Lors de ce travail de thèse, les mécanismes de double ionisation d’une molécule d’eau bien orientée dans l’espace par impact électronique ont été étudiés. Des sections efficaces cinq et quatre fois différentielles en angle ont été calculées et analysées en géométrie coplanaire. L’étude théorique a été effectuée en utilisant l’approximation de Born au premier ordre où l’état initial est décrit au moyen des fonctions d’ondes mono-centrique. Les contributions de chaque état final au processus de double ionisation, c’est-à-dire, les électrons de la cible sont éjectés d’une même orbitale moléculaire et/ou de deux orbitales différentes, ont été étudiées et comparées en terme de forme et d’amplitude. L’effet d’orientation de la molécule cible sur les sections efficaces quintuplement différentielles est clairement observé pour le processus (e, 3-1e) ainsi que celui de (e, 3e). En outre, pour les orientations particulières étudiées, nous avons identifié les différents mécanismes responsables de la double ionisation de la molécule d’eau, à savoir, le mécanisme Shake Off ainsi que le mécanisme à deux étapes TS1 / In this work, double ionization mechanisms of oriented water molecules by electron impact have been studied. Five and forth fold differential cross sections in angle have been calculated and analyzed in a coplanar geometry. The theoretical investigation is performed within the first born approximation by describing the initial molecular state by means of single-center wave functions. The contributions of each final state to the double-ionization process, i.e., with target electrons ejected from similar and/or different molecular subshells, are studied and compared in terms of shape and magnitude. Strong dependence of the fivefold differential cross sections on the molecular target orientation is clearly observed in (e, 3-1e) as well as (e, 3e) channels. Furthermore, for the particular target orientations investigated, different mechanisms involved in the double ionization of water molecule, namely, the direct shake-off process as well as the two-step1 process

An extensive research program is on-going at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand to develop new technologies to permit the construction of multi-storey timber buildings in earthquake prone areas. The system combines engineered timber beams, columns and walls with ductile moment resisting connections using post-tensioned tendons and eventually energy dissipaters. The extensive experimental testing on post-tensioned timber building systems has proved a remarkable lateral response of the proposed solutions. A wide number of post-tensioned timber subassemblies, including beam-column connections, single or coupled walls and column-foundation connections, have been analysed in static or quasi-static tests. This contribution presents the results of the first dynamic tests carried out with a shake-table. Model frame buildings (3-storey and 5-storey) on one-quarter scale were tested on the shake-table to quantify the response of post-tensioned timber frames during real-time earthquake loading. Equivalent viscous damping values were computed for post-tensioned timber frames in order to properly predict their response using numerical models. The dynamic tests were then complemented with quasi-static push and pull tests performed to a 3-storey post-tensioned timber frame. Numerical models were included to compare empirical estimations versus dynamic and quasi-static experimental results. Different techniques to model the dynamic behaviour of post-tensioned timber frames were explored. A sensitivity analysis of alternative damping models and an examination of the influence of designer choices for the post-tensioning force and utilization of column armouring were made. The design procedure for post-tensioned timber frames was summarized and it was applied to two examples. Inter-storey drift, base shear and overturning moments were compared between numerical modelling and predicted/targeted design values.

