Stress-dilatancy behaviour of a polymer-coated sand

Acta Geotechnica - Natural sands can be coated by substances of various origins, from natural to anthropogenic substances (from contamination or synthesized). Therefore, predicting the mechanical...     

Geotechnical properties of municipal sewage sludge

The geotechnical properties of municipal sewage sludge, in particular those pertinent to the handling and landfilling of the material, are presented. Index, drying, compaction, shear strength and consolidation tests were conducted on the material at different states of biodegradation. The organic content and specific gravity of solids were found to be inversely related, with typical organic contents of 50–70% and specific gravity of solids values of 1.55–1.80. The density of the compacted material was low in comparison with mineral soils. Standard Proctor compaction yielded a maximum dry density of 0.56 tonne/m³ at 85% water content. Laboratory vane-shear and triaxial compression tests indicated that, below about 180% water content, the shear strength of the sludge material increased exponentially with reducing water content. Consolidated-undrained triaxial compression tests on the pasteurised sludge material indicated an effective angle of shearing resistance of 32° for the moderately degraded material and 37° for the strongly degraded material. Biogas was produced at rates of up to 0.33 L/day/kg slurry due to ongoing biodegradation and the resulting pore pressure response must be taken into account in any stress analysis. Consolidation tests using the hydraulic consolidation cell, oedometer and triaxial apparatus indicated that the sludge material was highly compressible although practically impermeable, for example the coefficient of permeability for the moderately degraded slurry was of the order of 10⁻⁹m/s. However, creep deformation was significant with typical coefficient of secondary compression values of 0.02–0.08 for the compacted material. A more free-draining material was produced at higher states of biodegradation.     

Geotechnical properties of the Ptolemais lignite

Summary The paper describes an investigation of the geotechnical properties of the Ptolemais lignite (brown coal) and shows that the soil mechanics principles used in the study of natural and cemented soils are applicable. The material has a high and variable void ratio incompatible with its preconsolidation pressure, which may be attributed to the existence of structure (chemical bonding). Bond strength and degradation have been studied and are found to be isotropic, while the stress-strain response in the prevield domain is intensely cross-anisotropic. The shear strength determined from triaxial CU and CD tests is variable but strongly dependent on the in situ moisture content. Tests on high quality intact specimens having a wide range of moisture contents (100–150%) verify a hypothesis that the magnitude of bond strength (expressed by the peak shear strength) is inversely proportional to the moisture content. A Hvorslev-type normalization process shows that the peak shear strength of the material can be estimated from the in situ moisture content with reasonable accuracy, thus facilitating preliminary stability calculations of production cuts in lignite mines. The properties of the Ptolemais lignite are compared with the properties of a lignite from another location in Greece (Megalopolis) and an Australian lignite (Morwell). It is shown that the shear strength characteristics of the lignite types studied are similar and strongly dependent on the in situ moisture content, which seems to be a measure of the magnitude of inter-particle bonding.     

沈阳城区岩土工程特性

从区域地质、地貌、工程地质和水文地质条件及建筑场地的稳定性几个方面,综合分析评价了沈阳城区的岩土工程特性,据此,将其划分为5个工程地质分区。这为城市总体规划布局、充分利用土地资源提供了区域性的工程地质依据。     

Modelling of sand behaviour under earthquake excitation

In this paper, liquefaction potential of loose sand deposit subjected to an earthquake loading is evaluated. The analysis is performed by using a finite element technique incorporating the equations of dynamics of saturated porous elastoplastic media. The soil response is modelled by an anisotropic hardening rule, similar to that as proposed by Poorooshasb and Pietruszczak.¹ The concept is based on the theory of bounding surface plasticity incorporating a non-associated flow rule and the idea of reflected plastic potential. The present paper provides a modified formulation to that discussed in Reference 1. Modifications are aimed at simplifying the concept for numerical implementations.     

