The in-situ mechanical properties of Huntly coal are investigated. Laboratory tests on core specimens and small scale in-situ pressuremeter testing are used to determine elastic properties and failure criteria of the coal and coal measure rocks. The in-situ stress field that exists in the Waikato basin and in particular in the Test Panel of the No 1 West Mine is determined. An instrument is developed especially to measure in-situ stress in coal. To check in-situ behaviour of the coal seam, a full scale underground roadway is excavated in the Test Panel. Stress changes and deformations are monitored from nearby drives allowing all the changes to be observed, even those that are normally missed because they occur ahead of excavation. Using elastic properties and in-situ stresses determined from small scale tests, the roadway excavation is mathematically modelled using the finite element technique. Stress changes and deformations thus calculated are compared to those measured in the full scale test. With evidence gained in the Test Panel investigation, general observations of tunnel behaviour elsewhere in the mine are investigated. Some problems that have beset the mine are identified and solutions are found.

The in-situ mechanical properties of Huntly coal are investigated. Laboratory tests on core specimens and small scale in-situ pressuremeter testing are used to determine elastic properties and failure criteria of the coal and coal measure rocks. The in-situ stress field that exists in the Waikato basin and in particular in the Test Panel of the No 1 West Mine is determined. An instrument is developed especially to measure in-situ stress in coal. To check in-situ behaviour of the coal seam, a full scale underground roadway is excavated in the Test Panel. Stress changes and deformations are monitored from nearby drives allowing all the changes to be observed, even those that are normally missed because they occur ahead of excavation. Using elastic properties and in-situ stresses determined from small scale tests, the roadway excavation is mathematically modelled using the finite element technique. Stress changes and deformations thus calculated are compared to those measured in the full scale test. With evidence gained in the Test Panel investigation, general observations of tunnel behaviour elsewhere in the mine are investigated. Some problems that have beset the mine are identified and solutions are found.

This thesis approaches the problem of the cost-efficient wind turbine foundation on an onshore site of clayey soil characteristics. The given soil stratigraphy includes a layer of clay and two sands of different density. The characteristics of the soil and the water level that were used as input come from a site in Peloponissos, Greece. The applied wind, static and seismic loads on this study were resolved with the German DIN standards, and other related research and European standards. The safety factors were adjusted for wind turbines. For the pile solution, after the bearing and overturning adequacy against the horizontal and vertical loads was proven with the calculation of the DIN equations, then the model was inserted in the Pfahl program using DIN 4017 equations to calculate settlements. Firstly, a shallow foundation of various dimensions in the clay layer over the water level with all the necessary checks was considered. Afterward, a deep foundation solution of a single bored pile, with reinforcement steel casing, of various diameters was investigated. The different foundation solutions were assessed and compared on a technical and economic basis. As a conclusion, the 0.70 meter diameter single pile was chosen as the best solution because it needs only a few days for construction, and it is the most cost-efficient. The chosen circular footing was of a diameter of 10 meters and 1.5 meter raft thickness, but proved unfeasible because of high excavations costs. The checks on the DIN standards and Eurocode that set the boundaries for the design in the two cases were recognised and possible future work goals were discussed.

Översvämningar är en naturkatastrof som uppkommer vid stor variation i vattentillförsel, exempelvis vid regn eller snösmältning. Detta är ett problem som man länge har bekämpat genom att bygga upp barriärer för att hålla vattnet borta. Tidigare har barriärerna vanligen byggts av sandsäckar, men under de senaste decennierna har många alternativ utvecklats för att göra uppbyggandet enklare och effektivare. Geodesign Barriers AB är ett företag som utvecklat mobila vattenbarriärer med syftet att vara snabba och enkla att montera samt platseffektiv när den inte används. Barriären är utvecklad för att kunna klara stora vattentryck, men vissa markförhållanden ställer högre krav på konstruktionen. Därför har man utvecklat två komplement som ökar barriärens kapacitet. Det ena är förankringsstag som förankras i marken och det andra är en skopa som monteras på barriärens undersida. Syftet har varit att med hjälp av tester i fält, ta reda på när respektive komplement bör användas på den undersökta modellen EUR125.