It has only recently become possible to study the dynamics of large time scale biological processes computationally in explicit solvent and atomic detail. This required a combination of advances in computer hardware, utilization of parallel and special purpose hardware as well as numerical and theoretical approaches. In this work we report advances in these areas contributing to the feasibility of a work of this scope in a reasonable time. We then make use of them to study an interesting model system, the action of the DNA bending protein 1IHF and demonstrate such an effort can now be performed on GPU equipped PC workstations. Many cellular processes require DNA bending. In the crowded compartment of the cell, DNA must be efficiently stored but this is just one example where bending is observed. Other examples include the effects of DNA structural features involved in transcription, gene regulation and recombination. 1IHF is a bacterial protein that binds and kinks DNA at sequence specific sites. The 1IHF binding to DNA is the cause or effect of bending of the double helix by almost 180 degrees. Most sequence specific DNA binding proteins bind in the major groove of the DNA and sequence specificity results from direct readout. 1IHF is an exception; it binds in the minor groove. The final structure of the binding/bending reaction was crystallized and shows the protein arm like features "latched" in place wrapping the DNA in the minor grooves and intercalating the tips between base pairs at the kink sites. This sequence specific, mostly indirect readout protein-DNA binding/bending interaction is therefore an interesting test case to study the mechanism of protein DNA binding and bending in general. Kinetic schemes have been proposed and numerous experimental studies have been carried out to validate these schemes. Experiments have included rapid kinetics laser T jump studies providing unprecedented temporal resolution and time resolved (quench flow) DNA foot-printing. Here we complement and add to those studies by investigating the mechanism and dynamics of the final latching/initial unlatching at an atomic level. This is accomplished with the computational tools of molecular dynamics and the theory of Milestoning. Our investigation begins by generating a reaction coordinate from the crystal structure of the DNA-protein complex and other images generated through modelling based on biochemical intuition. The initial path is generated by steepest descent minimization providing us with over 100 anchor images along the Steepest Descent Path (SDP) reaction coordinate. We then use the tools of Milestoning to sample hypersurfaces (milestones) between reaction coordinate anchors. Launching multiple trajectories from each milestone allowed us to accumulate average passage times to adjacent milestones and obtain transition probabilities. A complete set of rates was obtained this way allowing us to draw important conclusions about the mechanism of DNA bending. We uncover two possible metastable intermediates in the dissociation unkinking process. The first is an unexpected stable intermediate formed by initial unlatching of the IHF arms accompanied by a complete "psi-0" to "psi+140" conformational change of the IHF arm tip prolines. This unlatching (de-intercalation of the IHF tips from the kink sites) is required for any unkinking to occur. The second intermediate is formed by the IHF protein arms sliding over the DNA phosphate backbone and refolding in the next groove. The formation of this intermediate occurs on the millisecond timescale which is within experimental unkinking rate results. We show that our code optimization and parallelization enhancements allow the entire computational process of these millisecond timescale events in about one month on 10 or less GPU equipped workstations/cluster nodes bringing these studies within reach of researchers that do not have access to supercomputer clusters. / text

We investigate experimentally the turbulent flow through a two-dimensional contraction. Using a water tunnel with an active grid we generate turbulence at Taylor microscale Reynolds number Reλ ~ 250 which is advected through a 2.5:1 contraction. Volumetric and time-resolved Tomo-PIV and Shake-The-Box velocity measurements are used to characterize the evolution of coherent vortical structures at three streamwise locations upstream of, and within the contraction. We confirm the conceptual picture of coherent large-scale vortices being stretched and aligned with the mean rate of strain. This alignment of the vortices with the tunnel centerline is stronger compared to the alignment of vorticity with the large-scale strain observed in numerical simulations of homogeneous turbulence. We judge this by the peak probability magnitudes of these alignments. This result is robust and independent of the grid-rotation protocols. On the other hand, while the point-wise vorticity vector also, to a lesser extent, aligns with the mean strain, it principally remains aligned with the intermediate eigen-vector of the local instantaneous strain-rate tensor, as is known in other turbulent flows. These results persist when the distance from the grid to the entrance of the contraction is doubled, showing that modest transverse inhomogeneities do not significantly affect these vortical-orientation results.

