[Truncated abstract] Characterising the behaviour of calcareous sediments that possess some degree of bonding between their constituents has attracted worldwide research interest in recent years. Although many recent studies have made significant contributions in delineating the behaviour of these sediments, there is still paucity of information particularly on the cyclic behaviour of cemented calcareous soils. This thesis describes in detail the characteristic features of cemented calcareous soils and proposes methods for characterising their cyclic behaviour. Two different calcareous soils Goodwyn (GW) and Ledge Point (LP) soils representing extreme depositional environments were examined in this study. Artificially cemented sample were created using the CIPS (Calcite Insitu Precipitation Systems) technique, considering its superiority over other most commonly available cementation techniques in replicating the natural pattern of cementation, and the behaviour of natural calcarenite under monotonic loading conditions. The experimental program involved triaxial testing of both uncemented and calcite-cemented calcareous soils under different loading conditions, i.e. isotropic compression tests to high-pressure (16 MPa), monotonic shearing tests, undrained cyclic shearing tests and undrained monotonic post-cyclic shearing tests. Significant emphasis has been placed on the cyclic behaviour of these soils. Internal submersible LDVTs were used for the accurate and continuous measurement of strain down to about 10-5

Recent ground failure case histories after 1994 Northridge, 1999 Kocaeli and 1999 Chi-Chi earthquakes revealed that low-plasticity silt-clay mixtures generate significant cyclic pore pressures and can exhibit a strain-softening response, which may cause significant damage to overlying structural systems. These observations accelerated research studies on liquefaction susceptibility of fine-grained soils. Alternative approaches to Chinese Criteria were proposed by several researchers (Seed et al. 2003, Bray and Sancio 2006, Boulanger and Idriss 2006) most of which assess liquefaction triggering potential based on cyclic test results compared on the basis of index properties of soils (such as LL, PI, LI, wc/LL). Although these new methodologies are judged to be major improvements over Chinese Criteria, still there exist unclear issues regarding if and how reliably these methods can be used for the assessment of liquefaction triggering potential of fine grained soils. In this study, results of cyclic tests performed on undisturbed specimens (ML, CL, MH and CH) were used to study cyclic shear strain and excess pore water pressure generation response of fine-grained soils. Based on comparisons with the cyclic response of saturated clean sands, a shift in pore pressure ratio (ru) vs. shear strain response is observed, which is identified to be a function of PI, LL and (wc/LL). Within the confines of this study, i) probabilistically based boundary curves identifying liquefaction triggering potential in the ru vs. shear strain domain were proposed as a function of PI, LL and (wc/LL), ii) these boundaries were then mapped on to the normalized net tip resistance (qt,1,net) vs. friction ratio (FR) domain, consistent with the work of Cetin and Ozan (2009). The proposed framework enabled both Atterberg limits and CPT based assessment of liquefaction triggering potential of fine grained low plasticity soils, differentiating clearly both cyclic mobility and liquefaction responses.

[Truncated abstract] Characterising the behaviour of calcareous sediments that possess some degree of bonding between their constituents has attracted worldwide research interest in recent years. Although many recent studies have made significant contributions in delineating the behaviour of these sediments, there is still paucity of information particularly on the cyclic behaviour of cemented calcareous soils. This thesis describes in detail the characteristic features of cemented calcareous soils and proposes methods for characterising their cyclic behaviour. Two different calcareous soils Goodwyn (GW) and Ledge Point (LP) soils representing extreme depositional environments were examined in this study. Artificially cemented sample were created using the CIPS (Calcite Insitu Precipitation Systems) technique, considering its superiority over other most commonly available cementation techniques in replicating the natural pattern of cementation, and the behaviour of natural calcarenite under monotonic loading conditions. The experimental program involved triaxial testing of both uncemented and calcite-cemented calcareous soils under different loading conditions, i.e. isotropic compression tests to high-pressure (16 MPa), monotonic shearing tests, undrained cyclic shearing tests and undrained monotonic post-cyclic shearing tests. Significant emphasis has been placed on the cyclic behaviour of these soils. Internal submersible LDVTs were used for the accurate and continuous measurement of strain down to about 10-5

No description available.

