An analytical solution for the consolidation around a driven pile

Field studies have shown that the driving of a displacement pile into cohesive soil generates large excess pore pressures in the vicinity of the pile. These pore pressures are often larger than the effective overburden pressure and facilitate the installation of the pile. The subsequent increase in bearing capacity of the pile is largely controlled by the dissipation of the excess pore pressures and a consequent increase in the effective stresses acting on the pile. The paper presents a closed formanalytical solution for the radial consolidation of the soil around a driven pile, assuming that the soil skeleton deforms elastically. This assumption is examined in the light of the predicted effective stress changes in the soil and is shown to lead to, a realistic model for the decay of pore pressure near the pile with time after driving. Although the solution may be applied to any initial distribution of excess pore pressure, attention is focussed on that due to the expansion of a cylindrical cavity in an ideal elastic, perfectly plastic soil. The resulting logarithmic variation of excess pore pressure with radius is considered to be close to that generated around a pile as a result of driving. In addition to giving estimates of the time needed for a driven pile to achieve its maximum strength, the solution may also be used in the analysis of pressuremeter tests to provide in-situ measurements of the coefficient of consolidation of the soil.     

Numerical analysis of the installation effect of diaphragm walls in saturated soft clay

The construction of diaphragm wall panels can cause the stress change and soil movements in adjacent ground. In this paper, the construction sequence of a typical diaphragm wall panel in saturated soft clay is simulated with a 3D finite element program. The soil is assumed to behave as an isotropic linear elastic/Mohr–Coulomb plastic material with a soil–water coupled consolidation response. Influence of the pore water pressure is concerned to consider the consolidation behavior of the saturated soft clay. The analysis shows that the changes in effective horizontal stress and pore water pressure during diaphragm wall installation depend on arching mechanism and permeability. The variation in stresses and movements of ground computed by the coupled consolidation analysis and the total stress analysis are compared. Influences of the permeability coefficient on the installation effects are discussed by parametric studies. Finally, a case study of a diaphragm wall construction in Shanghai, in which the ground settlements were monitored, is presented to illustrate the prediction procedure of coupled consolidation analysis.     

Assessment of soil liquefaction potential based on numerical method- a case study of an urban railway project

Paying special attention to geotechnical hazards such as liquefaction in huge civil projects like urban railways especially in susceptible regions to liquefaction is of great importance. A number of approaches to evaluate the potential for initiation of liquefaction, such as Seed and Idriss simplified method have been developed over the years. Although simplified methods are available in calculating the liquefaction potential of a soil deposit and shear stresses induced at any point in the ground due to earthquake loading, these methods cannot be applied to all earthquakes with the same accuracy, also they lack the potential to predict the pore pressure developed in the soil. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a ground response analysis to obtain pore pressures and shear stresses in the soil due to earthquake loading. Using soil historical, geological and compositional criteria, a zone of the corridor of Tabriz urban railway line 2 susceptible to liquefaction was recognized. Then, using numerical analysis and cyclic stress method using QUAKE/W finite element code, soil liquefaction potential in susceptible zone was evaluated based on design earthquake.     

液化土层上建筑物倾斜计算要点初步分析

地震中饱和砂土地基液化会引起结构物倾斜并导致其功能丧失,但目前缺乏相应的数值模拟方法。通过振动台简单模型试验,寻找输入波-基底竖向动应力-基底孔压-结构震陷之间的关系,提出发展液化土层上建筑物倾斜数值模拟方法所需要考虑的要点和应满足的条件。结果表明：（1）分析方法中孔压增长模型应适于不规则波计算,能准确地计算出孔压增长过程,准确地计算出峰值一样但不同波形下孔压增长的差别;（2）孔压增长模型应能反映土的各向异性特性对孔压增长的影响,能合理地计算出拉、压不同应力作用下孔压增长的差异;（3）孔压增长模型应能反映非均等固结条件对孔压增长过程的影响,能合理地计算出结构底部不同固结比土体中孔压增长过程;（4）分析方法中土体变形的计算应能跟踪液化过程中的变形发展,且具备大变形计算能力。     

Large deformation dynamic analysis of saturated porous media with applications to penetration problems

