Undrained lower bound solutions for end bearing capacity of shallow circular piles in non-homogeneous and anisotropic clays

The undrained bearing capacity of shallow circular piles in non-homogeneous and anisotropic clay is investigated by the lower bound (LB) finite element limit analysis (FELA) under two-dimensional (2D) axisymmetric condition using second-order cone programming, and the new solution of the problem is presented. Modified from the isotropic von Mises yield criterion, a cross-anisotropic undrained strength criterion of clays under the axisymmetric state of stress requiring three input shear strengths in triaxial compression, direct simple shear, and triaxial extension is employed in the 2D axisymmetric LB FELA. Parametric studies on the effects of pile embedment ratio, dimensionless strength gradient, anisotropic strength ratio, and pile roughness are investigated extensively, while the predicted failure mechanisms associated with these parameters are discussed and compared. Numerical results of undrained end bearing capacity of shallow circular piles are summarized in the form of design tables that are useful for design practice and represent a new contribution to the field of pile capacity considering the combined effects of undrained strength non-homogeneity and anisotropy.     

一种二阶锥线性化方法在上限有限元中的应用研究

对于平面应变条件下岩土稳定性分析,基于线性规划的上限有限元需对常用的摩尔-库仑屈服准则形成的二阶锥约束进行线性化,直接地处理方法是以外接多边形替代锥体投影形成的圆域。为了提高线性化精度往往需直接增加外接多边形边数,从而造成线性规划模型中决策变量包含大量的塑性乘子变量,使计算难度大为增加甚至变得不可行。为此,引入Ben-Tal和Nemirovsky提出的一种二阶锥线性化方法,并将其嵌入到自编的上限有限元程序。经算例分析发现,该法与外接多边形线性化方法所获计算结果相互印证,且其通过适量的增加决策变量和等式约束数目,能保证摩尔-库仑屈服准则线性化精度,同时形成的线性规划规模更小,可望应用于基于线性规划模型的上限有限元中。     

基于混合常应力−光滑应变单元的极限分析方法

极限分析是岩土工程稳定性评价的重要方法之一。传统的有限元极限分析方法,采用低阶三角形单元时需要引入速度间断面并采用特殊网格布局,或者采用高阶三角形单元等措施来克服体积锁定问题和提高数值精度。在光滑有限元法（smoothed finite element method,简称SFEM）的基础上,提出了一种基于新型混合常应力−光滑应变单元的极限分析方法（mixed constant stress-smoothed strain element limit analysis,简称MCSE-LA方法）。在服从关联流动法则和Mohr-Coulomb屈服准则的基础上,MCSE-LA方法最终将数值极限分析转化为以应力和极限荷载乘子为基本未知量的二阶锥规划（second order cone programming,简称SOCP）问题。MCSE-LA方法具有形式简单、优化变量相对较少和无需显式的写出塑性内能耗散函数的优点,并且根据凸锥优化的对偶理论,可以从对偶问题中获得速度场和塑性乘子等信息。此外,还采用基于最大塑性剪应变率的网格自适应加密算法,该算法在塑性区细化网格,显著提高了新数值极限分析方法的计算效率和精度。最后通过边坡稳定分析的结果对比,验证了MCSE-LA方法的计算精度和效率均高于传统的有限元极限分析方法。     

Upper bound limit analysis using simplex strain elements and second‐order cone programming

In geomechanics, limit analysis provides a useful method for assessing the capacity of structures such as footings and retaining walls, and the stability of slopes and excavations. This paper presents a finite element implementation of the kinematic (or upper bound) theorem that is novel in two main respects. First, it is shown that conventional linear strain elements (6‐node triangle, 10‐node tetrahedron) are suitable for obtaining strict upper bounds even in the case of cohesive‐frictional materials, provided that the element sides are straight (or the faces planar) such that the strain field varies as a simplex. This is important because until now, the only way to obtain rigorous upper bounds has been to use constant strain elements combined with a discontinuous displacement field. It is well known (and confirmed here) that the accuracy of the latter approach is highly dependent on the alignment of the discontinuities, such that it can perform poorly if an unstructured mesh is employed. Second, the optimization of the displacement field is formulated as a standard second‐order cone programming (SOCP) problem. Using a state‐of‐the‐art SOCP code developed by researchers in mathematical programming, very large example problems are solved with outstanding speed. The examples concern plane strain and the Mohr–Coulomb criterion, but the same approach can be used in 3D with the Drucker–Prager criterion, and can readily be extended to other yield criteria having a similar conic quadratic form. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Upper bound finite element analysis of slope stability using a nonlinear failure criterion