Apresenta-se um trabalho numérico e experimental, com o objetivo de estudar o comportamento dos pavimentos de concreto estruturalmente armados, quando submetidos a forças verticais estáticas e repetidas. Avalia-se a contribuição da armadura de flexão, na resistência de placas de concreto apoiadas sobre meio elástico. Verifica-se experimentalmente o modo de ruína de placas submetidas a carregamento monotônico e a carregamento repetido, com e sem armadura, e acompanha-se o desenvolvimento das fissuras no concreto e das deformações no aço. Comparam-se os resultados obtidos, com as recomendações da NBR 6118:2003, para o dimensionamento de estruturas submetidas à fadiga. É desenvolvido modelo numérico capaz de representar a interface do solo com a placa do pavimento, a fissuração do concreto, a contribuição da armadura e o comportamento pós-fissuração. Com auxílio do modelo numérico, validado a partir dos resultados experimentais, estuda-se a influência de alguns parâmetros importantes para o dimensionamento dos pavimentos, tais como: capacidade de suporte da fundação, espessura das placas, área de aço, dimensões das placas em planta, posição de aplicação da força e presença de juntas de transferência de deslocamento. Os resultados experimentais mostram uma significativa contribuição da armadura positiva na resistência de placas isoladas sob forças verticais centradas. Verificou-se que as forças repetidas provocam fadiga do aço e que o número de ciclos depende da deformação provocada na armadura. A partir dos resultados são traçadas diretrizes para o dimensionamento, no qual devem ser considerados os momentos positivos e os negativos, e deve ser feita a verificação da fadiga do concreto e da armadura / A numerical and experimental study on the behavior of structurally reinforced concrete pavement under vertical static and repeated load is presented. The contribution of bending reinforcement to the strength of concrete slab is assessed. It is experimentally verified the fracture of reinforced and plain concrete slabs under monotonic loads and under cyclic loads. The concrete cracking and the strain on steel are monitored. The results are compared to the brazilian code recommendations to the design of structures under fatigue. A numerical model that represents the soil-slab interface, the concrete cracking, the reinforcement contribution and the tension stiffening behavior is developed. Some important parameters to the pavement design are analyzed using this finite element model, whose reliability was verified to experimental results. These parameters are: the soil capacity; the slab thickness; reinforcement ratio; slab dimensions; load positions; and joints conditions. The tests data show an important contribution of the positive reinforcement on the strength of an isolated slab with centered load. It has been verified the fatigue of the steel. The number of cycles depends on the reinforcement strain. The results are used to propose some directions to the design. The positive and negative bending moments have to be considered and the fatigue on the concrete and on the reinforcement has to be verified

