A hybrid discrete–finite element model for numerical simulation of geomaterials

A hybrid discrete–finite element model is introduced for simulation of mechanical behavior of geomaterials. The soil or rock is modeled as a system of discrete balls that interact through normal and shear springs. The balls can be bonded at the contact points to withstand the applied deviatoric stresses. The important feature of this model is that the confining walls that can be imagined for example as the surrounding membrane or the mold in a physical test are modeled by deformable finite elements. This allows simulation of laboratory test features more realistically compared to the situations where the surrounding walls are rigid. The relationships between micro- and macro-properties are investigated in this paper as well. These relationships and the corresponding curves are helpful tools in calibration of the numerical model for the macroscopic elastic properties.     

Stormwater capture and antecedent moisture characteristics of permeable pavements

An approach based on individual rainfall events is introduced to mathematically describe the hydrologic responses and estimate the stormwater capture efficiencies of permeable pavement systems (PPSs). A stochastic model describing the instantaneous dynamic water balance of a PPS is established, from which the probability distribution of the antecedent moisture content of the PPS at the beginning of a rainfall event is analytically derived. Based on this probability distribution and the event‐based approach, an analytical equation that can be used for estimating the stormwater capture efficiencies of PPSs is also derived. The derived analytical equation is verified by comparing its results with those from continuous simulations for a wide range of PPSs with different sizes and underlying soils and operating under various climate conditions. It was found that the antecedent moisture contents of PPSs at the test locations are usually fairly close to zero, suggesting that PPSs at these locations are always almost empty at the start of a rainfall event. The derived analytical equation accounts for many key processes influencing the behaviour and operation of PPSs; it may serve as an easy‐to‐use tool that is essential for the planning and design of PPSs.     

基于图像局部均值标准差算法的沥青路面裂缝检测

通过分析沥青路面的特性,本文提出了一种适用于沥青路面裂缝检测的图像处理算法。通过计算图像局部像素均值、横向与纵向相邻局部像素均值的均值以及两均值的标准差,结合滤波以及基于像片晒相原理的匀光操作来抑制图像背景的噪声出现,缓解灰度不均匀现象,突出沥青裂缝特征。采用分块图像处理方案,实现路面影像的裂缝提取。实验结果表明,本算法对裂缝线性特征敏感,检测效果较好。     

Laboratory and field performance of recycled aggregate base in a seasonally cold region

The objective of this project was to characterize the freeze-thaw properties of recycled concrete (RCA) and asphalt (RAP) as unbound base and to assess how they behaved in the field for nearly 8 years. This paper includes an examination of existing information, laboratory studies of freeze-thaw behavior, and evaluation of data from MnROAD field-test sections in a seasonally cold region, i.e., in Minnesota, USA. Test sections were constructed using recycled materials in the granular base layers at the MnROAD test facility. One test section included 100% RAP, another 100% RCA, a third one a 50/50 blend of RCA/natural aggregate, and a fourth one only natural aggregate (Class 5) as a control. The stiffness (i.e., elastic modulus) was monitored during construction and throughout the pavement life by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, along with the variation of temperatures and moisture regimes in the pavement to determine their effects on pavement performance. The resilient modulus of each material was determined by bench-scale testing in accordance with NCHRP 1-28a, as well as by field-scale tests incorporating a falling-weight deflectometer. Specimens were subjected to as many as 20 cycles of freeze-thaw in the laboratory, and the change in their resilient modulus was measured. In the field-test sections constructed with the same materials as the base course, temperature, moisture, and field modulus (from falling-weight deflectometer tests) were monitored seasonally for nearly 8 years. From the temperatures in the base course layer, the number of freeze-thaw cycles experienced in the field was determined for each test section. Inferences were made relative to modulus change versus freeze-thaw cycles. Conclusions were drawn for long-term field performances of the recycled base (RAB) in comparison to natural aggregate.     

Experimental evidence for flexibility of a building foundation supported by concrete friction piles

This article explores the possibility to measure deformations of building foundations from measurements of ambient noise and strong motion recordings. The case under study is a seven-storey hotel building in Van Nuys, California. It has been instrumented by strong motion accelerographs, and has recorded several earthquakes, including the 1971 San Fernando (M_L=6.6, R=22 km), 1987 Whittier–Narrows (M_L=5.9, R=41 km), 1992 Landers (M_L=7.5, R=186 km), 1992 Big Bear (M_L=6.5, R=149 km), and 1994 Northridge (M_L=6.4, R=1.5 km) earthquake and its aftershocks (20 March: M_L=5.2, R=1.2 km; 6 December, 1994: M_L=4.3, R=11 km). It suffered minor structural damage in 1971 earthquake and extensive damage in 1994. Two detailed ambient vibration tests were performed following the Northridge earthquake, one before and the other one after the 20 March aftershock. These included measurements at a grid of points on the ground floor and in the parking lot surrounding the building, presented and analyzed in this article. The analysis shows that the foundation system, consisting of grade beams on friction piles, does not act as a “rigid body” but deforms during the passage of microtremor and therefore earthquake waves. For this geometrically and by design essentially symmetric building, the center of stiffness of the foundation system appears to have large eccentricity (this is seen both from the microtremor measurements and from the earthquake recordings). This eccentricity may have contributed to strong coupling of transverse and torsional responses, and to larger than expected torsional response, contributing to damage during the 1994 Northridge, earthquake.     

