Water infiltration associated with natural precipitation events or other artificial activities such as pipe leaks in expansive soils significantly influence the engineering properties; namely, coefficient of permeability, shear strength and volume change behavior. For this reason, it is challenging to design or construct geotechnical infrastructure within or with expansive soils. Several billions of dollars losses, world-wide, can be attributed to the repairing, redesigning and retrofitting of infrastructure constructed with or within expansive soils, annually. Piles are widely used as foundations in expansive soils extending conventional design procedures based on the principles of saturated soil mechanics. However, the behavior of piles in unsaturated expansive soils is significantly different from conventional non-expansive saturated soils. Three significant changes arise as water infiltrates into expansive soil around the pile. Firstly, soil volume expansion contributes to ground heave in vertical direction. Secondly, volume expansion restriction leads to development of the lateral swelling pressure resulting in an increment in the lateral earth pressure in the horizontal direction. Thirdly, pile-soil interface shear strength properties change due to variations in water content (matric suction) of the surrounding soil. These three changes are closely related to matric suction variations that arise during the water infiltration process. For this reason, a rational methodology is necessary for the pile load transfer mechanism analysis based on the mechanics of unsaturated soils. Studies presented in this thesis are directed towards developing simple methods to predict the load transfer mechanism changes of piles in expansive soils upon infiltration. More emphasis is directed towards the prediction of the pile mechanical behavior which includes the pile head load-displacement relationship, the pile axial force (shaft friction) distribution and the pile base resistance using unsaturated mechanical as a tool. The function of matric suction as an independent stress state variable on the mechanical behavior pile is highlighted. More specifically, following studies were conducted: (i) Previous studies on various factors influencing the load transfer mechanisms of piles in unsaturated expansive soils are summarized and discussed to give a background of current research. More specifically, state-of-the-art reviews are summarized on the application of piles in expansive soils, mobilization of lateral swelling pressure, mobilization of unsaturated pile-soil interface shear strength and methods available for the load transfer analysis of piles in expansive soils. (ii) Employing unsaturated soil mechanics as a tool, theoretical methods are proposed for estimating the lateral earth pressure variations considering the mobilization of lateral swelling pressure. The proposed methods are verified using two large-scale laboratory studies and two field studies from published literatures. (iii) The shear displacement method and load transfer curve methods used traditionally for pile load transfer mechanisms analysis for saturated soils were modified to extend their applications for unsaturated expansive soils. The influence of volume change characteristics and unsaturated soil properties on unsaturated expansive soils are considered in these methods. The validation of the modified shear displacement method and modified load transfer curve method were established using a large-scale model test performed in the geotechnical engineering lab of University of Ottawa and a field case study results from the published literature. (iv) A large-scale model pile infiltration test conducted in a typical expansive soil from Regina in Canada in the geotechnical lab of University of Ottawa is presented and interpreted using the experimental data of volumetric water content suction measurements and shear strength data. The results of the comprehensive experiment studies are also used to validate the proposed modified shear displacement method and modified load transfer curve method achieving reasonable good comparisons. The proposed modified shear displacement method and modified load transfer curve method are simple and require limited number soil properties including the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC), matric suction profile upon wetting and drying and some soil physical properties. Due to these advantages, they can be easily and conveniently applied in engineering practice for prediction of the mechanical behavior of piles in unsaturated expansive soils, which facilitate practicing engineers to produce sound design of pile foundation in unsaturated expansive soils in a simplistic manner.

Growth chamber studies showed that a relationship exists between transpiration and dry matter production of spring wheat (Tritiaum Aestivum L. var . Thatcher). A temperature of 27 C for a 16-hour day,and 21 C at night were used throughout the experiment. Relative humidities (RH) of 12, 25, 71, and 83 percent and matric suctions of 1, 3, and 9 bars were used a l ong with six fertility levels and a 20-day growing period. An equation was developed from previous equations by De Wit and Arkley to describe the transpiration ratio (Tr = mass of water transpired/mass of dry matter produced) as it relates to evaporative demand conditions measured by humidity and pan evaporation. Time and fertility effects were not included because of insufficient data. As humidity both increases and decreases from 25 percent, the transpiration ratio decreases. Increasing levels of matric suction had an effect on Tr only at 25 percent RH. As fertility increased, Tr decreased toward some minimum level. Tr seems to reach a stable maximum as plants mature under steady state conditions.

