Simplified mechanical loading paths, which represent more complex loading paths observed during penetration, were investigated using a triaxial chamber and a high-strength concrete. Objectives were to determine the effects that stress/strain (load) paths had on the material’s unconfined (UC) residual strength. The loading paths included hydrostatic compression (HC), uniaxial strain in compression (UX), and uniaxial strain load biaxial strain unload (UXBX). The experiments indicate that load paths associated with non-visible microstructural damage were HC and UX, which produced minimal impact on the residual UC strength (<30%), while the load paths associated with visible macro-structural damage were UXBX, which significantly reduced the UC strength (>90%). The simplified loading paths were also investigated using a material model driver code that was fit to a widely used Department of Defense material model. Virtual experiment data revealed that the material model investigated overestimated material damage and produced poor results when compared to experimental data.

No description available.

Extended Direct Analysis (EDA), developed at the University of Canterbury, is an advance on the AISC Direct Analysis method for the analysis of frames subjected to static forces. EDA provides a faster, simple and more rational way to properly consider the second-order effects, initial residual stresses (IRS) and the initial imperfections or steel structures under one directional loading than conventional analysis methods. This research applied the EDA method to quantify the effect of member overstrength on frame behaviour for a single storey frame. Also, the effects of IRS, which were included in the EDA static analysis, but which are not considered explicitly in non-linear seismic analysis, were evaluated in two ways. Firstly, they were considered for simple structures subject to increasing cyclic displacement in different directions. Secondly, incremental dynamic analysis with realistic ground motion was used to quantify the likely effect of IRS in earthquakes. It was found that, contrary to traditional wisdom and practice, greater member strengths can result in lower frame strengths for frames under monotonic lateral loading. The structural lateral capacity of the overstrength case was reduced by 6% compared to the case using the dependable member strengths. Also, it resulted significantly different in member demands. Therefore, it is recommended that when either plastic analysis or EDA is used, that both upper and lower bounds on the likely member strength should be considered to determine the total frame strength and the member demands. Results of push-pull analysis under displacement control showed that for IRS ratio, gamma < 0.5 and axial compressive force ratio, N*/Ns, up to 0.5, IRS did affect the structural behaviour in the first half cycle. However, the behavior in the later cycles was not significantly affected. It also showed that the effect of initial residual stresses in the frame was less significant than for the column alone when the column was subjected to similar axial compressive force. The incremental dynamic analysis results from both cantilever column and the three-storey steel frame showed that by increasing gamma = 0 to 0.5, the effect of IRS on seismic responses, based on the 50% confidence level, was less than 3% for N*/Ns, up to 0.5.

Various configurations of unidirectional carbon/epoxy composite rods were impacted radially, inspected using micro-CT scanning equipment, and tested in axial compression to measure the residual strength after impact. This data was used to correlate the relationship between impact energy, residual strength, and the peak crack area and total crack volume along the length of the specimens. These specimens represent local members of open three-dimensional composite lattice structures (e.g., based on isogrid or IsoTruss® geometries) that are continuously fabricated using advanced three-dimensional braiding techniques. The specimens were radially impacted with 2.5 J (1.9 ft-lbs), 5.0 J (3.7 ft-lbs), 7.5 J (5.6 ft-lbs), 10 J (7.4 ft-lb), 15 J (11 ft-lbs), and 20 J (15 ft-lbs) of energy, and compared to undamaged control specimens. The unidirectional core specimens were 8 mm (5/16") in diameter and were consolidated with various sleeve configurations and materials. Sleeves differed in types (bi-directional braided sleeves or unidirectional spiral wraps), nominal sleeve coverage of the core fibers (full or half), and sleeve material (Nomex Thread or Dunstone Hi-Shrink Tape). The unsupported length of the specimens used in this research was 50.8 mm (2") to ensure a strength-controlled compression failure rather than a failure due to buckling. After impact, the specimens were scanned using a micro-CT scanner at resolutions of 50 and 35 microns and subsequently tested in axial compression. The micro-CT scan images were analyzed to measure the crack areas along the specimen. From this analysis, the peak crack area and total crack volume along the length of the specimen was calculated. Similar to past research, as the impact energy increases, the residual compression-strength-after-impact decreases. As the impact energy increases, specimens with shrink tape sleeves had the largest increase in peak crack area and overall crack volume while specimens with full spiral sleeves had the lowest increase in peak crack area and overall crack volume. A bimodal increase is evident in the peak crack area and total crack volume over the length of the specimen where specimens impacted at 15 J (11 ft-lbs) showed the highest peak crack area across all sleeve types. There is a slight correlation between the increase in peak crack area and overall crack volume and the decrease in residual compression strength after impact. Shrink Tape, while yielding a higher quality specimen with greater compression strength prior to impact, did not protect the specimens against damage due to impact as well as other sleeve types. This was shown by the large decrease in residual compression strength after impact and increase in peak crack area and overall crack volume as the impact energy increased.

