位于海堤内坡的高性能加筋草皮护面的侵蚀特征。试验观察表明试验期间有一定土壤的损失,但护坡无明显的破坏;土面高度测量表明,当土壤流失发展到一定深度后,如果水动力强度变化不大,侵蚀趋于逐渐停止,这种现象称为侵蚀上限;结合试验现象对侵蚀上限进行了初步解释,并讨论了侵蚀上限达到前的侵蚀速率特征;植株密度监测表明,试验期间的草茎密度基本不变,草叶密度在开始几次试验期间持续减小,而后达到一个稳定值,这对于海堤的可持续防护有重要意义。研究成果能够为波浪溢流期间海堤内坡防御的相关研究和工程措施提供参考依据。     

Effects of cross-correlated multiple spatially random soil properties on wave-induced oscillatory seabed response

The evaluation of seabed response under wave loading is important for prediction of stability of foundations of offshore structures. In this study, a stochastic finite element model which integrates the Karhunen-Loève expansion random field simulation and finite element modeling of wave-induced seabed response is established. The wave-induced oscillatory response in a spatially random heterogeneous porous seabed considering cross-correlated multiple soil properties is investigated. The effects of multiple spatial random soil properties, correlation length and the trend function (the relation of the mean value versus depth) on oscillatory pore water pressure and momentary liquefaction are discussed. The stochastic analyses show that the uncertainty bounds of oscillatory pore water pressure are wider for the case with multiple spatially random soil properties compared with those with the single random soil property. The mean pore water pressure of the stochastic analysis is greater than the one obtained by the deterministic analysis. Therefore, the average momentary liquefaction zone in the stochastic analysis is shallower than the deterministic one. The median of momentary liquefaction depth generally decreases with the increase of vertical correlation length. When the slope of the trend function increases, the uncertainty of pore water pressure is greatly reduced at deeper depth of the seabed. Without considering the trend of soil properties, the wave-induced momentary liquefaction potential may be underestimated.     

基于模糊集理论的海塘稳定可靠度研究

针对海塘边坡稳定性分析中因忽略参数空间变化等因素产生的分析结果偏于不安全的倾向,提出了一种计算模糊随机可靠度的简化方法.首次引入"正态模糊数"来描述所选重要参数的计算区间,采用简化Bishop法与"模糊顶点法"相结合的方法计算边坡稳定的安全系数密度函数,然后根据大量边坡实例统计结果的构造函数得到安全系数的戒下型隶属函数,最终计算获得边坡稳定的模糊随机可靠度评价.结果分析表明,传统可靠度分析结果偏于不安全,而利用模糊随机可靠度来评价边坡稳定状况更趋于合理性.     

海岸带潮滩土壤含水量遥感测量

出露潮滩上土壤含水量的遥感测量是潮间带地形地貌测量方法的一种新尝试,也是对潮滩生态环境深层次认知的一条途径。借鉴陆地土壤含水量遥感监测的经验,通过分析实测潮滩土壤含水量与其光谱值的关系,建立出露潮滩上土壤含水量遥感监测模型,并利用该模型对研究区影像的土壤含水量进行反演尝试。研究结果为:(1)潮滩土壤含水量与光谱反射率的关系,波段的相关系数以ETM+4的相关性最大;(2)从多元线性模型、单波段模型、比值模型、仿植被指数模型的应用比较看,对于潮滩土壤含水量的遥感反演模型选用单波段模型的误差最小。结果表明,通过遥感测量和监测模型的反演,可以迅速得到海岸潮间带露滩上土壤含水量分布。     

Geophysical assessment of submarine slide northeast of Wilmington canyon

Abstract

As part of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program to understand bottom and nearbottom processes on the continental margin, the continental slope seaward of the coast of Delaware, just east of the Baltimore Canyon Trough, and northeast of Wilmington Canyon was studied in detail. With a suite of geophysical data, a 7.5 × 13.0‐km portion of the continental slope was surveyed and found to be composed of a large submarine slide, approximately 11 km ³ in volume. The slide varies from 50 to 300 m in thickness and is believed to be composed of Pleistocene Age sediments. The internal structure of the continental slope can be seen on the seismic reflection profiles, as well as the readily identifiable continuous slip surface. Pliocene to Cretaceous horizons comprise the continental margin with Pliocene to Eocene horizons truncated at the slip surface. Sediment failure occurred on the slope between the late Tertriary erosion surface, which shaped the continental margin, and the overlying Quaternary sediments. A mechanism suggested to have contributed to the sediment failure is a late Pleistocene lower stand of sea level. Creep of surficial sediments is believed to be active on the surface of the submarine slide, indicating present‐day instability.     

