A new simplified Hypothesis B method for calculating the consolidation settlement of ground improved by vertical drains

Vertical drains are widely used in soft ground improvements to accelerate the consolidation process. This paper develops a new simplified Hypothesis B method for calculating the consolidation settlement of a soil layer improved by vertical drains under the instant and ramp loadings. As a comparison, the traditional Hypothesis A method is also used to calculate the settlement. Then, a fully coupled finite element consolidation analysis is utilized to examine and verify this simplified method and Hypothesis A method. For the instant loading, Carrillo‐Barron method and Zhu‐Yin method are used to obtain the average degree of consolidation for vertical drain system. Typical parameters, such as over‐consolidation ratio (OCR), smear zone, and space ratio of vertical drains, are considered. It is found that the calculation results from the new simplified method in this study agree well with finite element simulations, and relative errors are in the range of 0.1% to 12.3%. Comparatively, there are obvious differences between the calculated results from Hypothesis A method and finite element results. Carrillo‐Olson method and Zhu‐Yin method are utilized to obtain the average degree of consolidation for the vertical drain system to consider the ramp loading. Equivalent time is determined from half of the construction period to calculate the creep compression under the ramp loading. The accuracy of this simplified Hypothesis B method using both Carrillo‐Olson method and Zhu‐Yin method is acceptable with the relative errors less than 9.4%.     

Experimental study on the mechanical behaviors and particle breakage characteristics of calcareous sand from South China Sea under repeated one-dimensional impacts

The behavior of calcareous sand under repeated impact considerably differs from that of silica sand. Notably, calcareous sand is important in engineering projects in the South China Sea, such as pile driving. To understand the behavior of calcareous sand under multiple impacts, the improved split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system was selected for one-dimensional impact tests of silica and calcareous sand with particle sizes of 0.25–0.50 mm. The sand specimens were impacted 1, 3, 7 and 10 times. The test results reveal that the dynamic apparent stiffness of silica sand is approximately 6–8 times that of calcareous sand. The dynamic apparent modulus values of the two sands increase with an increase in the number of impacts, N. For calcareous sand, the compression index C_c decreases with an increase in N, and silica sand shows the opposite trend. The yield pressure p_c of calcareous sand under impact loading is approximately 40% of that of silica sand. With an increase in N, the energy absorption capacity, energy dissipation rate and damage variables of the two sands exhibit a downward trend. In addition, the energy absorption efficiency of calcareous sand is better than that of silica sand. During the process of impact, a large number of sand particles will break, and particle breakage will change the particle size distribution (PSD), thereby significantly affecting the physical and mechanical properties of the corresponding soil. Based on the test results and fractal theory, an evolution model is established to characterize the PSD evolution in the breakage state for uniformly graded calcareous sand. Moreover, a Markov chain model is proposed to describe the PSD evolution of nonuniformly graded specimens. The predicted results of both models show agreement with the experimental values.

     

Non‐linear consolidation analysis of soil with variable compressibility and permeability under cyclic loadings

In this paper, a simple semi‐analytical method has been developed to solve the one‐dimensional non‐linear consolidation problems by considering the changes of compressibility and permeability of the soil layer, subjected to complicated time‐dependent cyclic loadings at the ground surface. The solution presented here takes into account e ～ lg k_v and e ～ lg σ′ linear responses. With c_k the slope of the e ～ lg k_v line and c_c as the slope of the e ～ lg σ′ line, the identified parameter c_c/c_k is found to control the rate of consolidation. Using the solutions obtained, some diagrams are prepared and the relevant behaviours of one‐dimensional non‐linear consolidation of saturated soft soil under cyclic loadings are discussed. The method in this paper does not require any special data; conventional oedometer data can be used. Therefore, the method is particularly efficient and convenient for engineering practice. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanical characteristics and particle breakage of coral sand under one-dimensional repeated loading

Coral sand, which is an important filler resource in coastal areas, is continuously subjected to repeated waves or traffic loading. In this study, a series of oedometer tests are conducted on coral sand and silica sand under repeated loading, and the results are compared. The influence of the initial density and number and amplitude of repeated loading on the volumetric deformation, soil stiffness, and particle breakage are investigated. The results reveal that the volumetric deformation and particle breakage of coral sand mainly occur in the first loading stage and increase by increasing loading amplitude and reducing initial density. Compared to silica sand, the soil stiffness is lower and volumetric deformation is greater in coral sand during the initial loading stage. However, the opposite trend is observed for the subsequent loading. Finally, three power functions are proposed to predict the volumetric deformation and particle breakage of coral sand under repeated loading.

