Geotechnical characterization and rockfall simulation of a slope: a practical case study from South Tyrol (Italy)

Rockfalls occur often along the state road SS241 Val d'Ega in the Val d'Ega Valley (South Tyrol, Italy). In order to protect the road and the traffic, stabilization works are necessary. Detailed geological and geomorphologic mapping along structural and geomechanic sections was carried out, and experimental rockfall trails were examined on the slope above the state road between km 3.550 and 3.830. Rockfall simulation, rock mass classification and an interpretation of field data, especially concerning joints, wrapped up the investigations. They helped find the specific need for stabilization work and its positioning along the slope. The stabilization works were completed on February 2002. Another important aspect concerns ongoing geotechnical investigations and stabilization works urgently realised during autumn 1999.

This paper is a practical approach in solving rockfall problems along public roads. It should be considered as a workbook for university personnel and also for professional geologists.     

铜离子在非饱和土中迁移的离心模型试验研究

利用土工离心机考察了铜离子泄漏后6个月至3年的时间里非饱和土中铜离子的变化和污染物的迁移机理。通过4种黏性上的离心模型试验研究，总结出铜离子在这类土体中的扩散规律。铜离子在一年内，主要受重力影响和水力梯度的作用，随渗流运移，存在一个舌状竖向扩散峰，污染范围近似呈三角形；一年后扩散范围逐渐转变为近似的正方形。竖向扩散速度高于水半向。土体密实度对铜离予的扩散有较为明显的影响，有效的击实或者碾压有助下防止污染物迁移。黏粒含量对铜离子的迁移阻碍非常迅速而且有效，黏粒含量很小的变化都会对迁移范围和速度有较大的影响。     

Mechanism of Liquefaction Response in Sand–Silt Dynamic Centrifuge Tests

The process of dynamically induced liquefaction in two centrifuge soil models is analyzed. These models consist of saturated medium-dense sand overlain by a low permeability silt deposit, and represent prototypes of a level site and an embankment. The recorded lateral accelerations are employed to evaluate shear stress and strain histories at different elevations within the tested soil systems. These histories shed light on the involved liquefaction process, and the associated mechanisms of: (1) lateral deformation; (2) stiffness and strength degradation; and (3) possible densification and regain of stiffness, thereafter. The identified response patterns are found comparable to those documented by laboratory cyclic-loading tests.     

Simulation of soil–foundation–structure interaction of Hualien large-scale seismic test using dynamic centrifuge test

Understanding the soil–structure interaction (SSI) mechanism is crucial in the seismic design of nuclear power plant (NPP) containment systems. Although the numerical analysis method is generally used in seismic design, there is a need for experimental verification for the reliable estimation of SSI behavior. In this study a dynamic centrifuge test was performed to simulate the SSI behavior of a Hualien large-scale seismic test (LSST) during the Chi-Chi earthquake. To simulate the soil profile and dynamic soil properties of the Hualien site, a series of resonant column (RC) tests was performed to determine the model soil preparation conditions, such as the compaction density and the ratio of soil–gravel contents. The variations in the shear wave velocity (V_S) profiles of the sand, gravel, and backfill layers in the model were estimated using the RC test results. During the centrifuge test, the V_S profiles of the model were evaluated using in-flight bender element tests and compared with the in-situ V_S profile at Hualien. The containment building model was modeled using aluminum and the proper scaling laws. A series of dynamic centrifuge tests was performed with a 1/50 scale model using the base motion recorded during the Chi-Chi-earthquake. In the soil layer and foundation level, the centrifuge test results were similar to the LSST data in both the time and frequency domains, but there were differences in the structure owing to the complex structural response as well as the material damping difference between the concrete in the prototype and aluminum in the model. In addition, as the input base motion amplitude was increased to a maximum value of 0.4g (prototype scale), the responses of the soil and containment model were measured. This study shows the potential of utilizing dynamic centrifuge tests as an experimental modeling tool for site specific SSI analyses of soil–foundation–NPP containment system.     

