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To investigate the liquefaction mitigation capability of Rammed Aggregate Piers® (RAP) in silty sand, blast liquefaction testing was performed at a soil profile treated with a full-scale RAP group relative to an untreated soil profile. The RAP group consisted of 16 piers in a 4x4 arrangement at 2 m center-to-center spacing extending to a depth of 9.5 m. Blasting around the untreated area induced liquefaction (ru ≈1.0) from 3 m to 11 m depth, producing several large sand boils, and causing settlement of 10 cm. In contrast, installation of the RAP group reduced excess pore water pressure (ru ≈0.75), eliminated sand ejecta, and reduced average settlement to between 2 to 5 cm when subjected to the same blast charges. Although the liquefaction-induced settlement in the untreated area could be accurately estimated using the CPT-based settlement approach proposed by Zhang et al. (2002), settlement in the RAP treated area was significantly overestimated with the same approach even after considering RAP treatment-induced densification. Analyses indicate that settlement after RAP treatment could be successfully estimated from elastic compression of the sand and RAP acting as a composite material. The composite reinforced soil mass, surrounded by liquefied soil, transferred load to the base of the RAP group inducing settlement in the non-liquefied sand below the group. This test program identifies a mechanism that explains how settlement was reduced for the RAP group despite the elevated ru values in the silty sands that are often difficult to improve with vibratory methods.

Cette thèse porte sur le développement de méthodes et techniques expérimentales pour mieux connaître les principes à l’oeuvre dans les glissements de terrains, les avalanches, les écoulements granulaires qui ont un grand rôle dans la liquéfaction des sols, ayant pour conséquences possibles la chute ou l’enfoncement de bâtiments. On conjugue ici des expériences de géophysique expérimentale avec des expériences de physique des milieux granulaires, et en parallèle on développe des appareils de mesure basés sur des microcontrôleurs et capteurs embarqués. / The subject of this thesis are the methods and experimental technics to help in the assessment of the underlying principles for the landslides, runaways and the other phenomena playing a main role in soil liquefaction and hence, on the falling or settling of buildings. This thesis conjugates geophysics’ to granular materials physics’ experiments, and it allowed to develop new measurement devices based on embedded microcontrollers.

L’objectif de la thèse est de comprendre et de modéliser les principaux phénomènes chimiques qui gouvernent les performances du premier réacteur, et en particulier le rôle du solvant donneur d’hydrogène, ainsi que les interactions entre charbon, solvant, hydrogène gazeux et catalyseur. L’impact des conditions opératoires telles que la température, la pression d’hydrogène, le temps de séjour ainsi que l’impact de la qualité de la charge (type de charbon et teneur en cendres) et du type de solvant ont également été évalués. Ce travail s’articule autour d’une partie expérimentale réalisée en autoclave et d’une partie modélisation basée sur un schéma réactionnel simplifié et sur un regroupement par familles chimiques. Dans un premier temps, la partie expérimentale a consisté à mettre au point une stratégie adaptée à l’étude. L’outil utilisé est un réacteur batch de type autoclave fonctionnant jusqu’à 25 MPa et 450°C qui sont des conditions opératoires classiques en hydroliquéfaction du charbon. La charge de référence utilisée est un charbon Illinois n°6, bien connu dans la littérature. Le solvant utilisé est le 1,2,3,4-tétrahydronaphtalène (tétraline) qui est une molécule naphténo-aromatique potentiellement donneuse d’hydrogène et qui a été couramment utilisée au laboratoire pour ce type d’étude. Enfin, un seul catalyseur sulfuré NiMo/Al2O3 a été testé, l’objectif de cette étude ne portant pas sur ce paramètre. Un protocole spécifique de post-traitement a été optimisé pour séparer les différentes fractions de liquéfiats produits, avant leur caractérisation. La démarche originale mise en place dans ce travail a consisté à fractionner les liquéfiats par microdistillation à bande tournante (50 plateaux théoriques) puis à fractionner la coupe résidu sous vide via des extractions par solvants. La microdistillation a ainsi permis de séparer les liquides en quatre coupes : Pi-230°C, 230-350°C,350-450°C et 450°C+, avec une bonne performance de séparation, isolant notamment la quasi totalité du solvant dans la fraction légère, performance difficile à atteindre sur des outils plus classiques. Chacune de ces coupes a été analysée en distillation simulée par chromatographie gazeuse et par analyses élémentaires CHONS. Le résidu sous vide (450°C+) a ensuite été fractionné en huiles lourdes, asphaltènes et préasphaltènes, par solubilité dans l’heptane et le toluène respectivement. Ce protocole a été appliqué à chacun des 66 essais de liquéfaction réalisés dans l’autoclave, ce qui a permis d’effectuer des bilans matières complets et d’évaluer l’impact des conditions opératoires, des interactions solvant-phase gaz-catalyseur et des différentes charges. Pour chaque bilan, le taux deconversion, les structures de rendements et les performances en hydrotraitement ont été déterminés ainsi que la répartition entre la phase gaz et le solvant dans l’hydrogénation du charbon. / This work deals with the understanding and the modeling of coal hydroliquefaction mechanisms, more precisely the impact of operating conditions and H-donor solvent -hydrogen gas phase-catalyst interactions. Experimental tests are performed in a batch reactor by using Illinois #6 coal, tetralin and NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst. An original separation procedure is developped, combinig micor-distillation and solvent extraction. Complete mass balances allow the dtermination of conversion, product yields and product quality. Operating conditions studied are temperature (380° C-420°C), hdrogen pressure (16-22 MPa) and NiMo/Al2O3 presence. Temperatures mainly impacts the firs stage of liquefaction (also called dissolution), hydrogne pressure and catalyst the products quality. Then, tests performed with other solvents (n-undecan or diethylbenzene) and/or under N2 pressure have shown the crucial impact of solvent on the first stage of liquefaction, and and the high impact of gas phase o products quality. These experimental results allow the establishment of kinetic model. In a first step, maceral are transformed into coke, preasphaltenes and hydrotreatment products. Coke formation only depends on temperature. However, preasphaltenes and hydrotreatment products formation highly depends on solvent. Other products (asphaltenes, vacuum distillate, middle distillate, light distillate and gas) are producted from preasphaltenes