abstract: Fluctuating flow releases on regulated rivers destabilize downstream riverbanks, causing unintended, unnatural, and uncontrolled geomorphologic changes. These flow releases, usually a result of upstream hydroelectric dam operations, create manmade tidal effects that cause significant environmental damage; harm fish, vegetation, mammal, and avian habitats; and destroy riverbank camping and boating areas. This work focuses on rivers regulated by hydroelectric dams and have banks formed by sediment processes. For these systems, bank failures can be reduced, but not eliminated, by modifying flow release schedules. Unfortunately, comprehensive mitigation can only be accomplished with expensive rebuilding floods which release trapped sediment back into the river. The contribution of this research is to optimize weekly hydroelectric dam releases to minimize the cost of annually mitigating downstream bank failures. Physical process modeling of dynamic seepage effects is achieved through a new analytical unsaturated porewater response model that allows arbitrary periodic stage loading by Fourier series. This model is incorporated into a derived bank failure risk model that utilizes stochastic parameters identified through a meta-analysis of more than 150 documented slope failures. The risk model is then expanded to the river reach level by a Monte Carlos simulation and nonlinear regression of measured attenuation effects. Finally, the comprehensive risk model is subjected to a simulated annealing (SA) optimization scheme that accounts for physical, environmental, mechanical, operations, and flow constraints. The complete risk model is used to optimize the weekly flow release schedule of the Glen Canyon Dam, which regulates flow in the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon. A solution was obtained that reduces downstream failure risk, allows annual rebuilding floods, and predicts a hydroelectric revenue increase of more than 2%. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2010

The performance of Thin Membrane Surface (TMS) highways is largely controlled by the strength of the subgrade soil which in turn is a function of the soil suction (Fredlund and Morgenstern, 1977). Thermal conductivity suction sensors can be used to indirectly measure in situ matric suction. <p>Thirty two (32) thermal conductivity sensors were installed under Thin Membrane Surface (TMS) in two highway locations; namely, Bethune and Torquay, Saskatchewan, in September 2000. The sensors were installed beneath the pavement, shoulder and side-slope to monitor matric suction and temperature changes with time. The monitoring system at Bethune was damaged after two years of operation. The thermal conductivity sensors at Torquay all appear to have been working well and data are still being collected.<p>Other attempts had been made in the past to use thermal conductivity sensors for field suction measurement, but all were terminated within a short period of time due to limitations associated with the equipment. The long-term suction measurement at the Torquay site is unique and provides valuable field data. <p>This research project presents and interprets the long-term matric suction measurements made between the years 2000 to 2005 at the Torquay site and from 2000 to 2002 at the Bethune site. To help in the interpretation of the data, a site investigation was undertaken along with a laboratory testing program that included the measurement of Soil-Water Characteristic Curves (SWCC). As well, a limited laboratory study was undertaken on several new thermal conductivity matric suction sensors. <p>The matric suction readings in the field showed a direct relationship to rainfall and regional evaporation conditions at the test sites. At the Bethune and Torquay test sites, the changes in matric suctions appeared to be mainly due to the movement of moisture through the edge of the road. Relatively constant equilibrium suctions were encountered under the driving-lanes. Conversely, matric suctions under the side-slopes were found to vary considerably with time and depth. Matric suctions under the driving-lanes ranged from 20 to 60 kPa throughout the years. Matric suctions on the side-slopes changed from 100 to 1500 kPa over the years. <p>The greatest variation of soil suctions occurred in the month of April from location to location in the subgrade. The soil suctions became less variable in June while larger variations again occurred from July to October. <p>The matric suction measurements obtained from the thermal conductivity sensors showed a general agreement with the values estimated using the soil-water characteristic curves, SWCC, measured in the laboratory.

