Field-based liquefaction evaluation procedures include the stress-based, strain-based, and energybased based approaches. The existence of a volumetric threshold shear strain, γtv, under which there is no development of excess pore pressures, and the unique relationship between pore pressure ratio and cyclic shear strain, γc, make a compelling argument for using a strain-based approach. However, the cyclic strain approach has not yet been standardized for field evaluations. The primary objective of this thesis is to use published databases of 415 shear-wave velocity and 230 Standard Penetration Test liquefaction field case histories to investigate the performance of the cyclic strain approach for the evaluation of initial liquefaction relative to the cyclic stress approach. Additionally, the concept of the γtv is expressed in terms of the peak ground surface acceleration and defined as the threshold amax. Computing (amax)t could provide a fast and simple evaluation for initial liquefaction, where no liquefaction is expected for a minimum computed (amax)t determined from the case histories. The variant of the strain-based procedure proposed herein avoids the direct need for laboratory cyclic testing by employing pore pressure generation models that are functions of cyclic shear strain, number of equivalent cycles, and relative density to predict initial liquefaction. The results from the proposed procedure are compared with those of the stress-based approach to determine which better matches the field observations of the case histories. It was found that the cyclic strain approach resulted in 70% to 77% correct predictions. In contrast, the cyclic stress approach yielded 87% to 90% correct predictions. The reasons why the predictions were not always correct with the cyclic strain approach are due to inherent limitations of the cyclic strain approach. Most significantly, an inherent and potentially fatal limitation of the strain-based procedure is it ignoring the softening of the soil stiffness due to excess pore pressure in representing the earthquake loading in terms of γc and neqγ. / Master of Science / Earthquakes can cause heavy damage when they occur. One of the ways in which this happens is when the earthquake shaking causes the soil to behave like a liquid. This is the phenomenon known as liquefaction. An example of liquefaction is a person sinking in quicksand. Relating this to earthquakes, liquefaction can be thought of as a building sinking in quicksand that formed as a consequence of earthquake shaking. Destructive cases of liquefaction have been reported in almost all major earthquakes. When cases of liquefaction are properly documented, they can provide information that will help engineers and scientists assess the efficacy of existing liquefaction evaluation procedures and/or to develop new procedures. There are different methods to evaluate the occurrence of liquefaction, with the cyclic stress approach being the most widely used. This study assesses the efficacy of an alternative approach to see if it yields better predictions of liquefaction triggering than the cyclic stress approach. The approach under consideration is called the cyclic strain approach. To examine the effectiveness of the cyclic strain approach, sites that experienced liquefaction in the past were analyzed to see if the predictions made with the approach matched the past field observations. Due to potential shortcomings in implementing the strain based procedure, as well as inherent limitations of the procedure, the strain-based procedure yielded predictions that were inferior to the more widely used stress-based procedure.

Synthetic HRTEM images are simulated using Jems® simulation software with a model specimen consisting of a film of strained silicon on top of a relaxed Si0.82Ge0.18 alloy substrate in the [110] zone axis, where biaxial tensile strain exists in the strained silicon layer. Two simulated models are created: one with a sudden change in lattice constant (strained Si on a “fat” Si substrate) and another with a sudden change in atomic number (strained Si on a Cl substrate) in order to separate the effects of strain discontinuities from atomic number discontinuities measuring strain using Geometric Phase Analysis (GPA). The simulated models are subjected to image processing using GPA software developed by Chung. Two dimensional strain maps are reconstructed and the local strain is determined. Further, an analysis is done to evaluate the best imaging conditions for strain measurement using GPA at heteroepitaxial interfaces. In addition, the behavior of GPA across a step function in strain or atomic number is examined for information about (a) spatial resolution, (b) the effects of a sudden change in atomic number, (c) instrument parameters, and (d) specimen thickness for a 300KeV TEM. / text

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The evolution of the physical sciences and engineering has involved a detailed and quantified understanding of the properties of metals. In particular, it is necessary to know how metals deform and the stresses that are involved which, in turn, are affected by the rate at which strain is applied. The nature and layout of this work is outlined. The history of the pressure bar transducer is summarised. The original concept of Hopkinson in 1914 was to use a long metal bar to study the propagation of wave pulses. During the Second World War, Davies refined the instrumentation and studied the shape of such pulses as modified by dispersion. Kolsky in 1949 adapted the technique to investigate the dynamic plasticity of specimens wedged between two instrumented pressure bars. Subsequent workers have used variants of this apparatus to make measurements at strain rates up to 10<SUP>5</SUP> s<SUP>-1</SUP>, whilst others have considered the effects of friction and inertia on the specimen. After an explanation of the particular design requirements, a description is given of the high strain rate apparatus that forms the basis for the research reported in this dissertation. The components that make up the system are described separately and the experimental procedures are outlined. The accuracy of components critical to the experimental technique is investigated. The effects of friction at the specimen interfaces, inertia during deformation and wave dispersion in the pressure bar are discussed. Bar calibration is described. Experiments have been carried out on copper in five different microstructural states at average strain rates of 6 x 10<SUP>4</SUP> s<SUP>-1</SUP> and 5 x 10<SUP>-2</SUP> s<SUP>-1</SUP> and their behaviour compared. The metal has been specially worked to induce anisotropy in the form of texture. Special techniques have been developed to prepare specimens of known orientation from the bulk of the raw material. The results show correlations between the texture severity and the anisotropy of stress-strain properties. A dynamic work hardening effect is observed. There is evidence that the Petch relationship holds at high strain rates. The high strain rate deformation of uranium alloyed with titanium or molybdenum is investigated. Specimens often display evidence of macroscopic localised shear bands whose adiabatic formation is accompanied by a sharp fall in the materials' dynamic strength. Metallographic sections reveal the morphology of these bands and the relative motion of microstructural features during deformation. Results are presented on a eutectoid zinc-22% aluminium alloy in a lamellar and superplastic microstructural state and a gun steel. The high strain rate deformation of titanium-6% aluminium-4% vanadium alloy is compared with uranium-0.75% titanium alloy regarding their tendency to form macroscopic shear bands. The dynamic behaviour of copper is contrasted with that of uranium alloy. In conclusion, the current work is viewed in the context of the historical development of the miniaturised Hopkinson pressure bar. Some comments are made about the application of the technique, and the scope for further research.

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