Modelos de Relações Quantitativas entre Estrutura Química e Atividade Biológica (QSAR), previamente gerados no grupo para uma série de brometos de N-benzil-N,N-dimetil-2-(4-X-benzamido)etan-1-amônio substituídos (compostos estruturalmente análogos à procaína), mostraram uma contribuição positiva da lipofilicidade (expressa pelo parâmetro lipofílico, logPapp) para a atividade de bloqueio da transmissão neuromuscular observada para estes. Como os compostos desta série são sais de amônio quaternários, sendo alguns altamente hidrofílicos, as determinações dos seus valores de logPapp pelo método shake-flask acarretam dificuldades experimentais, levando a altas incertezas. Para contornar estas dificuldades, em outro trabalho iniciado no grupo, sugeriu-se, como estratégia metodológica, avaliar a aplicação do conceito do par iônico, usando, para tanto, um contraíon grande e hidrofóbico. Assim, observou-se, para um único composto desta série, o aumento da sua lipofilicidade, por possível formação de par iônico, tornando-o menos hidrofílico. Nesta dissertação, visando ampliar os estudos envolvendo a aplicação desta estratégia metodológica e seus efeitos sobre a lipofilicidade, outros compostos foram selecionados para que uma faixa mais ampla de valores de LogPapp pudesse ser avaliada. Para tanto, os valores de logPapp de cinco compostos desta série foram determinados pelo método shake-flask, usando o sistema n-octanol/água, avaliando-se, ainda, os efeitos da força iônica na partição. Para estes, a faixa de valores de LogPapp determinados variou de -1,73 a 0,99. Para avaliar a aplicação do conceito do par iônico como estratégia, os valores de LogPapp destes compostos foram determinados na presença de diferentes concentrações do contraíon hidrofóbico n-octil sulfato de sódio (OcS). Verificou-se aumento da lipofilicidade com aumento das concentrações de OcS. Obteve-se, também, os correspondentes valores de LogPapp extrapolados para concentração zero de OcS (LogPapp0), que concordaram, dentro do erro experimental, com os valores determinados diretamente na ausência de OcS. Estes resultados indicam que o conceito do par iônico pode ser aplicado como estratégia metodológica, para melhorar as condições experimentais e diminuir as incertezas nas determinações de valores de LogPapp para esta série de brometos de amônio quaternários hidrofílicos. Finalmente, foram realizados experimentos complementares para verificar a formação de par iônico: (i) determinações dos valores de logP da benzamida (composto sem carga permanente) na presença de OcS; (ii) análise por RMN de um dos compostos desta série, na presença de OcS. Ambos indicaram que, somente para os brometos de amônio quaternários estudados, o aumento da lipofilicidade observado ocorre por possível formação de par iônico. E, ainda, foi avaliada a aplicação do conceito do par iônico e seus efeitos sobre a lipofilicidade do QX-222 e do brometo de neostigmina (compostos altamente hidrofílicos), revelando limitações na sua aplicação como estratégia metodológica. / Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR) models previously generated in our group for a set of N-benzyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-(4-X-benzamido)ethan-1-ammonium bromides (procaine structural analogs) showed a positive contribution of the lipophilic term (expressed by the partition coefficient, logPapp) to their neuromuscular blockage activity. However, since some of them are hydrophilic quaternary ammonium bromides, their logPapp measurements were usually associated with experimental shortcomings, leading to low accuracy logPapp values. In order to make these experiments more feasible, the application of the ion-pair concept was evaluated as a methodological strategy in another previous work, initially to one compound of this set. For this purpose, logPapp measurements have been done in the presence of a large and hydrophobic counter ion, leading to an increase of its lipophilicity, due to possible ion-pair formation. In the present work, in order to further investigate this strategy and its effects on the lipophilicity, we include more compounds, allowing the assessment of a wider range of logPapp values. Thus, logPapp values of five compounds were obtained by the shake-flask method, using n-octanol/water, with and without ionic strength adjustment. For them, logPapp range values were determined from -1.73 to 0.99. To evaluate the application of the ion-pair concept as strategy, logPapp values of these compounds were determined in the presence of eleven sodium octyl sulfate (OcS) concentrations. It was observed that the lipophilicity of these compounds, increased with the addition of OcS. Moreover, we obtained the corresponding logPapp values extrapolated to zero OcS concentration (logPapp0), which agreed, within the experimental error, with the corresponding values determined in absence of OcS. These results suggest that the ion-pair concept can be applied as a strategy to improve the experimental conditions, increasing the accuracy of logPapp measurements for this set of hydrophilic quaternary ammonium bromides. Finally, supplementary experiments were done to verify the ion-pair formation: (i) measurement of logP values of benzamide (not a permanent ion) in presence of OcS; (ii) NMR spectroscopy analysis of one compound of this set, also in presence of OcS. Both indicated that only for the studied quaternary ammonium bromides the lipophilicity increase is due to possible ion-pair formation. Additionally, the application of the ion-pair concept and its effects on the lipophilicity was evaluated for QX-222 and for neostigmine bromide (highly hydrophilic compounds), which revealed limitations in its application as a methodological strateg