Geotechnical properties of lower trench inner-slope sediments

Geotechnical property analyses on sediments recovered by DSDP drilling within select convergent margins were integrated to determine the variability in these properties along the trench inner-slope and to delineate the effects of convergence on these properties. Consolidation states range from very underconsolidated to highly overconsolidated, with preconsolidation pressures exceeding 46,000 kPa in Quaternary sediments. Underconsolidated sediments are attributed to:

1. (1) high sedimentation rates.

2. (2) low sediment permeability relative to the length of the drainage path; (3) laterally applied stresses; and (4) induced pore water pressures resulting from the subduction of pelagic sediments with high water content. Factors contributing to the state of overconsolidation include: (1) tectonically induced overpressures; (2) removal of overburden by mass movement processes.

3. (3) low sediment accumulation rates.

4. (4) age.

Vertical gradients of index properties also vary greatly with the maximum gradient associated with overconsolidated sediments. Values of porosity generally exceed 30% at all margins studied, suggesting this porosity represents the minimum attainable solely by the effects of convergence.Geotechnical property results and site-specific parameters suggest two end members should be considered in the general geotechnical property model for convergent margin sediments. Clastic dominated margins form the basis for the initial geotechnical property model. These margins are characterized by thick trench sediment sequences which are folded and faulted and become progressively more deformed upslope. Convergence rates are low, and no well-developed faults or hrst and graben structures are evident on the downbending oceanic plate. Highly overconsolidated sediments and index property values which change rapidly with depth result from the slow progressive deformation of trench and lower slope sediments. Examples of clastic-dominated margins include the Nankai Trough, Aleutian Trench, and Washington continental margin.Pelagic-dominated margins have significantly different geotechnical properties and site-specific parameters. These margins are characterized by thin clastic trench sediment sequences overlying pelagic sediments on a rapidly converging oceanic plate. Well-developed faults and/or hrst and graben structures are evident on the downbending oceanic plate. Sediment deformation along the trench and lower slope appears limited. These sediments are underconsolidated and index property values change gradually but often irregularly with depth. Japan Trench and Middle America Trench-Guatemala margins are considered pelagic-dominated. Middle America Trench-Mexico appears to represent an intermediate case having characteristics of both margin types.     

透明砂土与天然砂土动力特性对比

人工合成透明土材料在支撑岩土工程可视化模型试验技术领域得到了良好的应用。然而,关于该新型材料的动力特性研究仍相对缺少,一定程度上影响了其在动力相关模型试验中的推广应用。基于共振柱、动扭剪试验仪器,开展人工合成透明砂土的动变形与动强度特性试验研究,并与天然砂土及福建标准砂的相关动变形与动强度特性进行对比分析;透明砂土由折射率一致的熔融石英砂和混合油配制而成,混合油由15号白矿物油和正12烷按比例混合而成。试验测定并分析了透明砂土的动剪切模量-应变、阻尼比-应变、动剪切模量-阻尼比等关系曲线,以及孔压、动强度特征。试验结果表明,由熔融石英砂与混合油配制而成的透明砂土的动变形和动强度特性与天然砂土相似,可以模拟天然砂土材料开展动力相关模型试验研究。     

Geotechnical properties of stabilised Indian red earth

Locally available soils amended with sufficient bentonite are generally used for construction of liners for water and waste retention facilities. The amount of bentonite required to keep the hydraulic conductivity low varies with the nature of the local soil. Many studies have shown that bentonite content higher than 20% by weight is not usually required. This is also the case with Indian red earth containing predominantly quartz and kaolinite minerals. Incorporating bentonite, though keeps the hydraulic conductivity of soil low, increases the swelling and shrinkage potential; increases the loss of strength due to reduction in cohesion. This paper aims to improve the geotechnical properties of red earth and bentonite mixture with lime or cement. The studies reveal that the geotechnical properties of red earth with 20% by weight bentonite stabilised with 1% by weight of lime or cement are greatly enhanced, particularly after curing for 28 days. it has been shown that the early gain in strength is better with cement whereas its long-term strength gain is better with lime.     

