A simplified method for predicting ground settlement profiles induced by excavation in soft clay

A series of parametric studies was performed to examine the influence factors affecting the settlement influence zone induced by excavation in soft clay. It was found that the excavation depth, width, the soft clay bottom depth and the rock-like soil depth are all related to the settlement influence zone. The potential failure surface, as deduced from the failure mechanism, covering the above-mentioned parameters, is consistent with the settlement influence zone. Thus, a simple method based on the analysis results is proposed to predict the settlement influence zone. Ten case histories and statistical data for the settlements in the Shanghai area were used to verify the proposed method.     

Simplified Wave Models Applicability to Shallow Mud Flows Modeled as Power-Law Fluids

Simplified wave models- such as kinematic,diffusion and quasi-steady- are widely employed as a convenient replacement of the full dynamic one in the analysis of unsteady open-channel flows,and especially for flood routing.While their use may guarantee a significant reduction of the computational effort,it is mandatory to define the conditions in which they may be confidently applied.The present paper investigates the applicability conditions of the kinematic,diffusion and quasisteady dynamic shallow wave models for mud flows of power-law fluids.The power-law model describes in an adequate and convenient way fluids that at low shear rates fluids do not posses yield stress,such as clay or kaolin suspensions,which are frequently encountered in Chinese rivers.In the framework of a linear analysis,the propagation characteristics of a periodic perturbation of an initial steady uniform flow predicted by the simplified models are compared with those of the full dynamic one.Based on this comparison,applicability criteria for the different wave approximations for mud flood of power-law fluids are derived.The presented results provide guidelines for selecting the appropriate approximation for a given flow problem,and therefore they may represent a useful tool for engineering predictions.     

Simplified transverse seismic analysis of buried structures

This paper presents a simplified method for the analysis of square cross-section buried structures (tunnel) subjected to seismic motion. Finite element analyses are performed to assess the fundamental modes of vibration of the soil layer with and without the tunnel. The influence of the tunnel on the modes of vibrations is taken into account by comparing the modal deformations in the free-field to those in the presence of the tunnel. From this comparison the zone of influence of the modal displacements due to the presence of the structure is determined. The resulting model is subjected to horizontal and vertical excitation of statistically independent accelerograms compatible with the response spectra of the Regulatory Guide 1.6 of the Nuclear Energy Commission. The free-field displacement is introduced at the boundaries of the zone of influence. The proposed simplified static analysis yields a state of stresses similar to that obtained from a full dynamic analysis of the complete soil–tunnel system. Several examples are solved to corroborate the validity of the method.     

Comparison between predictions using different simplified Newmarks' block-on-plane models and field values of earthquake induced displacements

The study is concerned with the assessment of simplified Newmarks' block-on-plane models available in the literature for evaluating the permanent earthquake induced displacements of cut slopes and embankments, and the recommendation of a well-verified model/procedure. For this purpose, incidents of earthquake induced displacements of geotechnical structures, were collected from worldwide literatures and used in the study. Actual values of displacements were compared with predictions using different models.Based on the analyses, interpretations and discussions in this study, it was concluded that the Nadim and Whitman method (Nadim F, Whitman RV. Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division, ASCE 1983;109(GT7):915–931) is the most accurate method for obtaining the earthquake induced displacement. The correlation coefficient between predicted values using the Nadim and Whitman method and the actual recorded ones for geotechnical structures was 0.770; the highest among correlation coefficients for other methods.     

Identification-based simplified model of large container ships using support vector machines and artificial bee colony algorithm

The 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) model with a high degree of complexity for capturing ship dynamics is generally able to track the nonlinear and coupling dynamics of ships. However, the 6 DOF model makes challenges in estimating model coefficients and designing the model-based control. Therefore, simplified ship dynamic models within allowed accuracy are essential. This paper simplified the 6 DOF nonlinear dynamic model of ships into two decoupled models including the speed model and the steering model through reasonable assumptions. Those models were tested through maneuvering simulations of a container ship with a 4 DOF dynamic model. Support vector machines (SVM) optimized by the artificial bee colony algorithm (ABC) was used to identify parameters of speed and steering models by analyzing the rudder angle, propeller shaft speed, surge and sway velocities, and yaw rate from simulated data extracted from a series of maneuvers made by the container ship. Comparisons with the first order linear and nonlinear Nomoto models show that the simplified nonlinear steering model can capture more complicated dynamics and performs better. Additionally, comparisons among three different parameter identification methods demonstrate similar identification results but the different performance involving the applicability and effectiveness. SVM optimized by ABC is relatively convenient and effective for parameter identification of ship simplified dynamic models.     

