Cantilever Contiguous Pile Wall for Supporting Excavation in Clay

In urban areas, there are many situations where basement of new constructions or underground utilities are proposed to be constructed adjacent to old buildings. Of greatest concern are buildings with shallow foundations that do not extend below the zone of influence of the adjacent excavation. For deep excavation, the presence of a cantilever stage at the beginning of a construction sequence can often lead to excessive movements. Therefore over-excavation can also be a primary cause of excessive movements. In the present study, shallow excavation was considered. Three Dimensional Finite Element (3D FE) study was carried out in the present study. A cantilever contiguous pile wall was selected because it is common and relatively economic to be used in cohesive soil. Parametric study were performed considering excavation depth, pile embedded depth, and wall stiffness. Some design recommendations were given to provide a safe supporting system in clay.     

Variable hillslope-channel coupling and channel characteristics of forested mountain streams in glaciated landscapes

Channel morphology of forested, mountain streams in glaciated landscapes is regulated by a complex suite of processes, and remains difficult to predict. Here, we analyze models of channel geometry against a comprehensive field dataset collected in two previously glaciated basins in Haida Gwaii, B.C., to explore the influence of variable hillslope–channel coupling imposed by the glacial legacy on channel form. Our objective is to better understand the relation between hillslope–channel coupling and stream character within glaciated basins. We find that the glacial legacy on landscape structure is characterized by relatively large spatial variation in hillslope–channel coupling. Spatial differences in coupling influence the frequency and magnitude of coarse sediment and woody material delivery to the channel network. Analyses using a model for channel gradient and multiple models for width and depth show that hillslope–channel coupling and high wood loading induce deviations from standard downstream predictions for all three variables in the study basins. Examination of model residuals using Boosted Regression Trees and nine additional channel variables indicates that ~10 to ~40% of residual variance can be explained by logjam variables, ~15–40% by the degree of hillslope–channel coupling, and 10–20% by proximity to slope failures. These results indicate that channel classification systems incorporating hillslope–channel coupling, and, indirectly, the catchment glacial legacy, may present a more complete understanding of mountain channels. From these results, we propose a conceptual framework which describes the linkages between landscape history, hillslope–channel coupling, and channel form. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

What controls the disequilibrium state of gravel-bed rivers?

A river at equilibrium is described by a statistically-stationary mean bed elevation profile that arises in response to steady supplies of relief, water and sediment. Outside of the profile shape, how is the equilibrium state of a river most reliably identified and rigorously defined? Motivated by a proposed link between equilibrium and physical processes, we use scaling theory to develop the dimensionless channel response number ξ=KU_b/U_p. ξ is a metric for the local disequilibrium state of gravel-bed mountain streams, which reflects a balance between the rate of topographic adjustment U_b, and the rate of bed sediment texture adjustment U_p. The coefficient K can take one of two forms depending on choice of length scale for topographic adjustment. We hypothesize that equilibrium occurs where and when ξ≈O(1), and consequently, disequilibrium is the more general state captured by conditions of ξ≉O(1). The rates U_b and U_p are controlled by the mechanics of sediment deposition and entrainment at the local scale of the channel width. The extent to which either process regulates disequilibrium depends on the bed strength, which is set by the time-varying grain size distribution and packing. We use flume experiments to understand ξ and find that in the limit ξ>>1, the time-varying response of an experimental channel depends sensitively on the spatially-averaged bed shear stress ratio τ/τ_ref. When τ/τ_ref≈1.5, U_b was the dominant control on disequilibrium. However, when τ/τ_ref≈2.0, U_p contributed more significantly to disequilibrium. These results suggest that after an upstream supply perturbation, the equilibrium timescale is governed by U_p, which we show is consistent with expectations from linear damping theory. Our experimental test of ξ is promising, but inconclusive with respect to our hypothesis. This uncertainty can be readily addressed with numerical or additional physical experiments. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Width variations control the development of grain structuring in steep step-pool dominated streams: insight from flume experiments

We report results from flume experiments designed to study the effect of width variations on the formation and stability of steps in steep streams. To physically model channel width changes we inserted multiple trapezoidal elements in the flume. Two competing effects are in play: a fluidic effect, suggesting that steps are more likely to form in wide areas because of deposition enhanced by lower shear stress, and a granular effect, suggesting that steps are more likely to form in narrow areas because of particle jamming. Our experiments show that width variations enhance the formation of steps. Although steps can form in every location, those in narrow/narrowing areas are more common, more stable and they occupy a larger portion of the channel width. These results stress the importance of particle interactions in coarse-bedded streams and help river engineers by providing a new element to consider when designing step-pool sequences in river restoration projects. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Co-evolution of coarse grain structuring and bed roughness in response to episodic sediment supply in an experimental aggrading channel

