Full-scale field load testing of long drilled shafts with enlarged base constructed in marine sediment

Long drilled shafts with enlarged bases are generally used to transfer heavy loads from superstructures to the underlying soils. Due to the large slenderness ratio, the load transfer mechanism for these long enlarged base-drilled shafts differs from that of a conventional drilled shaft. This paper presents field-instrumented, full-scale load tests on long drilled shafts longer than 58 m, including one straight and two enlarged base-drilled shafts in marine sediment. The field test results show that compared with straight shafts, the use of an enlarged base increases both toe resistance and shaft resistance. The drilled shafts with enlarged bases have higher load-bearing capacity. The shaft resistance and toe resistance were not simultaneously mobilized. The bottom sediment under the shaft toe has a significant influence on toe resistance and shaft resistance. Shafts having bottom sediment with a relatively large thickness exhibited lower shaft and toe resistance. Thus, the bottom sediment thickness should be strictly controlled.     

Simplified procedure for laterally loaded drilled shafts in spatially random clays

Abstract

In this article, a simplified approach for the reliability-based design of laterally loaded drilled shafts considering the spatial variability of soil property is presented. This simplified approach utilizes a conventional reliability method implemented using the variance reduction technique. An algorithm for back-calculating the reduction factor and characteristic length for various shaft slenderness ratios is proposed. This simplified approach can yield responses for drilled shafts that are equivalent to those obtained using random field modeling (RFM), which is a far more complex process. The simplified approach does not require the knowledge of random field theory and can be an efficient design tool in geotechnical engineering practice.     

Study on the Long-term Settlement of Subway Tunnel in Soft Soil Area

The long-term settlement of a subway tunnel, especially the differential settlement affects the safe operation of the subway. In this article, the settlement of a subway tunnel was studied from the theoretical and numerical analyses based on the monitoring data. According to the monitoring data, the deformation of segments at different locations is different, and the deformation around a channel is larger than other places. The settlements of tunnel calculated by two theoretical methods are consistent with that obtained in the centrifuge model test. The numerical simulation indicates that the vertical displacement is much bigger than the horizontal displacement.     

Propulsive efficiency and structural response of a sandwich composite propeller

Studying the sandwich composite propeller (SCMP) is of great significance since the sandwich structure is lightweight and possesses high strength. This study proposes and verifies a fluid–structure interaction (FSI) method for a 3D underwater sandwich composite structure to calculate the performance of the propeller. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes formula-based computational fluid dynamics is adopted to solve for propeller loads, whereas the finite element method (FEM) is applied to solve for propeller deformations. ANSYS Workbench’s system coupling is utilized to deliver the loads and deformations in the FSI. The paper also compares the propulsive performance and structural response of the SCMP and conventional composite propeller (CMP). The impact of the structural form and core material on the SCMP is explored. The results show that the weight reduction effect of the SCMP is better than that of the CMP, the propulsive efficiency of the SCMP is higher at low advance coefficients and lower at high advance coefficients, and the maximum pitch angles of the SCMP decrease at all conditions, unlike the case for the CMP. Moreover, the thinner the facing of the SCMP, the greater the influence of the higher twist–deformation ratio of the resulting structural form on the intrinsic frequency.     

Multiphase deformation deduced from 3D construction and restoration: Implication for the hydrocarbon exploration in the mountain front of the Northern Tianshan

Three-dimensional (3D) modeling and restoration are powerful in describing the geological characteristics and kinematics which cannot be fully accomplished by the two-dimensional modeling methods. In this study, we applied 3D modeling and restoration to the Beisantai anticline along the mountain front of the Northern Tianshan. The Beisantai anticline shows an EW-trending structure in the shallow layers with NS-trending structures in the deep layers. The 3D seismic reflection data visualize the growth strata well, which record the evolution of the anticline and the influence of Cenozoic India-Asian collision. Our results suggest that a combination of multiple deformations of this anticline on different layers developed during different episodes. In addition, multiphase deformation and strain distribution along the eastern part of the northern Tianshan was implied. Combined with an analysis of the burial and hydrocarbon-generating history from borehole data, we proposed new potential exploration areas in this region and multistage tectonic effects for hydrocarbon accumulation. This work not only highlights our understanding of the structural decomposition of a multiphase structure associated with growth strata, but also the structural evolution of the northern Tianshan and the adjacent petroleum-producing Junggar Basin.     