Although its use has become more widespread, controlled low-strength material, or CLSM, has fallen through the crack between geotechnical engineering and materials engineering research. The National Ready Mix Association states that CLSM is not a low strength concrete, and geotechnical engineers do not consider it as a conventional aggregate backfill. The use of CLSM as a bridge abutment backfill material brings up the need to understand the passive force versus backwall displacement relationship for this application. To safely account for forces generated due to seismic activity and thermal expansion in bridge design, it is important to understand the passive force versus backwall displacement relationship. Previous researchers have pointed out the fallacy of designing skewed bridges the same as non-skewed bridges. They observed that as the bridge skew angle increases, the peak passive force is significantly diminished which could lead to poor or even unsafe performance. The literature agrees that a displacement of 3-5% of the wall height is required to mobilize the peak passive resistance. The shape of the passive force displacement curve is best represented as hyperbolic in shape, and the Log Spiral method has been confirmed to be the most accurate at predicting the peak passive force and the shape of the failure plane. All of the previous research on this topic, whether full-scale field tests or large-scale laboratory tests, has been done with dense compacted sand, dense granular backfill, or computer modeling of these types of conventional backfill materials. However, the use of CLSM is increasing because of the product's satisfactory performance as a conventional backfill replacement and the time saving, or economic, benefits. To determine the relationship of passive force versus backwall displacement for a CLSM backfilled bridge abutment, two laboratory large-scale lateral load tests were conducted at skew angles of 0 and 30°. The model backwall was a 4.13 ft (1.26 m) wide and 2 ft (0.61 m) tall reinforced concrete block skewed to either 0 or 30°. The passive force-displacement curves for the two tests were hyperbolic in shape, and the displacement required to reach the peak passive resistance was approximately 0.75-2% of the wall height. The effect of skew angle on the magnitude of passive resistance in the CLSM backfill was much less significant than for conventional backfill materials. However, within displacements of 4-5% of the backwall height, the passive force-displacement curve reached a relatively constant residual or ultimate strength. The residual strength ranged from 20-40% of the measured peak passive resistance. The failure plane did not follow the logarithmic spiral pattern as the conventional backfill materials did. Instead, the failure plane was nearly linear and the failed wedge was displaced more like a block with very low compressive strains.

Landslides in Pleistocene sediments along the Thompson River, south of Ashcroft, British Columbia have been known since before the Canadian Pacific (CP) railway was built through the valley in the 1880s. The Canadian National (CN) mainline railway, built in the early twentieth century, also follows the valley. Since the CP mainline was open to traffic in 1886, landslides have occurred along both sides of the Thompson valley and have resulted in derailments and traffic disruption along this strategic railway corridor. Past work identified a critical interbedded glaciolacustrine silt and clay unit at the base of the valley fill in which the sliding planes of the landslides were located. In our geotechnical characterization of this unit we identify the clay as the main contributing factor towards the instability of slopes in the Thompson River Valley due to its low residual strength parameters. Ring shear testing of this unit indicate residual friction angles between 10o and 15o. The use of residual shear strength parameters is necessitated by the presence of pre-sheared surfaces in the valley fill material caused by historical landsliding and glacial overriding. An additional contributing factor to slope instability in Thompson River Valley is the presence of artesian pore water pressures located below the failure surfaces of landslides in the valley. Previously suggested explanations for development of the elevated pore pressures include dynamic change in the Thompson River stage, and over irrigation of upslope farm lands. Groundwater models of Thompson River Valley were constructed using the advanced modeling tool HydroGeoSphere in order to determine the origin of these elevated pressures, and to explore additional influences on the regional groundwater flow system, including irrigation and river stage. Analysis of groundwater simulations showed that due to its low permeability, the glaciolacustrine silt and clay unit is important in controlling groundwater flow patterns, and explains the development of artesian pressures in the valley bottom. Further, it was shown that fluctuation in river stage and additional infiltration due to irrigation of upslope farm lands had minimal impact on pore water pressures, and cannot explain the development of landslides in the study area. Groundwater simulations were coupled with slope stability analyses in order to assess the slope Factor of Safety associated with certain groundwater conditions. This was achieved by using SLOPE/W and SEEP/W. Slopes were found to be unstable under natural conditions with a Factor of Safety close to unity. Significant changes to the Factor of Safety were noted for scenarios where precipitation was doubled and halved, but irrigation was again shown to have a minimal effect on the stability of Thompson Valley slopes.