We use flume experiments to better understand how gravel-bed channels maintain bed surface stability in response to pulses of sediment supply. Bed elevations and surface imagery at high spatial resolutions were used to quantify the co-evolution of surface grain-size distribution (GSD), bed roughness statistics, and bed surface structures (clusters, cells and transverse features). Using a new semi-automated method, we identified individual stone structures over a 2 m × 1 m area throughout the experiments. After an initial coarsening, surface GSD and armouring ratio remained nearly stable as sediment pulses caused net bed aggradation. In contrast, individual grain structures continued to form, increase or decrease in size, and disappear throughout the experiments. The response of the bed to sediment pulses depended on the history of surface roughness evolution and bed surface structure development, as these factors changed much more in response to supply perturbations earlier in the experiments compared to later, even as the bed continued to aggrade. We interpret that the dynamic production and destruction of bed surface structures can act as a ‘buffer’ to sediment supply pulses, maintaining a stable bed surface during aggradation with minimal change in grain size or armouring. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A frequency and velocity-dependent impedance method for prediction of rail/foundation dynamics

This paper presents an efficient numerical tool for the prediction of railway dynamic response.A behavior calibration of the infinite Euler-Bernoulli beam resting on continuous viscoelastic foundation is proposed.Constitutive laws of the discrete elements are determined for a rectilinear ballasted track.A three-dimensional model coupled with an adaptive meshing scheme is employed to calibrate the beam model impedances by finding the similarity between the output signals using the genetic algorithm.The model shows an important performance with significant reduction in computational effort.This study emphasizes the major impact of the excitation characteristics on the parameters of the discrete models.     

Experimental analysis of the influence of crumb rubber addition on the short-term aging of Syrian asphalt

The use of rubber pavement technology, also known as ecological pavement, offers a solution to a problem of worldwide dimensions. The rubber-modified asphalt becomes an excellent alternative compared to conventional asphalt. A series of laboratory tests was conducted to evaluate the effect of tire rubber addition on the performance of asphalt and asphalt concrete produced in Syria. The paper is composed of three parts: the first part includes a literature review on asphalt aging and the use of modified rubber asphalt in pavement road applications. The second part emphasizes rheological properties of two types of Syrian asphalt hard and soft and analyzes the influence of short-term aging on each type of asphalt. The last part presents a comparison of properties obtained for both cases of nonmodified asphalt and crumb rubber-modified asphalt that have been subjected to short-term aging. Results show an improvement of the resistance to short-term aging for the crumb rubber-modified asphalt. It also demonstrates that adding tire rubber to asphalt improves the performance of asphalt concrete by increasing its stability and reducing permanent deformations.     

Recharge,geochemical processes and water quality in karst aquifers: Central West Bank,Palestine

The Central West Bank aquifer (CWB) is one of the most important resources of fresh groundwater of Palestine. The geology of the area consists mainly of karstic and permeable limestones and dolomites interbedded with argillaceous beds of late Albian–Turonian age. Exploitation of the CWB aquifer, combined with lack of information required to understand the groundwater pattern, represents a challenge for reservoir management. The present work reports hydrogeochemistry, microbiology and environmental isotope data from spring water samples, which were utilized to understand recharge mechanisms, geochemical evolution and renewability of groundwater in CWB aquifer. Besides the major chemical compositions, ionic ratios were used to delineate mineral-solution reactions and weathering processes. Interpretation of chemical data suggests that the chemical evolution of groundwater is primarily controlled by (1) water–rock interactions, involving dissolution of carbonate minerals (calcite and dolomite), and (2) cation exchange processes. The measured equation of the local meteoric water line is δD?=?5.8 δ¹⁸O?+?9.9. Stable isotopes show that precipitation is the source of recharge to the groundwater system. The evaporation line has a linear increasing trend from south to north direction in the study area. All analyzed spring waters are suitable for irrigation, but not for drinking purposes. The results from this study can serve as a basis for decision-makers and stakeholders, with the intention to increase the understanding of sustainable management of the CWBs.