Numerical and analytical observations on long and infinite slopes

Interest in the mechanics of landslides has led to renewed evaluation of the infinite slope equations, and the need for a more general framework for estimating the factor of safety of long and infinite slopes involving non‐homogeneous soil profiles. The paper describes finite element methods that demonstrate the potential for predicting failure in long slope profiles where the critical mechanism is not necessarily at the base of the soil layer. The influence of slope angle is also examined in long slopes, leading to some counter‐intuitive conclusions about the impact of slope steepness on the factor of safety. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A discontinuous finite element suspended sediment transport model for water quality assessments in river networks

Suspended sediment plays an important role in the distribution and transport of many pollutants (such as radionuclides) in rivers. Pollutants may adsorb on fine suspended particles (e.g. clay) and spread according to the suspended sediment movement. Hence, the simulation of the suspended sediment mechanism is indispensable for realistic transport modelling. This paper presents and tests a simple mathematical model for predicting the suspended sediment transport in river networks. The model is based on the van Rijn suspended load formula and the advection–diffusion equation with a source or sink term that represents the erosion or deposition fluxes. The transport equation is solved numerically with the discontinuous finite element method. The model evaluation was performed in two steps, first by comparing model simulations with the measured suspended sediment concentrations in the Grote Nete–Molse Nete River in Belgium, and second by a model intercomparison with the sediment transport model NST MIKE 11. The simulations reflect the measurements with a Nash‐Sutcliffe model efficiency of 0.6, while the efficiency between the proposed model and the NST MIKE 11 simulations is 0.96. Both evaluations indicate that the proposed sediment transport model, that is sufficiently simple to be practical, is providing realistic results.     

Analysis of shaft resistance of jacked piles in sands

In recent years, pile jacking has become a viable alternative installation method for displacement piles. Pile jacking produces minimal noise, vibration and air pollution during installation. In addition, it is possible, at the end of jacking, to have a good estimate of the ultimate static capacity of the pile. In this paper, the shaft resistance of piles jacked into sand is studied using one‐dimensional finite element analysis. The finite element simulations, using a two‐surface plasticity model, demonstrate the effects of relative density and confinement on the unit shaft resistance of piles jacked in sand. The impact of the number of jacking strokes on the unit shaft capacity is also assessed. Based on the numerical results, we developed equations for shaft resistance quantifying the effects of relative density, initial confinement and number of jacking strokes. Predictions using these equations are compared with data obtained from centrifuge tests and field tests. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Review and enhancement of 3D concrete models for large‐scale numerical simulations of concrete structures

The present paper focuses on selected plasticity and damage‐plasticity models for describing the 3D material behavior of concrete. In particular, a plasticity model and a damage‐plasticity model are reviewed and evaluated. Based on the results of the evaluation, enhancements are proposed, aiming at improving the correspondence between predicted and observed material behavior and aiming at implementing a robust and efficient stress update algorithm in a finite element program for performing large‐scale 3D numerical simulations of concrete structures. The capabilities of the concrete models are demonstrated by 3D numerical simulations of benchmark tests with combined bending and torsional loading and combined compression and shear loading and by a large‐scale 3D finite element analysis of a model test of a concrete arch dam. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

兵棋地图概念模型研究

兵棋地图是对战场环境各要素及其对作战行动影响规律的客观描述,构建兵棋地图概念模型能够促使军事人员和技术人员建立对同一问题的统一认知。首先,分析了军事概念模型的基本概念及其形式化描述方法;其次,提出了战场环境仿真概念模型,据此构建了兵棋地图概念模型,并对概念模型中的两类元素和三种交互关系进行了讨论;最后,利用UML对兵棋地图概念模型进行了形式化描述。     

Bounding surface model for soil resistance to cyclic lateral pile displacements with arbitrary direction

The development of a two-surface elastic–plastic bounding surface P–Y model for cyclic lateral pile motions is described. The kinematic-hardening model is applicable to the analysis of pile foundations subjected to loading with arbitrary azimuths relative to the pile axis. The model realistically captures the hysteretic energy damping associated with dynamic loading of subsea foundations through physically correct plastic mechanisms and provides results consistent with those observed in physical tests including cyclic loading. Its performance is demonstrated in element states of stress and in pile foundation analyses. The development based on the incremental theory of plasticity results in more robust solutions than may be obtained using alternative elastic, variable moduli and deformation plasticity formulations.     

Modeling discontinuous rock mass based on smoothed finite element method

This paper aims at developing a method for modeling rock mass with preexisting multiple discontinuities within the framework of the smoothed finite element method (SFEM). The discontinuity is simulated by an interface element with zero thickness, the stiffness matrix of which are derived explicitly based on the SFEM. An elastic damage constitutive relation with residual strength is introduced in order to describe the nonlinear mechanical behavior of the discontinuities. The computation codes of the present method were developed. The present method has been verified to be a sound approach for modeling discontinuous rock mass, inheriting the advantages of the SFEM.     

Mesh-free analysis applied in reinforced soil slopes

One of the most applicable geotechnical structures whose analysis is carried out through iterative procedures is the reinforced soil slope. In this regard, the most successful method for the reinforced slope analysis through numerical methods is the finite element method whose updating mesh may result in some difficulties. In this study, the Natural Element Method (NEM), which is a mesh-free method, in conjunction with conventional limit equilibrium is implemented to find the slip surface in the reinforced slopes. Results demonstrate the convergence and preciseness of the present method in comparison with the other numerical methods and conventional limit equilibrium method.     

Investigation of directional hydraulic fracturing based on true tri-axial experiment and finite element modeling

The initiation and propagation of directional hydraulic fracturing (DHF) was investigated based on true tri-axial experiment and finite element modeling. The influences of notch angle, notch length and injection rate on the DHF were investigated. The initiation and propagation of DHF was modeled by a 3D nonlinear finite element method. A comparison between experimental investigation and numerical modeling results indicates that there is a good correlation between unbalanced force (UF) and fracturing. UF can be used to predict the hydraulic fracture initiation and propagation.