     

A Simple Limit Equilibrium Approach for Calculation of Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations on Two-Layered Granular Soils

The bearing capacity of shallow foundations in a non-homogeneous soil profile has been a challenging task in geotechnical engineering. In this paper, a limit equilibrium method is used for calculating bearing capacity factors of shallow foundations constructed on a two-layered granular soil profile. The main objective has been to determine the ultimate bearing capacity computed from equivalent bearing capacity factors N_q and N_γ and comparing that with numerical analysis using finite element methods. It will be shown that the data obtained form the developed method are well comparable with those obtained from FE approach, specially when the difference between shear strength parameters of layers is low which is a practical case for sedimentary soil profiles and also for artificially compacted soils. A computer program has been developed to investigate the influence of various parameters on bearing capacity factors.     

Influence of random heterogeneity of the friction angle on bearing capacity factor Nγ

ABSTRACT

Probabilistic methods in geotechnical engineering have received a lot of attention during the last decade and different methodologies are used to capture the inherent variability of soil in different geotechnical engineering problems. In this paper, numerical simulations are conducted to obtain the bearing capacity factor, N_γ, for a purely frictional heterogenous soil where the friction angle is modelled as randomly distributed throughout the domain and the effect of its spatial variability on N_γ is investigated. A finite element method, based on the upper bound limit analysis was combined with random field theory and linear programming to develop a probabilistic analysis. Monte Carlo simulations were performed and the effect of the variability of the friction angle defined by statistical parameters on the bearing capacity factor was investigated. Results show that the mean bearing capacity factor N_γ of a footing on a spatially variable cohesionless soil is generally higher than the deterministic N_γ obtained from a constant mean value. Increasing the heterogeneity of the friction angle by an increase in the coefficient of variation generally increases this deviation. This can be explained by the nonlinearity of the relationship between N_γ and the friction angle.     

循环荷载下路基红黏土临界应力水平分析

根据设计改装的循环动单轴压缩试验,研究不同含水率、不同轴向应力水平、不同循环加载次数、不同应力加载路径条件下路基土的塑性力学行为,并结合shakedown概念,界定了循环动荷载作用下红黏土的安定界限（shakedown limit）和临界应力水平,系统地分析了影响循环动荷载作用下路基土力学行为的因素和永久变形的发展趋势,以及路基土在循环载荷作用下的力学行为发展规律。通过试验结果的分析,把红黏土的塑性变形分为稳定、破坏和临界3个阶段,并按3个阶段划分出可接受状态和不可接受状态,由此确定路基红黏土在循环荷载作用下的临界应力水平为41.8 %。     

Static and Dynamic Flexural Strength Anisotropy of Barre Granite

Granite exhibits anisotropy due to pre-existing microcracks under tectonic loadings; and the mechanical property anisotropy such as flexural/tensile strength is vital to many rock engineering applications. In this paper, Barre Granite is studied to understand the flexural strength anisotropy under a wide range of loading rates using newly proposed semi-circular bend tests. Static tests are conducted with a MTS hydraulic servo-control testing machine and dynamic tests with a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system. Six samples groups are fabricated with respect to the three principle directions of Barre granite. Pulse shaping technique is used in all dynamic SHPB tests to facilitate dynamic stress equilibrium. Finite element method is utilized to build up equations calculating the flexural tensile strength. For samples in the same orientation group, a loading rate dependence of the flexural tensile strength is observed. The measured flexural tensile strength is higher than the tensile strength measured using Brazilian disc method at given loading rate and this scenario has been rationalized using a non-local failure theory. The flexural tensile strength anisotropy features obvious dependence on the loading rates, the higher the loading rate, the less the anisotropy and this phenomenon may be explained considering the interaction of the preferentially oriented microcracks.     