Three dimensional limit analysis of suction bucket foundations

This paper presents a three dimensional limit method based on the upper bound theory for the stability of suction bucket foundations of offshore platforms. The bucket embedded in soil is subjected to a lateral load applied above the mud line. In order to simulate the lateral load, a fictitious soil layer is assumed, having a thickness equals to the vertical distance from the load point to the surface of the foundation. The unit weight and shear strength of the fictitious soil are set to be zero. The soil–bucket failure mechanism is approximated by a series of prisms. The three dimensional limit method starts from establishing a compatible velocity field and obtains the factor of safety by the energy and work balance equation. Optimization is followed to approach the critical failure mechanism that offers the minimum factor of safety. Two different basal surfaces are incorporated, i.e. an arbitrarily defined failure surface and a partly elliptical failure surface. Results of centrifuge modeling of bucket foundations are used to verify the method. The arbitrary failure surface provides more reasonable prediction than the partly elliptical failure surface. Being a multi-variable dependent problem, further investigation is needed to search for the critical failure mechanism.     

Assessment of relative slope stability of Kodiak shelf,Alaska, using high‐resolution acoustic profiling data

Abstract

The use of marine high‐resolution geophysical profiling data, seafloor soil samples, and accepted land‐based methods of analysis have provided a means of assessing the regional geotechnical conditions and relative slope stability of the portion of the Gulf of Alaska Continental Margin known as the Kodiak Shelf. Eight distinct types of soils were recognized in the study; the seafloor distribution of these indicates a complex geotechnical setting. Each soil unit was interpreted as having a distinct suite of geotechnical properties and potential foundation engineering problems. Seven categories of relative slope stability were defined and mapped. These categories range from “highest stability”; to “lowest stability,”; and are based on the degree of slope of the seafloor, type of soil underlying the slope, and evidence of mass movement. The results of the analysis indicate that the highest potential for soil failure exists on (1) the slopes forming boundaries between the submarine banks and the broad sea valleys, and (2) the upper portion of the continental slope, where evidence of past slope failure is common. Also of concern are gently sloping areas near the edges of submarine banks where evidence of possible tension cracks and slow downhill creep was found.     

近代黄河水下三角洲底坡土体的差异侵蚀及土工特性

近代黄河水下三角洲海底声波探测资料和土工资料揭示 :波浪、潮流在所研究区域海底沉积物中产生的差异侵蚀和不同的破坏行为受沉积物土工特性的控制。研究表明 ,粘粒含量低于10 % ,含水量在 30 %～ 4 5% ,孔隙比在 0 .8～ 1.2之间的土体抵抗破坏的能力较差 ,土体破坏形成塌陷凹坑 ;粘粒含量在 10 %～ 2 0 % ,含水量在 2 0 %～ 30 % ,孔隙比小于 0 .8的土体抵抗破坏的能力相对较强 ,被保留下来形成蚀余高地     

Fluctuation-dissipation relationships used for calculating the response of the soil moisture content to atmospheric actions

Methods of stochastic dynamics based on the application of fluctuation theorems (FTs) are used for describing nonstationary responses of natural objects to specified finite, but not necessarily small, changes in external factors in the presence of random disturbances. Nonlinear fluctuation-dissipation relationships (FDRs) are obtained on the basis of one of the FTs. These FDRs are used for calculating the soil moisture content response to specified changes in the mean precipitation in the presence of synoptic disturbances. The model under consideration, in spite of its coarseness, includes an important nonlinear effect of the moisture excess discharge into a reservoir. An approximate analytical theory is constructed. This theory makes it possible to take into account nonlinear effects when response functions are determined.     

Short-Term Stability Evaluation of an Embankment Constructed on Marine Clay Foundation at Kobe Airport

This article introduces the application of a stability analysis method that accounts for strength anisotropy on the embankment constructed at the Kobe airport. Shear strength anisotropy is induced by the in-situ state of stress along a potential slip surface of the embankment. In addition, the effects of the shearing rate on the undrained shear strength of the marine clay are examined in detail based on the results of a series of constant-volume direct shear box (DSB), triaxial compression (TC), and triaxial extension (TE) tests varying shearing rates. The most critical slip surface was selected from the deterministic slope stability analysis using unconfined compression tests of undisturbed clay samples from the field. For the most critical slip surface, the potential factor of safety of the embankment is estimated to be within the range of 1.21 to 1.28, as indicated by the results of the stability analyses using the strengths obtained from the DSB, TC, and TE tests and varying shearing rates.     