Geotechnical properties of the Corinth Canal marls

Summary The Corinth Canal crosses the isthmus of Corinth and is of great importance for Mediterranean navigation as well as the railroad and highway connections between southern and central Greece. In the century-long history of the Canal, the slopes have shown only minor stability problems despite their significant length, very steep inclination and, more importantly, the strong earthquakes that have frequently shaken the Corinth area. This type of unsual behaviour has motivated research into the mechanical behaviour of the bluish grey marl which is the main geological formation in the Canal area.Geotechnical investigation of the Corinth Canal marl was performed with an extensive laboratory testing programme on high quality undisturbed samples of the intact marl. The material was shown to exhibit brittle behaviour, high stiffness and significant apparent cohesion at low and moderate stress levels. These characteristics indicate that the material possesses significant structural bonding which is believed to be due to cementation between individual particles, caused by the deposition of carbonates at the time of material genesis. With stressing, the material yields due to a gradual bond degradation. The locus of the initial yield points (yield surface) seems to be an ellipse oriented along the isotropic axis.The testing programme was supplemented with a series of tests on the de-structured marl obtained by thorough remoulding. These tests showed a significant difference in the pre-yield stiffness and the peak strength at low stress levels, but comparable post-rupture shear strengths.     

Geotechnical properties of combusted western oil shale

The engineering properties of solid waste produced by the combustion of Western oil shale are evaluated and discussed. Index properties and their variability, moisture—density relationships, shear strength, stress—strain characteristics, and hydraulic conductivity were evaluated in laboratory tests. Cementation caused by the formation of hydrous cements when combusted oil shale is exposed to water was found to be the most significant factor affecting its engineering properties. With increasing initial water content, shear strength increases and hydraulic conductivity decreases significantly, primarily because of cementation. Implications for the design of waste disposal embankments are discussed.     

Geotechnical properties of 3D-printed transparent granular soil

This paper proposes a 3D-printed transparent granular soil technique based on the contour rotation interpolation method, 3D printing and transparent soil technologies. Laboratory tests, including one-dimensional compression, direct shear and triaxial compression tests, are assessed for mechanical properties of 3D-printed transparent granular soil. The results show that 3D-printed transparent granular soil can be used to consider the effect of shape on macromechanical soil properties, which is an advantage that cannot be achieved by the previously presented transparent soil techniques. Subsequently, a simple model test of rigid flat plate penetration into transparent granular soil is performed. The obtained soil displacements using the PIV technique are compared with the classical shallow strain path method solution. This comparison indicates that the proposed 3D-printed transparent granular soil can capture the soil deformation pattern, although the accuracy needs to be further improved. The proposed 3D-printed transparent granular soil technique could be used for model test that needs to consider the shape of sand particle.

     

Geotechnical and mineralogical properties of weak rocks from Central Greece

Thirty bulk samples of hard soils-soft rocks such as marls, originating from Euboea Island and Peloponnesus area, were investigated to evaluate their geotechnical behavior. Specifically, by conducting a series of physical and geotechnical tests, such as liquid limit and plastic limit tests, along with the estimation of the grain size fraction, Slake Durability and Point Load Test. Certain parameters were determined and used for empirical correlations with their mineralogical characteristics. The mineralogical composition was determined by X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric and thermal analysis, succeeded by textural analysis performed by Optical Microscope. With the help of the above mentioned tests, we interpreted the observed geotechnical behavior of the examined weak rocks by means of mineralogical composition and texture. Durability and the unconfined compressive strength was found to be influenced by high percentages in carbonate minerals. In addition, it was found that a decrease in clay content resulted in higher strength and durability values. The concluded empirical correlations verified the influence of these parameters and gave a general overview of the engineering behavior of the examined weak rocks.     

Modelling undrained behaviour of sand with fines and fabric anisotropy

Acta Geotechnica - Fabric anisotropy and fines content (fc) in sands modify significantly their mechanical behaviour, particularly as related to static liquefaction under undrained conditions. The...     

