The design of embankments usually involves a stability analysis by one or more of the various slip surface methods. A common feature of these methods is the assumption that a state of limiting plastic equilibrium exists over the surface of failure. The shape of the potential failure surface is, however, determined empirically. In recent years various refinements have been introduced in the most generally used method (the Swedish slip-circle); but these refinements have been superficial and the underlying assumptions of the method continue to be accepted, to a greater or lesser degree. (For complete introduction open document)

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Drexel University, 2006. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 230-242).

This study investigates the propagation of a surge wave in a power canal following load rejection or reduction. Dimensionless relationships are derived to predict (a) the initial wave height, (b) the variation of the wave height along the canal and (c) the maximum stage of water depth at the downstream end for straight prismatic canals of rectangular, triangular and trapezoidal cross-sections. The effects of various parameters, such as velocity and depth of initial flow, frictional coefficients, bed slope, cross-section of the canal, distance of wave propagation and initial wave height of the surge are studied. A computer program is developed for the calculations required. It is found that, as a positive surge propagates along the canal, the wave height decreases linearly with distance for a short canal, according to an exponential function for a long canal. An approximate logarithmic relationship is also found between the variation of wave height of a positive surge and canal cross-sectional parameters. The variation of water depth at the downstream end of the canal is not linear with respect to time. An almost linear relationship between the maximum water depth at the downstream end of the canal and the length of the canal is noted. The dimensionless relationships derived in this study may be used to establish design criteria for crest elevations of the banks and walls of power canals to avoid overtopping. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

The stress-strain and volume (or pore pressure) change characteristics of a Southern Arizona copper mine tailings material were investigated in the laboratory by conducting static loading triaxial compression tests. The tailings material is silty sand with highly angular grain shapes, rough grain surface texture and approximately 37% by weight passing No. 200 sieve. Isotropically consolidated drained (CID) and isotropically consolidated undrained (CIU) tests were performed on laboratory compacted samples. The test samples were loaded to relatively large axial strains (20-35%) to study the residual shear strength and the shear stress induced pore pressure change or volume change at steady state. Test sample densities and effective confining stresses were systematically varied in these tests. The definition of critical void ratio and "lower" critical void ratio were reviewed and their values for different effective confining stresses were obtained from the CID tests. Stress-strain and volume (or pore pressure) change curves and strength parameters obtained by using conventional and lubricated loading end platens were compared and discussed. Steady state lines and undrained brittleness indices were obtained from the CIU tests with strain-controlled and load-controlled loading methods. The liquefaction potential of the tailings material was then evaluated. These results were compared with others reported in the literature. The significance of the results was discussed with respect to tailings material behavior.

No description available.

Thesis (M.C.E.)--University of Delaware, 2009. / Principal faculty advisors: Dov Leshchinsky and Christopher L. Meehan, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering. Includes bibliographical references.

A study was conducted to determine if polyacrylamide (PAM) could be utilized as a best management practice to reduce soil erosion on forest road embankments. Experiments involving two different PAM application rates (10 and 20 kg/ha) were conducted using natural rainfall in 2001 and 2002 and indoor rainfall simulation. In 2001, PAM was combined with a broadcast application of grass seed. / The study results suggest that PAM provided no statistically significant erosion control after natural rainfall on a loam soil. In the rainfall simulation experiments PAM applied at both 10 and 20 kg/ha significantly reduced soil erosion (by 75 and 77%) and the turbidity of runoff water (by 99%). PAM application at 10 kg/ha significantly increased grass densities (by 109%) compared with the control plots. However, PAM applied at 20 kg/ha provided no significant increase in grass density compared with the control.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Drexel University, 2009. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 278-290).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 526-540). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.