In this study, upper bound finite element (FE) limit analysis is applied to stability problems of slopes using a nonlinear criterion. After formulating the upper bound analysis as the dual form of a second-order cone programming (SOCP) problem, the stress field and corresponding shear strength parameters can be determined iteratively. Thus, the nonlinear failure criterion is represented by the shear strength parameters associated with stress so that the analysis of slope stability using a nonlinear failure criterion can be transformed into the traditional upper bound method with a linear Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion. Comparison with published solutions illustrates the accuracy and feasibility of the proposed method for a simple homogeneous slope stability problem. The proposed approach is also applied to a seismic stability problem for a rockfill dam to study the influence of different failure criterions on the upper bound solutions. The results show that the seismic stability coefficients obtained using two different nonlinear failure criteria are similar but that the convergence differs significantly.     

基于混合离散的砌石挡土墙边坡极限承载力下限分析

将极限分析下限法理论、混合数值离散思想和线性规划结合起来研究砌石挡土墙边坡的极限承载力。采用三角形有限单元离散土体来模拟土体的连续介质力学特性,构建土体静力许可应力场的约束条件,采用块体单元离散砌石体来模拟砌石体的非连续介质力学特性,构建砌石挡土墙的静力许可应力场的约束条件;同时建立有限元单元和块体单元交界面的约束条件;然后以超载系数为目标函数建立求解砌石挡土墙极限承载力的下限法线性规划模型,并使用内点算法进行最优化求解,获得边坡的极限荷载（或安全系数）和对应的应力场。通过3个算例的分析验证了所提方法的正确性。所提方法是将混合数值离散思想引入极限分析领域的一次尝试。     

Upper bound limit analysis using linear finite elements and non‐linear programming

A new method for computing rigorous upper bounds on the limit loads for one‐, two‐ and three‐dimensional continua is described. The formulation is based on linear finite elements, permits kinematically admissible velocity discontinuities at all interelement boundaries, and furnishes a kinematically admissible velocity field by solving a non‐linear programming problem. In the latter, the objective function corresponds to the dissipated power (which is minimized) and the unknowns are subject to linear equality constraints as well as linear and non‐linear inequality constraints. Provided the yield surface is convex, the optimization problem generated by the upper bound method is also convex and can be solved efficiently by applying a two‐stage, quasi‐Newton scheme to the corresponding Kuhn–Tucker optimality conditions. A key advantage of this strategy is that its iteration count is largely independent of the mesh size. Since the formulation permits non‐linear constraints on the unknowns, no linearization of the yield surface is necessary and the modelling of three‐dimensional geometries presents no special difficulties. The utility of the proposed upper bound method is illustrated by applying it to a number of two‐ and three‐dimensional boundary value problems. For a variety of two‐dimensional cases, the new scheme is up to two orders of magnitude faster than an equivalent linear programming scheme which uses yield surface linearization. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

非均质土坡的有限元塑性极限分析

在评价现有边坡稳定分析方法的基础上,提出了边坡稳定的有限元塑性极限分析方法。借助有限单元思想和线性规划,建立了边坡稳定的数学规划模型,由此可以求出安全系数的上下限解,从而,界定了边坡的安全范围,同时,可以给出下限状态下的应力场和上限状态下的速度场。以一个经典非均质土坡的边坡稳定作为算例,比较了多种方法的分析结果,论证了本方法的正确性。     

Limit analysis of 2-D and 3-D structures based on an ellipsoid yield criterion

In this paper, a nonlinear numerical technique is developed to calculate the limit load and failure mode of structures obeying an ellipsoid yield criterion by means of the kinematic limit theorem, nonlinear programming theory and displacement-based finite element method. Using an associated flow rule, a general yield criterion expressed by an ellipsoid equation can be directly introduced into the kinematic theorem of limit analysis. The yield surface is not linearized and instead a nonlinear purely kinematic formulation is obtained. The nonlinear formulation has a smaller number of constraints and requires less computational effort than a linear formulation. By applying the finite element method, the kinematic limit analysis with an ellipsoid yield criterion is formulated as a nonlinear mathematical programming problem subject to only a small number of equality constraints. The objective function corresponds to the dissipation power which is to be minimized and an upper bound to the plastic limit load of a structure can then be calculated by solving the minimum optimization problem. An effective, direct iterative algorithm has been developed to solve the resulting nonlinear programming formulation. The calculation is based purely on kinematically admissible velocities. The stress field does not need to be calculated and the failure mode of structures can be obtained. The proposed method can be used to calculate the bearing capacity of clay soils in a direct way. Some examples are given to illustrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Bearing capacity factors of circular foundations for a general c–ϕ soil using lower bound finite elements limit analysis

