A non‐linear coupled finite element–boundary element model for the prediction of vibrations due to vibratory and impact pile driving

This paper presents a non‐linear coupled finite element–boundary element approach for the prediction of free field vibrations due to vibratory and impact pile driving. Both the non‐linear constitutive behavior of the soil in the vicinity of the pile and the dynamic interaction between the pile and the soil are accounted for. A subdomain approach is used, defining a generalized structure consisting of the pile and a bounded region of soil around the pile, and an unbounded exterior linear soil domain. The soil around the pile may exhibit non‐linear constitutive behavior and is modelled with a time‐domain finite element method. The dynamic stiffness matrix of the exterior unbounded soil domain is calculated using a boundary element formulation in the frequency domain based on a limited number of modes defined on the interface between the generalized structure and the unbounded soil. The soil–structure interaction forces are evaluated as a convolution of the displacement history and the soil flexibility matrices, which are obtained by an inverse Fourier transformation from the frequency to the time domain. This results in a hybrid frequency–time domain formulation of the non‐linear dynamic soil–structure interaction problem, which is solved in the time domain using Newmark's time integration method; the interaction force time history is evaluated using the θ‐scheme in order to obtain stable solutions. The proposed hybrid formulation is validated for linear problems of vibratory and impact pile driving, showing very good agreement with the results obtained with a frequency‐domain solution. Linear predictions, however, overestimate the free field peak particle velocities as observed in reported field experiments during vibratory and impact pile driving at comparable levels of the transferred energy. This is mainly due to energy dissipation related to plastic deformations in the soil around the pile. Ground vibrations due to vibratory and impact pile driving are, therefore, also computed with a non‐linear model where the soil is modelled as an isotropic elastic, perfectly plastic solid, which yields according to the Drucker–Prager failure criterion. This results in lower predicted free field vibrations with respect to linear predictions, which are also in much better agreement with experimental results recorded during vibratory and impact pile driving. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dust acoustic solitary and shock waves in coupled dusty plasmas with variable dust charge and vortex-like ion distribution

The modified Kodomtsev-Petviashvili-Burger (mKP-Burger) and Kodomtsev-Petviashvili-Burger equations are derived in strongly coupled dusty plasmas containing iso-nonthermal ions; Boltzmann distributed electrons and variable dust charge. We use reductive perturbation method and discuss on solitary waves and shock waves solutions of these equations.     

Some aspects of entropic gravity in the presence of a noncommutative Schwarzschild-deSitter black hole

We study some features of entropic force approach in the presence of a noncommutative Schwarzschild-deSitter black hole. In this setup, there exists a similarity between the small and large scales. There are two finite cut-off in very short and long distances wherein the force and energy graph stop abruptly at those scales. We find that the existence of a deSitter core around the origin, induced by noncommutativity, in addition to a standard deSitter background at large scale may lead to a violation of the equivalence principle. Finally in order to directly observe the finite cut-off at short-scale gravity, caused by noncommutativity quantum fluctuations, we derive an effective gravitational constant.     

Effect of sulphates and curing period on stress–strain curves and failure modes of soil–lime–natural pozzolana mixtures

Abstract

An experimental investigation was undertaken in order to assess the effect of sodium (Na₂SO₄) and calcium (CaSO₄·2H₂O) sulphates and curing period on stress–strain curves and failure modes of grey (GS) and red (RS) clayey soils stabilised by lime (L), natural pozzolana (NP) and their combinations (L–NP). Several soil–L–NP mixtures were studied to be used as subgrade soils for road pavements. Stress–strain curves were obtained from unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test made on several soil–L–NP specimens after curing for 7 and 120 days. Tests results showed that the use of L or L–NP without sulphates produced a significant increase in peaks stress of both clayey soils and then modified their stress–strain curves from nonlinear to linear behaviour almost up to 70% of peak stress after a longer curing period. However, the presence of 2% Na₂SO₄ or any CaSO₄·2H₂O content provided beneficial effects on peaks stress and stress–strain curves of both stabilised clayey soils and then improved their linearity almost up to 95% of peak stress after curing for 120 days. In contrast, the presence of 6% Na₂SO₄ caused undesirable effects. In addition, both sulphates greatly affected the failure modes of soil–L–NP specimens, particularly at a later stage.     

Ion acoustic shock waves in weakly relativistic and dissipative plasmas with nonthermal electrons and thermal positrons

Propagation of ion acoustic waves in plasmas containing electrons, positrons and high relativistic ions is investigated. It is shown that the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation describes the nonlinear waves in this media. The amplitude and energy of the KdV solitary waves are derived and the effects of relativistic ions on these quantities are discussed.     

