Numerical algorithm for the dynamic analysis of base-isolated structures with dry friction

This paper deals with the techniques for solving ordinary differential equations with essential nonlinearity arising from the representation of frictional force by the sign function of the relative velocity. This problem is connected with dynamic behavior studies of base-isolated structures with dry friction devices.Mathematical evidence is presented concerning the inaccuracies of the solution which are connected with the representation of the frictional force by the sign function. An approximation of this sign model is made on the basis of the appropriate linearization of a small part of the frictional force function. A numerical algorithm for the dynamic analysis of base-isolated structures with dry friction is proposed. Numerical tests are carried out for establishing the exactness of the proposed techniques. The obtained results prove the accuracy of the techniques.     

On a power series solution to the Boussinesq equation

For certain initial and boundary conditions the Boussinesq equation, a nonlinear partial differential equation describing the flow of water in unconfined aquifers, can be reduced to a boundary value problem for a nonlinear ordinary differential equation. Using Song et al.'s (2007) [7] approach, we show that for zero head initial condition and power-law flux boundary condition at the inlet boundary, the solution in the form of power series can be obtained with Barenblatt's (1990) [2] rescaling procedure applied to the power series solution obtained in Song et al. (2007) [7] for the power-law head boundary condition. Polynomial approximations can then be obtained by taking terms from the power series. Although for a small number of terms the newly obtained approximations may be worse than polynomial approximations obtained by other techniques, any desired accuracy can be achieved by taking more terms from the power series.     

Numerical analysis on post-grouted drilled shafts: A case study at the Brazo River Bridge,TX

This paper investigates the effects of post-grouting on the behavior of drilled shafts using a case study carried out at the Brazo River, Texas. Commercial finite element software, PLAXIS, was used to quantify the improvement of the tip resistance and side shear resistance of post-grouted drilled shafts (PGDS). The input material parameters of PLAXIS were initially estimated using CPT sounding results, and then the parameters were updated by calibrating the numerical results against full-scale STATNAMIC load test results. Based on the numerical analysis, the authors concluded that (1) the increase in total resistance of PGDS resulted from soil improvement at the shaft tip, (2) the apparent increase in side shear resistance resulted from side shear reversal that occurred during post-grouting, and (3) the apparent increase in the tip resistance of PGDS may be caused by stress relief of the grout. In addition, two approaches to estimate the resistance of PGDS were compared against numerical results. In this case study, the Axial Capacity Multiplier (ACM) approach over-predicted the total resistance whereas the Tip Capacity Multiplier (TCM) approach reasonably predicted the increase in total resistance.     

Hydraulics of runoff and loess loam deposition

On many more or less loamy soils, rill erosion is reported to start on slopes that are equal to or steeper than 2–3°; critical Froude numbers for the start of rill wash on these slopes vary between 2·0 and 3·0. This explains why colluvial deposition often occurs on slopes below 2–3°, when water spreads out at the downslope extremities of the rills. The critical hydraulic conditions for loess loam deposition were tested in the laboratory for slopes of 0·5° and 2°, applying unit-discharges (q) up to 10 cm²/s. It appeared from these experiments that for afterflow, without raindrop impact, deposition starts for critical load concentrations (c_cr) varying between several g/1 and about 60 g/l. Under rain c_cr amounts to a minimum value of 100–125 g/l and it increases when the runoff film becomes thinner. Nevertheless, deposition in pluvial runoff is also possible, as was the case during the Weichselian, according to data from quarries in Belgium and in The Netherlands. A modified Kalinske equation is proposed for c_cr prediction, with the introduction of a typical empirical coefficient C_r and considering such factors as shear stress and mean particle size. Massive sedimentation may occur when it stops raining and afterflow starts, since c_cr values are then much lower. It is shown from the Shields' diagram that loamy suspensions are more sensitive to sedimentation than sands in clear water.     

用内蕴时间理论进行土流变本构方程研究

利用内蕴时间理论对土的流变性进行了理论研究。提出了在准三轴条件下土的流变本构方程 ,并且利用土的三轴流变试验结果对所得土流变本构方程进行了验证。验证结果表明用内蕴时间理论推导的土流变本构方程能很准确地描述土的流变性。     

