Variability of levee failure mechanisms subject to heavy rainfalls,case studies in Taiwan

In this study, the failure mechanisms for Chiuliao 1st Levee and Gueishan Levee in Taiwan were re-examined comprehensively considering the uncertainty of different parameters. Results have shown that for Chiuliao 1st Levee, the slope sliding failure has a higher coefficient of variation (COV). For Gueishan Levee, retaining wall sliding and overturning failure have higher values of COV instead. It can also be found that the scouring depths affect the stability of the levee significantly, therefore, a protecting system for the backfill material may be necessary to increase the stability of the levee effectively.     

Effect of 2D spatial variability on slope reliability: A simplified FORM analysis

To meet the high demand for reliability based design of slopes, we present in this paper a simplified HLRF(Hasofere Linde Rackwitze Fiessler) iterative algorithm for first-order reliability method(FORM). It is simply formulated in x-space and requires neither transformation of correlated random variables nor optimization tools. The solution can be easily improved by iteratively adjusting the step length. The algorithm is particularly useful to practicing engineers for geotechnical reliability analysis where standalone(deterministic) numerical packages are used. Based on the proposed algorithm and through direct perturbation analysis of random variables, we conducted a case study of earth slope reliability with complete consideration of soil uncertainty and spatial variability.     

Probabilistic stability analyses of undrained slopes by 3D random fields and finite element methods

A long slope consisting of spatially random soils is a common geographical feature. This paper examined the necessity of three-dimensional(3 D) analysis when dealing with slope with full randomness in soil properties. Although 3 D random finite element analysis can well reflect the spatial variability of soil properties, it is often time-consuming for probabilistic stability analysis. For this reason, we also examined the least advantageous(or most pessimistic) cross-section of the studied slope. The concept of"most pessimistic" refers to the minimal cross-sectional average of undrained shear strength. The selection of the most pessimistic section is achievable by simulating the undrained shear strength as a 3 D random field. Random finite element analysis results suggest that two-dimensional(2 D) plane strain analysis based the most pessimistic cross-section generally provides a more conservative result than the corresponding full 3 D analysis. The level of conservativeness is around 15% on average. This result may have engineering implications for slope design where computationally tractable 2 D analyses based on the procedure proposed in this study could ensure conservative results.     

Structural stability of gravity dams: a progressive assessment considering uncertainties in shear strength parameters

Structural sliding stability of gravity dams is generally quantified using deterministic factor of safety, FS_det. Large FS_det (e.g. 3 in normal condition), are used in existing guidelines to guard against material and load uncertainties. Some guidelines allow an arbitrary reduction in FS_det (e.g. 2) when the knowledge in strength parameters increases from material test data. Yet, those reduced FS_det are not based on a rational consideration of uncertainties. Propagation of uncertainties could be done using probabilistic analyses, such as Monte-Carlo simulations (MC) which are complex and challenging for practical use. There is thus a need to develop simplified reliability based safety assessment procedures that could rationalise the adjustment of FS_det. This paper presents a progressive analysis methodology using four safety evaluation formats of increasing complexity: (i) deterministic, (ii) semi-probabilistic (partial coefficient), (iii) reliability based Adjustable Factor of Safety (AFS), and (iv) probabilistic. Comprehensive comparisons are made for the sliding safety evaluation of a 80 m gravity dam. Results are presented in terms of sliding factors of safety, allowable water levels, and demand/capacity ratios. It is shown that the AFS formulation, using direct integration, is simple and practical to use in complement to existing dam safety guidelines before undertaking MC simulations.     

Landfill site selection based on reliability concepts using the DRASTIC method and AHP integrated with GIS – a case study of Bengaluru city,India

The selection of landfill sites for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal involves consideration of geological, hydrological and environmental parameters which exhibit large spatial variability. Therefore, it is necessary to define, to what extent the chosen sites are reliable such that the probability of environmental pollution and health risks to population is minimal. In the present study, groundwater vulnerability to contamination has been assessed using the standard DRASTIC method. The results showed that the study region has 9.45% of very less, 32.94% of less, 25.47% of moderate, 22.79% of high and 9.35% of very high vulnerable zones. The study also revealed that none of the landfills are located in safe zones. This suggests that it requires proper remedial measures to avoid environmental pollution. A landfill site selection process has been carried out using the Analytical Hierarchy Process integrated with Geographical Information System tools. The obtained results showed that only 3.59?km² (0.08%) of the total area is suitable for landfills. The reliability analysis of the site suitability revealed that landfills are located at unreliable locations where the probability of risk to environmental pollution is high. The presented approach assists decision-makers in selecting reliable locations for the safe disposal of MSW.     

GPS网起始数据的误差分析

应用5种GPS控制网起算点坐标误差的分析方法,分析了某地铁二号线西延伸线工程GPS控制网的起算点坐标误差,成功地剔除了误差超限的起算点。     

DGZ-1多功能共振柱常规试验可靠性分析

针对新研制的多功能共振柱讕验机常规土类试验,发展此类仪器的试验可靠性分析理论,建立一套检验自身可靠性的分析方法傌技术,包括试验误差分析、试验定量考核、土工试验等多种技术手段。首先建立了共振柱仪动剪切模量误差、应叐误差和阻尼比误差的分析公式,得到了几种主要影响因素及其对试验误差影响程度的新认识。同时,通过若干已知动剪切模量且频率和土频率相接近的钢杆和铝杆试件的自振和共振试验,定量上验证该仪器常规试验结果的可靠性;通过砂土和原状粘土常规试验,定性上检验土工试验结果的合理性。通过对新研制的多功能共振柱试验机的常规试验功能进行可靠性的自身检验,所有试验结果是令人满意和可靠的,结果符合现有规律的认识。     

浅谈提高空中三角测量数据成果质量的3个关键环节

空中三角测量数据主要是为摄影测量提供定向框架数据,其质量决定最终产品的质量。笔者结合生产实践中遇到的实际问题,对提高空中三角测量数据成果质量的3个关键环节——航外控制测量,航内控制点量测,外业控制点的残差分析、空中三角测量成果检查及评定的重要性进行了阐述。     

浅析如何在溶剂萃取机理研究中正确使用斜率法

斜率法是萃取机理研究最为常用的方法之一。尽管其理论基础和使用方法非常简单,但该方法却常常被误用,导致其非但不能有效的确定萃取机理,反而产生了误导性结论。本文以t-BAMBP萃取碱金属离子(K~+、Rb~+、Cs~+)体系为例讨论了常见的错误用法以及造成这类情况的根源问题,之后对其他萃取体系中类似错误用法进行了简要评述,表明斜率法的错误使用主要源于对萃取反应方程式的错误假定及对工作方程推导过程中引入的近似处理理解不当。最后总结了在萃取机理研究中正确使用斜率法的几点注意事项。