The performance of Thin Membrane Surface (TMS) highways is largely controlled by the strength of the subgrade soil which in turn is a function of the soil suction (Fredlund and Morgenstern, 1977). Thermal conductivity suction sensors can be used to indirectly measure in situ matric suction. <p>Thirty two (32) thermal conductivity sensors were installed under Thin Membrane Surface (TMS) in two highway locations; namely, Bethune and Torquay, Saskatchewan, in September 2000. The sensors were installed beneath the pavement, shoulder and side-slope to monitor matric suction and temperature changes with time. The monitoring system at Bethune was damaged after two years of operation. The thermal conductivity sensors at Torquay all appear to have been working well and data are still being collected.<p>Other attempts had been made in the past to use thermal conductivity sensors for field suction measurement, but all were terminated within a short period of time due to limitations associated with the equipment. The long-term suction measurement at the Torquay site is unique and provides valuable field data. <p>This research project presents and interprets the long-term matric suction measurements made between the years 2000 to 2005 at the Torquay site and from 2000 to 2002 at the Bethune site. To help in the interpretation of the data, a site investigation was undertaken along with a laboratory testing program that included the measurement of Soil-Water Characteristic Curves (SWCC). As well, a limited laboratory study was undertaken on several new thermal conductivity matric suction sensors. <p>The matric suction readings in the field showed a direct relationship to rainfall and regional evaporation conditions at the test sites. At the Bethune and Torquay test sites, the changes in matric suctions appeared to be mainly due to the movement of moisture through the edge of the road. Relatively constant equilibrium suctions were encountered under the driving-lanes. Conversely, matric suctions under the side-slopes were found to vary considerably with time and depth. Matric suctions under the driving-lanes ranged from 20 to 60 kPa throughout the years. Matric suctions on the side-slopes changed from 100 to 1500 kPa over the years. <p>The greatest variation of soil suctions occurred in the month of April from location to location in the subgrade. The soil suctions became less variable in June while larger variations again occurred from July to October. <p>The matric suction measurements obtained from the thermal conductivity sensors showed a general agreement with the values estimated using the soil-water characteristic curves, SWCC, measured in the laboratory.

In many situations, the upper layers of soil above the ground water table are in a state of unsaturated condition. Although unsaturated soils are found throughout the world, they are predominant in arid or semi-arid regions. In these areas, the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) which relates the water content to the matric suction could be used as key tool to implement the mechanics of unsaturated soils into the designs of geotechnical structures such as dams, embankments, pavements, canals, and foundations. Several experimental techniques are available for determining the SWCC in a laboratory environment. However, these experimental techniques are expensive, time consuming typically requiring days or weeks, depending on the soil type, and demanding intricate testing equipment. Due to these reasons, there has been a growing interest to find other means for estimating SWCC and encourage the adoption of unsaturated soils mechanics in geotechnical engineering practice. Several methods exist to indirectly estimate the SWCC from basic soil properties. Some may include statistical estimation of the water content at selected matric suction values, correlation of soil properties with the fitting parameters of an analytical equation that represents the SWCC, estimation of the SWCC using a physics-based conceptual model, and artificial intelligence methods such as neural networks or genetic programming. However, many studies have shown that environmental effects such as temperature, soil structure, initial water content, void ratio, stress history, compaction method, etc. can also affect the SWCC. This means that the estimation SWCC from set of conditions may not reliably predict the SWCC in other conditions. Due to this reason, it is crucial for engineers involved with unsaturated soils to take into account all the factors that influence the SWCC. The two key objectives of the present thesis are the development of a method based on first principles, using the capillary rise theory, to predict the variation of the SWCC as a function of temperature, as well as developing a technique for the prediction of the fixed parameters of a well-known function representing the SWCC based on basic soil properties together with the moisture profile of a soil column subjected to a known temperature gradient. A rational approach using capillary rise theory and the effect of temperature on surface tension and liquid density is developed to study the relation between temperature and the parameters of the Fredlund and Xing (1994) equation. Several tests, using a Tempe cell submerged in a controlled temperature bath, were performed to determine the SWCC of two coarse-grained soils at different temperatures. A good comparison between the predicted SWCC at different temperatures using the proposed model and the measured values from the Tempe cell test results is achieved. Within the scope of this thesis, a separate testing program was undertaken to indirectly estimate the SWCC of the same two coarse-grained soils from the measurement of their steady state soil-moisture profile while subjected to a fixed temperature differences. The water potential equation in the liquid and vapor phases is used to analyses the steady state flow conditions in the unsaturated soil. A good comparison is obtained for the SWCC estimated using this technique with the SWCC measured used a Tempe cell submerged in a controlled temperature bath. The results of this study indicate that knowledge of the moisture content of a soil specimen under a constant thermal gradient and basic soil properties can be used to estimate the SWCC of the soil at the desired temperature.

