The distinct element method (DEM) is a useful tool in rock engineering to model jointed rock masses. To simulate a jointed rock mass realistically, the main challenge is to be able to capture its complex geometry which consists of blocks with various shapes and sizes, and to model the interactions between these blocks. The main contribution of this thesis is the development of novel algorithms in the DEM to model jointed rock masses, namely rock slicing procedures for block generation, and algorithms for contact detection between polygonal blocks in 2-D or polyhedral blocks in 3-D. These algorithms make use of convex optimisation techniques, for which there exist efficient solution procedures. They do not rely on conventional vertex-edge-face hierarchical data structures and tedious housekeeping algorithms. The algorithms have been verified against analytical and numerical solutions, as well as validated against experimental results published in the literature. Among those, the results of DEM simulations were compared against the experimental model tests and numerical simulations of jointed beams carried out by Talesnick et al. (2007) and Tsesarsky & Talesnick (2007) respectively. Emphasis was placed on modelling the stiffness of the block interfaces accurately, and this was accomplished by reinterpreting the laboratory data published by the investigators. The capabilities of the numerical tools are also examined and demonstrated in areas for which the DEM has found practical application. A substantial fraction of this thesis is devoted to illustrating how these tools can assist the engineer in designing support systems; for example, designing the length and spacing of rock bolts and the lining thickness for a tunnel. Algorithms to model rock bolt and lining support were implemented for this purpose. Interesting comparisons with elastic solutions for supported openings were obtained. Further, it is shown that the relative benefit of introducing more rock bolts or thicker lining can be evaluated using the numerical tools with the aid of an interaction diagram. In the final part of this thesis, the case history of the 1963 Vaiont rock slide in Italy is studied. The 2-D analyses led to useful insights concerning the influence of the reservoir water level, the rock mass strength and deformability, and the slide surface shear stiffness. 3-D analyses were undertaken to investigate the influence of the eastern boundary of the slope, and interesting insights were obtained concerning the slope kinematics. Overall, the case study shows that the tools are capable of modelling problems with specific physical and geometrical detail in both 2-D and 3-D.

A infiltração das águas de chuva dentro dos lotes urbanos é uma possível forma de promover o controle descentralizado do escoamento superficial na origem, com vistas ao gerenciamento das águas pluviais urbanas e conseqüente atenuação das cheias. Neste trabalho, foram conduzidos ensaios de campo com trincheiras de infiltração, em dois solos distintos, um arenoso e outro argiloso, com o objetivo de avaliar quantitativamente o comportamento hidráulico das estruturas de infiltração em resposta a volumes de escoamento. As trincheiras foram alimentadas com volumes de água controlados, e o campo de umidade do experimento foi monitorado com sonda de nêutrons, durante o processo de redistribuição da água no solo. Foi realizada a modelagem matemática do fenômeno bidimensional de infiltração em torno de trincheiras de seção retangular, em resposta à entrada de águas pluviais provenientes de áreas impermeabilizadas contíguas. A comparação entre os resultados experimentais e simulados pela equação bidimensional de Richards indica uma pequena defasagem dos valores de volume infiltrado e umidade do solo nos processos de infiltração e drenagem interna simulados em relação aos observados. A capacidade de infiltração da trincheira mostrou-se maior nos dados observados, possivelmente devido à simplificação de distribuição unimodal dos diâmetros dos poros adotada na modelagem numérica, uma vez que, experimentalmente, observou-se multimodalidade nos dois solos estudados. A curva de van Genuchten é, juntamente com a equação de Richards, a base do modelo computacional, e divergências no seu ajuste em relação aos dados observados podem conduzir a pequenas divergências dos volumes infiltrados e perfis de umidade ao longo do processo de infiltração simulado, em relação ao observado. São apresentadas algumas considerações de dimensionamento sobre a implantação de trincheiras de infiltração em lotes residenciais, bem como discussões com respeito aos planos diretores urbanos. É apresentado