Process based stability formulae for coastal structures made of geotextile sand containers

Geotextile Sand Containers (GSC) are increasingly used worldwide for shore protection structures such as seawalls, groins, breakwaters, revetments and artificial reefs. However, reliable design formulae for the hydraulic stability based on a good understanding of the processes involved in the wave-structure interactions are still needed.Although the effect of the deformations of the sand containers on the hydraulic stability is significant, no stability formula is available to account for those deformations and the associated processes leading to the observed failures. Therefore, based on the results of extensive experimental and numerical studies ([Recio J. 2008, Hydraulic Stability of Geotextile Sand Containers for Coastal Structures – Effect of Deformations and Stability Formulae – PhD Thesis, Leichtweiss Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, www.digibib.tu-bs.de/?docid=00021899]), analytical stability formulae are developed that account for the effect of the deformations of the individual GSCs for sliding and overturning stability. The required drag, inertia and lift coefficients are determined experimentally from hydraulic model experiments specially designed for this purpose. Several types of GSC configurations which are representative for a wide range of GSC-structure types are investigated under wave action. Moreover, deformation factors to account for the deformation of the containers on the stability are analytically derived and implemented in the stability formulae.Finally, Stability formulae for each type of coastal structures made of geotextile sand containers such as breakwaters, revetments, sea walls, dune reinforcement and scour protection systems are proposed and recommendations are given with respect to the practical application of the proposed hydraulic stability formula, including their limitations.     

南黄海陆架沉积物中褶皱的形态及成因

更新世以来南黄海陆架具有构造活动性强、沉积厚度大(100~300m)、褶皱变形保存完整等特点,是研究未固结沉积物中褶皱变形的理想“实验室”.高分辨率单道地震剖面揭示了南黄海陆架沉积物中具有不同几何形态的三种褶皱:(1)断层相关褶皱(包括断层扩展褶皱和断层牵引褶皱);(2)横向弯曲褶皱;(3)复合作用褶皱.对褶皱的成因和几何形态的研究表明,控制未固结沉积物中褶皱形成的因素是基底断层及其形成的断块,而不是区域应力场.大量孔隙水可能对沉积物的几何形变具有重要的影响作用.沉积物中断层扩展褶皱和牵引褶皱在形变程度上具有连续性,说明两者在成因上存在联系.断层扩展褶皱可能引发的地震活动和变形带在海洋工程地质评估中应受到重视.     

Prediction method of seismic residual deformation of caisson quay wall in liquefied foundation

The multi-spring shear mechanism plastic model in this paper is defined in strain space to simulate pore pressure generation and development in sands under cyclic loading and undrained conditions,and the rotation of principal stresses can also be simulated by the model with cyclic behavior of anisotropic consolidated sands.Seismic residual deformations of typical caisson quay walls under different engineering situations are analyzed in detail by the plastic model,and then an index of liquefaction extent is applied to describe the regularity of seismic residual deformation of caisson quay wall top under different engineering situations.Some correlated prediction formulas are derived from the results of regression analysis between seismic residual deformation of quay wall top and extent of liquefaction in the relative safety backfill sand site.Finally,the rationality and the reliability of the prediction methods are validated by test results of a 120 g-centrifuge shaking table,and the comparisons show that some reliable seismic residual deformation of caisson quay can be predicted by appropriate prediction formulas and appropriate index of liquefaction extent.     

Improvement of estuarine marine clays for coastal reclamation using vacuum-applied consolidation method

Consolidation occurs in estuarine marine clays for coastal reclamation by dissipation of the excess pore pressure, which is induced by increasing the total overburden stress during conventional mechanical surcharging. The excess pore pressure can be decreased usually by the use of several construction methods such as sand drain and paper drain. Besides the drain methods, vacuum can also be used in the soil mass to consolidate the estuarine marine clays by decreasing the pore pressure as well as increasing the effective stress.The study on vacuum consolidation is devoted so far mainly for laboratory model tests or numerical analysis in Korea. Recently, an instrumentation system was applied to manage the vacuum-applied consolidation on a field, in which a sewage disposal plant was constructed. While vacuum was applied, the behaviors of estuarine marine clays such as the settlement, lateral deformation and pore water pressure have been investigated precisely. The behavior of estuarine marine clays during vacuum-applied consolidation shows some difference from the behavior of estuarine marine clays in the case of conventional preloading. A principal difference is that the lateral deformation corresponding to settlement is smaller than before vacuum application even though the surcharge height has been increased.     

Seismic Factor in the History of the Belinskoe Settlement (Kerch Peninsula,Crimea)

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - This article is devoted to seismic deformations in the walls of the ancient structures of the settlement of Belinskoe on the Kerch Peninsula, a frontier...     