Landslides in Pleistocene sediments along the Thompson River, south of Ashcroft, British Columbia have been known since before the Canadian Pacific (CP) railway was built through the valley in the 1880s. The Canadian National (CN) mainline railway, built in the early twentieth century, also follows the valley. Since the CP mainline was open to traffic in 1886, landslides have occurred along both sides of the Thompson valley and have resulted in derailments and traffic disruption along this strategic railway corridor. Past work identified a critical interbedded glaciolacustrine silt and clay unit at the base of the valley fill in which the sliding planes of the landslides were located. In our geotechnical characterization of this unit we identify the clay as the main contributing factor towards the instability of slopes in the Thompson River Valley due to its low residual strength parameters. Ring shear testing of this unit indicate residual friction angles between 10o and 15o. The use of residual shear strength parameters is necessitated by the presence of pre-sheared surfaces in the valley fill material caused by historical landsliding and glacial overriding. An additional contributing factor to slope instability in Thompson River Valley is the presence of artesian pore water pressures located below the failure surfaces of landslides in the valley. Previously suggested explanations for development of the elevated pore pressures include dynamic change in the Thompson River stage, and over irrigation of upslope farm lands. Groundwater models of Thompson River Valley were constructed using the advanced modeling tool HydroGeoSphere in order to determine the origin of these elevated pressures, and to explore additional influences on the regional groundwater flow system, including irrigation and river stage. Analysis of groundwater simulations showed that due to its low permeability, the glaciolacustrine silt and clay unit is important in controlling groundwater flow patterns, and explains the development of artesian pressures in the valley bottom. Further, it was shown that fluctuation in river stage and additional infiltration due to irrigation of upslope farm lands had minimal impact on pore water pressures, and cannot explain the development of landslides in the study area. Groundwater simulations were coupled with slope stability analyses in order to assess the slope Factor of Safety associated with certain groundwater conditions. This was achieved by using SLOPE/W and SEEP/W. Slopes were found to be unstable under natural conditions with a Factor of Safety close to unity. Significant changes to the Factor of Safety were noted for scenarios where precipitation was doubled and halved, but irrigation was again shown to have a minimal effect on the stability of Thompson Valley slopes.

