Three-dimensional finite element analysis of laterally loaded bridge caisson foundations in gravelly soil

Acta Geotechnica - In this paper, we propose a three-dimensional finite element model that can simulate the caisson foundation behavior in gravelly soil. The soil model adopts a combination of the...     

Combined loading of caisson foundations in cohesive soil: Finite element versus Winkler modeling

The undrained response of massive caisson foundations to combined horizontal, vertical and moment loading is parametrically investigated through a series of 3D finite element analyses. The parameters are: (a) the embedment ratio (D/B), (b) the factor of safety against initial vertical loading (FS_V) and (c) the ratio of the overturning moment to the horizontal force applied at the top of the caisson (M/Q). Emphasis is given on: (i) the identification of all possible failure mechanisms in M–Q–N space, (ii) the developed stress distributions along the caisson walls for various load levels up to complete failure conditions. The results are then used as a feedback for calibrating the parameters of a generalized four-type spring model, originally proposed by Gerolymos and Gazetas (2006), through a genetic algorithm-based optimization procedure. The predictions of the Winkler model compare very well with the FE results, not only at the local response level (in terms of stress distributions along the caisson shafts), but at a global response level (in terms of force–displacement curves and M–Q–N failure envelopes at the top of the caisson) as well. Contrary to established lateral soil resistance theories, it is shown that both the ultimate horizontal soil reaction and resisting moment per unit depth do not solely depend on the strength properties of soil and geometry of the caisson but are also functions of the applied load ratio M/Q and initial soil yielding due to vertical loading. Interesting conclusions are also drawn regarding the transition from the elastic to the ultimate limit state (hardening). Quantifying through analytical expressions the contribution of each of the two basic lateral resisting mechanisms to the response of the caisson, a classification method for embedded foundations is then proposed. The capabilities of the Winkler model are further demonstrated through comparison with FE analysis of the caisson cyclic lateral response.     

非共面复合加载条件下桶形基础稳定性研究

采用荷载-位移联合搜索方法,对于饱和软黏土地基上裙板式桶形基础在水平荷载H、力矩M与扭矩T的非共面复合加载条件下的稳定性进行了比较系统的三维有限元分析,主要探讨了在不同荷载空间内桶形基础的破坏包络轨迹。在分析中,地基土服从基于Tresca屈服准则的理想弹塑性本构关系。计算结果表明,与传统共面复合加载情况相比,非共面复合加载条件下桶形基础的破坏包络面形状有较大差异。非共面复合加载情况下,包络面形状不依赖于基础埋深比,可用简单的圆或椭圆方程进行描述。根据有限元计算结果,将已有的三自由度破坏包络面方程扩展到六自由度复合加载空间内,进而初步建议了一个六自由度破坏包络面方程,并对于实际工程中常用的桶形基础埋深比,给出了方程中偏心度参数取值的确定方法。该方程可用来合理评价复杂荷载条件下软黏土地基上桶形基础承载力。     

复合加载条件下沉箱基础稳定性的三维效应

联合采用swipe加载模式与固定位移比加载模式,对于吸力式沉箱基础在水平荷载H与力矩M的复合加载条件下的稳定性进行比较系统的三维有限元分析,主要探讨了基础埋深与直径之比、地基土不排水强度的非均质性对于基础在H-M荷载空间内的破坏包络轨迹的影响,揭示了地基在不同荷载分量组合条件下的失稳破坏机制,并与平面应变假定下得到的结果进行了比较。计算结果表明：平面应变与三维情况下基础的破坏包络面形状有较大差异,分析基础稳定性时,必须考虑其三维效应。在三维情况下,非均质土中埋深与直径之比较小的基础的破坏包络面仍然会向负方向倾斜,已有的包络面方程明显高估这种情况下沉箱基础在正向水平荷载与力矩联合作用下的承载力,从而导致基础设计偏于不安全。     

Undrained capacity of surface foundations with zero-tension interface under planar V-H-M loading