This paper outlines the development as well as implementation of a numerical procedure for coupled finite element analysis of dynamic problems in geomechanics, particularly those involving large deformations and soil-structure interaction. The procedure is based on Biot’s theory for the dynamic behaviour of saturated porous media. The nonlinear behaviour of the solid phase of the soil is represented by either the Mohr Coulomb or Modified Cam Clay material model. The interface between soil and structure is modelled by the so-called node-to-segment contact method. The contact algorithm uses a penalty approach to enforce constraints and to prevent rigid body interpenetration. Moreover, the contact algorithm utilises a smooth discretisation of the contact surfaces to decrease numerical oscillations. An Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) scheme preserves the quality and topology of the finite element mesh throughout the numerical simulation. The generalised-α method is used to integrate the governing equations of motion in the time domain. Some aspects of the numerical procedure are validated by solving two benchmark problems. Subsequently, dynamic soil behaviour including the development of excess pore-water pressure due to the fast installation of a single pile and the penetration of a free falling torpedo anchor are studied. The numerical results indicate the robustness and applicability of the proposed method. Typical distributions of the predicted excess pore-water pressures generated due to the dynamic penetration of an object into a saturated soil are presented, revealing higher magnitudes of pore pressure at the face of the penetrometer and lower values along the shaft. A smooth discretisation of the contact interface between soil and structure is found to be a crucial factor to avoid severe oscillations in the predicted dynamic response of the soil.     

Face stability of shallow circular tunnels driven under the water table: a numerical analysis

The stability analysis of a tunnel excavated in a water-saturated frictional soil is investigated in the light of a failure design approach. The soil strength properties being classically formulated in terms of effective stresses, it is first shown how the effect of seepage flow generated by the excavation process, may be accounted for in such an analysis by means of driving body forces derived from the gradient of an excess pore pressures distribution. The latter is obtained as the solution of a hydraulic boundary value problem, in which both water table evolution and soil deformability can be neglected. A variational formulation of this hydraulic problem in terms of filtration velocities is then presented, leading through appropriate numerical treatment, to a search for the minimum without constraints of a quadratic functional (hybrid formulation), which is formulated by a finite element method. Some numerical examples are given, which provide ample evidence of the crucial role played by seepage forces in the tunnel face stability, since the factor of stability may be divided by as much as three. The influence of such parameters as the tunnel relative depth or soil anisotropic permeability is finally discussed, thus offering a first illustration of the various capabilities of this numerical tool. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

桩承式加筋路堤的现场试验及数值分析

对一桩体面积置换率为8.7 %的低置换率桩承式加筋路堤进行了现场试验及三维有限元分析。现场主要进行了桩、土荷载分担,孔压、沉降及侧向水平变形等内容的观测。将观测数据与常规设计方法及三维有限元分析结果进行了对比研究,在此基础上对设计方法的适用性进行了分析。研究结果表明,路堤填土的土拱效应造成荷载向桩体转移,这种荷载转移大幅度减小了在软土层中产生的超孔隙水压力。当填土高度大于2.5 m时,土拱效应的应力折减系数可用Russell和Pierpoint或Hewlett和Randolph提出的土拱效应分析方法进行计算,其结果与三维有限元分析也较相符,但在路堤高度较小时,只有Russell和Pierpoint方法与实测结果相接近。路堤施工过程中,实测的水平变形与沉降之比仅为0.2左右,这表明采用桩承式加筋路堤不仅可减小沉降,而且可减小水平向的变形,提高路堤的稳定性。     

雨水入渗对非饱和土坡稳定性影响的参数研究

很多国家和地区的斜坡失稳与雨水入渗有密切关系。通过参数分析研究可以深化对这种关系的认识和理解,因而对滑坡灾害的预测和预防有重要意义。针对香港地区一种典型非饱和土斜坡,用有限元法模拟雨水入渗引起的暂态渗流场,然后将计算得到的暂态孔隙水压力分布用于斜坡的极限平衡分析。计算中采用延伸的摩尔－库伦破坏准则以便考虑基质吸力对抗剪强度的贡献,研究了降雨特征、水文地质条件及坡面防渗处理等因素对暂态渗流场和斜坡安全因数的影响。数值模拟结果表明：降雨强度、降雨历时和雨型对暂态渗流场及斜坡稳定性有明显的影响;土体的渗透系数,尤其是渗透系数各向异性的影响特别显著;斜坡中相对隔水层的存在以及斜坡防渗护面的效果等因素的影响均不容忽视。     