um estudo simplificado, baseado no método racional, sobre a redução no hidrograma de cheia proporcionada pelo uso de trincheiras em uma micro bacia urbana, o qual revelou reduções da ordem de até 94% do deflúvio superficial direto gerado pelo lote. / Stormwater infiltration process at the scale of housing is a possible way to promote the decentralized runoff control in order to manage the urban water and to attenuate flood peaks. In this work, field essays with infiltration devices at two different soils, either sandy and clay-loam soils, are assessed in order to study the hydraulic behavior of infiltration trenches to attenuate incoming runoff volume inputs. The infiltration trench experiments set a controlled water supply for specific boundary conditions, and the experimental moisture field were monitored with neutron probe during the water redistribution process at soil core. Bi-dimensional (2D) mathematical modeling is depicted at specific boundary conditions with a rectangular-trench layout, thereby mimicking a potential situation of runoff incoming from adjacent impervious areas. The comparison between experimental and numerical results, simulated by two-dimensional Richards\' equation, shows a small lag-time difference of both infiltrated volumes and soil moisture contents during infiltration and drainage periods. The trench infiltration capacity of observed data appears to be greater than simulated results, possibly due to an overall simplification of a uni-modal, homogeneous pore diameter distribution adopted by the modeling scheme. Experimental retention curves outline indirect evidences of multi-modal, heterogeneous behavior of pore structure. Bon van Genutchen-type retention curve and Richards-momentum equations represent the baseline approach to the computational model of non-saturated soils. Some fitting discrepancies between observed and simulated results could lead to negligible different estimations of infiltrated volumes and moisture profiles. Finally, further discussions on project design and best management practices (BMPs) of infiltration trenches at housing scale as well discussions on urban master plan are outlined herewith. A simplified study, based on rational method, is presented on the reduction of incoming hydrograph with the use of infiltration trenches. Preliminary results perform volume reductions of approximately 94% from incoming runoff generated at housing lots.

A infiltração das águas de chuva dentro dos lotes urbanos é uma possível forma de promover o controle descentralizado do escoamento superficial na origem, com vistas ao gerenciamento das águas pluviais urbanas e conseqüente atenuação das cheias. Neste trabalho, foram conduzidos ensaios de campo com trincheiras de infiltração, em dois solos distintos, um arenoso e outro argiloso, com o objetivo de avaliar quantitativamente o comportamento hidráulico das estruturas de infiltração em resposta a volumes de escoamento. As trincheiras foram alimentadas com volumes de água controlados, e o campo de umidade do experimento foi monitorado com sonda de nêutrons, durante o processo de redistribuição da água no solo. Foi realizada a modelagem matemática do fenômeno bidimensional de infiltração em torno de trincheiras de seção retangular, em resposta à entrada de águas pluviais provenientes de áreas impermeabilizadas contíguas. A comparação entre os resultados experimentais e simulados pela equação bidimensional de Richards indica uma pequena defasagem dos valores de volume infiltrado e umidade do solo nos processos de infiltração e drenagem interna simulados em relação aos observados. A capacidade de infiltração da trincheira mostrou-se maior nos dados observados, possivelmente devido à simplificação de distribuição unimodal dos diâmetros dos poros adotada na modelagem numérica, uma vez que, experimentalmente, observou-se multimodalidade nos dois solos estudados. A curva de van Genuchten é, juntamente com a equação de Richards, a base do modelo computacional, e divergências no seu ajuste em relação aos dados observados podem conduzir a pequenas divergências dos volumes infiltrados e perfis de umidade ao longo do processo de infiltração simulado, em relação ao observado. São apresentadas algumas considerações de dimensionamento sobre a implantação de trincheiras de infiltração em lotes residenciais, bem como discussões com respeito aos planos diretores urbanos. É apresentado um estudo simplificado, baseado no método racional, sobre a redução no hidrograma de cheia proporcionada pelo uso de trincheiras em uma micro bacia urbana, o qual revelou reduções da ordem de até 94% do deflúvio superficial direto gerado pelo