In rock constructions and mining it is important to know the current stress situation in the rock due to safety and construction reasons. Two of the widely used stress measurement methods are overcoring and hydraulic fracturing. Both methods are expensive, need new boreholes, and are complex and time consuming. The methods are also limited by the number of successfully achieved measurements series. An alternative method is therefore investigated by locally relieving stresses around the borehole wall using sawn slots. To determine the stresses in the rock, strain measurements will be done using optics and image processing of images taken before and after cutting of the slots. The images will be processed by a technique called Digital Image Correlation (DIC), a method where the pixels are fitted between the images by the greyscale. The thesis is roughly divided into three parts. The first part explains the basics of rock stresses and current stress measurement methods. The second part is a literature study of the theory behind optics and DIC. There is also a study about if it is possible to use optics from a smartphone and how it differs from a reference commonly used camera in DIC application. Last part consists of numerical calculations in 2D to investigate if there is a possibility to relieve the stress around the borehole walls by cutting slots. With the optics from a smartphone the borehole wall can be in focus on just a few millimeters distance. DIC is a well-developed method which has a good precision when being conducted right and with a good image quality. The combination of using a smartphone and DIC is, however, not fully investigated yet. Only one comparable study was found. It used a Sony tablet and measured the deformations instead of strains. However, that study showed that the measurement error was around 1% compared to the reference camera. When translating deformations into strains, it is most likely that the error will increase, because the error will also be affected from the difference in deformation before and after cutting the slots. The numerical part showed that it’s possible to relieve the stress at parts of the borehole walls for the investigated conditions. To fully relieve the stresses around the borehole wall, it is necessary to have two slots with a short c-c distance and relatively deep slots. In this case a c-c distance of 15 mm and slot depth of at least 25 mm are recommended. / Vid projekt inom berganläggningar och gruvor är det viktigt att känna till de rådande spänningar i berget i ett säkerhets- och konstruktionsperspektiv. I Sverige används framförallt två undersökningsmetoder - överborrning eller hydraulisk spräckning. Två metoder som dock är dyra och relativt få mätserier kan genomföras. En alternativ metod har därför undersökts där borrhålsväggen lokalt avlastas genom sågade slitsar. Töjningsmätning sker genom att fotografera borrhålsväggen innan och efter sågning av slitsarna. Därefter sker bildbehandling via Digital Image Correlation (DIC). En metod som jämför en pixels placerings förändring genom att matcha pixeln via gråskalan. Examensarbetet kan man säga är grovt indelat i tre delar. Den första delen innefattar teorin som handlar om bergspänningar samt nuvarande mätmetoder för att mäta bergsspänningar. Andra delen är en litteraturstudie som behandlar den bakomliggande teorin för optik och bildbehandling med DIC samt en kort undersökning om det är möjligt att använda den optiska tekniken som finns i en smartphone. Sista delen utgörs av numeriska modelleringar i 2D för att verifiera om det går att fullständigt avlasta ett borrhål genom sågade slitsar. Med optik som finns i en smartphone kan bergväggen vara i fokus på bara ett par millimeters avstånd. DIC i sig är en teknik som är så pass utvecklad att precisionen i mätningarna är väldigt god. Förutsatt att bildbehandling görs korrekt och bildkvalitén är god. Kombinationen med optik liknande den från smartphone och bildbehandling med DIC är dock inte fullständigt undersökt. Enbart en jämförbar studie har hittats där deformationsmätningar har gjort med hjälp av en Surfplatta från Sony. Denna undersökning visade att mätfelet mot en referenskamera är cirka 1%. Dock förstärks mätfelet vid töjningsmätningar. Förstärkningen beror dock även av deformationsskillnaden mellan innan och efter avlastning. Den numeriska delen har visat att det går att lokalt avlasta bergväggen fullständigt för det undersökta spänningsförhållandet. Dock krävs det att två slitsar sitter på ett litet c-c avstånd samt är relativt djupa. Två undersökta slitsuppsättningar har visat på fullständigt avlastning, samt ytterligare ett fall som skulle kunna vara användbart.

