Formulation of a unified constitutive model for clays and sands

This paper presents a new generalized effective stress model, referred to as MIT-S1, which is capable of predicting the rate independent, effective stress–strain–strength behaviour of uncemented soils over a wide range of confining pressures and densities. Freshly deposited sand specimens compressed from different initial formation densities approach a unique condition at high stress levels, referred to as the limiting compression curve (LCC), which is linear in a double logarithmic void ratio, e, mean effective stress space, p′. The model describes irrecoverable, plastic strains which develop throughout first loading using a simple four-parameter elasto-plastic model. The shear stiffness and strength properties of sands in the LCC regime can be normalized by the effective confining pressure and hence can be unified qualitatively, with the well-known behaviour of clays that are normally consolidated from a slurry condition along the virgin consolidation line (VCL). At lower confining pressures, the model characterizes the effects of formation density and fabric on the shear behaviour of sands through a number of key features: (a) void ratio is treated as a separate state variable in the incrementally linearized elasto-plastic formulation: (b) kinematic hardening describing the evolution of anisotropic stress–strain properties: (c) an aperture hardening function controls dilation as a function of ‘formation density’; and (d) the use of a single lemniscate-shaped yield surface with non-associated flow. These features enable the model to describe characteristic transitions from dilative to contractive shear response of sands as the confining pressure increases. This paper summarizes the procedures used to select input parameters for clays and sands, while a companion paper compares model predictions with measured data to illustrate the model capability for describing the shear behaviour of clays and sands. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Plasticity solutions for soil behaviour around contracting cavities and tunnels

The action of tunnel excavation reduces the in-situ stresses along the excavated circumference and can therefore be simulated by unloading of cavities from the in-situ stress state. Increasing evidence suggests that soil behavior in the plane perpendicular to the tunnel axis can be modelled reasonably by a contracting cylindrical cavity, while movements ahead of an advancing tunnel heading can be better predicted by spherical cavity contraction theory. In the past, solutions for unloading of cavities from in-situ stresses in cohesive-frictional soils have mainly concentrated on the small strain, cylindrical cavity model. Large strain spherical cavity contraction solutions with a non-associated Mohr–Coulomb model do not seem to be widely available for tunnel applications. Also, cavity unloading solutions in undrained clays have been developed only in terms of total stresses with a linear elastic-perfectly plastic soil model. The total stress analyses do not account for the effects of strain hardening/softening, variable soil stiffness, and soil stress history (OCR). The effect of these simplifying assumptions on the predicted soil behavior around tunnels is not known. In this paper, analytical and semi-analytical solutions are presented for unloading of both cylindrical and spherical cavities from in-situ state of stresses under both drained and undrained conditions. The non-associated Mohr-Coulomb model and various critical state theories are used respectively to describe the drained and undrained stress-strain behaviors of the soils. The analytical solutions presented in this paper are developed in terms of large strain formulations. These solutions can be used to serve two main purposes: (1) to provide models for predicting soil behavior around tunnels; (2) to provide valuable benchmark solutions for verifying various numerical methods involving both Mohr–Coulomb and critical state plasticity models. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pile driving by numerical cavity expansion

A cavity expansion procedure for the simulation of pile driving is presented and assessed in this paper. The analysis uses a non-linear finite-element model and the penetration of the pile into the soil is simulated by a radial opening of the soil around the pile. The case of a pile advanced by expansion will be compared to a similar pile subjected to computational driving (referred to, respectively, as ‘expanded’ and ‘driven’ piles for convenience). The state of stress and deformation, and the evolution of pore-water pressure in the soil will be monitored for the expanded and driven piles. Further computational driving will be applied to both cases and the pile response and soil resistance will be compared. The computational cost of advancing the pile by expansion will finally be investigated. Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Limit state analysis of earthen slopes using dual continuum/FEM approaches

A framework alternative to that of classical slope stability analysis is developed, wherein the soil mass is treated as a continuum and in-situ soil stresses and strengths are computed accurately using inelastic finite element methods with general constitutive models. Within this framework, two alternative methods of stability analysis are presented. In the first, the strength characteristics of the soil mass are held constant, and the gravitational loading on the slope system is increased until failure is initiated by well-defined mechanisms. In the second approach, the gravity loading on the slope system is held constant, while the strength parameters of the soil mass are gradually decreased until well-defined failure mechanisms develop. Details on applying both of the proposed methods, and comparisons of their characteristics on a number of solved example problems are presented. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use of sparse iterative methods for the resolution of three-dimensional soil/structure interaction problems

In this paper we present a study of the performance of sparse iterative solvers regarding the resolution of three-dimensional and non-linear problems encountered in soil/structure interaction. It is composed of two parts. In the first one, we present briefly iterative methods and preconditioners used in this study, then we analyse their performance on three soil/structure interaction problems: a shallow foundation under a vertical loading, a single pile subjected to a lateral loading and the construction of a lined tunnel in a soft soil. Tests are performed assuming an elastic–perfectly plastic constitutive law for the soil material with a non-associated Mohr–Coulomb flow rule. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