Centrifuge modeling of rocking‐isolated inelastic RC bridge piers

Experimental proof is provided of an unconventional seismic design concept, which is based on deliberately underdesigning shallow foundations to promote intense rocking oscillations and thereby to dramatically improve the seismic resilience of structures. Termed rocking isolation, this new seismic design philosophy is investigated through a series of dynamic centrifuge experiments on properly scaled models of a modern reinforced concrete (RC) bridge pier. The experimental method reproduces the nonlinear and inelastic response of both the soil‐footing interface and the structure. To this end, a novel scale model RC (1:50 scale) that simulates reasonably well the elastic response and the failure of prototype RC elements is utilized, along with realistic representation of the soil behavior in a geotechnical centrifuge. A variety of seismic ground motions are considered as excitations. They result in consistent demonstrably beneficial performance of the rocking‐isolated pier in comparison with the one designed conventionally. Seismic demand is reduced in terms of both inertial load and deck drift. Furthermore, foundation uplifting has a self‐centering potential, whereas soil yielding is shown to provide a particularly effective energy dissipation mechanism, exhibiting significant resistance to cumulative damage. Thanks to such mechanisms, the rocking pier survived, with no signs of structural distress, a deleterious sequence of seismic motions that caused collapse of the conventionally designed pier. © 2014 The Authors Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

浅地表地球物理技术在岩土工程中的应用与挑战

地球物理勘探方法在岩土工程的应用已有很长一段时间, 但其成效与工程师的期待往往有不小的落差, 以致于在一般的工程应用上仍不普遍.近年来浅地表地球物理技术有显着的进展, 特别是在走时速度层析成像(Traveltime Tomography)、电阻率层析成像法(Electrical Resistivity Tomography)及多道瞬态面波法(Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Wave).本文首先介绍这些方法在台湾岩土工程的应用, 主要包括地层土壤液化潜能评估、坝体的安全检测、土壤与地下水污染调查及地基改良的质量管控等, 应用案例以台湾常使用的地球物理勘探方法逐一介绍.虽然许多成功案例与新的应用方向对于浅地表地球物理技术在岩土工程应用的推广起了鼓舞作用, 本文从工程师的角度提出地球物理勘探工程大量应用的挑战与瓶颈, 包括如何提升探测数据的客观性、数据反演非唯一性问题、探测深度与分辨率的限制、实际条件违背反演基本假设的情况、以及地物性质与工程性质链接的不确定性问题, 并进一步针对这些问题说明相关研究的进展与实务对策.希冀透过上述探讨, 降低物探师与工程师认知上的差距, 提升地球物理勘探在工程的应用的合理性与普及性.     

Experimental and conceptual evidence about the limitations of shear wave velocity to predict liquefaction

Based on the liquefaction performance of sites with seismic activity, the normalized shear wave velocity, V_s1, has been proposed as a field parameter for liquefaction prediction. Because shear wave velocity, V_s, can be measured in the field with less effort and difficulty than other field tests, its use by practitioners is highly attractive. However, considering that its measurement is associated with small strain levels, of the order of 10⁻⁴–10⁻³%, V_s reflects the elastic stiffness of a granular material, hence, it is mainly affected by soil type, confining pressure and soil density, but it is insensitive to factors such as overconsolidation and pre-shaking, which have a strong influence on the liquefaction resistance. Therefore, without taking account of the important factors mentioned above, the correlation between shear wave velocity and liquefaction resistance is weak.In this paper, laboratory test results are presented in order to demonstrate the significant way in which OCR (overconsolidation ratio) affects both shear wave velocity and liquefaction resistance. While V_s is insensitive to OCR, the liquefaction resistance increases significantly with OCR. In addition, the experimental results also confirm that V_s correlates linearly with void ratio, regardless of the maximum and minimum void ratios, which means that V_s is unable to give information about the relative density. Therefore, if shear wave velocity is used to predict liquefaction potential, it is recommended that the limitations presented in this paper be taken into account.     

计算机辅助岩土工程(CAGE)概论

本文简要论述了计算机辅助岩土工程(CAGE)的提出、发展、方法及主要内容, 最后给出了计算机辅助核电工程勘察实例。     

超高三级加筋土挡墙的离心模型试验研究

将离心模型技术用于超高3级加筋土挡墙的研究中，在离心模型试验的基础上，分别得出各级加筋土挡墙施工期和使用期的墙背土压力分布规律，所得结构与实际情况相符。     

离心机自由场地震响应的完全耦合模拟

水平场地地震响应分析是岩土地震工程实践中最重要的问题之一。当场地土为饱和砂时,由于需要考虑材料的非线性和土-水之间的相互作用,问题非常复杂。利用有限元程序SUMDES和适用于颗粒材料的统一本构模型,对离心机自由场振动试验进行了完全耦合模拟。分析结果表明,完全耦合分析能够较好地再现试验中观察到的现象,包括孔隙水压力的产生和消散以及土体的变形,但前提是对模型参数进行准确的标定,以及对相关系数尤其是动力渗透系数进行准确的确定。