Undrained capacity of strip and circular surface foundations with a zero-tension interface on a deposit with varying degrees of strength heterogeneity is investigated by finite element analyses. The method for simulating the zero-tension interface numerically is validated. Failure envelopes for strip and circular surface foundations under undrained planar V-H-M loading are presented and compared with predictions from traditional bearing capacity theory. Similar capacity is predicted with both methods in V-H and V-M loading space while the traditional bearing capacity approach under-estimates the V-H-M capacity derived from the numerical analyses due to superposition of solutions for load inclination and eccentricity not adequately capturing the true soil response. An approximating expression is proposed to describe the shape of normalised V-H-M failure envelopes for strip and circular foundations with a zero-tension interface. The unifying expression enables implementation in an automated calculation tool resulting in essentially instantaneous generation of combined loading failure envelopes and optimisation of a foundation design as a function of foundation size or material factor. In contrast, the traditional bearing capacity theory approach or direct numerical analyses for a given scenario requires ad-hoc analyses covering a range of input variables in order to obtain the ‘best’ design.     

考虑地基土自重影响的地基承载力系数

由于地基材料的非线性,采用传统的叠加法计算地基承载力会带来误差。基于无重土地基破坏模式的承载力系数不适用于考虑地基土重的情况,这是采用叠加法计算地基承载力会产生误差的主要原因。基于滑移线法,分析了由叠加法所带来误差的变化规律,并计算了能有效减小或完全消除该误差的承载力系数。研究表明：采用传统的叠加法计算得出的地基承载力是偏低的,且误差随地基土内摩擦角的增加而增加,随黏聚力的增加而减小。采用考虑土重影响的承载力系数计算地基承载力,能有效减小或完全消除叠加法所带来的误差。     

土工织物加筋黏性土坡坡顶加载的离心模型试验研究

土工织物加筋技术在工程中得到了广泛的应用,取得了良好的加固效果。但对于土工织物加筋机制尚缺乏明确和统一地认识,加筋理论研究落后于工程实践。为此,进行了坡顶加载条件下土工织物加固黏性土坡和素土边坡的离心模型试验,记录和再现了素土边坡和加筋土坡在坡顶加载条件下的变形破坏过程。主要基于变形分析探讨了黏性土坡在土工织物简单加固条件下的加固效果和加筋机制。结果表明,土工织物加筋可以有效地提高黏性土坡的极限承载力,加筋带的存在改变了土体的位移场,扩大了坡顶加载的影响区域,加筋后滑裂面明显后移。加筋带对土体的局部作用和作用范围,随着土体变形的增大而增大和扩展     

Shakedown in frictional materials under moving surface loads

Elastic/plastic deformations in frictional materials under moving surface loads are investigated. The static and kinematic shakedown theorems are used to obtain estimates of the critical shakedown load for plane strain deformations under trapezoidal surface load distributions and for three-dimensional deformations under loads distributed over circular areas. It is shown that the material can fail either by incremental collapse or in cyclic or alternating collapse modes.     

Use of interaction domains for a displacement-based design of caisson foundations

Acta Geotechnica - Caisson foundations, typically adopted for both onshore and offshore structures, are usually subject to combined loading acting during working conditions and exceptional events...     

分级循环荷载下低温冻结盐渍土动强度特性试验研究

为了探究寒区路基盐渍土在交通荷载作用下的强度破坏机理,采用室内GDS动三轴试验系统,对天然重塑盐渍土进行了不同冻结温度、围压及振动频率下一系列动荷载试验,从破坏动应力、动黏聚力和动内摩擦角方面分析各试验条件对盐渍土的影响机制。结果表明：冻结温度和围压对破坏动强度影响明显,动载频率对破坏动强度影响较弱;随着温度的降低,破坏动应力和动黏聚力明显增大,而动内摩擦角有先增大后减小趋势;随着动荷载频率的增大,破坏动应力和动黏聚力变化不明显,但内摩擦角有减小趋势;围压与破坏应力呈线性相关,温度分别与破坏动应力、动黏聚力呈良好指数关系。     

Undrained shear strength response under monotonic loading of Chlef (Algeria) sandy soil