No description available.

abstract: This thesis presents a probabilistic evaluation of multiple laterally loaded drilled pier foundation design approaches using extensive data from a geotechnical investigation for a high voltage electric transmission line. A series of Monte Carlo simulations provide insight about the computed level of reliability considering site standard penetration test blow count value variability alone (i.e., assuming all other aspects of the design problem do not contribute error or bias). Evaluated methods include Eurocode 7 Geotechnical Design procedures, the Federal Highway Administration drilled shaft LRFD design method, the Electric Power Research Institute transmission foundation design procedure and a site specific variability based approach previously suggested by the author of this thesis and others. The analysis method is defined by three phases: a) Evaluate the spatial variability of an existing subsurface database. b) Derive theoretical foundation designs from the database in accordance with the various design methods identified. c) Conduct Monti Carlo Simulations to compute the reliability of the theoretical foundation designs. Over several decades, reliability-based foundation design (RBD) methods have been developed and implemented to varying degrees for buildings, bridges, electric systems and other structures. In recent years, an effort has been made by researchers, professional societies and other standard-developing organizations to publish design guidelines, manuals and standards concerning RBD for foundations. Most of these approaches rely on statistical methods for quantifying load and resistance probability distribution functions with defined reliability levels. However, each varies with regard to the influence of site-specific variability on resistance. An examination of the influence of site-specific variability is required to provide direction for incorporating the concept into practical RBD design methods. Recent surveys of transmission line engineers by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) demonstrate RBD methods for the design of transmission line foundations have not been widely adopted. In the absence of a unifying design document with established reliability goals, transmission line foundations have historically performed very well, with relatively few failures. However, such a track record with no set reliability goals suggests, at least in some cases, a financial premium has likely been paid. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2014

O jet grouting é uma das técnicas de tratamento de solos mais utilizadas em todo o mundo. Consiste em jatear uma calda de cimento a altíssima velocidade no subsolo, com ou sem a adição de água e/ou ar comprimido. Os fluidos são injetados através de minúsculos bicos posicionados na extremidade de uma composição especial de hastes, que giram à velocidade constante enquanto sobem lentamente em direção à superfície do terreno. O jato remove e mistura o solo, produzindo um corpo consolidado de formato aproximadamente cilíndrico (a coluna de jet grouting). Variando os parâmetros operacionais (pressão de bombeamento, quantidade e diâmetro dos bicos, velocidade de extração das hastes, relação água/cimento da calda) e em função do tipo de solo, podem ser obtidas colunas de diâmetros variáveis dentro de um amplo intervalo. Na busca do diâmetro desejado, a escolha dos parâmetros de tratamento é feita atualmente com base em regras empíricas nem sempre pertinentes, causando muitas vezes o fracasso do tratamento ou, ainda, tornando-o excessivamente oneroso. Esta tese de doutorado apresenta um método simplificado para a previsão do diâmetro das colunas de jet grouting (sistema monofluido). Conjugando a análise racional do fenômeno físico de interação jatosolo (Modoni et al., 2006) à facilidade de aplicação característica dos métodos empíricos, propõe-se uma ferramenta ágil para a escolha da combinação mais adequada dos parâmetros de tratamento. / Jet grouting is one of the most popular ground improvement techniques all over the world. The method is based on high-speed grouting of water-cement mixtures and/or other fluids (air, water) into the subsoil. The fluids are injected through small diameter nozzles placed on a grout pipe, which is continuously rotated at a constant rate and slowly raised towards the ground surface. The jet removes and mixes the soil, producing a cemented body of quasi-cylindrical shape (the jet grouting column). Varying the operational parameters (grout pressure, number and diameter of the nozzles, monitor lifting rate, water-cement ratio of the grout) and as a function of the soil type, columns of variable diameters can be obtained in a wide interval. Currently, in search of the required diameter, the choice of the operational parameters is done on the basis of empirical rules not always relevant, causing very often the failure of the treatment or making it excessively onerous. This thesis presents a simplificated method for the prediction of the column diameter (single fluid system). Conjugating the rational analysis of the physical phenomenon of jetsoil interaction (Modoni et al., 2006) to the typical easiness of empirical methods application, an agile tool is proposed for the choice of the most appropriate combination of the operational parameters.