Investigating the complex structural integrity of the Zeit Bay Field,Gulf of Suez,Egypt, using interpretation of 3D seismic reflection data

Zeit Bay Field is one of the most important oil-bearing fields in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, producing oil from the fractured basement rocks. Due to the complex structural setting of the area and the classical exploration concept that was based mainly on 2D seismic survey data, the area suffered from limited hydrocarbon interest for several years. During this time, most of the drilled wells hit structural highs and resulted in several dry holes. The present study is based on the interpretation of more recently acquired 3D seismic survey data as, matched with the available well logs, used to understand the complex structural setting of the Zeit Bay Field and provide insight into the entrapment style of the implied hydrocarbons. Several selected seismic cross sections were constructed, to extract subsurface geologic information, using available seismic profiles and wells. In addition, structure contour maps (isochronous maps, converted to depth maps) were constructed for the peaks of the basement, Nubian Sandstone, Kareem and Belayim Formations. Folds (anticlines and synclines) and faults (dip-slip) are identified on these maps, both individually and in groups, giving rise to step-like belts, as well as graben and horst blocks.     

Prediction of one-dimensional compression behavior of Nansha clay using fractional derivatives

Nansha clay is an interactive marine and terrestrial deposited soft clay that is widely spread in Guangzhou, Pearl River Delta, China. To avoid excessive settlement after construction, there is a need for better quantifying the time-dependent deformation of the soft clay. This paper presents a preliminary study to predict the one-dimensional compression of Nansha clay using fractional derivatives. A fractional Merchant model was introduced to describe the time-dependent settlement, and analytical solutions were obtained in terms of the Mittag-Leffler function. The oedometer test results were presented to validate this model. Compared with classical rheological models, the fractional derivative-based model enabled close estimation of the one-dimensional compression with fewer parameters. The meaning of the order of fractional derivative and its relationship with the clay physical properties were explored. It shows that a smaller value of this order corresponded to a higher coefficient of consolidation and a lower coefficient of secondary consolidation. The amplitude of both the primary and secondary consolidation of clay may be estimated quantitatively by the order of fractional derivative. Taken together, these results may open up new avenues for theoretical and empirical modeling of rheological phenomena in clay using fractional derivatives.     

基于SBAS-InSAR技术的填海造陆区地表形变监测与分析——以天津港为例

为了探究SBAS-InSAR技术在海岸带填海造陆区形变监测的适用性,本文基于28景Sentinel-1A影像,利用SBAS-InSAR技术获取了天津港填海造陆区2018年1月至2019年11月的地表形变信息,揭示天津港填海造陆区的地表形变特征,并分析沉降速率与填海造陆的时间、土地利用类型的关系。结果表明：天津港填海造陆区具有沉降速率范围跨度大、不均匀沉降和多个沉降漏斗的特点,沉降速率范围为-74.9～19.7mm/a;沉降速率与填海造陆时间成反比,早期填海造陆区沉降速率较小,新填海造陆区沉降速率较大;不同土地利用类型的沉降速率差异大。该研究验证了SBAS-InSAR技术在填海造陆区形变监测应用的可行性,为海岸带、海岛礁、滩涂等沿海地区的地面沉降的监测与分析提供了思路。     

Time-Dependent Deformation Behavior of Jiangsu Marine Clay

In this article, the mechanical behavior of a Jiangsu marine clay was investigated by drained triaxial tests, traixial rheological tests, and one-dimensional compression and swelling tests. A visco-plastic model, the Bingham model combining two yield surfaces model, was proposed to describe the time-dependent deformation behaviors of the marine clay. The governing equation of Biot's consolidation theory for the visco-plastic soil is solved using a finite element code which incorporates the visco-plastic model. Using the finite element method, settlements of a typical embankment on the Lianxu expressway in China are calculated. Settlement calculations using the visco-plastic model are in agreement with the measured settlements in the field. The results demonstrate that the visco-plastic model is appropriate for calculating the visco-plastic deformations of Jiangsu marine clay. Theoretical and experimental studies show that the visco-plastic deformation of Jiangsu marine clay is substantial.     

Settlement Prediction of Surcharge Preloaded Low Embankment on Soft Ground Subjected to Cyclic Loading

This article studies the effect of dynamic cyclic loading and surcharge preloading method on the post-construction settlement of low embankments. Soil samples obtained from the soft ground under an embankment were consolidated by surcharge preloading followed by static and dynamic cyclic loading in the odometer. The results show that the consolidation deformation of the soil samples is independent of the frequency of the dynamic cyclic loading, which was simulated to follow the half-sine wave, and this is consistent with the energy concept. The post-construction settlement increases with increasing amplitude of cyclic load and the effectiveness of surcharge preloading depends on the difference between magnitude of surcharge and amplitude of the cyclic load. Based on the consolidation theory combined with the test results, a formula has been proposed to compute the post-construction settlement of a low embankment under cyclic loading.     

