Centrifuge modelling of inclined micro-piles for liquefaction remediation of existing buildings

This paper describes four centrifuge tests investigating the performance of non-structural inclined micro-piles as a liquefaction remediation method for existing buildings. Two soil profiles with the same superstructure founded on each were tested under earthquakes of different magnitudes and durations. The first profile consisted of a deep, homogeneous layer of loose, liquefiable sand. The second comprised a shallow layer of loose sand overlying dense sand. Centrifuge tests were carried out with and without inclined micro-piles in each soil profile. The superstructure was modelled as an idealised single degree of freedom (SDOF) system. It is found that the micro-piles have no detrimental effect on the performance of the structure during and after earthquakes. It is also possible that their presence may decrease structural settlements in earthquakes which cause liquefaction to a depth less than that of the improved zone. However, no conclusive evidence is obtained to show that the micro-piles significantly restrain lateral soil movement due to monotonic shearing from the structure or impede the migration of excess pore pressures from the free field to the foundation zone. Both these processes have critical effects on structural settlement. The use of inclined micro-piles for liquefaction remediation should therefore be considered with caution.     

软土地基上土工结构物的离心模拟试验

由于离心模拟试验所提供的高加速度可以模拟重力加速度,而引起土工结构物的稳定性和地基变形问题,主要原因正是由于地基不能适应上部结构物的自重,因而土工离心试验能最大限度地逼近现场试验,试验结果已为设计工程师所采用。本文主要介绍4个沿海工程如何利用离心模拟试验来检验这些工程的稳定和变形。     

群桩扭转非线性模型

建立了一个非线性数学模型来分析群桩扭转问题。该模型利用非线性荷载传递曲线来模拟桩的非线性响应,采用Mindlin解计算各桩水平力间的相互作用,用Randolph解析解分析得到各桩间扭矩对水平力的影响。在各单桩中引入经验性的耦合系数,分析桩身水平变形引起的土体反力对该桩扭转承载力的影响。对比计算结果与离心机模型试验数据,表明该模型能够模拟群桩扭转中主要的桩-土-桩相互作用和荷载耦合作用,较好地反映了实际情况。     

Determination of In Situ Sediment Shear Strength from Advanced Piston Corer Pullout Forces

The advanced piston corer (APC) has been used by the Ocean Drilling Program since 1985 for recovering soft sediments from the ocean floor. The pullout force measured on extracting the core barrel from the sediment is shown to correlate with the average shear strength of the sediment core measured in the ship's laboratory. A simple rule of thumb is derived relating the shear strength of the sediment to the pullout force. Multiple APC holes at individual sites allow the consistency of the pullout measurements to be assessed. The effects of different operational procedures during APC coring are also explored. Although generally applicable, the correlation between pullout force and laboratory measurements of shear strength breaks down for some APC holes, possibly because of the disturbance of some sediment types during the APC coring process. A better understanding of the physical process of APC coring, and its effect on the properties of the sediment both inside and immediately outside the core barrel, would indicate what confidence can be put on the measurement of pullout force as a way of evaluating the in situ shear strength of deep sea sediments.     

软黏土中桶形基础竖向循环加载超重力离心模型试验研究

桶形基础越来越广泛应用于海洋油气平台、海上风机、输电塔、防波堤等构筑物,研究其循环承载特性对以上构筑物服役安全性具有重要意义。通过在软黏土中开展单桶循环上拔以及小间距群桶循环上拔和循环下压超重力离心模型试验,发现循环上拔地基破坏模式为整体破坏,裂隙均呈现圆弧形,循环下压呈现渐进式整体破坏模式,下压过程的挤压作用可明显减小桶周泥面高度,导致其承载力降低。模拟双向受荷工况的循环上拔试验在5次加载后荷载弱化系数开始趋于稳定,远早于单向受荷工况;单向和双向受荷工况循环上拔荷载弱化系数残余稳定值分别为0.31和0.32,循环下压荷载弱化系数最小值为0.35,表明不同加载方式竖向循环荷载作用下,此三者大小均可用软黏土地基灵敏度倒数预估。     