A two-surface thermomechanical plasticity model considering thermal cyclic behavior

In thermal-related engineering such as thermal energy structures and nuclear waste disposal, it is essential to well understand volume change and excess pore water pressure buildup of soils under thermal cycles. However, most existing thermo-mechanical models can merely simulate one heating–cooling cycle and fail in capturing accumulation phenomenon due to multiple thermal cycles. In this study, a two-surface elasto-plastic model considering thermal cyclic behavior is proposed. This model is based on the bounding surface plasticity and progressive plasticity by introducing two yield surfaces and two loading yield limits. A dependency law is proposed by linking two loading yield limits with a thermal accumulation parameter n_c, allowing the thermal cyclic behavior to be taken into account. Parameter n_c controls the evolution rate of the inner loading yield limit approaching the loading yield limit following a thermal loading path. By extending the thermo-hydro-mechanical equations into the elastic–plastic state, the excess pore water pressure buildup of soil due to thermal cycles is also accounted. Then, thermal cycle tests on four fine-grained soils (natural Boom clay, Geneva clay, Bonny silt, and reconstituted Pontida clay) under different OCRs and stresses are simulated and compared. The results show that the proposed model can well describe both strain accumulation phenomenon and excess pore water pressure buildup of fine-grained soils under the effect of thermal cycles.

     

土钉支护中土钉力和位移的计算问题

土钉支护是一种比较经济的支护方式,工程实践中已广泛应用,但其设计理论则相对缺乏。针对目前土钉支护设计中存在的主要问题,即土钉力和土钉支护位移的计算分析,以工程实测资料为背景,根据侧壁主动土压力与总土钉力相等的原则,考虑施工过程的影响和增量法的思想,提出了基于经验和理论相结合的土钉力计算公式。按照弹性力学理论,对由于土的开挖引起支护的土体侧移提出了简易的位移计算公式。通过工程实测检验了公式的正确性。这些计算公式简便,其结果较符合实际,较好地解决了土钉支护设计的主要问题,可为工程设计提供参考。     

Inclined single piles under vertical loadings in cohesionless soil

Physical-scaled model testing under 1 g conditions is carried out in obtaining the vertical response of fixed head floating-inclined single piles embedded in dry sand. Practical pile inclinations of 5° and 10° besides a vertical pile (0°) subjected to static and dynamic vertical pile head loadings are considered. To account for the effects of soil nonlinearity as well as the soil–pile interface nonlinearity on the response of piles, a range of low-to-high magnitude of pile head displacements is considered for the static case while a varying amplitude of harmonic accelerations for a wide range of frequencies is considered for the dynamic case. Experimental results are obtained in the form of pile head stiffnesses and strains generated in the pile under both the static and dynamic loadings. Results suggest that the nonlinear behavior of soil as well as the nonlinearity generated at the interface between the soil and the pile as the result of applied loading considerably affect the response of piles. The soil–pile interface nonlinearity that governs the slippage of pile shows a clear influence on the pile head stiffnesses by providing two distinct values of stiffnesses corresponding to the push and the pull directional movement of piles; the two values are significantly different. Axial and bending strains generated in the piles show expected dependency on the amplitude of applied loading; the pile head-level bending strain increases almost linearly with the increase in the angle of pile inclination.

     

Application of Dynamic Compaction in Highway: A Case Study

The application case of dynamic compaction (DC) is realized in highway. In this paper, the in situ tests for evaluating effectiveness of DC are performed on a liquefiable soil and soft soil interbedding foundation encountered in highway engineering practice. Excess pore pressure, total surface settlement and lateral deformation under DC impact are measured and analysed. The cone penetration test (CPT) and spectral analysis of surface wave (SASW) are used for investigating the compaction effectiveness. The formulation of the predicting improvement depth of the DC is presented according to the pseudo-static mechanics method and is of obvious meaning of soil mechanics compared with Mendard’s formulation. The calculating results of the formulation of improvement depth of the DC are agreement with the measuring results. The investigation results indicate that the DC technique is an effective way for improving liquefiable soil and soft soil interbedding foundation in highway engineering practice.     