To explore soil conditions at sites of infrastructure projects a number of geotechnical soundings are performed at appropriate intervals. Results are, in the nature of their set up, limited to the specific points at which the sounding is performed. To safely assume the area between bore holes a new method is applied and tried at the case railroad project Stenkumla – Dunsjö. By applying vibration theory in conjunction with the studied soils’ geodynamic properties the natural frequency for the soil can be calculated. The properties of the natural frequency also makes it possible to detect in vibration measurements. The method studied in this master thesis is that of utilizing the natural frequency of the soil to try and establish a soil profile from vibration measurements.  An important step in the method is to transform the vibration with the Fast Fourier Transform algorithm. This allows the comparison and analysis of natural frequencies. The measurements were performed by using and attaching an accelerometer to a train.  Results are partly transformed measurement data in frequency graphs and partly natural frequency calculations according to the site investigations. These are compared in the analysis section to try to confirm the methods’ reliability and to see if the method can be used to refine geotechnical investigations.  The reliability of the method is tested by watching for the expected frequencies from the calculations in the measurement data.  The method show more consistency closer to the ground surface rather at greater depths. It is also more reliable for stark contrast layers, i.e. if the soil layers have much of the same properties then it is difficult to spot the differing natural frequencies, as they are too similar.  In trying to establish the soil profile between bore holes the method is inconclusive, partly due to the fact that the investigated area consists of relatively alike soil layers that make the result graphs difficult to get information from. However, the suggested soil profiles from the analysis of this part of the master thesis bear resemblances to bore holes close by, so the method can be usable in some regard. Quality of measurement results would probably be better by running the train faster than was done in this master thesis. The quality of the analysis would also benefit from performing specific soundings to establish the soils’ geodynamic properties rather than using recommended empirical formulas as were used here.  The primary possible application for this method is to use it as a prioritizing tool at an early stage in infrastructure projects. Running the vibration measurement and getting a preliminary picture of the soil conditions could act as a way of steering investigations resources to where greater shifts in the data occur. / I det förberedande skedet inför infrastrukturprojekt genomförs geotekniska undersökningar för att kartlägga jordförhållanden. Detta genomförs bland annat med ett antal olika borrhålsmetoder. Genom sin utförandeform levererar dessa resultat som, strikt uttryckt, är knutna till de specifika punkter där de utförs. I detta examensarbete provas en ny metod där jordprofilen mellan- och vid punkten för borrhål ska kartläggas. Metoden provas ut på järnvägsprojektet Stenkumla – Dunsjö.  Vibrationsteori och geodynamiska egenskaper hos jorden utnyttjas för att fastställa olika jordlagers egenfrekvens. Egenfrekvensens definition gör det möjligt att detektera denna i vibrationsmätningar. Metoden som provas i examensarbetet är att genom vibrationsmätningar fastställa jordprofilen baserat på jordlagrens egenfrekvens.  Ett viktigt steg i metodens process är att transformera resultatet från vibrationsmätningen med Fast Fourier Transformation, en algoritm för databehandling. Genom att applicera Fast Fourier Transformation kan en jämförelse mellan egenfrekvenser från olika källmaterial göras.  De primära vibrationsmätningarna genomfördes genom att fästa en accelerometer på ett tåg. Resultat består i transformerade grafer från vibrationsmätningar samt egenfrekvensberäkningar baserade på de geotekniska undersökningarna vid projekt Stenkumla – Dunsjö. På detta följer en jämförande analys där metodens tillförlitlighet och applicerbarhet runt geotekniska undersökningar diskuteras.  Tillförlitligheten testas genom att identifiera beräknade förväntade värden på egenfrekvensen i mätdatat från tåget. Metoden visar högre tillförlitlighet närmare markytan än djupare ner i jordprofilen. Metodens precision är mer utvecklad för jordprofiler där jordlagren är differentierade från varandra i dess egenskaper. Detta uppstår som en följd av att mer lika drag hos jordlagren får liknande egenfrekvens, vilket gör dem svårare att identifiera och särskilja i frekvensspektrat.  Metoden visade sig vara ofullständig i att fastställa en jordprofil mellan geotekniska borrprover. En anledning till detta är att det område som användes för vibrationsmätningar består av en jordprofil utan allt för varierande egenskaper, vilket gör att en tillräckligt tillförlitlig analys är omöjlig med den mängd data som fanns att tillgå. Den jordprofil som itererades fram i analysavsnittet har dock liknande uppbyggnad som de jordprofiler som fastställts av geotekniker i den geotekniska undersökningsrapporten, vilket ändå tyder på viss användningspotential. Kvalitén på vibrationsmätningen skulle förbättras av att öka farten, och så vibrationen, på tåget som mätaren var fäst på. En annan förbättringsmöjlighet är att få tillgång till uppmätta geodynamiska egenskaper hos jorden istället för de empiriska formler som användes i detta arbete.  Det primära användningsområdet för metoden är att använda den som ett prioriteringsverktyg i ett tidigt skede vid infrastrukturprojekt. Genom att genomföra en vibrationsmätning kan en preliminär bild av jordförhållandena erhållas. Detta kan sedan användas som ett sätt att styra geotekniska undersökningsresurser mer effektivt mot områden där stora avvikelser i vibrationsdatat identifierats.