Modelos de Relações Quantitativas entre Estrutura Química e Atividade Biológica (QSAR), previamente gerados no grupo para uma série de brometos de N-benzil-N,N-dimetil-2-(4-X-benzamido)etan-1-amônio substituídos (compostos estruturalmente análogos à procaína), mostraram uma contribuição positiva da lipofilicidade (expressa pelo parâmetro lipofílico, logPapp) para a atividade de bloqueio da transmissão neuromuscular observada para estes. Como os compostos desta série são sais de amônio quaternários, sendo alguns altamente hidrofílicos, as determinações dos seus valores de logPapp pelo método shake-flask acarretam dificuldades experimentais, levando a altas incertezas. Para contornar estas dificuldades, em outro trabalho iniciado no grupo, sugeriu-se, como estratégia metodológica, avaliar a aplicação do conceito do par iônico, usando, para tanto, um contraíon grande e hidrofóbico. Assim, observou-se, para um único composto desta série, o aumento da sua lipofilicidade, por possível formação de par iônico, tornando-o menos hidrofílico. Nesta dissertação, visando ampliar os estudos envolvendo a aplicação desta estratégia metodológica e seus efeitos sobre a lipofilicidade, outros compostos foram selecionados para que uma faixa mais ampla de valores de LogPapp pudesse ser avaliada. Para tanto, os valores de logPapp de cinco compostos desta série foram determinados pelo método shake-flask, usando o sistema n-octanol/água, avaliando-se, ainda, os efeitos da força iônica na partição. Para estes, a faixa de valores de LogPapp determinados variou de -1,73 a 0,99. Para avaliar a aplicação do conceito do par iônico como estratégia, os valores de LogPapp destes compostos foram determinados na presença de diferentes concentrações do contraíon hidrofóbico n-octil sulfato de sódio (OcS). Verificou-se aumento da lipofilicidade com aumento das concentrações de OcS. Obteve-se, também, os correspondentes valores de LogPapp extrapolados para concentração zero de OcS (LogPapp0), que concordaram, dentro do erro experimental, com os valores determinados diretamente na ausência de OcS. Estes resultados indicam que o conceito do par iônico pode ser aplicado como estratégia metodológica, para melhorar as condições experimentais e diminuir as incertezas nas determinações de valores de LogPapp para esta série de brometos de amônio quaternários hidrofílicos. Finalmente, foram realizados experimentos complementares para verificar a formação de par iônico: (i) determinações dos valores de logP da benzamida (composto sem carga permanente) na presença de OcS; (ii) análise por RMN de um dos compostos desta série, na presença de OcS. Ambos indicaram que, somente para os brometos de amônio quaternários estudados, o aumento da lipofilicidade observado ocorre por possível formação de par iônico. E, ainda, foi avaliada a aplicação do conceito do par iônico e seus efeitos sobre a lipofilicidade do QX-222 e do brometo de neostigmina (compostos altamente hidrofílicos), revelando limitações na sua aplicação como estratégia metodológica. / Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR) models previously generated in our group for a set of N-benzyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-(4-X-benzamido)ethan-1-ammonium bromides (procaine structural analogs) showed a positive contribution of the lipophilic term (expressed by the partition coefficient, logPapp) to their neuromuscular blockage activity. However, since some of them are hydrophilic quaternary ammonium bromides, their logPapp measurements were usually associated with experimental shortcomings, leading to low accuracy logPapp values. In order to make these experiments more feasible, the application of the ion-pair concept was evaluated as a methodological strategy in another previous work, initially to one compound of this set. For this purpose, logPapp measurements have been done in the presence of a large and hydrophobic counter ion, leading to an increase of its lipophilicity, due to possible ion-pair formation. In the present work, in order to further investigate this strategy and its effects on the lipophilicity, we include more compounds, allowing the assessment of a wider range of logPapp values. Thus, logPapp values of five compounds were obtained by the shake-flask method, using n-octanol/water, with and without ionic strength adjustment. For them, logPapp range values were determined from -1.73 to 0.99. To evaluate the application of the ion-pair concept as