B-Spline impulse response functions (BIRF) for transient SSI analysis of rigid foundations

This work presents a simplified, yet accurate model of rigid foundation-soil systems for the dynamic analysis of structures including SSI effects. The simplified model is based on closed form solutions that reproduce the characteristic B-spline impulse response functions (BIRF) of 3D continuous soil-foundation systems, as obtained from rigorous boundary element method (BEM) analysis. The proposed simplified model is used within the framework of B-spline impulse response techniques and can be coupled directly to other solution techniques, such as the finite element method (FEM). Validation and application studies demonstrate the accuracy and versatility of the simplified model for the direct time domain solution of dynamic SSI problems involving rigid square surface foundations of any size. The proposed model, although simplified, demonstrates similar high accuracy to that of more rigorous solutions based on domain discretizations.     

Pro-poor sanitation technologies

It is estimated that at least two billion people have inadequate sanitation. The current situation in water and sanitation services for millions of peri-urban residents is starkly anti-poor and represents a major challenge for the 21st century. By virtue of its cost and water requirements, we would argue that conventional sewerage is an implicitly anti-poor technology. This paper summarises low-cost sanitation technologies that have been developed by engineers from around the world, and seeks to provide evidence that there is such a thing as a pro-poor technology. We argue that simplified sewerage is often the only sanitation technology that is technically feasible and economically appropriate for low income, high-density urban areas. Simplified sewerage will only truly be a pro-poor technology if issues such as lack of investment in sanitation, insufficient cost recovery for sanitation services, conservative technical standards favoured over innovation, low-cost technologies perceived as second class provision, the nature of peri-urban settlements, and lack of engagement with users, are addressed. So often, peri-urban sanitation schemes fail to exist, fail to be sustainable, or fail to be pro-poor. The challenge is for engineers, social scientists and other professionals to work together to make pro-poor sanitation a reality and interdisciplinarity the norm.     

Soil erosion determinations by using 137Cs technique in the agricultural regions of Gediz Basin, Western Turkey

Gediz Basin is one of the regions where intense agricultural activities take place in Western Turkey. Erosion and soil degradation have long been causing serious problems to cultivated fields in the basin. This work describes the application of two different ¹³⁷Cs models for estimating soil erosion rates in cultivated sites of the region. Soil samples were collected from five distinct cultivated regions subject to soil erosion. The variations of ¹³⁷Cs concentrations with depth in soil profiles were investigated. Soil loss rates were calculated from ¹³⁷Cs inventories of the samples using both proportional model (PM) and simplified mass balance model (SMBM). When PM was used, erosion and deposition rates varied from −15 to −28 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and from +5 to +41 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively; they varied from −16 to −33 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and from +5 to +55 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ with SMBM. A good agreement was observed between the results of two models up to 30 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ soil loss and gain in the study area. Ulukent, a small representative agricultural field, was selected to compare the present data of ¹³⁷Cs techniques with the results obtained by universal soil loss equation (USLE) applied in the area before.     

单圆盾构隧道抗震计算的惯性力法

将单圆盾构隧道衬砌结构在地震作用下的动力响应问题,简化为由作用于盾构隧道管片形心的等代地震惯性力与地层抗力组成的受力体系,并据此以计算结构在地震作用下的内力.结果表明,该方法能准确反映单圆盾构隧道在地震作用下的内力最大值,并且简单、实用.     

简支混凝土梁桥Pushover分析简化方法

静力Pushover分析方法是研究结构在地震作用下力学性能的非线性分析方法,目前已经得到了广泛的运用.本文主要讨论了对于简支梁桥的简化Pushover分析方法.对于非高墩的规则桥梁,结构的重量主要来自于上部结构,因而可以把分析模型简化为单自由度体系.当给定了墩柱潜在塑性铰区的弯矩-曲率关系曲线后,可以通过简单的运算得到其Pushover曲线,从而避免了有限元建模的麻烦.该方法对于工程运用有着一定的参考价值.最后,结合算例表明了该简化方法的有效性.