Study on the quantitative relationship between soil in situ strength and drilling parameters

The rational use of drilling parameters is a hot issue in the field of geotechnical engineering and geological engineering. A new method, for evaluating the bearing capacity of soils using drilling parameters was proposed. First, through the mechanical analysis of the drill bit, the preconditions and theoretical formulas for calculating the bearing capacity of soils using the bit’s torque are clearly defined. Next, drilling tests and dynamic cone penetration tests were performed on miscellaneous fill, silty clay, sandy clay, medium coarse sand and gravel sand, and the empirical formula for calculating the bearing capacity of these soils were given. Then, using the new method and the empirical formula, the bearing capacity of the soil under the roadbed was examined. The test results show that the bit’s torque is a good parameter for the evaluation of the bearing capacity of the soil. Finally, the application scope of the new method and the empirical formula is discussed, and the subsequent research directions are pointed out.     

A J2‐plasticity model based on bounding surface concept

This article presents the development of a J₂ small strain plasticity model based on bounding surface concept, along with numerical examples to demonstrate model behaviors and identification of model parameter using laboratory test data. The model is motivated by the need for simulating permanent deformation accumulation of asphalt concrete mixtures, which leads to rutting in flexible pavements under repeated traffic loading. The proposed model accounts for the observation that rutting is mostly caused by shearing and takes advantage of the fact that bounding surface concept allows for the progressive accumulation of plastic deformation under constant amplitude loading condition. Analytical solutions are given for typical laboratory testing conditions. The model can be calibrated using repeated simple shear test data that are typically available for asphalt concrete mixtures. It is shown that the model is easy to use and provides a promising alternative for modeling permanent deformation accumulation in materials subjected to repetitive (cyclic) loading. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

刚性桩复合地基沉降计算的简化方法

既简便又具有较好精度的刚性桩复合地基沉降计算方法仍是工程实践中迫切需要而又有待于解决的问题,文中提出了一个解决的简化方法。在刚性桩复合地基中,由于桩间土荷载水平不高,将桩间土荷载-沉降曲线近似为线性。当桩的荷载水平不高时,对桩的沉降可按线性考虑,线性关系可按线弹性方程计算得到。若桩可能进入非线性甚至塑性,则假设桩的荷载-沉降曲线满足双曲线规律,可较好地考虑桩的非线性沉降过程。通过计算单桩承载力特征值下的沉降,然后通过双曲线方程特点得到桩的非线性沉降方程。对于有单桩静载试验的情况,提出直接利用单桩试验曲线建立单桩的双曲线方程。最后依据共同作用时桩和桩间土的变形协调条件和静力平衡方程,即可计算其实际基础下复合地基的沉降,从而得到一个刚性桩复合地基沉降计算的简化方法。工程实例表明,简化是方法既简便又具有较好的精度,可为工程实践提供一个有效实用的计算方法。     

Analytical theory for one‐dimensional consolidation of clayey soils exhibiting rheological characteristics under time‐dependent loading

This paper presents analytical solutions to the one‐dimensional consolidation problem taking into consideration the rheological properties of clayey soil under variable loadings. A four‐element rheological model is introduced, and different loading types are involved, i.e. constant loading, one‐step loading, triangular loading, rectangular loading, and isosceles–trapezoidal cyclic loading. The differential equations governing consolidation are solved by the Laplace transform. Based on the solutions obtained, the influences of the rheological parameters and loading conditions on the consolidation process are investigated. It has been shown that the consolidation behavior is mainly governed by four dimensionless parameters, a₁, a₂, b, and T_v0. Load shape has a great influence on the rate of consolidation. A decrease either in the modulus of the spring in the Kelvin body or in the viscosity coefficient of independent dashpot will slow down the rate of consolidation. An increase in the viscosity coefficient of the dashpot in the Kelvin body will make the rate of consolidation increase at an early stage but decrease at a later stage. For isosceles–trapezoidal cyclic loading, the consolidation rate in each cycle reaches a maximum at the end of the constant loading phase and the minimum at the end of this cycle. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