Embankment dams encounter several problems in terms of dam safety. One of those problems is called internal erosion. This phenomenon is induced by the movement of fine particles within the dam due to seepage forces. If the dam is not able to self-heal, the eroded zones will increase which will eventually cause the dam to fail. Thus standards have been created by Svensk Energi and summarized in the Swedish dam safety guideline RIDAS 2012. These standards are used as a basic in the risk analysis of existing dams and provide guidelines for proper design of future dams.A dam in Sweden has presented recurring incidents related to internal erosion within the core. The impact of this internal erosion is analysed in this thesis with the use of Finite Element Method/Analysis (FEM/A). FEA models simulate the in situ stresses in the dam and calculate the strength. It also enables the analysis of changing hydraulic conductivity and its effect on the overall effective strength due to changing pore pressure and seepage forces. The analysis using numerical methods was performed in the program PLAXIS2D and SEEP/W while limit equilibrium analysis was done in SLOPE/W.The calculation in PLAXIS2D was performed by using the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model. The in situ stresses are initially calculated using gravity loading since this is the preferred method on an uneven terrain instead of a K0-calculation. Then, through a set of phases in the program, zones where erosion is assumed to have occurred are changed. These zones have a higher permeability and will thus affect the pore pressures in the dam following Darcy’s law with permeability through a set medium.The increased permeability is set to follow an increased void ratio due to loss of fine material in the core. How this increase of void ratio affects the permeability is investigated through using Ren et al’s (2016) proposed equation for calculating permeability with a set void ratio. Their equation, apart from the usually used Kozeny-Carman equation, considers both effective and ineffective void ratio where the ineffective void ratios refers to the volume of pores that is immobile when flow is considered.The increased flow in the eroded zones of the core did not seem to impact the strength of the dam in much regard. The phreatic surface and thus the pore pressure did not change enough to influence the overall effective strength of the dam. It raises the question if the stability of an earth-rock fill dam will be affected due to increased pore pressure at all due to its draining properties and if it would rather fail due to increased seepage forces.