During the last mid-century, the Chlef area was strongly affected by two earthquakes. From the geological context, there were numerous ejections onto the ground level of great masses of sandy soils and large displacements of various forms of some building foundations. These damages are due to soil liquefaction problem. This loss of shear strength can be attributed to many factors. History of recent cases indicates that sand deposited with silt content is much more liquefiable than clean sand. Therefore, a deep understanding of silty sand behavior is needed for the liquefaction assessment of silty sandy soils. Moreover, during seismic shaking, the post-liquefaction behavior of silty sand and, consequently, the stability of structures founded on liquefied soil depend on the steady-state shear strength of soil. The objective of this laboratory investigation is to show the effect of silt contents and the relative density on the mechanical behavior of such soils in monotonic loading. In this context, a series of undrained triaxial tests were performed on reconstituted saturated silty sand samples with different fines content ranging from 0% to 40%. In all tests, the confining pressure was held constant to 100 kPa. The fines content and the global void ratio are expressed by means of the equivalent void ratio. Linear correlations relating the undrained residual shear strength of loose, medium dense, and dense (D _r?=?12%, 50%, and 90% before consolidation) sand–silt mixtures to the equivalent void ratio are obtained. The concept of the equivalent void ratio will then be used as a key parameter to express the dilatancy behavior of both clean and silty sand soils. Moreover, from the experimental results obtained, it is clear that the global void ratio cannot be used as a state parameter and may not represent the actual behavior of the soil as well.     

复合加载情况下非均质地基上条形基础的极限承载力研究

复合加载情况下精确求解非均质地基上条形基础的极限承载力以及评价影响极限承载力的相关因素,具有很强的工程实用与理论参考价值。基于极限平衡原理,在Mohr-Coulomb破坏准则的基础上,将非均质地基上条形基础极限承载力问题等价为一个边界待定的泛函极值问题。利用变分原理得到与平衡方程相等价的积分约束条件以及相应的欧拉方程与横截条件。引入问题边界条件,利用VC++6.0编制了数值计算程序,求得了复合加载情况下非均质地基破坏时的滑裂面函数与破坏包络曲线。从理论上研究了土体内摩擦角、土体黏聚力、土层强度比与地下水位变化等因素对地基破坏包络曲线的影响。研究结果表明,其解答是地基极限承载力真实解的某一最小上限。     

A numerical model for the transient analysis of offshore foundations under cyclic loading

A comprehensive numerical model for the analysis of offshore foundations under a general transient loading is presented here. The theoretical basis of the model lies on the Swansea formulation of Biot’s equations of dynamic poroelasticity combined with a constitutive model that reproduces key aspects of cyclic soil behaviour in the frame of the theory of generalised plasticity. On the practical side, the adoption of appropriate finite element formulations may prevent the appearance of spurious numerical instabilities of the pore pressure field. In this respect, the use of a coupled enhanced-strain element is here proposed. On the other hand, the practicality of the presented model depends ultimately on its computational efficiency. Some practical recommendations concerning the solution strategies, the matrix storage/handling procedures and the parallel multi-processor computation are here provided. Finally, the performance of the model with a benchmark study case and its practical application to analyse the soil–structure interaction of an offshore monopile under a realistic transient storm loading are discussed.     

Design of shallow foundations under tensile loading for transmission line towers: An overview

Tensioned foundations are common in civil engineering applications such as transmission towers, harbors, offshore structures, basement slabs under pressure, industrial equipment, etc. Procedures for the design of tensioned foundations are discussed in this paper, including specific recommendations for more common transmission tower foundations. Starting from a distinction between shallow and deep modes of failure, the paper presents the most common failure mechanisms for shallow failure in tension, including procedures for calculation of foundation tensile capacity under vertical and inclined loading. Emphasis is given to the influence of the strength of the compacted backfill compared to the strength of the natural soil, including presentation of results of full-scale loading tests.     