Este trabalho apresenta o estudo de um colúvio localizado na rodovia RS-115 entre o km 23+300 e o km 23+600 no município de Três Coroas, RS. Esse colúvio consiste de um depósito de encosta, formado por pacotes de materiais pouco coesos, originários da alteração de dois tipos distintos de litologias: rochas vulcânicas da Formação Serra Geral e os arenitos da Formação Botucatu, que também constituem seu substrato. O objetivo principal desta pesquisa é a definição da geometria do movimento, da poropressão existente em diversas profundidades e dos parâmetros de resistência dos materiais do colúvio para o entendimento dos movimentos verificados. Para isso foram realizadas (a) leituras de inclinômetros para a caracterização da profundidade dos movimentos, (b) uma campanha complementar de investigação geotécnica com cinco sondagens mistas para reconhecimento, (c) a instalação de piezômetros nas perfurações realizadas, (d) coleta de amostras dos materiais do colúvio e (e) ensaios de laboratório nas amostras de solo. Durante a campanha de investigação complementar foi constatada a existência de uma camada argilosa bastante plástica localizada junto à base do colúvio, no contato deste com o substrato, coincidente com a zona onde foram observados os maiores deslocamentos horizontais. A amostra obtida desta camada foi submetida a um ensaio ring shear para determinação do ângulo de resistência residual, tendo como resultado o valor de 10,5º. Análises de microscopia eletrônica e de difração por raios-X do material ensaiado mostraram a presença do argilomineral montmorilonita, responsável pelo aspecto e comportamento de alta plasticidade e baixa resistência residual. Os dados de piezometria obtidos indicaram que os níveis freáticos verificados na massa coluvionar são regidos por aquíferos regionais que afloram junto ao pé dos derrames basálticos situados a montante da encosta, tendo as precipitações locais apenas um papel coadjuvante na definição desses níveis. Com os resultados obtidos foram realizadas retroanálises utilizando o software Slope/W e foi elaborada uma proposta de estabilização do colúvio através da implantação de um sistema de drenagem profunda. / This work presents a study of a colluvium deposit located at the RS-115 highway between km 23 +300 and km 23 +600 in Três Coroas, RS. The colluvial deposit is formed by low cohesive materials originated by the wheathering of two lithologies: volcanic rocks of the Serra Geral Formation and sandstones of the Botucatu Formation, which also constitute its substrate. The main objectives of this research are to define the geometry of the landslide, the porepressure acting at various depths and shear strength parameters of the materials in order to understand the observed movements. For that, the following actions were taken (a) inclinometer readings to characterize the movement depth, (b) an additional campaign of geotechnical investigation with five boreholes, (c) the installation of piezometers in the boreholes, (d) collection of soils samples and (e) laboratory tests on the samples. During the investigation campaign it was found the existence of a very plastic clay layer in the contact with the substrate at the base of the colluvium and coincident with the zone where the largest horizontal displacements were observed. A sample of this layer was subjected to a ring shear test to determine the residual angle of friction, resulting in the value of 10.5 degrees. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction of the material tested showed the presence of montmorillonite clay, responsible for the soil aspect and behavior of high plasticity and low residual strength. The piezometric data obtained indicated that the groundwater levels observed in the mass colluvium are governed by regional aquifers that outcrop underneath the basalt flows which are just upstream of the slope, and the local rainfall has only a small role in these levels. Back-analysis of the slide were carried out with these results using the software Slope/W and a proposal was made to stabilize the colluvium through the implementation of a deep drainage system.

Este trabalho apresenta o estudo de um colúvio localizado na rodovia RS-115 entre o km 23+300 e o km 23+600 no município de Três Coroas, RS. Esse colúvio consiste de um depósito de encosta, formado por pacotes de materiais pouco coesos, originários da alteração de dois tipos distintos de litologias: rochas vulcânicas da Formação Serra Geral e os arenitos da Formação Botucatu, que também constituem seu substrato. O objetivo principal desta pesquisa é a definição da geometria do movimento, da poropressão existente em diversas profundidades e dos parâmetros de resistência dos materiais do colúvio para o entendimento dos movimentos verificados. Para isso foram realizadas (a) leituras de inclinômetros para a caracterização da profundidade dos movimentos, (b) uma campanha complementar de investigação geotécnica com cinco sondagens mistas para reconhecimento, (c) a instalação de piezômetros nas perfurações realizadas, (d) coleta de amostras dos materiais do colúvio e (e) ensaios de laboratório nas amostras de solo. Durante a campanha de investigação complementar foi constatada a existência de uma camada argilosa bastante plástica localizada junto à base do colúvio, no contato deste com o substrato, coincidente com a zona onde foram observados os maiores deslocamentos horizontais. A amostra obtida desta camada foi submetida a um ensaio ring shear para determinação do ângulo de resistência residual, tendo como resultado o valor de 10,5º. Análises de microscopia eletrônica e de difração por raios-X do material ensaiado mostraram a presença do argilomineral montmorilonita, responsável pelo aspecto e comportamento de alta plasticidade e baixa resistência residual. Os dados de piezometria obtidos indicaram que os níveis freáticos verificados na massa coluvionar são regidos por aquíferos regionais que afloram junto ao pé dos derrames basálticos situados a montante da encosta, tendo as precipitações locais apenas um papel coadjuvante na definição desses níveis. Com os resultados obtidos foram realizadas retroanálises utilizando o software Slope/W e foi elaborada uma proposta de estabilização do colúvio através da implantação de um sistema de drenagem profunda. / This work presents a study of a colluvium deposit located at the RS-115 highway between km 23 +300 and km 23 +600 in Três Coroas, RS. The colluvial deposit is formed by low cohesive materials originated by the wheathering of two lithologies: volcanic rocks of the Serra Geral Formation and sandstones of the Botucatu Formation, which also constitute its substrate. The main objectives of this research are to define the geometry of the landslide, the porepressure acting at various depths and shear strength parameters of the materials in order to understand the observed movements. For that, the following actions were taken (a) inclinometer readings to characterize the movement depth, (b) an additional campaign of geotechnical investigation with five boreholes, (c) the installation of piezometers in the boreholes, (d) collection of soils samples and (e) laboratory tests on the samples. During the investigation campaign it was found the existence of a very plastic clay layer in the contact with the substrate at the base of the colluvium and coincident with the zone where the largest horizontal displacements were observed. A sample of this layer was subjected to a ring shear test to determine the residual angle of friction, resulting in the value of 10.5 degrees. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction of the material tested showed the presence of montmorillonite clay, responsible for the soil aspect and behavior of high plasticity and low residual strength. The piezometric data obtained indicated that the groundwater levels observed in the mass colluvium are governed by regional aquifers that outcrop underneath the basalt flows which are just upstream of the slope, and the local rainfall has only a small role in these levels. Back-analysis of the slide were carried out with these results using the software Slope/W and a proposal was made to stabilize the colluvium through the implementation of a deep drainage system.