strategy, logPapp values of these compounds were determined in the presence of eleven sodium octyl sulfate (OcS) concentrations. It was observed that the lipophilicity of these compounds, increased with the addition of OcS. Moreover, we obtained the corresponding logPapp values extrapolated to zero OcS concentration (logPapp0), which agreed, within the experimental error, with the corresponding values determined in absence of OcS. These results suggest that the ion-pair concept can be applied as a strategy to improve the experimental conditions, increasing the accuracy of logPapp measurements for this set of hydrophilic quaternary ammonium bromides. Finally, supplementary experiments were done to verify the ion-pair formation: (i) measurement of logP values of benzamide (not a permanent ion) in presence of OcS; (ii) NMR spectroscopy analysis of one compound of this set, also in presence of OcS. Both indicated that only for the studied quaternary ammonium bromides the lipophilicity increase is due to possible ion-pair formation. Additionally, the application of the ion-pair concept and its effects on the lipophilicity was evaluated for QX-222 and for neostigmine bromide (highly hydrophilic compounds), which revealed limitations in its application as a methodological strateg

Reinforcement of soil enables a soil slope or wall to be retained at angles steeper than the soil material’s angle of repose. Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) systems enable shortened construction time, lower cost, increased seismic performance and potentially improve aesthetic benefits over their conventional retaining wall counterparts such as gravity and cantilever type retaining walls. Experience in previous earthquakes such as Northridge (1994), Kobe (1995), and Ji-Ji (1999) indicate good performance of reinforced soil retaining walls under high seismic loads. However, this good performance is not necessarily due to advanced understanding of their behaviour, rather this highlights the inherent stability of reinforced soil against high seismic loads and conservatism in static design practices. This is an experimental study on a series of seven reduced-scale GRS model walls with FHR facing under seismic excitation conducted using a shake-table. The models were 900 mm high, reinforced by five layers of stiff Microgrid reinforcement, and were founded on a rigid foundation. The soil deposit backfill was constructed of dry dense Albany sand, compacted by vibration (average Dr = 90%). The influence of the L/H ratio and wall inclination on seismic performance was investigated by varying these important design parameters throughout the testing programme. The L/H ratio ranged from 0.6 – 0.9, and the walls were primarily vertical except for one test inclined at 70o to the horizontal. During testing, facing displacements and accelerations within the backfill were recorded at varying levels of shaking intensity. Mechanisms of deformation, in particular, were of interest in this study. Global and local deformations within the backfill were investigated using two methods. The first utilised coloured horizontal and vertical sand markers placed within the backfill. The second utilised high-speed camera imaging for subsequent analysis using Geotechnical Particle Image Velocimetry (GeoPIV) software. GeoPIV enabled shear strains to be identified within the soil at far smaller strain levels than that rendered visible by eye using the coloured sand markers. The complementary methods allowed the complete spatial and temporal development of deformation within the backfill to be visualised. Failure was predominantly by overturning, with some small sliding component. All models displayed a characteristic bi-linear displacement-acceleration curve, with the existence of a critical acceleration, below which deformations were minor, and above which ultimate failure occurs. During failure, the rate of sliding increased significantly. An increase in the L/H ratio from 0.6 to 0.9 caused the displacement-acceleration curve to be shallower, and hence the wall to deform less at low levels of acceleration. Accelerations at failure also increased, from 0.5g to 0.7g, respectively. A similar trend of increased seismic performance was observed for the wall inclined at 70o to the horizontal, when compared to the other vertical walls. Overturning was accompanied by the progressive development of multiple inclined shear surfaces from the wall crest to the back of the reinforced soil block. Failure of the models occurred when an inclined failure surface developed from the lowest layer of reinforcement to the wall crest. Deformations largely confirmed the two-wedge failure mechanism proposed by Horii et al. (2004). For all tests, the reinforced soil block was observed to demonstrate non-rigid behaviour, with simple shearing along horizontal planes as well as strain localisations at the reinforcement or within the back of the reinforced soil block. This observation is contrary to design, which assumes the reinforced soil block to behave rigidly.