Geotechnical properties of Kuwaiti “gatch” and their improvement

Due to the difficulties experienced with the so-called gatch soils, the Ministry of Public Works of Kuwait engaged the services of the firm DORSCH, Consulting Engineers of Munich, Germany, to study the properties of gatch and to recommend methods to improve its suitability for road construction. An investigation program was agreed upon and selected samples were obtained from Kuwait.Prior to the geotechnical tests, mineralogical analyses were carried out. Surprisingly they found no trace in the samples of gypsum which was believed to cause damage to the highways built on gatch. The geotechnical tests performed indicated that the gatch soils were very sensitive to moisture and were therefore unsuitable as highway construction materials. However, their properties could be improved by various stabilization methods. It was found that cement stabilization was the most promising method since it not only increased the bearing capacity of the soil but also reduced its swelling characteristics.     

Undrained behaviour of Changi sand in triaxial and plane-strain compression

The results of an experimental study of the undrained behaviour of Changi sand under axisymmetric and plane-strain conditions are presented. K₀ consolidated undrained plane-strain tests and K₀ or isotropically consolidated triaxial tests on very loose and medium dense specimens were conducted. The undrained behaviour of sand at very loose and medium dense states under plane-strain conditions was characterised and compared with that under axisymmetric conditions. It was observed that the undrained behaviour of very loose and medium dense sand under plane strain is similar to that under axisymmetric conditions. However, because of the formation of shear bands in plane-strain tests, the post-peak behaviour of medium dense sand in plane strain is different from that in triaxial tests. It was also established that an instability line for plane-strain conditions can be defined in a way similar to that for axisymmetric conditions. Using the state parameter, a unified relationship between the normalised slope of instability line and the state parameters can be established for both axisymmetric and plane-strain conditions. Using this relationship, the instability conditions established under axisymmetric conditions can be used for plane-strain conditions.     

Geotechnical reconnaissance and liquefaction analyses of a liquefaction site with silty fine sand in Southern Taiwan

Geotechnical reconnaissance of a recurrent liquefaction site at a Quaternary alluvial deposit in southern Taiwan was conducted to establish a comprehensive case history for liquefaction on silty fine sand with high fines content. The liquefaction occurred at a silty fine sand layer with D₅₀ = 0.09 mm and fines content greater than 35% and was triggered by a M_w = 6.4 earthquake on March 4, 2010, which induced maximum horizontal acceleration up to 0.189 g at the site. In situ subsurface characterizations, including standard penetration test, cone penetration test, and shear wave velocity measurement, were performed as well as cyclic simple shear tests on undisturbed specimens retrieved by a modified hydraulic piston sampler. Comparisons of cyclic resistance ratios (CRRs) indicate that CPT sounding with standard penetration rate could overestimate the resistance ratio and drainage conditions during penetration should be considered for high fines content soil in the liquefaction analysis. Additionally, variations of CRRs from different in situ tests indicate that correlations among in situ tests and CRR could be soil specific and precautions should be taken when using these curves on silty fine sands.     

Numerical modelling of gassy sand behaviour under monotonic loading

Acta Geotechnica - The mechanical behaviour of gassy sand is rather complex owing to the inherent complex nature of sand and the occluded/dissolved gas. For better understanding of the behaviour of...     

Geotechnical properties of the Great Limestone in northern England

This paper is concerned with the mechanical properties of the Great Limestone in northern England. After first outlining the geological structure of the limestone at East Layton in north Yorkshire, the problem of the basal dolomitization of the limestone is introduced and the geochemistry of the rock profile evaluated. It is shown that chemical alteration due to dolomitization is accompanied by a mechanical weakening of the rock and a reduction in the quality of the bond between a tar or bitumen coating medium and the surface of the stone. The two types of rock are compared via specific gravity, moisture absorption, unconfined compressive strength, aggregate impact and aggregate crushing tests. The results from a detailed series of shear box tests taken through from peak to residual shear strength are interpreted through the fundamental strength properties of calcite and dolomite to show that whereas in the size range 200B.S. sieve, dolomite is a little weaker than limestone due to internal weakness associated with volume change; the situation is reversed as the particles decrease in size to form an aggregate of single dolomite crystals which are inherently more resistant to shear.