Numerical solution for consolidation and desiccation of soft soils

The consolidation and desiccation behaviour of soft soils can be described by two time‐dependent non‐linear partial differential equations using the finite strain theory. Analytical solutions do not exist for these governing equations. In this paper, we develop efficient numerical methods and software for finding the numerical solutions. We introduce a semi‐implicit time integration scheme, and show numerically that our method converges. In addition, the numerical solution matches well with the experimental result. A boundary refinement method is also developed to improve the convergence and stability for the case of Neumann type boundary conditions. Interface governing equations are derived to maintain the continuity of consolidation and desiccation processes. This is useful because the soil column can undergo desiccation on top and consolidation on the bottom simultaneously. The numerical algorithms has been implemented into a computer program and the results have been verified with centrifuge test results conducted in our laboratory. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Distribution of the factor of safety,in geotechnical engineering,for independent piecewise linear capacity and demand density functions

In many geotechnical engineering cases, the factor of safety may be defined as the ratio of the capacity, of the geotechnical structure or its support elements, to the pertinent demand. By representing the capacity and the demand as independent piecewise linear random variables, an analytic solution is obtained for the probability density and cumulative distribution functions of the factor of safety. Thus, solutions for the calculation of the mean value, the standard deviation and the minimum and maximum values of the factor of safety, are provided. Application of the developed analytical solutions, to the probabilistic analysis of a published case of rock spalling in a deposition tunnel complex, follows. The methodology allows for the parametric evaluation of the effect of specific design variables to the distribution of the safety factor and to the probability of failure. The closed form solution may be programmed as a computer code that may run easily on a tablet or netbook or even on a smartphone. It proves useful for the probabilistic design of a variety of geotechnical applications, such as foundations, tunneling, mining, underground roof reinforcement, and earth retaining structures, and permits decisions to be taken in terms of risk and reliability.     

Engineering geological and geotechnical responses of schistose rocks from dam project areas in India

For a rational and safer design of civil and mining engineering structures in or on rocks, a proper understanding of the quality of rock mass is required. To assess the rock mass quality, evaluation of physical and mechanical characteristics of the intact rocks is essential. Especially if the rock is anisotropic in nature, the genetic complexity associated with its petrofabric makes it more difficult to predict its behaviour. In this paper, a comprehensive study of the compositional, physical and geotechnical responses of four varieties of schists, i.e., quartzitic, chlorite, quartz mica and biotite schists obtained from two hydroelectrical project sites in the foot hills of Himalayas, India, has been presented.

Anisotropic strength behaviour of the schists has been brought out through the testing of specimens with varying orientation of schistosity with respect to the major principal stress under uniaxial and triaxial conditions. The significance of anisotropic response for consideration in the design is emphasized.     

砂性土边坡稳定性离心模型试验研究

借助于西南交通大学TLJ-2型离心机,具体研究了不同含水率下三组砂性土边坡模型的稳定及破坏情况,并分析了砂性土边坡的破坏机理和破坏特征。试验结果表明:含水量是影响砂性土边坡稳定的重要因素。从边坡模型破坏后情况分析,对于有着多级平台的砂性土边坡,滑面较浅,沿各级平台后缘拉裂而坍塌,其破坏类型属于牵引式滑动。     

黄土边坡开挖与支护效应的离心模拟试验研究

黄土边坡在开挖卸载过程中的稳定性分析及其防护在边坡工程中占有重要地位。采用西南交通大学土工离心机进行了1组非支护边坡和2组土钉支护边坡的离心模型试验,研究了开挖卸载过程中黄土边坡的变形特性、稳定性变化规律及土钉的加固效应。离心模型试验研究表明,土钉能够显著提高黄土边坡的稳定性。土钉支护的边坡土体,因土钉的锚固效应,边坡的变形范围更大,但变形量较小,最大变形量并不在坡面,而是发生在坡面下的锚固区域内,非支护黄土边坡的潜在滑移面产生于距坡顶约40 cm处,土钉支护后,黄土边坡基本不会发生破坏。对于抵抗边坡发生变形而言,不等长土钉支护的效果要优于等长土钉支护,研究成果为黄土边坡的开挖与防护提供了参考。