In recent years the public expectation of what is acceptable in seismic resisting construction has changed significantly. Engineers today live under demands which are far more intensive than their historical counterparts and recent seismic events have shown that preserving life is no longer sufficient, and a preservation of livelihood is now the minimum. This means that after a major seismic event a building should not only be intact but be usable with no or minimal post-quake intervention. In addition to this already high expectation these demands must be met in a green and sustainable fashion with minimal (or even negative) environmental impact. This doctoral project looks to further advance the research into a new and innovative method of timber construction which satisfies (and exceeds) these demands. In response to these higher expectations recent developments in the field of seismic design have led to the development of damage control design philosophies and innovative seismic resistant systems. Jointed ductile connections for precast concrete structures have been implemented and successfully validated. One of these systems, referred to as the hybrid system, combines the use of unbonded post-tensioned tendons with grouted longitudinal mild steel bars or any other form of dissipation reinforcing device. During the controlled rocking of the system under seismic loading the post-tensioning provides desirable recentering properties, while the devices allow adequate energy dissipation from the system as well as increased moment resistance at column bases and beam-column connections. The hybrid concept is material independent and in 2004 an extensive campaign was begun to investigate the performance of the hybrid system when applied to large engineered timber members. Numerous small and large scale tests on both subassemblies and full buildings were performed showing that post-tensioned timber meets the seismic resilience demands now imposed by society. Recently this technology has also been applied in practice with over ten structures now using post-tensioned timber walls or frames, or a combination of the two, in New Zealand. In-spite of the extensive research effort and the acceptance and adoption in practice of post-tensioned timber as a structural system, significant work was still required in the review and refinement of both the system itself and the analytical and numerical methods used to predict and analyse structural performance. The objectives of this research were to review and refine comprehension of the static and dynamic response, analytical and numerical modelling, and design of post-tensioned timber frames under lateral loading. In order to do this a three phase experimental testing campaign was devised and performed including quasi-static testing of an angle dissipative reinforcing device, quasi-static testing of a full-scale beam-column joint and the mono-directional dynamic testing of a 2/3rd scale three storey frame. All testing used glue laminated timber, which had not been previously used in post-tensioned timber structures. Insight gained from the experimental testing was used to analyse and refine existing analytical modelling techniques. These techniques were split into two categories: 1) modelling of the local behaviour of a post-tensioned timber beam-column joint, with particular focus on stiffness and energy dissipation capacity, and 2) evaluation of the seismic demand (in the form of design base shear) on post-tensioned timber frames looking at current Force Based (FBD) and Displacement Based (DBD) design methods. This analysis led to the development of recommended alterations in the existing beam-column joint analytical procedure enabling the procedure to provide better prediction of initial and post-yield stiffness. Analysis of the FBD and DBD procedures showed that both methods are capable of providing accurate prediction of seismic demand provided correct assumptions are made regarding system ductility and damping characteristics. Recommendations have been made on how designers can ensure that assumptions are either sufficiently accurate in the beginning of a design or require minimal iteration to be performed. Current numerical modelling techniques have also been compared against the quasi-static and dynamic testing results providing confidence in their accuracy when applied to post-tensioned timber frames. Modelling techniques were also extended to the widely used SAP2000 modelling programme which had not been previously used in post-tensioned timber research. Although many observations and conclusions were made, a common theme continued throughout this research. This was the importance of the deep understanding of displacements within a post-tensioned timber frame and the impact of these displacements on frame performance. Displacements occur throughout a frame in dissipative reinforcing devices, in the connection of these devices, in beams, columns and joint panels as well as at the interfaces between members. When these displacements are allowed for through proper design excellent seismic performance, possible using this innovative system, is obtained.