By using the lower bound limit analysis in conjunction with finite elements and linear programming, the bearing capacity factors due to cohesion, surcharge and unit weight, respectively, have been computed for a circular footing with different values of ?. The recent axisymmetric formulation proposed by the authors under ?=0 condition, which is based on the concept that the magnitude of the hoop stress (σ_θ) remains closer to the least compressive normal stress (σ₃), is extended for a general c–? soil. The computational results are found to compare quite well with the available numerical results from literature. It is expected that the study will be useful for solving various axisymmetric geotechnical stability problems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lower bound limit analysis of unsupported vertical circular excavations in rocks using Hoek-Brown failure criterion

The stability of vertical unsupported circular excavations in rock media, obeying generalized Hoek-Brown yield criterion, has been investigated by using the lower bound finite elements limit analysis. An axisymmetric analysis, composed of a planar domain with a mesh of three-noded triangular elements, has been carried out. The optimization problem is dealt with by using the semidefinite programming technique avoiding the need of either smoothing the yield surface or making any assumption associated with the circumferential stress (σ_θ). A detailed parametric study has been executed, and the effects of different input material parameters, namely, geological strength index (GSI), yield parameter (m_i), and the disturbance factor (D) on the results have been studied. For different height to radius ratios of the excavation, the computed results are presented in the form of nondimensional stability numbers. Failure mechanisms have also been investigated for a few typical cases. The results from the analysis have been compared with that evaluated separately with the application of the software OptumG2.     

基于非线性规划的有限元塑性极限分析下限法研究

在分析Sloan建立的有限元塑性极限分析线性规划数学模型存在的局限性基础上,提出了基于非线性规划的有限元塑性极限分析下限法数学模型。采用非线性屈服条件构建了下限法静力容许应力场,建立了求解超载系数、强度储备系数的下限法数学模型,并提出了针对塑性极限分析非线性规划数学模型的求解策略;最后对一个经典算例进行了深入分析,验证了方法的正确性。     

Determination of passive earth pressure with lower bound finite elements limit analysis and modified pseudo-dynamic method

ABSTRACT

The present study deals with the determination of passive earth pressure under seismic condition by following the lower bound finite elements limit analysis and modified pseudo-dynamic methodology. In accordance with the lower bound finite elements formulation, the stress field was modelled using a three-noded triangular elements, while the passive pressure was determined via linear optimisation. The parametric study was performed, for a vertical rigid retaining wall, by varying the magnitude of seismic acceleration in horizontal direction (k_h) between 0 and 0.3, while the vertical seismic acceleration (k_v) was kept equal to 0 or 0.5 k_h. Furthermore, the damping coefficient for dry cohesionless backfill was kept ξ = 10%. The obtained results in various cases were found to be in good agreement with those found in the literature. It is expected that this method can be further used for solving other important geotechnical stability problems.     

Bearing capacity factor Nc under ϕ=0 condition for piles in clays

Bearing capacity factor N_c for axially loaded piles in clays whose cohesion increases linearly with depth has been estimated numerically under undrained (?=0) condition. The study follows the lower bound limit analysis in conjunction with finite elements and linear programming. A new formulation is proposed for solving an axisymmetric geotechnical stability problem. The variation of N_c with embedment ratio is obtained for several rates of the increase of soil cohesion with depth; a special case is also examined when the pile base was placed on the stiff clay stratum overlaid by a soft clay layer. It was noticed that the magnitude of N_c reaches almost a constant value for embedment ratio greater than unity. The roughness of the pile base and shaft affects marginally the magnitudes of N_c. The results obtained from the present study are found to compare quite well with the different numerical solutions reported in the literature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于线性规划模型的极限分析上限有限元的实现

极限分析上限有限元法常利用三角形常应变率单元和摩尔-库仑屈服函数线性化的方法,以形成较易求解的线性规划模型。然而为满足计算精度,需引入大量的优化变量,增加了计算和存储的难度。为此,基于线性规划模型,利用MATLAB编制极限分析上限有限元程序,针对线性规划模型等式约束矩阵的高度稀疏性的特点,以稀疏矩阵的方式存储,从而在一定程度上解决了上述问题,使得上限有限元法能处理较大规模的岩土工程稳定性问题。以条形基础地基承载力课题为例进行算例分析,验证该方法的有效性,同时讨论了模型网格单元和塑性乘子数目对计算结果精度的影响。     