The development of a reliable, and cost-effective in-situ method for characterizing the liquefaction potential of gravelly soils is a considerable challenge for engineers and researchers. The ability to accurately characterize the liquefaction potential of gravelly soils is an important consideration at port facilities and dams for example. The Dynamic Penetration Test (DPT) provides a reliable and cost-effective method for evaluating the liquefaction resistance of gravelly soils. Probabilistic liquefaction triggering curves based on DPT field data have been developed from data collected at 47 sites in China. However, using the DPT-based liquefaction curves for locations outside of the Chengdu plain in China where the data for the triggering curves were gathered may yield unreliable results. To improve the reliability of the DPT-based liquefaction triggering curves additional DPT field data form outside of the Chengdu plain is required. In total seven new non-liquefaction DPT case histories are presented in this report. Two of the case histories are based on DPT field data from Valdez, Alaska. The remaining five case histories were developed from DPT field data from L'Aquila, Italy. When plotted on the liquefaction triggering curves based only on the DPT data obtained in the Chengdu plain three of the seven data points plot in a position that indicates a considerable possibility of liquefaction despite these case histories being from locations where liquefaction did not occur. Roy (2021) developed new DPT-based liquefaction triggering curves with these seven new non-liquefaction case histories, DPT filed data from other sites around the world, and the DPT field data from the Chengdu plain. The three data points from the new case histories presented in this report that had a considerable probability of liquefaction when plotted on the curve developed only with the data from the Chengdu plain had a significantly lower probability of liquefaction when plotted on the new DPT-based liquefaction triggering curves. One of the data points from Valdez, Alaska decreased from a probability of liquefaction of around 50% to a probability of liquefaction of less than 30% when plotted on the new DPT-based liquefaction triggering curves. The reliability of DPT-based liquefaction triggering curves will continue to increase as the amount of available DPT data increases.