Underground structures perform an important role in transportation systems in many seismically active regions around the world, but empirical data regarding the seismic behavior of these structures is limited. This research works towards filling that empirical gap through the use of scale model shake table testing. Underground seismic soil-structure interaction (USSSI) effects were investigated for a stiff rectangular tunnel cross-section embedded within soft clay. San Francisco Young Bay Mud was used as a prototype soil for developing a scale model soil mixture consisting of kaolinite, bentonite, class C fly ash, and water. A single cell Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) cut-and-cover subway tunnel was used as the prototype for the 10th scale model subway cross-section. A flexible walled test container originally developed for a pile study at UC Berkeley was modified for use at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. The flexible container allows for close approximation of one-dimensional (1D) free-field site response by significantly limiting the rigidity of the boundary conditions and allowing the soil to deform under simple shear. The study was conducted over two shake table testing phases: Phase I consisted of shaking a model soil column to evaluate the ability of the test container to produce adequate 1D free-field site response, and Phase II tests explored the horizontal racking distortion of a shallow rectangular tunnel cross-section subjected to strong transverse ground shaking. Phase I test results and comparison with SHAKE models indicate that the test container can sufficiently mimic 1D free-field conditions, specifically for the primary shear deformation mode. Similarly, the equivalent linear soil-structure interaction code FLUSH was found to adequately model site response for the Phase II soil-structure system. Comparison of recorded horizontal racking distortions of the model structure with those from numerical modeling suggest that current simplified design methods may overestimate distortions to some degree for cases similar to those examined in this research. Overall, the flexible wall testing container shows promise as a viable means for gaining further insight into USSSI topics, as well as various other geotechnical and soil-structure interaction problems.

This thesis presents the details of designing and commissioning the multi-use static/dynamic large-scale soil testing table. The table was developed with the intention of creating a large scale testing apparatus versatile enough to carry out several different types of testing on a large scale. This report describes the background research done to develop the testing table concept and the thinking that went into each component. The apparatus itself consists of a shake table with a laminar soil container (inside dimensions L:100cm W:50cm H:65cm) and a top which can be lowered to apply overburden pressures on specimens. It is set up to run both static and cyclic tests on large soil samples. The final design allows for performing shaking tests with a non-fixed top, static and dynamic simple shear tests, and direst shear tests with minimal changes to the table configuration. The table has separate control and data acquisition systems which are necessary to run and record tests. All components of the table will be explained thoroughly within the thesis. Preliminary testing was done with the table to determine how well it is functioning and what needs to be done to further improve it. Static simple shear and cyclic simple shear tests were both run, and while the table showed some flaws, the results seem promising. It is determined that with proper instrumentation and after addressing some small issues, the testing table can be a useful and versatile tool in the future. This thesis will outline the strengths and flaws of the table as currently constructed and determine what the future applications for this testing apparatus will be. / text