Information processing models

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1965. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis is concerned with the mass compressibility of fractured chalk and its influence on the settlement of shallow foundations. A review of the literature reveals nineteen case records of load-settlement behaviour from relatively small diameter « 1m) plate loading tests but only six welldocumented case records of the behaviour of shallow foundations on chalk. The plate loading tests indicate that highly fractured near-surface chalk undergoes yield at relatively low stresses (200 - 400kPa) resulting in a significant reduction in stiffness. This behaviour contrasts with that observed in other rock types with similar discontinuity patterns. For chalk it has only been observed in one case record for a full-scale foundation. Little is understood about the mechanisms causing yield. At the time of starting this research, based largely upon the experience ..gained from in-situ loading tests carried out at Mundford, Norfolk (Ward et aI., 1968), it was known that factors such as fracture spacing and aperture played an important role in controlling the load-settlement behaviour of shallow foundations. Little attention was paid to the large variation in intact properties displayed by the chalk. In this research nine 1.8m diameter plate loading tests have been carried out by the author on chalks with different intact mechanical properties and similar discontinuity patterns. These data are used to evaluate other in-situ tests (such as SPT, surface-wave geophysics and visual assessment) as means of providing parameters for the prediction of foundation settlement. The results of this research indicate that fractured near-surface chalk undergoes yield within the range of stresses likely to be imposed by shallow foundations and that the pre-yield stiffness of the rock mass is controlled to a large extent by the looseness of the fracture-block system, which in tum appears to be associated with the intact mechanical properties of the rock. The post yield-stiffness of the rock mass is generally about one tenth of the pre-yield stiffness and is relatively insensitive to the rock material properties.

No description available.

No description available.

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

<p>Foundation is one of the most important part of construction. Is it a connection between the a structure and a ground that support it. Even in ancient times it was known that most carefully designed structure will fail if the foundationi do not give sufficient support. Thus the proper design of foundation and selection of adequate kind of foundation allow to avoid later constructional problems. Early foundation design was based mostly in intuition and common sense. Builders developed rules for sizing and constructing foundation through trial-and-error method.</p>

Abstract The original purpose of foundations in Taiwanese society was to remedy the insubstantiality of the government. However, the role of foundations in society has expanded considerably in recent years. The aims of different types of foundations vary a great deal, from focusing on trying to improve basic social welfare, to the support of research investment. In addition, many foundations that originally intervened actively to promote and pursue social welfare have now changed to a far more passive role. This thesis starts by defining the five characteristics of foundations: independence, philanthropy, strategy, transparency, and specialty. It uses these characteristics as a tool to analyze those foundations that were set up by businesses. It is clear from extensive local research that some, if not most, foundations have considerable scope for improvement if they are to become more effective institutions. Taking ¡§independence¡¨ as an example, the purpose of foundations set up by businesses is ostensibly to help people in need, or to help related academic research. However, many business foundations are inseparable from the original mother business. Consequently these foundations have a tendency to lose their original purpose, or become a tool for passing on ¡§favors¡¨. This thesis aims to explain the underlying characteristics of foundations and, by analyzing these characteristics, help to reveal a number of intrinsic problems that need to be addressed.

Dissertation--Ekonomisk-statsvetenskapliga Fakulteten--Åbo Akademi University, 2005. / Bibliogr. p. 191-214.

The field plate test has been used to derive elastic stiffness and undrained strength parameters of clay soils. Generally the interpretations are based on the measurements of the plate load and settlement, though occasionally additional measurements have been made in an attempt to improve the interpretation. The interpretations of soil parameters from the test rely on simplified assumptions of the soil behaviour. In particular the soil-is often assumed to be linear elastic perfectly-plastic. The complexity of the stress and strain paths induced within the soil by a field plate load test belies the simplicity of the interpretations. This Thesis examines the use of the field plate load test as a method of deriving in-situ parameters of clay soils, using the finite element method to conduct a parametric study of the test. The results of these studies have been used to assess the validity of the parameters determined from the test and also to examine how the interpretation may be improved. The Thesis concludes that the interpretation of the plate test can be improved to yield non-linear elastic parameters of soil at small strain. In addition the results from a plate test can, theoretically, be used to predict the elastic load settlement response of full scale foundations. The test can also be used to measure consolidation and undrained strength characteristics of a clay soil appropriate to the analysis/design of full scale foundations of similar geometry and load direction.