La caractérisation du comportement des matériaux bitumineux est primordiale pour pouvoir dimensionner les structures de chaussées, mais aussi pour prédire de manière plus précise leur durée de vie. En effet, ces matériaux sont soumis à des phénomènes complexes, mécaniques, thermiques, physiques et chimiques qui apparaissent souvent de manière couplée. Devant la complexité des problèmes observés et avec l’apparition des nouveaux matériaux et nouvelles techniques de fabrication, des études avancées de laboratoire et des modélisations rhéologiques sont nécessaires. Les méthodes existantes permettent de caractériser les matériaux en laboratoire grâce à l’utilisation de presses hydrauliques très couteuses. De plus, la plupart de ces essais ne sont pas adaptés à une utilisation directe sur chaussées. Dans cette thèse, un essai dynamique qui repose sur le phénomène de propagation d’onde a été développé pour caractériser les enrobés bitumineux dans le domaine viscoélastique linéaire. Il s’agit d’un essai non destructif, bien moins couteux que les essais existants et qui pourrait à terme s’adapter à une utilisation in-situ. Des méthodes complexes d’analyse inverse de propagation d’ondes en milieu viscoélastique ont été mises au point afin d’obtenir les propriétés thermomécaniques des enrobés bitumineux à partir des signaux mesurés expérimentalement. Les propriétés viscoélastiques linéaires de différents enrobés bitumineux déterminées à partir de l’essai dynamique développé ont été comparées aux résultats obtenus avec des essais cycliques plus conventionnels de traction-compression. / Characterizing the behaviour of bituminous materials is essential for the design of pavement structures and to predict their service life more accurately. Indeed, these materials are subjected to complex phenomenon, mechanical, thermal, physical and chemical that are often coupled. Due to the complexity of the phenomenon observed and with the emergence of new materials and new production techniques, advances laboratories studies and rheological modelling are necessary. With the existing methods, it is possible to characterize the materials in laboratories using expensive hydraulic presses. Moreover, most of these tests cannot be used directly on pavement structures. In this thesis, a dynamic test based on wave propagation was developed to characterize bituminous mixtures in the linear viscoelastic domain. It is a nondestructive test, far less expensive than the existing tests and that could be adapted for in situ measurements. Complex methods of inverse analysis of wave propagation in a viscoelastic medium were developed to obtain the thermomechanical properties of bituminous mixtures from the signals measured experimentally. The linear viscoelastic properties of different mixtures obtained from the developed dynamic test were compared to the results of more conventional cyclic tension-compression tests.

In the design of rail track structures where the subgrade cannot achieve the desired capacity, enabling the required standard of track geometry to be maintained for the speed, axle load and tonnage to be hauled, a capping layer of granular material is placed between the natural ground or the embankment fill material and the ballast to protect the underlying weaker layers. In spite of the important role played by the capping layer, very little research has been carried out on its performance. The current practice of design of the capping layer, therefore, is based on working stress philosophy where reduced levels of stresses are assumed not to degrade the subgrade. Even on tracks containing a thick ballast layer that ensures allowable levels of working stress the subgrade has been found to have permanently deformed. Design of capping layers based on plastic deformation, therefore, appears appropriate. This thesis aims at determining the load levels that cause detrimental plastic deformation in the capping layer. The suite of material properties that characterise plastic deformations of capping layer is neither readily available nor easily determined. This thesis proposes a cheaper method of evaluating a range of capping layer material properties using penetration tests on specimens contained in California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test moulds coupled with a finite element modelling based back calculation technique. The suite of material properties thus determined are used for the simulation of the behaviour of capping layers under the boundary and loading conditions similar to those in practice. The predicted results are validated using laboratory experiments on large size capping layer specimens.

Apresenta-se um trabalho numérico e experimental, com o objetivo de estudar o comportamento dos pavimentos de concreto estruturalmente armados, quando submetidos a forças verticais estáticas e repetidas. Avalia-se a contribuição da armadura de flexão, na resistência de placas de concreto apoiadas sobre meio elástico. Verifica-se experimentalmente o modo de ruína de placas submetidas a carregamento monotônico e a carregamento repetido, com e sem armadura, e acompanha-se o desenvolvimento das fissuras no concreto e das deformações no aço. Comparam-se os resultados obtidos, com as recomendações da NBR 6118:2003, para o dimensionamento de estruturas submetidas à fadiga. É desenvolvido modelo numérico capaz de representar a interface do solo com a placa do pavimento, a fissuração do concreto, a contribuição da armadura e o comportamento pós-fissuração. Com auxílio do modelo numérico, validado a partir dos resultados experimentais, estuda-se a influência de alguns parâmetros importantes para o dimensionamento dos pavimentos, tais como: capacidade de suporte da fundação, espessura das placas, área de aço, dimensões das placas em planta, posição de aplicação da força e presença de juntas de transferência de deslocamento. Os resultados experimentais mostram uma significativa contribuição da armadura positiva na resistência de placas isoladas sob forças verticais centradas. Verificou-se que as forças repetidas provocam fadiga do aço e que o número de ciclos depende da deformação provocada na armadura. A partir dos resultados são traçadas diretrizes para o dimensionamento, no qual devem ser considerados os momentos positivos e os negativos, e deve ser feita a verificação da fadiga do concreto e da armadura / A numerical and experimental study on the behavior of structurally reinforced concrete pavement under vertical static and repeated load is presented. The contribution of bending reinforcement to the strength of concrete slab is assessed. It is experimentally verified the fracture of reinforced and plain concrete slabs under monotonic loads and under cyclic loads. The concrete cracking and the strain on steel are monitored. The results are compared to the brazilian code recommendations to the design of structures under fatigue. A numerical model that represents the soil-slab interface, the concrete cracking, the reinforcement contribution and the tension stiffening behavior is developed. Some important parameters to the pavement design are analyzed using this finite element model, whose reliability was verified to experimental results. These parameters are: the soil capacity; the slab thickness; reinforcement ratio; slab dimensions; load positions; and joints conditions. The tests data show an important contribution of the positive reinforcement on the strength of an isolated slab with centered load. It has been verified the fatigue of the steel. The number of cycles depends on the reinforcement strain. The results are used to propose some directions to the design. The positive and negative bending moments have to be considered and the fatigue on the concrete and on the reinforcement has to be verified