Ion acoustic solitons of KdV and modified KdV equations in weakly relativistic plasma containing nonthermal electron,positron and warm ion

In this paper, the ion-acoustic solitons in a weakly relativistic electron-positron-ion plasma have been investigated. Relativistic ions, Maxwell-Boltzmann distributed positrons and nonthermal electrons are considered in collisionless warm plasma. Using a reductive perturbation theory, a Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation is derived, and the relativistic effect on the solitons is studied. It is found that the amplitude of solitary waves of the KdV equation diverges at the critical values of plasma parameters. Finally, in this situation, the solitons of a modified KdV (mKdV) equation with finite amplitude is derived.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>-nonextensive distribution of electrons on electron acoustic solitons

Ion acoustic shock waves (IASWs) are studied in a plasma consisting of electrons, positrons and ions. Boltzmann distributed positrons and superthermal electrons are considered in the plasma. The dissipation is taken into account the kinematic viscosity among the plasma constituents. The Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers (KdV–Burgers) equation is derived by reductive perturbation method. Shock waves are solutions of KdV–Burgers equation. It is observed that an increasing positron concentration decreases the amplitude of the waves. Furthermore, in the existence of the kinematic viscosity among the plasma, the shock wave structure appears. The effects of ion kinematic viscosity (η ₀) and the superthermal parameter (k) on the ion acoustic waves are found.     

The subsistence crisis and migration in the Sahelian Zone of the Sudan —

Burush is a small village in the N Sahelian Zone of the Sudan, whose population are basically sedentary agriculturists. The recurring drought conditions of the last two decades have significantly influenced the local resource base, so that the subsistence of the majority of the households was highly challenged. Nevertheless, the people are still surviving and resisting. The explanation of this resistence can be sought in the endogenous coping mechanisms adopted by the people. One of these mechanisms is migration, especially the seasonal labour migration of the heads and grown-up members of households, which used, even in good years, to be highly integrated in the strategies of survival of the majority of households. However under the recurring crop failures and the growing competition in the seasonal labour opportunities, this seasonal migration is changing gradually into stays of longer duration in the traditional destinations of seasonal labour. On the other hand, the male members of households are actively involved in migration of long duration, especially into the urban centres. Yet, the constributions of these migrant members to the subsistence of their households are limited, because of the rising costs of living in uurban centres as compared with the incomes. The rehabilitation of Burush lies obviously in the development of long-term strategies which aim at strengthening the endogenous resilience mechanisms.     

Hydraulic parameters of a multilayered aquifer system in Kuwait City

The Kuwait Group consists mainly of clastic sediments overlying unconformably the Dammam Formation of Tertiary age. The Kuwait Group is generally divided into three main hydrostratigraphic units: the upper and lower aquifers separated by an aquitard. The upper aquifer is further divided into the water table aquifer, an aquitard and a semiconfined aquifer. This semiconfined unit was pumped and the drawdowns were observed in piezometers screened in various subunits of the Kuwait Group. Some pumping tests of short duration were carried out in the top water table aquifer as well. These tests showed that the subunits of the Kuwait Group are hydraulically interconnected to a varying degree.

The pumping test data were analysed using conventional analytical solutions. The semiconfined pumping test was also simulated by a quasi-three-dimensional model using a leaky multiaquifer modelling technique. The initial hydraulic parameters were improved manually in the model till best fit drawdowns were obtained.

The final parameters obtained by simulation of the pumping tests were used in designing a pilot drainage system for the control of a rising groundwater table in parts of Kuwait City.     

Environmental characterization of a karst polje: an example from Izeh polje,southwest Iran

Groundwater contamination is a well-known phenomenon, which occurs on local and regional scales in Izeh polje. The aims of this paper are investigation of the impact of human activities on the polje ecosystem, determination of the vulnerability of ground water, and to solve environmental problems. Nitrate contamination of groundwater in the Izeh polje was predicted using a solute transport model. The nitrate concentration in groundwater in most parts of Izeh polje is greater than maximum concentration permissible for drinking water, i.e., 45 mg/l. The main source of nitrate in the eastern underground areas of Izeh city is the domestic sewage. Bacterial pollution of shallow ground water in Izeh polje is severe and widespread. About 45% of ground water samples in May and September 2001 have positive MPN coliforms. Infiltration of polluted surface waters and decrease of water table depth, have lead to bacterial pollution of 80% of ground water samples in January 2002. The northeast, south and southwest areas of Izeh polje have higher pollution potential rather than its middle parts. The aquifer vulnerability indices in the middle, eastern, and northern parts of the polje are moderately lower as a result of decreased sediment size of the aquifer. The pollution in the polje depends on the amount and presence of pollutants. If they do exist, the possibility of pollution is considerable due to the coarseness of materials and shallow depth of groundwater table.