lote. / Stormwater infiltration process at the scale of housing is a possible way to promote the decentralized runoff control in order to manage the urban water and to attenuate flood peaks. In this work, field essays with infiltration devices at two different soils, either sandy and clay-loam soils, are assessed in order to study the hydraulic behavior of infiltration trenches to attenuate incoming runoff volume inputs. The infiltration trench experiments set a controlled water supply for specific boundary conditions, and the experimental moisture field were monitored with neutron probe during the water redistribution process at soil core. Bi-dimensional (2D) mathematical modeling is depicted at specific boundary conditions with a rectangular-trench layout, thereby mimicking a potential situation of runoff incoming from adjacent impervious areas. The comparison between experimental and numerical results, simulated by two-dimensional Richards\' equation, shows a small lag-time difference of both infiltrated volumes and soil moisture contents during infiltration and drainage periods. The trench infiltration capacity of observed data appears to be greater than simulated results, possibly due to an overall simplification of a uni-modal, homogeneous pore diameter distribution adopted by the modeling scheme. Experimental retention curves outline indirect evidences of multi-modal, heterogeneous behavior of pore structure. Bon van Genutchen-type retention curve and Richards-momentum equations represent the baseline approach to the computational model of non-saturated soils. Some fitting discrepancies between observed and simulated results could lead to negligible different estimations of infiltrated volumes and moisture profiles. Finally, further discussions on project design and best management practices (BMPs) of infiltration trenches at housing scale as well discussions on urban master plan are outlined herewith. A simplified study, based on rational method, is presented on the reduction of incoming hydrograph with the use of infiltration trenches. Preliminary results perform volume reductions of approximately 94% from incoming runoff generated at housing lots.

La sédimentation marine récente dans les fosses de subduction est caractérisée par l'interstratification de sédiments hémipélagiques et de turbidites localement intercalées avec les coulées de débris, qui peuvent résulter de la destabilisation des pentes continentales par de tremblements de terre. La marge d’Equateur est constituée par une forte érosion tectonique qui contribue à la formation d'une fosse profonde remplie d'une suite complexe de faciès sédimentaires. La sédimentation par écoulements gravitaires est omniprésente le long de la marge et les faciès vont de dépôts de transport de masse d'épaisseur métriques latéralement continus à des turbidites d'épaisseur centimétriques isolées intercalées avec des couches d'hémipélagites, de volcanoclastiques et de téphras. Nous présentons l'interprétation de la bathymétrie, des profils sismiques à haute résolution et des données pétrophysiques des carottes sédimentaires. L'objectif de cette étude est de décrire la complexité morphologique à la frontière équatorienne de la plaque de Nazca où un ensemble d'aspérités marines profondes ont subducté à différentes échelles, et ses conséquences sur la distribution latérale des sédiments dans les différents sous-bassins. La marge équatorienne comprend trois segments géomorphologiques: Le segment nord, situé au nord de la crête Carnegie, est caractérisé par une large (5-10 km) et profonde fosse (3800-4000 m), une pente continentale ravinée et une plate-forme (10-40 km de large) avec subsidence active. Le segment central en face de la crête de Carnégie montre une fosse étroite (0-5 km de large) et peu profonde (3100-3700 m), la pente escarpée et ravinée, sans canyons, et plateau continental étroit de 15 à 40 km de large caractérisé par des zones d'affaissement et de soulèvement actifs. Enfin, le segment sud, situé au sud de la crête Carnegie, présente une large (5-10 km) et profonde fosse (4000-4700 m), une pente continentale pauvre en sédiments avec des systèmes de canyons bien définis et une large plate-forme de subsidence (20-50 km). La dynamique sédimentaire le long de la marge est évaluée par l'analyse de 15 carottes sédimentaires dont la description visuelle, les photographies à haute résolution, l'imagerie par rayons X, les données XRF et les propriétés pétrophysiques conduisent à l'identification de 11 faciès sédimentaires caractérisant 7 processus sédimentaires: dépôts de turbidite, hémipélagites, téphras, dépôts de coulées de débris, homogénites, des