No description available.

Industrial steel storage racks are pre-engineered lightweight structures commonly used to store goods from supermarkets to big warehouses. These systems are framed structures, usually made of cold-formed steel profiles and characterised by non-standard details. Their performance is quite complex and the prediction of their global response is more difficult than for the traditional steel frames. This difficulty is due to the racks’ main features: the use of cold-formed thin-walled steel sections which are sensitive to different buckling modes, the presence of regular perforation patterns on the uprights, the highly non-linear behaviour of joints, the influence of the structural imperfections and the significant frame sensitivity to second order effects. The behaviour of racks becomes even more complex when seismic or accidental events induce significant horizontal forces acting on the structures. The complexity and variability that characterise racks make it difficult to identify general design solutions. Hence, racks design is traditionally carried out by using the “design by testing” approach, which requires the experimental characterisation of the main structural components, of the joints and the sub-assemblies. The complexity of the racks also affects their numerical modelling, which results in complex analyses that must take into account all the aforementioned features. The work presented in this thesis focuses on the study of a typical steel pallet rack, identified as case study. The research aims to contribute to building up a comprehensive knowledge of the response of both the main rack components and of the whole structure. The main rack components were first individually studied. The behaviour of the uprights, of the base-plate joints and of the beam-to-column joints was experimentally investigated. The experimental data were then taken as reference for the calibration of FE models that enabled exploring each component’s performance. These models were then incorporated into the whole rack model. The response of the uprights was first investigated through stub column tests. The non-negligible interaction between axial force and bending moment of the upright response was then experimentally and numerically analysed to define the M-N domains. In addition, the rules provided by different European standards for the design of isolated members subjected to combined axial load and bending moment were considered and critically compared, identifying the main critical issues of the different design approaches. Although the contribution of joints on the rack global response is of paramount importance, to date, the knowledge is quite limited. In particular, the experimental studies of the behaviour of base-plate joints are still rather modest, especially for the cyclic range. Therefore, an experimental campaign on the rack base-plate joints was carried out: three levels of axial load were considered and the response in both the down-aisle and the cross-aisle direction was investigated under monotonic and cyclic loadings. Similarly, the beam-to-column joint was tested both monotonically and cyclically, taking into account its non-symmetric behaviour. Numerical models for both joint types were developed and validated enabling the characterisation of joints in the monotonic and cyclic range. This in-depth knowledge of the response of individual components facilitated the evaluation of the global rack behaviour. As a final stage of the research, full-scale tests of four-level two-bay racks were performed taking advantage of an innovative full-scale testing set-up and, on the basis of the experimental outcomes, the racks’ global behaviour was numerically investigated. Critical standards issues and needs for future research were further identified.