Deep wastewater injection-induced seismicity has led to over a thousand magnitude (Mw) > 3 earthquakes and four Mw>5 earthquakes in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas (OTK) over the last ten years. Liquefaction observed following the 3 September 2016, Mw5.8 Pawnee, OK, induced earthquake raises concerns regarding the liquefaction risk posed by future induced earthquakes. The stress-based simplified liquefaction evaluation procedure is widely used to evaluate liquefaction potential. However, empirical aspects of this procedure were primarily developed for tectonic earthquakes in active shallow-crustal tectonic regimes (e.g., California). Consequently, due to differences in ground motion characteristics and regional geology, the depth-stress reduction factor (rd) and Magnitude Scaling Factor (MSF) relationships used in these variants may be unsuitable for use with induced earthquakes in OTK. This is because both rd, which accounts for the non-rigid soil profile response, and MSF, which accounts for shaking duration, are affected by ground motion and soil profile characteristics. The objective of this research is to develop and test a new liquefaction triggering model for use in assessing the regional liquefaction hazard in OTK from injection-induced earthquakes. This model incorporates induced seismicity-specific rd and MSF relationships. To assess model efficacy, the liquefaction potential is evaluated for several sites impacted by the 2016 Pawnee earthquake using the model developed herein, as well as several models commonly used to evaluate liquefaction potential for tectonic earthquakes. Estimates are then compared with field observations of liquefaction made following the Pawnee event. This analysis shows that, at most sites, the induced seismicity-specific model more accurately predicts liquefaction severity than do models developed for tectonic earthquakes, which tend to over-predict liquefaction severity. The liquefaction triggering model developed herein is also used to assess the minimum magnitude (Mmin) of induced earthquakes capable of triggering liquefaction. For sites capable of supporting structures, it is shown that Mmin = 5.0 is sufficient to fully capture liquefaction hazard from induced events in OTK. However, for extremely liquefaction-susceptible soil profiles that are potentially relevant to other infrastructure (e.g., pipelines and levees), consideration of Mmin as low as 4.0 may be required. / Doctor of Philosophy / Seismic activity caused by deep wastewater injection has caused over a thousand magnitude (Mw) > 3 earthquakes and four Mw>5 earthquakes in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas (OTK) over the last ten years. These events are referred to as induced earthquakes. Liquefaction observed following the 3 September 2016, Mw5.8 Pawnee, OK, induced earthquake raises concerns regarding the liquefaction risk posed by future induced earthquakes. The stress-based simplified liquefaction evaluation procedure is widely used to evaluate liquefaction potential. However, to date, variants of this procedure were developed primarily for natural, tectonic earthquakes in active seismic areas such as California. Due to differences between induced and tectonic earthquakes as well as regional geology, existing variants of the simplified procedure may be unsuitable for use with induced earthquakes in OTK. The objective of this research is to develop and test a new liquefaction triggering model for use in assessing the regional liquefaction hazard in OTK from injection-induced earthquakes. The model was developed using regional induced earthquake ground motion recordings and soil profiles. To assess model accuracy, liquefaction potential is assessed at several sites impacted by the 2016 Pawnee earthquake using the new model, as well as several models commonly used to evaluate liquefaction potential for tectonic earthquakes. Estimates are then compared with field observations of liquefaction made following the Pawnee event. This analysis shows that, at most sites, the induced seismicity-specific model more accurately predicts liquefaction severity than do models developed for tectonic earthquakes, which tend to over-predict liquefaction severity. The liquefaction triggering model developed herein is used to assess the minimum magnitude (Mmin) of induced earthquakes capable of triggering liquefaction. For sites capable of supporting structures, it is shown that Mmin = 5.0 is sufficient to fully capture liquefaction hazard from induced events in OTK. However, for extremely liquefaction-susceptible soil profiles potentially relevant to other infrastructure (e.g., pipelines and levees), Mmin as low as 4.0 may be required.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering Johannesburg, 1992 / Modern methods of mechanised mining and the necessity for the utilization of total reserves have caused the inclusion of more and more impurities in run of mine coal. This fact, together with the limited supply of naturally clean coal fCI gasification, liquefaction and metallurgical purposes, has made some Iorm l){ beneficiation obligatory at many mines not only in South Africa but also in many other countries. One of the South African Coalfields, Waterherg, contains the continent's largest reserves (approximately 46% of South African known reserves). At the Grootegeluk Coal Mine, approximately 15 m tons of coal per annum are mined by opencast methods. The coal is characterised by containing a high proportion of reactive macerals. The Waterberg Coalfield is currently supplying coal for coke manufacture and middlings for power generation. This coal could also be used for other markets, as Waterberg coal is low in oxygen, contains up to 30% volatile matter. Because it contains 90% vitrinite, it is suitable for direct liquefaction, and possibly coal-water mixtures. However the yield of coal suitable for coking or liquefaction (approx 10% ash) is only 12%, with another 24% of 35% ash coal, currently used for power generation. These yields render mining generally uneconomical if making a simple product. The objective of this project is to ascertain whether the yields of washed coal from the Waterberg Coalfield might be increased by using comminution. Thereafter appropriate beneficiation techniques might be employed on different size fractions. Liberation, float and sink, froth flotation and oil agglomeration processes were examined to identify the best way of treating the coal. Work was carried out on the existing clean coal, middlings and discard fractions. The major objective was to optimise the yield of 10-15% ash coal.The results of the experiment indicate that it is possible to obtain low ash coal from middlings, and middlings from discard for power station. The capital and operating costs for improved new plants are calculated by using available factorised data. The results of experiments on both middlings and discards indicate that yields are significantly higher than those currently obtained, but the cost of obtaining such enhanced yields can be too high for normal commercial application. / MT2017

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1996. / Adviser: Ahmed-W. Elgamal. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2002. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 122 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 100-103).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.