金沙江观音岩水库消落带绝对优势植物的表型可塑性与适应策略

金沙江是长江上游梯级大库富集之地,在金沙江地区选择典型水库开展植物表型可塑性和适应策略研究对该区一众水库生态治理具有重要的参考价值。本文以金沙江观音岩水库消落带为研究区,定量比较了经多年周期性水淹干扰后,绝对优势植物根茎叶性状的表型可塑性,分析了绝对优势植物应对主导因子的关键性状及其协同响应特征和权衡策略。结果表明:1)调查共记录了植物种类11科21属21种,优势度大于0.1的仅有狗牙根和苍耳,为绝对优势种。2)淹水对狗牙根和苍耳功能性状具有极显著影响,是二者功能性状变异的主导因子。3)狗牙根的株高、主茎长、分茎数量、主茎宽、叶片数量和叶面积,以及苍耳的分茎数量、叶片数量、根冠比和比叶面积的表型可塑性指数均超过0.6,是应对淹水的敏感性状。但是,狗牙根的叶片数量、叶面积以及苍耳的比叶面积对淹水的可塑性响应表现出短期时效性,为非适应性可塑性。4)淹水深度调控狗牙根在“逃避”策略和“静默”策略之间的权衡选择,并通过不同的性状组合以及地上和地下部分资源分配以协同响应。5)淹水导致狗牙根和苍耳的生态对策趋同,均采取S/SR策略。此外,相比于狗牙根为水库消落带的普遍推荐种,苍耳因其存在水质污染风险而褒贬不一,但苍耳具有重要的药用价值,能否在每次淹水来临前进行刈割值得进一步探讨。     

Constitutive model for cyclic behaviour of cohesionless sands

This paper presents a constitutive model for describing the stress-strain response of sands under cyclic loading. The model, formulated using the critical state theory within the bounding surface plasticity framework, is an upgraded version of an existing model developed for monotonic behaviour of cohesionless sands. With modification of the hardening law, plastic volumetric strain increment and unloading plastic modulus, the original model was modified to simulate cyclic loading. The proposed model was validated against triaxial cyclic loading tests for Fuji River sand, Toyoura sand and Nigata sand. Comparison between the measured and predicted results suggests that the proposed modified model can capture the main features of cohesionless sands under drained and undrained cyclic loading.     

含充填节理岩体相似材料试件单轴压缩试验及断裂损伤研究

研究了单轴压缩条件下裂隙含充填与否对节理岩体力学性能的影响。以相似材料模拟脆性岩石材料制作含预置裂隙试件,在刚性试验机上对试件进行单轴压缩试验,研究了裂隙充填与否对节理岩体强度峰值及峰后塑性变形能力的影响;用有限元软件ABAQUS对试件进行断裂及损伤分析,研究了裂隙充填与否对节理岩体应力强度因子及损伤因子的影响。研究表明,在单轴压缩情况下,裂隙中含充填与不含充填相比,裂隙含充填岩体峰值强度提高、峰后塑性变形能力增强、总应变能释放率Gc降低,增大了节理岩体抵抗开裂的能力;裂隙含充填岩体环向拉应力场从分布区域及峰值都小于无充填裂隙试件;在同样外荷载作用下,裂隙含充填岩体损伤度小于无充填岩体。     

圆柱孔收缩的线弹性-完全塑性解及其应用

针对隧道开挖引起的地层损失现象,将开挖过程简化为圆柱孔收缩问题,借鉴文献[1]关于圆柱孔收缩的计算方法引入临界状态土力学理论,给出了圆柱孔收缩问题的线弹性-完全塑性解析解,并结合隧道开挖的工程特点给出了地层损失比以及地表土体最大沉降与隧道支护压力之间的关系式。将该方法的计算结果与Grant的离心机试验实测结果进行了对比,并通过国内外的工程实例对该方法的计算结果进行了验证,证明计算结果准确合理,可为隧道开挖引起的土体变形分析提供借鉴。     

Growth response of three globose cacti to radiation and soil moisture: An experimental test of the mechanism behind the nurse effect

Cactus seedlings often establish under nurse plants which modify environmental conditions by increasing moisture and decreasing solar radiation, which may cause beneficial and detrimental effects, respectively, on seedling growth. Three soil moisture treatments (5%, 25% and 60%) and two solar radiation levels (100% exposure=243 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, and 40%=102 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) were used in a factorial design to analyze seedling growth response of three rare cactus species (Mammillaria pectinifera, Obregonia denegrii and Coryphantha werdermannii). The variables evaluated were relative growth rate (RGR), root/shoot ratio (R/S), and K (RGR_roots/RGR_shoot), obtained from an initial seedling harvest (6-month-old seedlings) and a final harvest 6 months after treatment application. All three species had slow RGRs (0.002–0.012 g g⁻¹ day⁻¹). O. denegrii had the lowest RGR values, but was the only species for which R/S and K varied with soil moisture. While all seedlings responded markedly to soil moisture, no response was observed to radiation treatments. The latter might have been related to the relatively low solar radiation levels present in the greenhouse. Yet, our results suggest that the main benefit nurse plants offer to seedlings is the increase in soil moisture.