高速公路软土地基沉降变形监测分析与预报

通过对高速公路软土地基沉降变形监测的非等步长观测序列进行数据处理后,变成等步长的数据序列,运用GM(1,1)模型进行变形分析与预报,得出了有益的结论。     

平衡剖面技术及其在济阳坳陷桩海地区的应用

平衡剖面技术在研究盆地演化方面有着重要的作用，可以编制盆地发育演化剖面，广泛地用于研究石油构造分析。平衡剖面的最基本原理就是在地层变形前后物质的总量是不变的。利用2DMove软件对济阳坳陷桩海地区的两条地震剖面进行构造恢复，编制了构造发育剖面，恢复该区的构造演化史。桩海地区在三叠纪一中侏罗世由于印支运动的强烈挤压作用而抬升剥蚀；晚侏罗世一早白垩世时期，在中国东部发生了强烈的伸展作用，发育了大量的断裂和接受了巨厚的沉积地层；在晚白垩世，由于郯庐断裂的左行走滑作用，桩海地区抬升并遭受剥实；在古近纪，受区域构造伸展作用，桩海地区发育成为断陷盆地。古近纪末，发生右行走滑运动和构造抬升。新近纪以来该区表现为稳定的坳陷沉积盆地。     

Behavior of a helical anchor under vertical repetitive loading

Abstract

In the field of ocean engineering, anchors are used for several purposes. This article studies the behavior of a helical anchor embedded in soft marine clay under vertical repetitive loading. Helical anchors are simple steel shafts to which one or more helical plates are attached at regular intervals. The tests are conducted on a model helical anchor installed in a soft marine clay bed prepared in a test tank. Repetitive loading is applied using a pneumatic loading arrangement. Different cyclic load ratios and time periods are adopted. In each test, after the application of repetitive loading, poststatic‐pullout tests are conducted to observe the effect of repetitive loading on anchor behavior. From the test results, it is found that, up to a cyclic load ratio of 55%, there is no reduction in capacity. Instead, there seems to be a marginal increase in capacity and reduction in displacement. The reasons for this behavior are explained in terms of induced changes in strength and deformation behavior of marine clay under repetitive load. However, at higher cyclic load ratios, there seems to be reduction in pullout capacity of the anchor, and the reason for this is explained in terms of strain criteria. From this investigation, it can be concluded that the deep anchor is more suitable to a marine environment than a shallow anchor.     

考虑海底管线初始侧向变形的低阶模态

温度应力下海底管线的整体屈曲是海底管线设计中的关键问题之一,不埋或半埋的海底管线较易发生水平向整体屈曲。海底管线会因为制造的缺陷或铺设的原因而具有初始变形,即初始侧向变形。研究了初始侧向变形对海底管线整体屈曲的影响,应用小变形理论建立了单拱侧向变形和反对称双拱侧向变形管线发生低阶模态水平向整体屈曲的理论分析方法,结合工程实例分析了初始侧向变形形态、侧向变形幅值以及地基土体强度特性对管线水平向整体屈曲的影响。结果表明,初始侧向变形的存在使管线更易发生整体屈曲;而反对称双拱侧向变形比单拱侧向变形更易引起管线整体屈曲;随初始侧向变形幅值的增加管线发生整体屈曲所需要的温差降低,且整体屈曲变形形态有所改变管土间摩擦系数的增加会提高管线发生整体屈曲的温差,从而提高管线抵抗整体屈曲变形的能力。     

Mass movements,geotechnical properties,and slope stability in the outer shelf—Upper slope,northwestern Aegean sea

Abstract

Subbottom profiling (3.5 kHz) in the uppermost slope of the outer shelf of the northwestern Aegean Sea has shown downslope slumping and intense sediment deformation as well as a succession of microslumping within the Late Pleistocene delta sequences. Postdeposition bottom erosion by currents and the overconsolidated sediments (Cu/Po > 1) indicate the termination of deformations a long time ago. Deformation processes are estimated to have been active 18,000–10,000 B.P. Large‐scale active downslope deformations with clockwise sediment block rotation have affected the area as well. These longer‐period deformations are associated with regional neotectonics and older unconformities (i. e., Plio‐Pleistocene) as potential slide planes.

Geotechnical properties reflect mainly textural variations and locally (within sapropelic layers) high organic matter content. Relatively high values of shear strength were measured (5–29 kPa) with intermediate sensitivities (2–5), whereas relatively low values of water content (33–81%) were found along the five selective sediment cores.

Infinity slope stability analysis revealed that the slopes in the study area are most stable, although theoretical evaluations (Cu estimated from linear regression analysis) indicate relative instability for the potential glide plane at 20 m depth. The outer shelf is covered by compact relict sands, and their gentle and low‐angle (<0.2°) slopes are the most stable region of the investigated area.