Constitutive modeling of unsaturated aggregated soils

A coupled water retention–mechanical constitutive model for unsaturated aggregated soils is presented here. Based on the multi‐scale experimental results, the model incorporates the inter‐particle bonding, fabric and partial saturation effects in a single framework. It is formulated within the framework of hardening elasto‐plasticity and is based on the critical state concept. Prior to model validation, we evaluate the model parameters and propose determination procedures for the main new parameters. Finally, the model is examined for its capability in simulating the experimental results of aggregated and bonded soils. Results of these simulations show that the model addresses the most features arising from the combined effects of soil structure and partial saturation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐isothermal plasticity model for cyclic behaviour of soils

On the one hand, it has been observed that liquefaction‐induced shear deformation of soils accumulates in a cycle‐by‐cycle pattern. On the other hand, it is known that heating could induce plastic hardening. This study deals with the constitutive modelling of the effect that heat may have on the cyclic mechanical properties of cohesive soils, a relatively new area of interest in soil mechanics. In this paper, after a presentation of the thermo‐mechanical framework, a non‐isothermal plasticity cyclic model formulation is presented and discussed. The model calibration is described based on data from laboratory sample tests. It includes numerical simulations of triaxial shear tests at various constant temperatures. Then, the model predictions are compared with experimental results and discussed in the final section. Both drained and undrained loading conditions are considered. The proposed constitutive model shows good ability to capture the characteristic features of behaviour. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Real‐scale miscible grout injection experiment and performance of advection–dispersion–filtration model

A model was developed, to describe miscible grout propagation in a saturated deformable porous medium, based on Bear's statistical model with spatial volume averaging. In a previous paper, the model was first successfully confronted to one‐dimensional laboratory experiments. In the present paper, the numerical model is used to simulate practical grouting operation in a cylindrical injection model. The cylindrical injection model lends itself to study main flow and propagation character istics for a dispersed suspension‐type grout, under axisymmetric conditions close to real scale conditions. Comparison between numerical solutions and experimental results is essential to confirm the validity and accuracy of the proposed model from a phenomenological standpoint. The numerical model performances show that the underlying mathematical model constitutes a realistic predictive model reproducing most prominent features during injection of a suspension‐type grout into a deformable porous medium. The basic mechanism by which injected miscible grout permeates a soil mass is discussed in detail. Such a tool leads to quality control criteria for grouting on a theoretical basis, which complements existing criteria acquired through engineering practice. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling the behaviour of a large landslide with respect to hydrogeological and geomechanical parameter heterogeneity

Thanks to a sophisticated transient hydrogeological modelling allowing the determination of the pore pressure fields in La Frasse landslide mass during a crisis, it has been possible to model the mechanical behaviour of the slide and obtain results that prove to be similar to the monitored data, in terms of peak velocity, distribution of velocity with time and space and total displacements. Such results are reached only when appropriate constitutive modelling laws are used, and when geotechnical tests supply all the required parameters. The main results concern the potential effect of a drainage system during a crisis, like the one experienced in 1994. It can include vertical boreholes equipped with pumps or drains drilled from a gallery. The draining system reduces horizontal displacements down to 5% of the values modelled during the crisis. This effect, which appears to extend over a large width, will be even more significant if the boreholes discharge the drained water into the gallery, due to its extension in the presently stabilised landslide mass below the active zone. The modelling tools developed for La Frasse landslide thus provide all the necessary information to optimise the drainage scheme.     

Experimental and numerical investigations of the behaviour of a heat exchanger pile

The geothermal use of concrete geostructures (piles, walls and slabs) is an environmentally friendly way of cooling and heating buildings. With such geothermal structures, it is possible to transfer energy from the ground to fluid‐filled pipes cast in concrete and then to building environments. To improve the knowledge in the field of geothermal structures, the behaviour of a pile subjected to thermo‐mechanical loads is studied in situ. The aim is to study the increased loads on pile due to thermal effects. The maximum thermal increment applied to the pile is on the order of 21°C and the mechanical load reached 1300 kN. Coupled multi‐physical finite element modelling is carried out to simulate the observed experimental results. It is shown that the numerical model is able to reproduce the most significant thermo‐mechanical effects. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.