Adaptive finite element analysis of cone penetration in clay

This paper presents a numerical technique for the analysis of the cone penetration test by means of the commercial finite element code ABAQUS. The von Mises yield criterion with its associated flow rule is assumed to model the plastic behaviour of elastoplastic undrained clays. An explicit finite element scheme is used to efficiently perform a large number of loading increments and to simplify the treatment of contact. An Arbitrary Langrangian–Eulerian (ALE) scheme is adopted to preserve the quality of mesh throughout the numerical simulation. A volumetric weighting algorithm adjusts the relative positions of nodes after each loading increment. This prevents mesh over distortion and allows the simulation to run continuously. The variation of the cone resistance is examined in relation to various parameters such as the in situ stress state, shaft and cone face roughness, and the material strength when steady state conditions have been reached. The trends of these variations are highlighted and compared with those found by other researchers. This technique can be extended to analyse the plastic behaviour of elastoplastic sands often modelled using either the Drucker–Prager yield criterion or a critical state model.     

Modelling the Cone Penetration Test in sand using Cavity Expansion and Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian Finite Element Methods

The paper considers two techniques to model the Cone Penetration Test (CPT) end resistance, q_c in a dense sand deposit using commercial finite element programmes. In the first approach, Plaxis was used to perform spherical cavity expansion analyses at multiple depths. Two soil models, namely; the Mohr–Coulomb (MC) and Hardening Soil (HS) models were utilized. When calibrated using simple laboratory element tests, the HS model was found to provide good estimates of q_c. However, at shallow depths, where the over-consolidation ratio of the sand was highest, the relatively large horizontal stresses developed prevented the full development of the failure zone resulting in under-estimation of the q_c value. The second approach involved direct simulation of cone penetration using a large-strain analysis implemented in Abaqus/Explicit. The Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) technique was used to prevent excessive mesh deformation. Although the Druker–Prager soil model used was not as sophisticated as the HS model, excellent agreement was achieved between the predicted and measured q_c profiles.     

Three-dimensional analysis of embankments on soft soils incorporating vertical drains by finite element method

Three-dimensional behaviour of an embankment on soft soils incorporating vertical drains is analysed by a numerical model based on the finite element method. The model, which incorporates the Biot’s consolidation theory (coupled formulation of the flow and equilibrium equations) and constitutive relations simulated by the p–q–θ critical state model, is applied on both the embankment with vertical drains (three-dimensional analysis) and the same problem but without vertical drains (two-dimensional analysis). Special emphasis is given to the analysis, during and after the construction period, of the excess pore pressures, settlements, horizontal displacements and stress levels.     

不同重力场下静力触探试验离散元数值分析

采用离散元商业软件PFC2D对7种重力场下静力触探试验进行了对比分析试验,以研究高、低重力场下静力触探试验的异同点。数值试验结果表明：不同重力场下土体受静力触探贯入主要影响区域不同,低重力场下主要是上部土体受到影响,高重力场下主要是下部土体受到影响;归一化贯入阻力的最大值和稳定值、归一化球应力和偏应力的最大值均与重力加速度的倒数呈线性关系,均随重力加速度倒数的增加而增大;土体经历了明显的加载、卸载过程,重力加速度越小,加载、卸载现象越明显,同一重力加速度下上部土体加载、卸载程度大于下部土体。     

Interpretation of the lime column penetration test

Dry soil mix (DSM) columns can be used to reduce the settlement of embankments constructed on soft clays and to improve the stability. During construction the shear strength of the columns needs to be confirmed for compliance with technical assumptions. However, the measurement of the column shear strength can be a contentious issue. All methods of assessing the ultimate shear strength of DSM columns have limitations. These are caused by uncertainties in empirical probe factors required to convert pullout or push in force measured during the lime column penetration test to shear strength and/or testing a small proportion of the DSM column volume and determining whether it is representative of the strength of the entire column. The penetration resistance measured using the lime column test is considered to be more representative of average column shear strength than some other test types. This test can be carried out as a pullout resistance test (PORT) or a push in resistance test (PIRT). Both PORT and PIRT require empirical correlations of measured resistance to an absolute measure of shear strength, in a similar manner to the Piezocone test. In this paper, finite element techniques developed for assessment of T-bar, Ball and Piezocone penetration tests ,  and  are used to assess bounds for the empirical probe factor, N. To simulate the cemented DSM columns, analyses have incorporated a model for a strain softening material. Measured settlements from an embankment constructed on DSM ground improvement are then compared with finite element calculations to infer the shear strength of the columns. These inferred shear strengths are then compared with the results of PORT tests performed beneath the embankment.     

