Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, May 2010. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on May 18, 2010). "Department of Mathematics." Includes bibliographical references (p. 60-62).

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The critical state soil mechanics (CSSM) framework originally proposed by Schofield & Wroth (1968) has been shown to capture the mechanical behaviour of soils effectively. The particulate implementation of the discrete element method (DEM) can replicate many of the complex mechanical characteristics associated with sand. This research firstly shows that the CSSM framework is useful to assess whether a DEM simulation gives a response that is representative of a real soil. The research then explores the capacity of DEM to extend understanding of soil behaviour within the CSSM framework. The influence of sample size on the critical-state response observed in DEM simulations that use rigid-wall boundaries was examined. The observed sensitivity was shown to be caused by higher void ratios and lower contact densities adjacent to the boundaries. When the void ratio (e) and mean stress (p’) of the homogeneous interior regions were considered, the influence of sample size on the position of the critical state line (CSL) in e-log(p’) space diminished. A parametric study on the influence of the interparticle friction (μ) on the load-deformation response was carried out. The macro-scale stress-deformation characteristics were nonlinearly related to μ and the particle-scale measures (fabric, contact force distribution, etc.) varied systematically with μ. The limited effect of increases in μ on the overall strength at high μ values (μ>0.5) is attributable to transition from sliding-dominant to rolling-dominant contact behaviour. A μ value higher than 0.5 leads to a CSL in e-log(p’) space that does not capture real soil response. True-triaxial simulations with different intermediate stress ratios (b) were performed. The dependency of strength on b agreed with empirical failure criteria for sands and was related to a change of buckling modes of the strong force chains as b increased. DEM simulations showed that the position of the CSL in e-log(p’) space depends on the intermediate stress ratio b. This sensitivity seems to be related to the dependency of the directional fabric anisotropy on b. The link between the state parameter and both soil strength and dilatancy proposed by Jefferies & Been (2006) was reproduced in DEM simulations. A new rotational resistance model was proposed and it was shown that the new model can qualitatively capture the influence of particle shape on the mechanical behaviour of sand. However, it was shown that the effect of rotational resistance is limited and to quantitatively compare the DEM simulation results with laboratory testing data, e.g., the critical-state loci, it is necessary to use non-spherical particles. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Microstructure or fabric definitely affects macroscopic mechanical behavior of granular material. It is also well-observed that fabric evolves with shearing or plastic deformation. In this study, a series of two-dimensional numerical direct shear tests are carried out with the discrete element method, to study the initial fabric effect on global material responses and their micro-macroscopic relations. Idealized particle assemblages are made up of mono-size elongated particles and are prepared by a “deposition” method. Elongated particle is modeled by the built-in clump logic, in which constitutive balls are joined together without further breakage. In the deposition method, there are three controlling parameters, including, deposited direction, inter-particle friction coefficient and particle number, to prepare specimens with similar initial density but different initial packing or fabric. Three types of fabric of particle assemblages are examined quantitatively and are monitored during shearing, including, particle orientations (PO), contact normal forces (NF), and void spaces (VS). These fabric distributions are described by two parameters―anisotropic degree ( ) and orientation angle ( ), with clear physical implications. An additional parameter ( ) describing the average size of voids, is used to quantify void perimeter. It is found that this parameter has a relation with the assemblage’s volumetric response. C With the systematic and meticulous quantification method, the linkage between the macroscopic and microscopic responses of particle assemblages is discussed quantitatively. The results show that the initial packing affects the shear zone thickness, initial stiffness, peak strength, and dilation rate. In the shear zone, particle orientations do not exhibit a unique state at the final stage of direct shearing. At that state, strong normal forces and strong voids are parallel to the major principal stress direction. It seems that the initial packing does not affect their final distributions. At the end of reverse shearing, strong voids and strong normal forces in the shear zone give an essentially unique state, and their preferential directions are related to the changed loading direction. However, apparent stable particle orientations are still affected by the initial fabric. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

No description available.

Particles reduce visibility, change climate, and affect human health. In 1997, the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 mm) was promulgated. The annual mean PM2.5 mass concentrations in Atlanta, Georgia exceed the standard, and control is needed. The first goal of this study is to develop the control strategies of PM2.5 in Atlanta, Georgia. Based on the statistical analysis of measured data, from 22% to 40% of emission reductions are required to meet the NAAQS at 95% CI. The estimated control levels can be tested using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model to better assess if the proposed levels will achieve sufficient reduction in PM2.5. The second goal of this study is to analyze various uncertainties residing in CMAQ. For the model to be used in such applications with confidence, it needs to be evaluated. The model performance is calculated by the relative agreement between volume-averaged predictions and point measurements. Up to 14% of the model error for PM2.5 mass is due to the different spatial scales of the two values. CMAQ predicts PM2.5 mass concentrations reasonably well, but CMAQ significantly underestimates PM2.5 number concentrations. Causes of the underestimation include that assumed inaccurate particle density and particle size of the primary emissions in CMAQ, in addition to the expression of the particle size with three lognormal distributions. Also, the strength and limitations of CMAQ in performing PM2.5 source apportionment are compared with those of the Chemical Mass Balance with Molecular Markers. Finally, the accuracy of emissions, one of the important inputs of CMAQ, is evaluated by the inverse modeling. Results show that base level emissions for CO and SO2 sources are relatively accurate, whereas NH3, NOx, PEC and PMFINE emissions are overestimated. The emission adjustment for POA and VOC emissions is significantly different among regions.