Lower bound solutions for uplift capacity of strip anchors adjacent to sloping ground in clay

Numerical solutions have been obtained for the vertical uplift capacity of strip plate anchors embedded adjacent to sloping ground in fully cohesive soil under undrained condition. The analysis was performed using finite element lower bound limit analysis with second-order conic optimization technique. The effect of anchor edge distance from the crest of slope, angle and height of slope, normalized overburden pressure due to soil self-weight, and embedded depth of anchor on the uplift capacity has been examined. A nondimensional uplift factor defined as F_cγ owing to the combined contribution of soil cohesion (c_u), and soil unit weight (γ) is used for expressing the uplift capacity. For an anchor buried near to a sloping ground, the ultimate uplift capacity is dependent on either pullout failure of anchor or overall slope failure. The magnitude of F_cγ has been found to increase with an increase in the normalized overburden pressure up to a certain maximum value, beyond which either the behavior of anchor transfers from shallow to deep anchor or overall slope failure occurs.     

Combined use of dimensional analysis and modern experimental design methodologies in hydrodynamics experiments

In this paper, a combined use of dimensional analysis (DA) and modern statistical design of experiment (DOE) methodologies is proposed for a hydrodynamics experiment where there are a large number of variables. While DA is well-known, DOE is still unfamiliar to most ocean engineers although it has been shown to be useful in many engineering and non-engineering applications. To introduce and illustrate the method, a study concerning the thrust of a propeller is considered. Fourteen variables are involved in the problem and after dimensional analysis this reduces to 11 dimensionless parameters. Then, a two-level fractional factorial design was used to screen out parameters that do not significantly contribute to explaining the dependent dimensionless parameter. With the remaining five statistically significant dimensionless parameters, various response surface methodologies (RSM) were used to obtain a functional relationship between the dependent dimensionless thrust coefficient, and the five dimensionless parameters. The final model was found to be of reasonable accuracy when tested against results not used to develop the model. The methodologies presented in the paper can be similarly applied to systems with a large number of control variables to systematically derive approximate mathematical models to predict the responses of the system economically and accurately.     

Estimation of the Effect of Lateral Flow on Piled Bridge Abutments in Soft Ground Considering Piled Slabs as a Countermeasure of the Abutments

The effectiveness of a simple method to estimate the lateral movement of piled bridge abutments due to lateral flow from the safety factor (Fs) of slope stability analysis was studied. This was accomplished through the construction and measurement of actual piled bridge abutments and its backfill, with and without piled slabs as a countermeasure. To do this, a computer program SLOPILE (VER 3.0) considering the lateral earth pressure acting on a row of piled bridge abutment was developed. SLOPILE (VER 3.0) can calculate the slope stability for both planar failure surfaces in infinite slopes and arc failure surfaces based on Fellenius or Bishop simplified methods. SLOPILE (VER 3.0) was utilized to design the piled bridge abutment reinforced by a piled slab at a real site. The piled slab can effectively prevent the lateral flow of soft ground and satisfy not only the safety factor of a slope but also the allowable bearing capacity of piles. To verify the design method, an instrumentation system was adapted. The instrumentation results from a case study clearly showed that the piled slab effectively resisted the lateral movement of a bridge abutment due to placement of backfill. Also, the surcharge loads due to backfill were supported by the piled slab and transmitted to the bedrock through the piled slab.     

Dynamics of ship collisions

This paper described a procedure for simulation of the outer dynamics in ship collisions.The simulation procedure is derived using the transient equations for the horizontal motion of a ship. The hydrodynamic forces acting on the ships' hull during the collision are calculated by a strip method, where the forces acting on each section are described by means of unit response functions. These functions are determined by cosine transformation of the sectional dampings. The sectional added masses and dampings, and thereby also the sectional unit response functions, are calculated by an approximate method. The deformations of the slip structures during the collisions are modelled as non-linear springs.The resulting system of non-linear equations is solved using a numerical time-integration procedure.A number of different collision situations are simulated by means of the procedure.     

Reliability analysis of submarine slope considering the spatial variability of the sediment strength using random fields

The properties of marine sediments vary spatially, and the undrained shear strength of marine clay increases linearly with depth because of depositional processes and the effective overburden pressure. To evaluate the stability of submarine slope considering the spatial variability of soil strength, the random field discretized by the Karhunen-Loève expansion is combined with the limit equilibrium method to conduct reliability analysis. For simplicity, our physical model does not include many complexities such as the effects of excess pore water pressure on the stability of submarine slopes. Stability estimates of the infinite slope model, under both static and seismic loading, are made with three types of one-dimensional stationary or non-stationary random fields. The two-dimensional slope model is also analyzed, where the shear strength varies with the positions of the strips because of the discrete random-field function for the soil material. In submarine slope reliability analysis, the non-stationary random field of the linearly increasing soil strength is used, instead of the commonly used stationary one. To obtain the failure probability through Monte Carlo simulations, a novel response surface method based on Gaussian process regression is introduced to build the surrogate model. The computational efficiency is significantly increased, because there is a considerable reduction of calls of the deterministic analysis. Therefore, the proposed method makes the prediction of submarine landslides which are usually rare events with very small probabilities more efficient.