Nonlinear dynamics and impact load in float-over installation

A time-domain 3 Degrees of Freedom model is developed to investigate nonlinear dynamics and impact loads during float-over installations, which generally involve multi-body interactions between wave-induced vessel motions and nonlinear constraint components. By replacing the time-consuming convolution in calculating the retardation function, a more efficient method, i.e. state-space model, is applied to evaluate part of the radiation force. The established model, incorporating the multi-body interactions, is applied to study the nonlinear impact on Leg Mating Unit (LMU) by considering the sway, heave and roll motions of the float-over system. The structural characteristics are considered when modelling the characteristics of LMU. The dynamic behaviors of a given system is investigated in the form of bifurcation diagrams, along with impact map, amplitude spectrum and power spectral density (PSD). It is found that bifurcation phenomena, or a large angle of docking cone could dominate the installation due to the increased impact loads.     

基于水平湿拖的TLP平台张力腿现场扶正数值模拟

TLP平台张力腿安装方法有竖直安装和水平安装。以一TLP平台张力腿为例,基于张力腿水平湿拖安装方法,采用OrcaFlex软件建立扶正分析模型,数值模拟了张力腿现场扶正过程,研究分析了张力腿在不同海洋环境和吊机缆绳释放速度等参数下的动力响应,并在此基础上进行了集束扶正分析,根据安装接受标准确定了合适的扶正作业天气窗口。模拟分析结果表明:在扶正过程中,浪向/流向、波高、流速对张力腿应力影响显著;吊机缆绳张力对浪向/流向、流速敏感;吊机缆绳释放速度对张力腿应力和吊机缆绳张力影响微弱。     

Load-settlement behavior modeling of single piles using artificial neural networks and CPT data

Pile foundations are usually used when the conditions of the upper soil layers are weak and unable to support the super-structural loads. Piles carry these super-structural loads deep into the ground. Therefore, the safety and stability of pile-supported structures depends largely on the behavior of the piles. In addition, accurate prediction of pile behavior is necessary to ensure appropriate structural and serviceability performance. In this paper, an ANN model is developed for predicting pile behavior based on the results of cone penetration test (CPT) data. Approximately 500 data sets, obtained from the published literature, are used to develop the ANN model. The paper compares the predictions obtained by the ANN with those given by a number of traditional methods and it is observed that the ANN model significantly outperforms the traditional methods. An important advantage of the ANN model is that the complete load-settlement relationship is captured. Finally, the paper proposes a series of charts for predicting pile behavior that will be useful for pile design.     

Interaction of fluid–solid–geomembrane by the material point method

A dynamic, large deformation problem of fluid–solid–geomembrane interaction is analysed by the use of material point method, a variant of the finite element method stated in a Lagrangian–Eulerian format. A low-order element is used for space discretisation and the fluid is treated as a compressible liquid with a high value of bulk modulus. Therefore, two algorithms known from literature are applied to mitigate the effects related to the volumetric locking phenomenon. Moreover, a procedure of detecting the free surface is proposed. The method is applied to problems of determining the shape of geo-tubes, collapsing water column, and finally, to the problem of installation of a geo-container on the bed of a water reservoir. The obtained numerical outcomes are compared with the experimental results and the analytic ones when available.     

Mitigation measures for pile groups behind quay walls subjected to lateral flow of liquefied soil: Shake table model tests

This paper presents experimental results of a series of 1g shake table tests on mitigation measures for a model consisting of a 3×3 pile group and a sheet-pile quay wall in which the pile group was subjected to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. First, general observations associated with the mechanism of lateral spreading and pile response are presented based on tests without remedial measures, followed by in depth discussions. Second, three remedial techniques were deployed to provide an adequate seismic performance of the pile group and the quay wall: (i) mitigating sheet pile of floating type, (ii) mitigating sheet pile of fixed end type, and (iii) anchoring the quay wall to a new pile row. The main objective of these mitigation methods was to restrict ground distortion behind the quay wall, enhancing seismic response of pile group and quay wall. This mitigation philosophy was decided based on the outcome of the first part, which consisted of a series of tests without mitigation measures. In addition, it should be noted that the proposed countermeasures were selected to be applicable for existing vulnerable pile groups, which are at risk of liquefaction and lateral spreading. Results of different mitigation tests are comparatively examined using a parameter called reduction factor, and the effectiveness of each countermeasure is discussed in detail. The results demonstrate that by applying the proposed mitigation measures the seismic performance of both pile group and quay wall can be improved, as a result of reduction in soil displacement and velocity of soil flow.     