装配式型钢基础抗压抗拔承载力的试验及计算

通过在两个不同基础底面尺寸的装配式型钢基础进行抗压、抗拔承载力和变形特性试验研究,考察了型钢基础及土体的变形及破坏型式,试验中该类基础发生土体剪切破坏而失效,最后提出了基于试验研究的抗压、抗拔承载力计算理论,其中抗压承载力根据有效底面积计算;抗拔承载力应考虑基础上拔产生应力扩散形成的破坏土体进行计算;计算中建议按土体的内摩擦角取用不同土体的上拔扩散角;地下水位以下土体上拔扩散角建议取为0 º。研究成果为该类基础的承载力计算理论、设计方法及实际工程应用提供理论依据。     

A unified constitutive model for unsaturated soil under monotonic and cyclic loading

This study presents a sophisticated elastoplastic constitutive model for unsaturated soil using Bishop-type skeleton stress and degree of saturation as state variables in the framework of critical state soil mechanism. The model is proposed in order to describe the coupled hydromechanical behavior of unsaturated soil irrespective of what kind of the loadings or the drainage conditions may be. At the same time, a water retention characteristic curve considering the influence of deformation on degree of saturation is also proposed. In the model, the superloading and subloading concepts are introduced to consider the influences of overconsolidation and structure on deformation and strength of soils. The proposed model only employs nine parameters, among which five parameters are the same as those used in Cam-Clay model. The other four parameters have the clear physical meanings and can be easily determined by conventional soil tests. The capability and accuracy of the proposed model have been validated carefully through a series of laboratory tests such as isotropic loading tests and triaxial monotonic and cyclic compression tests under different mechanical and hydraulic conditions.

     

冲击荷载作用下结构性软黏土力学特性试验研究

冲击荷载作用对土体力学特性影响较大,为了研究此特性,基于天津滨海结构性软黏土,以空心圆柱扭剪仪模拟冲击荷载作用,并在冲击荷载作用前后对土体进行不固结不排水三轴试验,对比研究不同试验条件下结构性软黏土力学特性。试验结果表明:低围压常规三轴剪切试验状态下,土体表现出弱应变软化现象,且土体抗剪强度包线不能用直线表示,而是可由两条直线近似拟合而成;冲击荷载作用时,在一定应力范围内,冲击荷载越大,土体轴向应变、孔隙压力以及主应力差峰值也越大;冲击荷载作用后三轴剪切试验各围压下土体都呈应变硬化型,主应力差峰值均大幅减小,且土体抗剪强度包线均可用直线表示,c、φ值也远小于未受冲击荷载时三轴剪切试验相应数值。最后,总结分析冲击荷载作用对软黏土强度的影响,并拟合得到强度折减与围压、冲击荷载的关系,为实际工程中承受冲击荷载的结构性软黏土强度确定提供参考。     

Non-coaxiality of soft clay generated by principal stress rotation under high-speed train loading

Plenty of geomechanics tests and theories have confirmed the existence of non-coaxiality while soil is subjected to principal stress rotation. This paper investigated the influence of one particular principal stress path, which is a ‘heart-shape’ stress path that is normally induced by high-speed train loading, on the non-coaxiality of reconstituted soft clay. Hollow cylinder apparatus was employed to carry out series of undrained dynamic tests. The goals of this study were to (1) reveal the essential factors of complex cyclic loading paths that influence non-coaxiality in clayey soil and (2) quantify the influence of the factors on variation in non-coaxiality under the high-speed training loading. To analyze the non-coaxiality under high-speed train loading, (a) the pure rotation stress path was utilized as comparison for underling the different influence that ‘heart-shape’ stress path has from other conventional cyclic stress paths. (b) Two variables, dynamic stress ratio and tension–compression amplitude ratio, were introduced in analyzing the evolution of the non-coaxial angle. (c) Based on the test results, equations for describing the revolution of non-coaxiality were proposed which can help to describe the variation in non-coaxial angle under complex loadings quantitatively and understand the influence of the major factors of the stress path intensively.