The role of urban surfaces (permeable pavements) in regulating drainage and evaporation: development of a laboratory simulation experiment

Permeable pavements and similar stormwater control devices have not been exploited in the UK, in part because their adoption has been hindered by a lack of detailed knowledge of their hydrological performance. This paper describes a research programme that produced detailed information on the hydrological behaviour of a car park surface. The study involved the construction of full‐scale permeable pavement model car park structures and a rainfall simulator for use in the laboratory. A monitoring procedure was developed in order to measure inputs and changes in drainage, storage and evaporation over short and long time‐scales (2 hours to 3 months). A range of simulated rainfalls, which varied in intensity and duration, was applied to the model car park surfaces. Hydrological processes were monitored over an 18‐month period. Results demonstrated that evaporation, drainage and retention in the structures were strongly influenced by the particle size distribution of the bedding material and by water retention in the surface blocks. In general, an average of 55% of a one‐hour duration, 15 mm h⁻¹ rainfall event could be retained by an initially air‐dry structure. Subsequent simulations demonstrated that 30% of a one‐hour duration, 15 mm h⁻¹ rainfall event could be stored by an initially wet structure (with a minimum time interval between rainfall applications of 72 hours). Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

非稳态热传导时层状路面体系的温度响应

利用解析层元法推导温度荷载作用下非稳态热传导时层状路面体系的温度响应解答。从热弹性理论平面应变问题的控制方程出发,借助于Laplace-Fourier积分变换,推导出单层介质及下卧半平面的精确刚度矩阵即解析层元,结合有限层法原理及边界条件,组装并求解总刚度矩阵,得到其在变换域内的解答,最后通过相应的积分逆变换得到物理域内的真实解。由于该法刚度矩阵元素中不含正指数项,计算时不会出现溢出或病态矩阵的现象。编译了相应的计算程序,所得结果与有限元模拟结果吻合较好。在此基础上,对有限深度和半平面两种假定条件下的解答进行对比分析,并分析层状路面体系中位移和温度随时间的变化趋势及沿深度的分布规律。分析表明：温度场具有一定的影响深度,超过此深度,有限深度与半平面理论解答基本一致;温度荷载的影响深度与其强度有关,强度越大,其影响深度越深。     

交通荷载作用下公路路基工作区深度研究

根据路面不平整实测资料,获得了汽车动荷载的计算模型和参数,并利用此荷载模式来分析公路结构的动力响应。考虑到公路结构的三维分层性状,利用Fourier变换技术和求解层状结构的精确刚度矩阵法,研究了公路结构在移动汽车荷载作用下的动力响应问题。为了方便工程应用,利用Odemark厚度和模量的当量转换公式,将公路结构简化为由路面、路基及地基组成的3层体系,并以此为基础分析了路基动应力的衰减规律,同时重点研究了汽车轴载大小、当量路面厚度及路基模量对路基工作区深度的影响,最后建议了路基工作区深度的定量表达式,研究结果可为公路路基设计提供参考。     

基于RS与GPS的汶川地震路基路面震害损毁调查——以都汶公路为例

文章以都汶公路为例,利用遥感解译技术快速获取地震诱发山地灾害类型及其对公路造成的严重损害类型,利用GPS对公路损毁灾害点准确定位,获得路基路面直接震害类型信息,同时对山地灾害遥感判识结果进行检验。通过分析认为公路沿线岩体岩性以及风化破碎程度的不同,对公路产生的损毁程度不相同;路基破坏程度与距离震中和断裂带的远近有密切关系;路基下方护坡的破坏与所处边坡的坡度有关;崩塌滑坡产生大量松散固体物质,雨季到来之后,极易暴发大规模泥石流,需要注意并防范泥石流对行车安全和道路交通的影响。     

对“白加白”改造旧水泥砼路面实施方案的探讨

G318怀宁段路面改善工程设计方案为旧水泥砼路面加铺水泥砼路面(简称"白加白"),在安庆市公路系统尚属首次实施,在我省亦无成功的实践经验可直接借鉴。为此,安庆市公路局专门成立了科研小组,并与浙江大学合作,以"白加白改造旧水泥砼路面方案的研究"为课题,将G318怀宁段作为实践项目,申报2010年度安徽省交通科技项目。笔者作为小组三位主要成员之一,全过程参与该项目的建设与管理。现就该方案的实践成果进行一次全面系统的总结,并就有关技术问题进行探讨。