考虑饱和度修正的应力腐蚀和压力溶解作用热-水-应力耦合过程有限元分析

针对笔者开发的双重孔隙-裂隙介质热-水-应力（T-H-M）耦合二维有限元分析程序中使用的应力腐蚀和压力溶解模型,引入水饱和度修正因子。以一个假设的位于含水地层中的高放废物地质处置模型,拟定3种初始裂隙水饱和度的计算工况（Sw20=1.0、0.8、0.2）进行热-水-应力耦合的数值模拟,考察岩体中的温度、裂隙开度的闭合速率、闭合量、孔(裂)隙水压力、地下水流速和应力的变化、分布等情况。结果显示,随着初始裂隙水饱和度的由高值到低值,应力腐蚀和压力溶解产生的闭合速率从大变小,裂隙开度由初始值趋于残余值,粗糙面接触率由初始值趋于其名义接触率的时间也增加,裂纹应力强度因子的下降亦变慢;近场的裂（孔）隙水压力的变化、分布及其流速矢量场的形态有明显的不同;3种工况的岩体中的应力量值及分布的差别不大。     

压力溶解对颗粒聚集岩体中热-水-应力耦合作用的弹塑性有限元分析

将Taron等提出的颗粒聚集体的压力溶解模型引入笔者所研制的孔隙介质热-水-应力耦合有限元程序中,并使用摩尔-库仑准则,针对一个假设的实验室尺度且位于饱和石英颗粒聚集岩体中的高放废物地质处置库模型,拟定弹性分析和弹塑性分析两种计算工况,进行4 a处置时段的数值模拟,考察了岩体中的温度、颗粒界面水膜及孔隙中的溶质浓度、迁移和沉淀质量、孔隙率及渗透系数、孔隙水压力、地下水流速和应力及塑性区的变化、分布情况。结果主要显示：弹塑性分析中由于应力调整和增大了分子扩散系数,使得塑性区的颗粒介质的溶解、迁移和沉淀有明显的变化,并对渗流场（孔隙水压力及流速）和应力场产生显著的影响。但两种工况弹性区中的颗粒介质的溶解、迁移和沉淀差别较小。     

Fully coupled solution for the consolidation of poroelastic soil around elastoplastic stone column

The paper presents a new fully coupled elastoplastic solution for the response of a poroelastic thick-walled soil cylinder around an elastoplastic stone column using Biot’s (J Appl Phys 12:155–164, 1941) consolidation theory. A unit cell concept is adopted for the soil–stone column analysis, and the problem is formulated in cylindrical coordinates. Expressions for excess pore pressure, stresses and displacements in the Laplace domain are derived analytically taking into account elastic or plastic behavior of the column. The inverse of the Laplace transform is evaluated numerically using an efficient scheme to obtain the final elastoplastic solution in time domain. The validity of the new solution has been checked against finite element solution and compared with some previously developed analytical methods for the stone column analysis. The results showing settlements, change in excess pore pressures and stresses with time are presented in terms of time factor. The proposed solution can be used to calculate transient state of settlements, distribution of deformations, stresses and excess pore pressures in soil and column under instantaneous or time-dependent monotonically increasing rigid vertical load.     

Cut Slopes in Clayey Soils: Consolidation and Overall Stability by Finite Element Method

When a cut slope in a saturated clay is undertaken, a transient water flow occurs and stress transferences from the water to the soil skeleton take place in time (consolidation). Mainly in strongly overconsolidated clays, these stress transferences may determine swelling of soil and therefore reduction of its shear strength in time. However, the lowering of the water level associated to the cut increases effective mean stress, which may therefore counterbalance the above-mentioned effect. In the paper, the behaviour of a cut slope in an overconsolidated clay is analysed by a finite element program that incorporates the Biot consolidation theory (coupled analysis), with constitutive relations simulated by the p–q–θ critical state model. In addition, the variation in time of the overall stability is assessed with a computer program that uses the finite element results and formulations of the critical state soil mechanics. In order to achieve a more complex geotechnical interpretation of the problem, the analysis in time of the excess pore pressures, effective stresses, displacements and stress levels is also presented. Finally, comparisons of stability results are analysed by changing some parameters, namely the problem geometry (weight of excavated soil) and the over-consolidation ratio of the clay.     

Simulation of land subsidence using finite element method: Rafsanjan plain case study

Land subsidence caused by the excessive use of groundwater resources has caused serious damage to Rafsanjan area. In this study, using finite element method, a 2D plain strain simulation of land subsidence has been conducted. A linear elastic constitutive law has been used for the simulation of the soil material skeleton. Actual water level during the analysis period has been modeled via specifying nodal water pressure at piezometer wells situation. The solution procedure consists of two parts. First, an initial static analysis is carried out in order to find initial steady-state solution for the pore pressure and stress distribution. Then, the above solution is used as initial condition for dynamic computation of consolidation equations during pumpage period. Tectonic effect has been considered as a rigid body motion. Numerical results showed that if the rate of pumpage remains constant in the future, settlement due to water withdrawal near Rafsanjan city will reach up to 110 cm by the year 2022.     