基于塑性极限分析上限法理论的土质边坡可靠度分析

将极限分析的上限定理、有限元离散思想、随机规划理论和蒙特卡洛方法这四者结合起来,提出了一种土质边坡可靠度分析的上限数值方法。首先采用三节点有限单元离散土质边坡,然后将土体的抗剪参数设为随机变量,根据上限定理构建同时满足三角形单元的塑性流动约束条件、单元公共边的塑性流动约束条件和单元速度边界条件的机动许可速度场,并根据内功功率等于外功功率条件建立目标函数,构建土质边坡可靠度分析的上限法随机规划模型。采用蒙特卡洛方法求解上限法随机规划模型,同时提出了一种基于上限法速度场的边坡失效风险系数估算方法,该方法特别适用于具有多种失效模式的边坡风险分析。对2个经典算例进行了深入分析,验证了方法的正确性。     

Numerical manifold method for dynamic nonlinear analysis of saturated porous media

It is well known that the Babuska–Brezzi stability criterion or the Zienkiewicz–Taylor patch test precludes the use of the finite elements with the same low order of interpolation for displacement and pore pressure in the nearly incompressible and undrained cases, unless some stabilization techniques are introduced for dynamic analysis of saturated porous medium where coupling occurs between the displacement of solid skeleton and pore pressure. The numerical manifold method (NMM), where the interpolation of displacement and pressure can be determined independently in an element for the solution of u–p formulation, is derived based on triangular mesh for the requirement of high accurate calculations from practical applications in the dynamic analysis of saturated porous materials. The matrices of equilibrium equations for the second‐order displacement and the first‐order pressure manifold method are given in detail for program coding. By close comparison with widely used finite element method, the NMM presents good stability for the coupling problems, particularly in the nearly incompressible and undrained cases. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the validity and stability of the manifold element developed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Predicting the initiation of static liquefaction of cross‐anisotropic sands under multiaxial stress conditions

Experimental evidence has shown that the liquefaction instability of sands can be affected by its material density, stress state, and inherent anisotropy. In order to predict the initiation of the static liquefaction of inherent cross‐anisotropic sands under multidimensional stress conditions, a rational constitutive model is needed. An elastoplasticity model able to capture the influences of intermediate principal stress ratio (b  = (σ ₂ ? σ ₃)/(σ ₁ ? σ ₃)) and loading direction on stress–strain relationships and volumetric properties was proposed. The yield function was formulated to be controlled by Lode angle, loading direction, and material state; the stress–dilatancy was a material state‐dependent function. After using the existing drained hollow cylinder tests to validate the proposed model, this model was used to simulate the existing undrained hollow cylinder tests. During this simulation, the second‐order work criterion was used to determine the initiation of static liquefaction. The results showed that an increase in both the intermediate principal stress ratio and the loading angle induces a decrease in the second‐order work. Static liquefaction is initiated more easily at a stress state with a large intermediate principal stress ratio and a large loading angle, and the mobilized friction angle at the instability points decreases with the intermediate principal stress ratio and the loading angle. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lower bound limit analysis using finite elements and linear programming

This paper describes a technique for computing lower bound limit loads in soil mechanics under conditions of plane strain. In order to invoke the lower bound theorem of classical plasticity theory, a perfectly plastic soil model is assumed, which may be either purely cohesive or cohesive-frictional, together with an associated flow rule. Using a suitable linear approximation of the yield surface, the procedure computes a statically admissible stress field via finite elements and linear programming. The stress field is modelled using linear 3-noded traingles and statically admissible stress discontinuities may occur at the edges of each triangle. Imposition of the stress-boundary, equilibrium and yield conditions leads to an expression for the collapse load which is maximized subject to a set of linear constraints on the nodal stresses. Since all of the requirements for a statically admissible solution are satisfied exactly (except for small round-off errors in the optimization computations), the solution obtained is a strict lower bound on the true collapse load and is therefore ‘safe’. A major drawback of the technique, as first described by Lysmer,¹ is the large amount of computer time required to solve the linear programming problem. This paper shows that this limitation may be avoided by using an active set algorithm, rather than the traditional simplex or revised simplex strategies, to solve the resulting optimization problem. This is due to the nature of the constraint matrix, which is always very sparse and typically has many more rows that columns. It also proved that the procedure can, without modification, be used to derive strict lower bounds for a purely cohesive soil which has increasing strength with depth. This important class of problem is difficult to tackle using conventional methods. A number of examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the procedure.