Behavior of sand–rubber particle mixtures: experimental observations and numerical simulations

A series of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations are conducted to explore the characteristics of mixtures composed of sand and rubber particles of the same median diameter. The mixtures are prepared with different volumetric sand fractions (sf = V_sand/V_total). The experiment focuses on assessing the strain level on the characteristics of the mixture with the volume fraction of each component. Numerical simulations using the discrete element method are performed to obtain insight into the microscale behavior and internal mechanism of the mixtures. The experimental results show that the behavior of the mixtures is dependent on the relative sand and rubber particles composition with variation in the strain levels. The numerical simulation reveals the effect of the soft rubber particle inclusion in the mixture on the micromechanical parameters. In low sand fraction mixtures, a high shear stress along the contact is mobilized, and the stress state is driven to a more anisotropic condition because of the relatively high particle friction angle of the rubber. The rubber particles play different roles with the strain level in the mixture, including increasing the coordination number and controlling plasticity of the mixture in a small strain, preventing buckling of the force chain in an intermediate strain, and leading to contractive behavior in a large strain. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A relationship between tensile strength and loading stress governing the onset of mode I crack propagation obtained via numerical investigations using a bonded particle model

Numerical models based on the discrete element method are used to study the fracturing process in brittle rock‐like materials under direct and indirect tension. The results demonstrate the capacity of the model to capture the essential characteristics of fracture including the onset of crack propagation, stable and unstable crack growth, arrest and reinitiation of fracturing, and crack branching. Simulations of Brazilian indirect tension tests serve to calibrate the numerical model, relating macroscopic tensile strength of specimens to their micromechanical breakage parameters. A second suite of simulations reveals a linear relationship between the tensile strength of specimens and the loading stress for which mode I tensile crack propagation ensues. Based on these results, a crack initiation criterion for brittle materials is proposed, prescribing the stressing conditions required to induce tensile failure. Such a criterion, if broadly applicable, provides a practical means to rapidly assess the failure potential of brittle materials under tensile loads.     

Discussion of “Shear Strength of an Accumulation Soil from Direct Shear Test” by J. Wang,H. Zhang,H. Wen,and Y. Liang

According to the article named “Shear Strength of an Accumulation Soil from Direct Shear Test” by J. Wang, H. Zhang, H. Wen, and Y. Liang, this paper proposes a more reasonable expression to characterize shear strength in the original paper. The angle of shearing resistance is expressed by the combination of initial and incremental angles of shearing resistance, the relative compactions and water content were used to analyze the effects. The initial and incremental angles of shearing resistance are generally increasing with the increment of the relative compaction, increasing then decreases with the increment of the water content. The finial expressions which combined by the series of simulation equation was given to precisely predict the accumulation soil's angle of shearing resistance in relation to the relative compactions and water content.     

太湖与白马湖疏浚淤泥的触变特性研究

利用研制的微型十字板剪切仪对重塑后静置一定时间的太湖与白马湖两种疏浚淤泥进行了强度测试,对两种疏浚淤泥的触变特性进行了研究与比较。研究结果表明,两种疏浚淤泥重塑后最初始时间内触变强度的增长最快,随时间增长触变强度的增长变慢,|448d时触变强度随时间的增长趋于稳定。含水率为液限时白马湖疏浚淤泥的触变强度高于太湖疏浚淤泥。触变强度比率与触变强度的变化趋势类似。含水率越小疏浚淤泥触变性越大。含水率为液限时两种疏浚淤泥的触变强度比率与London和Detroit淤泥接近,小于Beauharnois和Shellhave淤泥,大于Horten淤泥。448d时除Beauharnois淤泥外,其他淤泥的触变强度比率均保持相对稳定。根据定义两种疏浚淤泥均为低灵敏性黏土。     

基坑抗隆起稳定安全系数的算法对比分析

基坑隆起变形破坏是一种常见的基坑失稳形式。基坑隆起变形量监测存在一定困难,基坑坑底抗隆起稳定性分析主要是计算安全系数。目前基坑抗隆起稳定安全系数计算方法主要有极限平衡、极限分析和强度折减等方法。结合工程算例,采用上述3种算法进行基坑抗隆起稳定安全系数计算,对比分析了各种计算方法的适用性。结果表明,极限平衡传统算法忽略的工程因素较多,计算结果过于保守,通过修正可以提高适用性。极限分析与强度折减的计算结果较为准确,但极限分析的破坏模式和强度折减中基坑稳定临界状态容许隆起量仍需进一步研究。     

纤维加筋MICP固化钙质砂的抗拉强度特性研究

针对微生物诱导碳酸钙沉积 (MICP)固化钙质砂脆性强、抗拉强度低等问题,通过制备“8”字形MICP固化钙质砂试样并开展直接拉伸试验,对纤维加筋的改善作用、纤维-MICP联合加固机理及纤维掺量、纤维长度等影响因素进行了研究。结果表明：纤维加筋能够显著提高抗拉强度、峰值位移和残余强度,减轻峰值强度点的脆性破坏现象,但受纤掺量和长度的影响,总的来说,抗拉强度随纤维掺量的增加和长度的加长呈先增后减的趋势。相比无纤维试样,添加最优纤维掺量（0.6%）时,试样的抗拉强度增长了172.4%,峰值变形提升了158.1%。机理可解释为纤维增加了微生物的吸附量,促进碳酸钙在纤维与钙质砂之间以及纤维表面的沉积,增大纤维与钙质砂之间的界面作用力,整体提升钙质砂的抗拉强度特性。纤维的添加能够显著改变试样的变形特征,无纤维添加试样曲线仅有初始误差阶段和弹性阶段两个阶段,添加纤维后曲线表现为四个阶段包括初始误差阶段、弹性阶段、损伤破坏阶段和残余阶段。纤维掺量影响的内因是纤维与钙质砂的界面作用力和纤维空间分布状态随纤维掺量的变化而变化,纤维长度的影响主要和破坏面附近纤维数量和单位长度所能承担的拉应力相关。研究成果对以钙质砂为地基的岛礁工程的稳定性、安全性具有一定的指导意义。     