slumps et des dépôts de carbonate de ooze. Les âges des dépôts sont définis par la datation au radiocarbone des sédiments hémipélagites. Les âges vont de 500 à 48000 ans BP. Les profils sismiques à haute résolution permettent de définir 3 echo-faciès: transparent, stratifiés et chaotiques. Le facies transparent est principalement associé aux dépôts d'homogénites, le facies stratifié est associé aux dépôts interstratifiés turbiditique-hémipélagique et le facies chaotique est associé à des dépôts gravitaires grossiers. Le remplissage de la fosse représente un enregistrement lacunaire mais important de l'histoire de la marge de subduction. De grandes coulées de débris se déplaçant vers l'est dans les deux séquences inférieures du remplissage de la fosse sont initiées le long de la paroi extérieure de la fosse, le long de grandes failles normales dues à la flexion de la plaque océanique subductante. Les sédiments de la séquence supérieure du remplissage qui nappent la fosse sont plus largement fournis par la paroi interne de la fosse mais avec un fort contrôle de la ride de Carnegie. En conséquence, la profondeur, la fréquence, l'épaisseur, la composition et la disposition latérale des dépôts sédimentaires varient grandement entre le nord et le sud. Les grands méga-lits simples, les slumps, les coulées de débris et les homogénites sont situés dans les segments nord et sud. Ils sont déclenchés par de grands escarpements de failles régionales, dans le Nord / Recent deep marine sedimentation in subduction trenches is characterized by the inter-stratification of hemipelagic and turbidite sediments locally interbedded with debris flow, which can result from continental slope shaking triggered by earthquakes. The active margin of Ecuador comprises tectonic erosion that contributes to the formation of a deep trench filled by a complex suite of sedimentary facies. Gravity flow sedimentation is ubiquitous along the margin and facies range from laterally continuous m-thick mass transport deposits to isolated cm-thick turbidites intercalated with hemipelagite, volcanoclastics and tephra. In this study we show interpretation of swath bathymetry, high-resolution seismic profiles and petrophysical data from cores. The objective is to describe the morphologic complexity on the Ecuadorian border of the Nazca plate where a set of deep marine asperities is subducting at different scales, and their consequences on the distribution of sediments in the different sub-basins. Ecuadorian margin comprises three geomorphological segments: The northern segment, northward of the Carnegie Ridge, is characterized by a wide (5-10 km) and deep trench (3800 – 4000 m), a gentler gullied continental slope and a shelf (10-40 km wide) with active subsidence. The central segment facing the Carnegie Ridge, is strongly influenced by the subduction of the Carnegie ridge which induces a narrow (0–5 km wide) and shallow trench (3100 – 3700 m depth), a steep and gullied slope with no canyons and a 15–40 km wide shelf characterized by areas with active subsidence and uplift. Finally, the southern segment, southward of the Carnegie Ridge, presents a wide (5–10 km) and deep (4000–4700 m) trench, a starved continental slope with well-defined canyon systems and a wide subsiding shelf (20–50 km). The sedimentary dynamics along the margin is evaluated by the analysis of 15 cores. Visual description, high-resolution photographs, X-Ray imagery, XRF data and petrophysical properties led to the identification of 11 sedimentary facies that characterize seven sedimentary processes: turbidites, hemipelagites, tephras, debris flows, homogenites, slumps, and ooze carbonate deposits. Age of the deposits is defined by radiocarbon age dating of hemipelagic sediments. Ages range from 500 to 48,000 years BP. High-resolution seismic profiles allow definition of three echo-facies: transparent, layered and chaotic. Transparent echo-facies is mainly associated to homogenite deposits, layered echo-facies is associated to the turbiditic-hemipelagic interbedded deposits and chaotic echo-facies is associated to reworked gravity flow deposits. The trench fill represents a lacunar but important record of the subduction margin history. Large eastward debris flows in the lower two sequences of the trench fill are provided by the trench outer wall as a results of slope failures along normal faults due to the downward bending of the oceanic plate. The sediment of the upper sequence of the trench fill draping the trench floor, are largely provided by the inner trench wall strongly controlled by the Carnegie Ridge. As a result, depth, frequency, thickness, composition and lateral