暴雨作用下排土场平台–边坡系统土壤侵蚀过程模拟研究

为了探究冻融循环作用对土体结构和力学性质的影响机理,以内蒙古元宝山露天煤矿内排土场典型黏土为研究对象,采用室内冻融循环试验和MatDEM数值模拟,进行土体内部温度场、水分场和应力场的模拟分析。结果表明：排土场土料经过冻融循环后发生冻缩现象;低围压时应力−应变曲线呈现应变软化型,发生剪切破坏,围压升高后向应变硬化型转变,发生剪胀破坏;抗剪强度的劣化受前3次冻融作用的影响最为显著,在第3次达到最低值;温度的传递过程可划分为温度快速下降、缓慢相变过程、继续降温、温度稳定4个阶段;水分运移主要在温度传递的前2个阶段发生,且第二阶段的水分运移量居多;颗粒受冻融作用后整体半径缩小、分散性增大;温度和水分运移引起的颗粒胀缩、冰−水相变、冷生结构的形成等,导致颗粒的大小、位置、连接状态和颗粒间的应力等反复变化,共同驱动土体产生不可逆的结构性损伤,进而造成强度劣化。水分运移不仅为冷生构造的生长提供水源条件,还产生溶蚀、冲刷破坏,与水的相变共同成为冻融循环作用导致土体发生结构调整和应力场变化的主要原因。通过离散元法模拟冻融循环,有助于了解土体内部的力学特征和强度劣化机理,为冻区露天煤矿内排土场边坡及其他工程建设的稳定性研究提供参考。

     

火山活动状态及其机理的初步探讨

根据火山喷发实例总结了火山喷发在不同阶段的活动状态,并探讨了可能的物理机理。火山活动从岩浆补给到岩浆喷发的物理过程可分为3个阶段:1)岩浆补给阶段,岩浆囊压力差或过剩压力的大小决定了火山活动是否休眠或扰动,岩浆补给速率对压力差起了决定性的作用;2)通道形成阶段,当过剩压力超过围岩破裂强度时,围岩开始破裂,之后水热活动起了重要的作用;3)岩浆运移与失稳喷发阶段,主要是岩浆运移与地壳盖层的相互作用与失稳的过程。文中还讨论了火山活动状态与火山喷发危险性等级之间的关系,7个危险性等级分别对应于火山活动的7种状态,即休眠、平静、扰动、动荡、临界、活动、灾变     

Density estimation of two-phase flow with multiscale and randomly perturbed data

In this paper, we describe an efficient approach for quantifying uncertainty in two-phase flow applications due to perturbations of the permeability in a multiscale heterogeneous porous medium. The method is based on the application of the multiscale finite element method within the framework of Monte Carlo simulation and an efficient preprocessing construction of the multiscale basis functions. The quantities of interest for our applications are the Darcy velocity and breakthrough time and we quantify their uncertainty by constructing the respective cumulative distribution functions. For the Darcy velocity we use the multiscale finite element method, but due to lack of conservation, we apply the multiscale finite volume element method as an alternative for use with the two-phase flow problem. We provide a number of numerical examples to illustrate the performance of the method.     

Impact of model development,calibration and validation decisions on hydrological simulations in West Lake Erie Basin

Watershed simulation models are used extensively to investigate hydrologic processes, landuse and climate change impacts, pollutant load assessments and best management practices (BMPs). Developing, calibrating and validating these models require a number of critical decisions that will influence the ability of the model to represent real world conditions. Understanding how these decisions influence model performance is crucial, especially when making science‐based policy decisions. This study used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in West Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) to examine the influence of several of these decisions on hydrological processes and streamflow simulations. Specifically, this study addressed the following objectives (1) demonstrate the importance of considering intra‐watershed processes during model development, (2) compare and evaluated spatial calibration versus calibration at outlet and (3) evaluate parameter transfers across temporal and spatial scales. A coarser resolution (HUC‐12) model and a finer resolution model (NHDPlus model) were used to support the objectives. Results showed that knowledge of watershed characteristics and intra‐watershed processes are critical to produced accurate and realistic hydrologic simulations. The spatial calibration strategy produced better results compared to outlet calibration strategy and provided more confidence. Transferring parameter values across spatial scales (i.e. from coarser resolution model to finer resolution model) needs additional fine tuning to produce realistic results. Transferring parameters across temporal scales (i.e. from monthly to yearly and daily time‐steps) performed well with a similar spatial resolution model. Furthermore, this study shows that relying solely on quantitative statistics without considering additional information can produce good but unrealistic simulations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A GLE-based model for seismic displacement analysis of slopes including strength degradation and geometry rearrangement

Seismic performance of natural slopes, earth structures and solid-waste landfills can be evaluated through displacement-based methods in which permanent displacements induced by earthquake loading are assumed to progressively develop along the critical sliding surface as a result of transient activation of plastic mechanisms within the soil mass. For sliding mechanisms of general shape the earthquake-induced displacements should be computed using a model that provides a closer approximation of sliding surface. When large permanent displacement are induced by seismic actions, due to substantial shear strength reduction, and significant changes in ground surface occur, an improved estimate of permanent displacement can be obtained using a model which accounts for shear strength reduction and mass transfer between adjacent portions of the slope resulting from geometry changes of ground surface during the seismic event.In this paper, a GLE-based model is proposed for seismic displacement analysis of slopes that accounts for shear strength degradation and for geometry rearrangement. Model accuracy is validated against experimental results obtained from shaking table tests carried out on small scale model slopes. Comparison of computed and experimental results demonstrates the capability of the proposed approach in capturing the main features of the observed seismic response of the model slopes.