abstract: Design and mitigation of infrastructure on expansive soils requires an understanding of unsaturated soil mechanics and consideration of two stress variables (net normal stress and matric suction). Although numerous breakthroughs have allowed geotechnical engineers to study expansive soil response to varying suction-based stress scenarios (i.e. partial wetting), such studies are not practical on typical projects due to the difficulties and duration needed for equilibration associated with the necessary laboratory testing. The current practice encompasses saturated “conventional” soil mechanics testing, with the implementation of numerous empirical correlations and approximations to obtain an estimate of true field response. However, it has been observed that full wetting rarely occurs in the field, leading to an over-conservatism within a given design when partial wetting conditions are ignored. Many researchers have sought to improve ways of estimation of soil heave/shrinkage through intense studies of the suction-based response of reconstituted clay soils. However, the natural behavior of an undisturbed clay soil sample tends to differ significantly from a remolded sample of the same material. In this study, laboratory techniques for the determination of soil suction were evaluated, a methodology for determination of the in-situ matric suction of a soil specimen was explored, and the mechanical response to changes in matric suction of natural clay specimens were measured. Suction-controlled laboratory oedometer devices were used to impose partial wetting conditions, similar to those experienced in a natural setting. The undisturbed natural soils tested in the study were obtained from Denver, CO and San Antonio, TX. Key differences between the soil water characteristic curves of the undisturbed specimen test compared to the conventional reconstituted specimen test are highlighted. The Perko et al. (2000) and the PTI (2008) methods for estimating the relationship between volume and changes in matric suction (i.e. suction compression index) were evaluated by comparison to the directly measured values. Lastly, the directly measured partial wetting swell strain was compared to the fully saturated, one-dimensional, oedometer test (ASTM D4546) and the Surrogate Path Method (Singhal, 2010) to evaluate the estimation of partial wetting heave. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Engineering 2017

In many situations, the upper layers of soil above the ground water table are in a state of unsaturated condition. Although unsaturated soils are found throughout the world, they are predominant in arid or semi-arid regions. In these areas, the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) which relates the water content to the matric suction could be used as key tool to implement the mechanics of unsaturated soils into the designs of geotechnical structures such as dams, embankments, pavements, canals, and foundations. Several experimental techniques are available for determining the SWCC in a laboratory environment. However, these experimental techniques are expensive, time consuming typically requiring days or weeks, depending on the soil type, and demanding intricate testing equipment. Due to these reasons, there has been a growing interest to find other means for estimating SWCC and encourage the adoption of unsaturated soils mechanics in geotechnical engineering practice. Several methods exist to indirectly estimate the SWCC from basic soil properties. Some may include statistical estimation of the water content at selected matric suction values, correlation of soil properties with the fitting parameters of an analytical equation that represents the SWCC, estimation of the SWCC using a physics-based conceptual model, and artificial intelligence methods such as neural networks or genetic programming. However, many studies have shown that environmental effects such as temperature, soil structure, initial water content, void ratio, stress history, compaction method, etc. can also affect the SWCC. This means that the estimation SWCC from set of conditions may not reliably predict the SWCC in other conditions. Due to this reason, it is crucial for engineers involved with unsaturated soils to take into account all the factors that influence the SWCC. The two key objectives of the present thesis are the development of a method based on first principles, using the capillary rise theory, to predict the variation of the SWCC as a function of temperature, as well as developing a technique for the prediction of the fixed parameters of a well-known function representing the SWCC based on basic soil properties together with the moisture profile of a soil column subjected to a known temperature gradient. A rational approach using capillary rise theory and the effect of temperature on surface tension and liquid density is developed to study the relation between temperature and the parameters of the Fredlund and Xing (1994) equation. Several tests, using a Tempe cell submerged in a controlled temperature bath, were performed to determine the SWCC of two coarse-grained soils at different temperatures. A good comparison between the predicted SWCC at different temperatures using the proposed model and the measured values from the Tempe cell test results is achieved. Within the scope of this thesis, a separate testing program was undertaken to indirectly estimate the SWCC of the same two coarse-grained soils from the measurement of their steady state soil-moisture profile while subjected to a fixed temperature differences. The water potential equation in the liquid and vapor phases is used to analyses the steady state flow conditions in the unsaturated soil. A good comparison is obtained for the SWCC estimated using this technique with the SWCC measured used a Tempe cell submerged in a controlled temperature bath. The results of this study indicate that knowledge of the moisture content of a soil specimen under a constant thermal gradient and basic soil properties can be used to estimate the SWCC of the soil at the desired temperature.