disposition of the deposits vary greatly from those at north and south. The large, simple mega-beds like slump, debris flows and homogenites are located at the northern and southern segments. They were triggered by large regional faults in the North and enhanced by the activity of sets of splay faults in the South overhanging the seafloor at the slope toe. Small-size, fluid rich events were triggered by subduction of isolated seamounts at the edges of the Carnegie Ridge due to frequent but small destabilizations of an inner trench wall preconditioned by the impacts of successive seamounts. Sets of partly volcanoclastic turbidites in central segment might have been triggered by the complex interaction of slope and continental shelf deformation by seamount subduction

Thema dieser Dissertation ist die Frage, wie sich Licht und Sehen im Zuge der Elektrifizierung veränderten, und zwar aus Sicht literarischer Erzähltexte, die zwischen 1900 und 1933 publiziert wurden. Ausgangslage der Untersuchung ist erstens die These, dass durch den Einsatz des elektrischen Lichts eine Reihe neuer Wahrnehmungsdispositive entstanden, wo trotz der Lichtstärke elektrischer Leuchtmittel zwielichtige Licht- und prekäre Sichtverhältnisse herrschten. An drei besonders markanten Zwielichtszenarien der ästhetisch-technischen Moderne – Großstadt, Kino und Schützengraben – werden anhand einer breiten Quellenbasis aus Literatur, Technik, Wissenschaft, Philosophie und Ästhetik aufgezeigt, wie die Ausdifferenzierung der lichttechnischen Infrastruktur neue Blickregime und ästhetische Weltanschauungen produzierte, die ihrerseits veränderte Techniken des Sehens evozierten. Eine weitere zentrale These lautet, dass sich angesichts der prekären Licht- und Sichtverhältnisse auch die kulturelle Semantik des Lichts veränderte: die Art und Weise, wie Licht, und damit ebenso die Vorstellungen von Wahrnehmung, Wahrheit und Wirklichkeit, vor- und dargestellt wurden. Die neuen Lichtphänomene erforderten neben aisthetischen (die sinnliche Wahrnehmung betreffende) Anpassungsleistungen auch ästhetische Bewältigungsstrategien: neue Darstellungsweisen und symbolisch-metaphorische Zuschreibungen, die das zeitgenössische Wissen über Licht und Sehen gehörig in Bewegung brachte. Es entstanden virulente neue Korrelationen ‚moderner Wahrnehmung‘ zwischen technisch erzeugtem Zwielicht, epistemischer Irritation und narrativ erzeugter Visualität. Ich hoffe, mit meiner Arbeit neue Perspektiven auf die nach wie vor relevante Frage ‚moderner Wahrnehmung‘ zu werfen, die sich seit der ‚elektrischen Moderne‘ sukzessive als immer ausgeklügelteres Zusammenspiel von (Licht-)technik, aisthesis und Ästhetik neuformiert. / This dissertation focuses on how light(ing) and seeing/ perception changed in the course of electrification, from the perspective of German literature, published between 1900 and 1933. My first claim is, that the use of electric light created a series of new perceptual dispositifs, where dubious light and precarious visual conditions prevailed despite the luminous intensity of electric lighting. Three particularly striking twilight scenarios, that play a significant role in technology and aesthetics in the early 20th century, – namely the City, the Cinema, and the Trenches of WWI – are gripping settings to demonstrate, how disruptive lighting infrastructure produced new scopic regimes and innovative aesthetic perspectives (Weltanschauungen) that changed the techniques of visual perception. Drawing from a broad base of sources from literature, technology, science, philosophy, and aesthetics, I argue that the disruptive lighting technologies did not only change light phenomena, visual conditions and perception, but also transformed the cultural semantics of light substantially. Closely tied to concepts of truth, perception and reality, the rhetoric of light and lighting are dense metaphors and symbols, deeply interconnected with the history of knowledge. The new light phenomena required aisthetic (sensory perception-related) adaptations, as well as aesthetic coping strategies, like new modes of representation and symbolic-metaphorical attributions that troubled contemporary knowledge about light and visuality. My research zooms in on the visual dispositifs of ‘electric modernity’ and thus on the new correlations between technically generated twilight, epistemic irritation, and narrative visuality. By analysing the interplay of lighting and visual technology, aisthesis, and literary aesthetics in early 20th century, I hope to shed new light on the intriguing question of ‘modern perception’ that remains relevant from the beginning of the electric age until now.