A macroelement formulation for shallow foundations on cohesive and frictional soils

The scope of this paper is to present a macroelement model for shallow foundations encompassing the majority of combinations of soil and foundation–soil interface conditions that are interesting for practical applications. The basic idea of the formulation is to raise the common assumption that the surface of ultimate loads of the foundation is identified as a yield surface in the space of force parameters which the footing is subjected to. Instead, each non‐linear mechanism participating in the global response of the system is modelled independently and the surface of ultimate loads is retrieved as the combined result of all active mechanisms. This allows formulating each mechanism by respecting its particular characteristics and offers the possibility of activating, modifying or deactivating each mechanism according to the context of application. The model comprises three non‐linear mechanisms: (a) the mechanism of sliding at the soil–footing interface, (b) the mechanism of soil yielding in the vicinity of the footing and (c) the mechanism of uplift as the footing may get detached from the soil. The first two are irreversible and dissipative and are combined within a multi‐mechanism plasticity formulation. The third mechanism is reversible and non‐dissipative. It is reproduced with a phenomenological non‐linear hyperelastic model. The model is validated with respect to the existing results for shallow foundations under quasi‐static loading tests. It is shown that although the ultimate surface of the foundation is not explicitly used in the formulation of the model, the obtained force states by the model are always contained within it. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

循环荷载作用下接触面的边界面模型研究

基于边界面的概念,建立了循环荷载作用下砂与结构物接触面的边界面塑性模型,以描述其剪切应力与剪应变的滞回特性。该模型考虑了初始相对密度和法向应力的影响,同时在弹性模量中引入损伤因子,反映了接触面在循环荷载下逐渐硬化的性质。通过比较理论计算与试验结果,显示了该模型的合理性。     

Numerical investigation of the stabilisation behaviour of shallow foundations under alternate loading

This article presents a stability criterion for shallow foundations on sand for various loading conditions. By means of laboratory model tests, a behaviour called self-healing is shown. Numerical simulations of these tests prove the suitability of the employed numerical model. Based on this validation, a numerical parametric study is done to analyse the influence of loading condition and initial state of the soil on the self-healing. Main focus is on the rotational behaviour and settlement of the foundation. The observations and numerical results are discussed and an explanation is presented based on results of cyclic laboratory tests.     

循环荷载下土体变形特性研究

为研究循环荷载下土体变形特性,基于已有的分数阶黏壶构建循环荷载下分数阶黏壶,并将其替换为西原模型黏塑性体中的常值黏壶,建立了可描述循环荷载下土体变形规律的分数阶西原模型。当循环荷载应力幅值大于土体临界应力幅值时,模型为反映土体破坏型变形规律的分数阶西原模型;反之,则为反映土体稳定型、临界型变形规律的广义Kelvin模型。采用应力分解法,将循环荷载分解为一个静力荷载和一个平均应力值为0的循环荷载,基于流变力学理论给出了静力作用下基于该模型的流变本构方程,再根据黏弹性力学理论构建了交变应力作用下基于该模型的动态响应本构方程,将已获得的土体流变本构方程与动态响应本构方程叠加,得到新的土体本构方程。结果表明:与既有的试验结果相比,基于分数阶西原模型所建立的本构方程可较好描述循坏荷载下土体各种类型的变形特征,对土体各类型变形曲线的拟合效果较好,拟合系数均在0.90以上,且模型参数值随循环荷载动应力幅值的增大而以幂函数形式减小。     

考虑地下水入侵导致土壤强度变化的沿海建筑地基韧性模型

海平面上升导致的地下水入侵沿海地区的建筑地基造成显著风险。提出了一个考虑地下水侵入导致土壤强度退化的沿海建筑地基韧性模型。该模型由地基的性能函数在服役期内的积分得到。考虑条形基础的韧性,其极限承载力由Terzaghi公式描述。韧性模型考虑气候变化背景下地下水位的上升对土壤强度的影响。通过一个算例,展示了所提出的韧性模型的适用性。结果表明,如果不考虑气候变化影响下地下水位的上升,则会得到不保守的结构韧性评估结果。结构全寿命周期内的韧性也取决于所采用的维护措施（即,修复受损的结构性能）。未来的研究中,还应考虑其他因素（如锈蚀）对沿海建筑地基性能退化的联合影响。