Railways are one of the largest transportation networks in the world that play an important role in the mass transportation of both the passengers and freight. The speed of trains and as well as the axial load carrying capacity have been increasing significantly during the past few decades to keep in pace with the population and economy growth and to compete with other modes of transportation such as the road, air and water transportation system. Billions of dollars are spent annually for maintenance of rail tracks in the world. The efficient and optimum use of these funds is a challenging task that demands innovative and cutting edge technologies in railway engineering. The railway subgrade is an important part of railway foundation and should be capable of providing a suitable base supporting the ballast and subballast to accommodate the stresses due to traffic loads without failure or excessive deformation. The progressive shear failure is a well-known and age old challenging problem for railways over the world for centuries. The subgrade of railway track which typically constitutes of fine-grained material tends to fail through the accumulation of soil movements up- and sideward developing a path for the least resistance along which progressive shear failure occurs under repeated train-induced loads and due to the effects of climate factors. To-date, limited number of studies have addressed failure mechanism associated with the progressive shear failure, especially using the mechanics of unsaturated soils. In this thesis, a novel and first of its kind, Visual Basic program developed in AutoCAD environment based on Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria and unsaturated soil mechanics theory. This program is capable of taking account of the influence of matric suction and simulate progressive shear failure in the subgrade under moving train. Simulation results suggest several parameters that include stress distribution, matric suction, cohesion, coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest, and coefficient of residual friction as well as the angle of internal friction have a significant effect on the progressive shear failure and the shape of failure planes in the subgrade. The progressive shear failure in subgrade can be reduced by increasing matric suction, cohesion, coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest, and coefficient of residual friction as well as the angle of internal friction, and optimizing combination of these parameters. The simulation results suggest the progressive shear failure can be well simulated with the Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria. Several suggestions are made for railway subgrade construction and maintenance based on the results of this study.

The passive force-deflection relationship for abutment walls is important for bridges subjected to thermal expansion and seismic forces, but no test results have been available for skewed abutments. To determine the influence of skew angle on the development of passive force, lab tests were performed on a wall with skew angles of 0º, 15º, 30º, and 45º. The wall was 1.26 m wide and 0.61 m high and the backfill consisted of dense compacted sand. As the skew angle increased, the passive force decreased substantially with a reduction of 50% at a skew of 30º. An adjustment factor was developed to account for the reduced capacity as a function of skew angle. The shape of the passive force-deflection curve leading to the peak force transitioned from a hyperbolic shape to a more bilinear shape as the skew angle increased. However, the horizontal displacement necessary to develop the peak passive force was typically 2 to 3.5% of the wall height. In all cases, the passive force decreased after the peak value, which would be expected for dense sand; however, at higher skew angles the drop in resistance was more abrupt than at lower skew angles. The residual passive force was typically about 35 to 45% lower relative to the peak force. Lateral movement was minimal due to shear resistance which typically exceeded the applied shear force. Computer models based on the log-spiral method, with apparent cohesion for matric suction, were able to match the measured force for the no skew case as well as the force for skewed cases when the proposed adjustment factor was used.