结构性砂土静力触探试验离散元分析

为研究结构性砂土静力触探的宏微观力学特性,在10 g重力场中生成一个净砂地基;将一个考虑胶结厚度的微观胶结接触模型引入到净砂地基中以生成结构性砂土地基;用一定速率移动探杆以模拟结构性砂土中的静力触探过程,其中,探杆由4面刚性墙组成。结果表明,随着贯入深度的增加,锥尖贯入阻力逐渐增大,增长速度逐渐减慢,在达到临界深度后贯入阻力在某一定值附近波动;锥尖部位有明显的力链集中现象,力链的集中程度和范围会随着贯入深度的增加而逐渐提高和扩大;静力触探过程中,探杆两侧的土体经历了明显的加载和卸载过程,且土体主应力方向发生偏转;离探杆越远,主应力偏转速度越慢,最终偏转角越小;不同深度处平均纯转动率（APR）的变化趋势基本相同,而APR最大值会随着土体深度而逐渐增加;探杆的贯入会使土颗粒间胶结发生破坏,胶结的破坏形式主要有拉剪破坏和压剪破坏两种,而拉剪破坏数目要比压剪破坏数目多。     

DEM modelling of cone penetration tests in a double-porosity crushable granular material

A three-dimensional discrete element model is used to investigate the effect of grain crushing on the tip resistance measured by cone penetration tests (CPT) in calibration chambers. To do that a discrete analogue of pumice sand, a very crushable microporous granular material, is created. The particles of the discrete model are endowed with size-dependent internal porosity and crushing resistance. A simplified Hertz–Mindlin elasto-frictional model is used for contact interaction. The model has 6 material parameters that are calibrated using one oedometer test and analogies with similar geomaterials. The calibration is validated reproducing other element tests. To fill a calibration chamber capable of containing a realistic sized CPT the discrete analogue is up-scaled by a factor of 25. CPT is then performed at two different densities and three different confinement pressures. Cone tip resistance in the crushable material is practically insensitive to initial density, as had been observed in previous physical experiments. The same CPT series is repeated but now particle crushing is disabled. The ratios of cone tip resistance between the two types of simulation are in good agreement with previous experimental comparisons of hard and crushable soils. Microscale exploration of the models indicates that crushing disrupts the buttressing effect of chamber walls on the cone.     

Deformation analysis of shallow penetration in clay

A new method of analysis is described for estimating the deformations and strains caused by shallow undrained penetration of piles and caissons in clay. The formulation combines previous analyses for steady, deep penetration, with methods used to compute soil deformations due to near-surface ground loss, and is referred to as the Shallow Strain Path Method (SSPM). Complete analytical solutions for the velocity and strain rates are given for a planar wall, an axisymmetric, closed-ended pile and unplugged, open-ended pile geometries. In these examples, the analyses consider a single source penetrating through the soil at a constant rate, generating a family of penetrometers with rounded tips, referred to as simple wall, pile and tube geometries. Soil deformations and strains are obtained by integrating the velocity and strain rates along the particle paths. The transition from shallow to deep penetration is analysed in detail. Shallow penetration causes heave at the ground surface, while settlements occur only in a thin veneer of material adjacent to the shaft and in a bulb-shaped region around the tip. The size of this region increases with the embedment depth. Deformations inside an open-ended pile/caisson are affected significantly by details of the simple tube wall geometry. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

现代多功能孔压静力触探及在软土地区测试要点

简要分析了我国CPT技术与国际CPT技术的差距,介绍了现代多功能CPTU测试系统、应用于CPT的传感器技术的发展、现代多功能CPTU技术的优势及SCPTU、RCPTU、VisCPT技术的新应用。同时,分析了软土地区多功能CPTU测试技术要点,包括测试计划的制定、孔压系统的饱和与标定、测试精度的保证、负值的分析及探头的保养等问题。     

考虑流变性状的软土地基固结有限元分析

对具有流变性状的软土地基固结特性进行了研究,编制了相应的有限元程序。利用该程序对某高速公路软土地基固结问题进行了计算和分析。通过计算结果与实测结果的对比可得到以下结论：在软土地基的固结变形计算中,考虑流变性状的影响是必要的,其计算值与实测值比较吻合。     

软土中T型触探仪贯入阻力的数值模拟

T型触探仪近年来在国外的海洋软土地基原位测试中得到了广泛应用,但贯入速率、地基土强度的各向异性与渐进软化等因素对于贯入阻力的影响没有得到系统的研究。在大型有限元软件ABAQUS平台上进行二次开发,针对基于Tresca屈服准则的理想弹塑性模型进行了相应改进,使之可以比较合理地反映上述因素的影响,进而对软土中T型触探仪的贯入机制进行了比较系统的数值分析。计算结果表明,贯入速率、地基土强度的各向异性与强度软化效应对于T型触探仪的贯入阻力系数影响较大。通过与有关极限分析上限解的对比分析,在一定程度上验证了有限元分析结果的合理性。     