MICP联合纤维加筋改性钙质砂力学特性研究

钙质砂是中国南海岛礁工程建设的主要建筑材料和地基土成份,其具有高孔隙、易破碎和强度低等不良工程地质特性。为改善钙质砂力学性能,提高其工程可靠性,提出利用微生物诱导碳酸钙沉积（MICP）协同纤维加筋改性钙质砂。文章通过开展无侧限抗压试验以及扫描电镜测试,对比分析不同纤维掺量下MICP固化钙质砂的力学响应特性及微观破坏机理。结果表明：（1）MICP技术能够有效固化钙质砂,并提升其力学强度;（2）纤维能够增加细菌定殖面积,提升碳酸钙沉积量,并由此提升试样延性和韧性,降低刚度;（3）应力应变曲线呈阶梯状多峰特征。在应力上升阶段,砂颗粒和碳酸钙会发生局部破碎;在峰后应力下降阶段,碳酸钙、砂颗粒、纤维的胶结作用增强了纤维的抗拔性能,限制了破坏面的发展;（4）碳酸钙、砂颗粒、纤维的耦合胶结作用是纤维加筋改善试样韧性、延性的根本原因。     

原位激发微生物成矿加固钙质砂的剪切与压缩特性研究

钙质砂广泛分布于热带海岸地区,其抗剪强度较低,在较高应力条件下极易破碎。因此,对以钙质砂为主要原料的地基材料进行加固,是海洋岩土工程领域的研究热点。基于尿素水解过程的碳酸钙成矿技术（MICP）是近年来地基材料加固领域的一项新技术。目前广泛使用的生物强化法实现MICP存在成本昂贵及环境适应性差等问题,制约了其大规模工程应用。研究采用原位生物激发MICP法对钙质砂进行加固,并对加固后试样开展直剪和一维压缩试验。结果表明：原位生物激发MICP方法可以在钙质砂中形成有效胶结,胶结水平最大可达6.26%。采用高浓度胶结溶液或增加注射次数可提高胶结水平。同时,加固后钙质砂的最大应力比、最大剪胀角以及残余内摩擦角均随胶结水平增加而显著增大,但竖向应力水平增大会抑制这些力学指标的增大。随胶结水平升高,试样压缩性显著减小;压缩后的原位激发MICP加固钙质砂中,细颗粒与粗颗粒的比例均随胶结水平的增加而增大。     

大柴旦盐湖采卤区地层剖面盐渍土基本类型及其抗剪强度试验研究

选取柴达木盆地大柴旦盐湖采卤区作为试验区,对区内地层剖面盐渍土的基本类型进行划分,即通过测定Na+、Mg2+、Cl-等易溶盐离子的方法,得出区内采卤区地层剖面盐渍土的主要类型是以亚氯盐渍土为主。在此基础上,对盐渍土进行扰动试样的室内直剪试验研究,以获取抗剪强度指标粘聚力c值与内摩擦角φ值。试验结果表明,该区盐渍土的含盐量由地表开始向下呈逐渐降低趋势,即由地表的6.89%降到地下4.5 m处的1.11%。粘聚力c值主要受试样含水量大小的影响,表现出随着含水量的增加,粘聚力c值呈降低现象,即当含水量由19.8%上升至23.3%时,粘聚力c值由35.4 k Pa下降至24.9 k Pa,下降率约为29.7%;而当含水量由23.3%下降至17.4%时,粘聚力c值则由24.9 k Pa上升至34.1 k Pa,上升率约为36.9%。内摩擦角φ值则受试样粒径影响相对较为明显,随着试样中粘粒含量的增多,粗粒含量相对减少,内摩擦角呈逐渐增大的趋势,即由24.1°上升至33.3°,增加率约为37.3%。随着试样中含盐量的增加,粘聚力c值和内摩擦角φ值均呈线性增加趋势。该研究成果将有助于进一步探讨含水量、颗粒大小以及含盐量对盐渍土试样抗剪强度变化的影响,且对区内盐田及其相应的基础设施建设有一定的理论指导意义。     

察尔汗盐湖地区盐渍土微观结构及其力学与强度表现

为探明察尔汗盐湖区盐渍土的微观结构特征及其力学与强度表现,从盐湖区采集9组不同含盐量的盐渍土样品,对盐渍土进行电镜扫描、直接剪切试验和抗压强度试验,从微观结构上分析了盐渍土的力学与强度表现,提出了察尔汗盐湖区盐渍土颗粒骨架的连结形式。研究结果表明,不同含盐量的盐渍土微观结构形式不同,盐渍土颗粒骨架之间的连结有3种形式:1)点式接触、2)堆叠接触、3)盐晶体胶结;微观结构越密实,盐晶体胶结作用越强,盐渍土表现出越高力学与强度特性;盐晶体的胶结作用是影响盐溃土力学与强度特性的显著因素;无侧限抗压强度显著变化的含盐量拐点为45.74%。