Este trabalho apresenta o estudo de um colúvio localizado na rodovia RS-115 entre o km 23+300 e o km 23+600 no município de Três Coroas, RS. Esse colúvio consiste de um depósito de encosta, formado por pacotes de materiais pouco coesos, originários da alteração de dois tipos distintos de litologias: rochas vulcânicas da Formação Serra Geral e os arenitos da Formação Botucatu, que também constituem seu substrato. O objetivo principal desta pesquisa é a definição da geometria do movimento, da poropressão existente em diversas profundidades e dos parâmetros de resistência dos materiais do colúvio para o entendimento dos movimentos verificados. Para isso foram realizadas (a) leituras de inclinômetros para a caracterização da profundidade dos movimentos, (b) uma campanha complementar de investigação geotécnica com cinco sondagens mistas para reconhecimento, (c) a instalação de piezômetros nas perfurações realizadas, (d) coleta de amostras dos materiais do colúvio e (e) ensaios de laboratório nas amostras de solo. Durante a campanha de investigação complementar foi constatada a existência de uma camada argilosa bastante plástica localizada junto à base do colúvio, no contato deste com o substrato, coincidente com a zona onde foram observados os maiores deslocamentos horizontais. A amostra obtida desta camada foi submetida a um ensaio ring shear para determinação do ângulo de resistência residual, tendo como resultado o valor de 10,5º. Análises de microscopia eletrônica e de difração por raios-X do material ensaiado mostraram a presença do argilomineral montmorilonita, responsável pelo aspecto e comportamento de alta plasticidade e baixa resistência residual. Os dados de piezometria obtidos indicaram que os níveis freáticos verificados na massa coluvionar são regidos por aquíferos regionais que afloram junto ao pé dos derrames basálticos situados a montante da encosta, tendo as precipitações locais apenas um papel coadjuvante na definição desses níveis. Com os resultados obtidos foram realizadas retroanálises utilizando o software Slope/W e foi elaborada uma proposta de estabilização do colúvio através da implantação de um sistema de drenagem profunda. / This work presents a study of a colluvium deposit located at the RS-115 highway between km 23 +300 and km 23 +600 in Três Coroas, RS. The colluvial deposit is formed by low cohesive materials originated by the wheathering of two lithologies: volcanic rocks of the Serra Geral Formation and sandstones of the Botucatu Formation, which also constitute its substrate. The main objectives of this research are to define the geometry of the landslide, the porepressure acting at various depths and shear strength parameters of the materials in order to understand the observed movements. For that, the following actions were taken (a) inclinometer readings to characterize the movement depth, (b) an additional campaign of geotechnical investigation with five boreholes, (c) the installation of piezometers in the boreholes, (d) collection of soils samples and (e) laboratory tests on the samples. During the investigation campaign it was found the existence of a very plastic clay layer in the contact with the substrate at the base of the colluvium and coincident with the zone where the largest horizontal displacements were observed. A sample of this layer was subjected to a ring shear test to determine the residual angle of friction, resulting in the value of 10.5 degrees. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction of the material tested showed the presence of montmorillonite clay, responsible for the soil aspect and behavior of high plasticity and low residual strength. The piezometric data obtained indicated that the groundwater levels observed in the mass colluvium are governed by regional aquifers that outcrop underneath the basalt flows which are just upstream of the slope, and the local rainfall has only a small role in these levels. Back-analysis of the slide were carried out with these results using the software Slope/W and a proposal was made to stabilize the colluvium through the implementation of a deep drainage system.