循环荷载下软黏土不排水强度弱化分析的动力有限元ABAQUS实现

在波浪循环荷载作用下饱和软黏土地基出现孔隙水压力升高,并导致不排水强度弱化,严重影响防波堤的承载性能。考虑静偏应力影响,基于最大孔隙水压力发展模型和正常固结软黏土不排水强度公式,推导出软黏土不排水强度随循环荷载作用次数和应力水平变化的动态折减规律。结合软黏土不排水强度动态折减规律和M-C屈服准则,在有限元软件ABAQUS上实现软黏土不排水强度循环弱化分析的数值开发和动力运算过程。运用该动力有限元方法对天津港防波堤地基软黏土的动、静三轴试验进行数值模拟运算。结果表明,最大孔隙水压力发展曲线以及循环荷载作用后不排水强度的数值预测结果与动三轴试验结果吻合良好。另外,动力有限元方法（DFEM）能够表示土体强度在循环荷载作用下的具体弱化过程。     

黏土结构性对孔压静力触探结果的影响分析

针对目前黏土结构性对孔压静力触探结果的影响及其机理尚不是很清楚的问题,首先在ABAQUS软件中对结构性剑桥模型进行了程序实现,然后建立了孔压静力触探贯入结构性黏土的数值模型,通过数值计算分析了黏土结构性对孔压静力触探结果的影响。数值计算结果表明：（1）黏土的结构性会导致锥尖周围土体的偏应力增大,由于锥尖附近土体的结构性损伤,最大偏应力出现在距锥尖一定距离的右下方;（2）表征结构性强度的参数——初始结构屈服应力$ p{\text{'}}_{ {\rm{yi}}} $越大,锥尖阻力qc越大,而表征结构性损伤速度的参数——结构性对流动法则影响参数ω越大,qc值越小;（3）$p\text{'}_{ {\rm{yi}}} $值越大,贯入停止时的超静孔隙水压力u越大,而ω值越大,贯入停止时的u值越小;（4）经验圆锥系数Nkt随$p\text{'}_{ {\rm{yi}}} $增大明显减小,随ω的增大略有减小。因此,黏土的结构性强度及其损伤会明显影响孔压静力触探的测量结果,基于锥尖阻力qc估算结构性黏土的不排水抗剪强度su时应采用考虑结构性影响的经验圆锥系数Nkt,否则将会低估结构性黏土的su。研究结果可为孔压静力触探结果的分析和应用提供参考。     

Discrete element modelling of deep penetration in granular soils

This paper presents a numerical study on deep penetration mechanisms in granular materials with the focus on the effect of soil–penetrometer interface friction. A two‐dimensional discrete element method has been used to carry out simulation of deep penetration tests on a granular ground that is under an amplified gravity with a K₀ lateral stress boundary. The numerical results show that the deep penetration makes the soil near the penetrometer move in a complex displacement path, undergo an evident loading and unloading process, and a rotation of principal stresses as large as 180°. In addition, the penetration leads to significant changes in displacement and velocity fields as well as the magnitude and direction of stresses. In general, during the whole penetration process, the granular ground undergoes several kinds of failure mechanisms in sequence, and the soil of large deformation may reach a stress state slightly over the strength envelope obtained from conventional compression tests. Soil–penetrometer interface friction has clear effects on the actual penetration mechanisms. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use of coupled finite element analysis in unsaturated soil problems

This paper presents a variation of Biot's consolidation theory for analysing problems involving unsaturated soils, and implemented using the finite element method. The numerical method is applied to a few geotechnical problems as examples and the results obtained are compared to some published data. The illustrative examples show how the numerical method can be used to analyse seepage and consolidation problems associated with unsaturated soils and demonstrate the flexibility and applicability of the presented method. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

双桥静力触探法判别上海薄夹层粘土地基液化研究

通过对11项典型工程场地进行原位取土及双桥静力触探原位测试分析,重点研究了上海地区薄层粘性土（或粘质粉土）夹层对液化判别的影响,统计分析了锥尖阻力qc、摩阻比Rf与土层粘粒含量的相关关系,提出了完全依据双桥静力触探试验的地基液化判别方法,在工程应用中取得了显著经济效益。     

Slope stability analysis by means of finite element limit analysis and finite element strength reduction techniques. Part II: Back analyses of a case history

This paper deals with a back analysis of a slope failure. The case history investigated is located in an alpine environment in central Europe and is characterized by a very steep original terrain, indicating in situ soil with high strength. To study the factor of safety, two different approaches applying the so-called φ′/c′ reduction are used, namely finite element limit analysis and strength reduction finite element analysis. Comparison of a strength reduction technique with rigorous finite element limit analysis confirms that the factors of safety (FoS) obtained are very similar for associated plasticity, an intrinsic assumption of limit analysis. For non-associated plasticity, a modified version of the so-called Davis approach has been applied because it has been shown that the original formulation proposed by Davis works well when the FoS is defined in terms of loads but is not appropriate when the FoS is defined in terms of soil strength. The results show that, with the modified Davis parameter, both strength reduction finite element analyses and finite element limit analyses provide very similar factors of safety. The key advantage of limit analysis, however, is that the value of the FoS can be bracketed from above and below with upper and lower bound calculations.