Flow through porous media: A procedure for locating the free surface

A finite element procedure is developed to accurately locate the free surface of unconfined seepage flow through porous media. The free surface is taken as the boundary between wet and dry soils, with flow in the saturated region characterized by Darcy's law. The method involves equations and meshing which are fully consistent with a general formulation for geotechnical engineering problems involving simultaneous solution of pore fluid pressures and soil skeleton displacements. Accuracy and versatility of the proposed procedure are demonstrated by solving various unconfined seepage flow problems through earth structures. Free surfaces and flownets are presented for the calculated flow fields.     

考虑气相影响的降雨入渗过程分析研究

降雨入渗过程是水在下渗的过程中驱替空气的水-气二相流过程,对这一过程的精确模拟一直是渗流计算的难点,目前的处理方法通常是忽略孔隙气压力变化的影响。根据多相流理论,结合质量守恒定律和达西定律,建立了水-气二相流模型,模型的求解采用积分有限差分法和Newton-Raphson迭代方法,通过变换主要变量来表达相态的变化,实现了水相、气相边界条件及降雨入渗边界的精确模拟。利用上述模型对一土柱试验进行模拟,从而验证了模型的正确性,研究了一均质土层的降雨入渗过程,得到了孔隙水压力、孔隙气压力和毛细压力及含水率的变化过程。根据入渗率与地表孔隙气压力的变化关系,验证了孔隙气压力的增大对入渗水流产生阻滞作用。在求解非稳定渗流问题中,考虑空气压力变化的影响是值得研究的。     

Unsaturated slope stability analysis with steady infiltration or evaporation using elasto‐plastic finite elements

The paper presents results of unsaturated slope stability analyses using elasto‐plastic finite elements in conjunction with a novel analytical formulation for the suction stress above the water table. The suction stress formula requires four parameters, three for the soil type and one for the steady infiltration (or evaporation) due to environmental effects. The suction stress approach enables the analysis to proceed in the context of classical effective stress, while maintaining the advantages of a general non‐linear finite element approach in which no advance assumptions need to be made about the shape or location of the critical failure surface. The results show the extent to which suctions above the water table can increase the factor of safety of a slope for a variety of different soil types and infiltration rates. All stability analyses that include the effects of suction stresses are contrasted with more traditional approaches in which water pressures above the water table are ignored. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

金沙江大陆底滑坡稳定性评价

在缺少钻孔和平洞勘探资料的条件下,通过现场调查和测量获得的坡体特征确定滑面形态及位置.通过仿真压密试验,获得不同压力下滑带土的孔隙比,用有限元计算滑面正应力,根据仿真样剪切试验得到滑带土强度参数.在此基础上,刚体极限平衡法计算的稳定性系数表明,天然工况下坡体稳定,蓄水工况下将失稳破坏.     

Numerical modelling of large deformations associated with driving of open‐ended piles

This paper presents a ‘Eulerian‐like’ finite element technique to simulate the large accumulated displacements of piles subjected to multiple hammer blows. For each hammer blow, results are obtained using a standard small strain finite element model and, at the end of each hammer blow, material flow is taken into account with reference to a fixed finite element mesh. Residual stresses calculated at the Gauss integration points of the deformed finite element mesh are mapped on to the fixed finite element mesh, and these stresses are used as initial stresses for the next hammer blow. At the end of each hammer blow, stiffness and mass matrices are recalculated for the volume of material remaining inside the fixed finite element mesh. Results obtained with and without allowing material to flow through the fixed mesh are compared for several hammer blows. Build up of residual stresses, soil flow and yielded points around the pile are presented for plugged, partially‐plugged and unplugged piles. Using the new finite element technique, the driving of a pile from the soil surface is studied. The ability to analyse this and other large deformation problems is the main advantage of the new finite element technique. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Settlement of soil due to water uptake by plant roots

The settlement of soil occurs whenever there is an increase in effective confining stress. The withdrawal of water by plant roots results in a change in water pressure and moisture content in the soil. The variation in the moisture content leads to a change in the effective stress that causes a decrease in porosity which eventually results in the settlement of soil. The driving force for the uptake of water by the roots is the difference in the plant water and soil water potential existing between the soil solution adjacent to the roots and the root xylem. In case of transpiring plants, this driving force is mainly due to the tension (negative pressure) produced in the roots. A finite element solution of the governing equation yields the variation of moisture content with depth and the total settlement of the soil column due to the extraction of water by the plant roots. The simulated results indicate the damaging situation due to changes in the soil moisture content on account of transpiring trees and plants grown around the perimeter of structures. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.