超软土真空预压室内模型试验研究

随着围海造陆的发展,吹填区底面标高越来越低,吹填土厚度由原来的2 m达到现在的10 m左右,使地基加固时发生很大的压缩变形。在现场真空预压检测过程中发现土体加固后形成上面一层2～3 m的硬壳层,地表以下3～4 m土层强度增长很小。通过超软土真空预压室内模型试验发现加固后由于超软土发生很大的压缩变形,使排水板发生了很大的扭曲变形,甚至发生局部折断现象,导致排水板失效或效率降低,从而使土体加固效果欠佳。在加固土体变形基本稳定后,进行了二次插板再加固的试验,结果表明,土体的沉降进一步发展,含水率进一步降低,十字板强度进一步提高,且沿深度递减幅度大为减小,证明了第一次加固过程中由于土体发生大变形使排水板效率降低,地基不能达到预期的加固效果;采用二次插板可使吹填土产生较好的加固效果。研究成果为探索更有效地加固深厚吹填土方法提供了依据。     

Attenuation zones of periodic pile barriers with initial stress

Periodic pile barriers exhibit unique dynamic property, i.e., the frequency attenuation zones. When wave frequencies fall in the attenuation zones, the amplitude of the elastic waves could be reduced by the periodic pile barriers. In the present paper, out-of-plane waves propagating in two-dimensional periodic pile barriers are investigated. A novel numerical approach based on the weak form quadrature element method (WFQEM) is developed to study the effect of initial stress on the attenuation zones of the pile barriers. The proposed method is verified to be with significant advantages in both accuracy and convergence with regard to the lumped-mass method (LMM) in particular cases. The theoretical results show that the initial stress significantly alters the position and width of the attenuation zones, however, it does not affect the maximum attenuation coefficient. In addition, elastic waves propagating in periodic pile barriers with finite number of unit cells is simulated at the end of this paper. The results obtained in the present paper are very useful for the design and application of periodic pile barriers in ambient vibration reduction.     

关于建设数字郑东新区的构想

郑东新区是一个新规划的城区,在城市建设的同时进行信息化建设将比其它城市具有更大的优势和发展机遇。文章探讨了数字郑东新区的总体框架、空间基础设施、标准体系建设,以及在信息化建设中的重点电子工程。并提出了加强组织体系建设、制订信息化战略、加强信息安全保障、完善融资体系等保障措施。     

组合荷载下超大群桩受力变形模型试验研究

李子沟特大桥是内昆线上的重点工程 ,采用了超大群桩基础。为了进一步完善对超大群桩基础的力学行为的认识 ,应用模型试验分析了在组合荷载作用下超大群桩基础的内力分布特点、群桩的承载性状和受力变形特性。试验结果表明 ,最大弯矩发生在与承台连接附近的桩身处 ,弯矩沿桩身向下随荷载由线性或非线性递减。对于组合加载与水平纵向加载 ,弯矩的极值、沿桩身的变化趋势和受荷载的影响范围不同     

Centrifuge modelling of raked piles

Inclined piles are prohibited by many codes in seismic areas. Nevertheless the battered effect has not yet been clarified because very few data are available. The present work is a comparison, at reduced scale in the centrifuge, of the response of two simplified pile groups: a 1 × 2 vertical piles and 1 × 2 pile group with one inclined pile. Two configurations are considered: end-bearing and floating pile group, both with pile heads rigidly fixed with a massive cap. First, repeatability tests under horizontal cyclic loading were performed on both floating pile groups. Secondly, repeated horizontal impact tests were performed on both end-bearing pile groups. These impact tests, which highlight the influence of inclined piles on the inertial response of a group, are a first step for the more complex analysis of the performance of such groups under seismic loads where inertial and kinematic interactions are combined. The first part of this work revealed the influence of sand structure around the inclined pile tip on the repeatability of the tests performed on floating pile groups. The second part highlighted differences in the dynamic response between the two end-bearing pile groups through measurements of the pile cap acceleration, the bending moment profile and the axial load in the piles.