This work explains the effect of failure on permeability anisotropy and dilation in sands. Shear failure is widely observed in field operations. There is incomplete understanding of the influence of shear failure in sand formations. Shear plane orientations are dependent on the stress anisotropy and that view is confirmed in this research. The effect of shear failure on the permeability is confirmed and calculated. Description of permeability anisotropy due to shear failure has also been discussed. In this work, three-dimensional discrete element modeling is used to model the behavior of uncemented and weakly cemented sand samples. Mechanical deformation data from experiments conducted on sand samples is used to calibrate the properties of the spherical particles in the simulations. Orientation of the failure planes (due to mechanical deformation) is analyzed both in an axi-symmetric stress regime (cylindrical specimen) and a non-axi-symmetric stress regime (right cuboidal specimen). Pore network fluid flow simulations are conducted before and after mechanical deformation to observe the effect of failure and stress anisotropy on the permeability and dilation of the granular specimen. A rolling resistance strategy is applied in the simulations, incorporating the stiffness of the specimens due to particle angularity, aiding in the calibration of the simulated samples against experimental data to derive optimum granular scale elastic and friction properties. A flexible membrane algorithm is applied on the lateral boundary of the simulation samples to implement the effect of a rubber/latex jacket. The effect of particle size distribution, stress anisotropy, and confining pressure on failure, permeability and dilation is studied. Using the calibrated micro-properties, simulations are extended to non-cylindrical specimen geometries to simulate field-like anisotropic stress regimes. The shear failure plane alignment is observed to be parallel to the maximum horizontal stress plane. Pore network fluid flow simulations confirm the increase in permeability due to shear failure and show a significantly greater permeability increase in the maximum horizontal stress direction. Using the flow simulations, anisotropy in the permeability field is observed by plotting the permeability ellipsoid. Samples with a small value of inter-granular cohesion depict greater shear failure, larger permeability increase and a greater permeability anisotropy than samples with a larger value of inter-granular cohesion. This is estimated by the number of micro-cracks observed. / text

The goal of this research is to investigate the fundamentals of fracturing processes in heterogeneous materials such as concrete using geophysical methods and dynamic micromechanical models. This work describes how different aspects of fracture formation in concrete can be investigated using a combination of Acoustic Emission (AE) techniques, ultrasonic wave velocity imaging, and high resolution Computed Tomography (CT). Fracture formation and evolution were studied during shear failure of large reinforced concrete beams and compressive failure of concrete samples. AE analysis includes studying complex spatial and temporal fracture development that precedes shear failure. Predominant microcrack mechanisms were analyzed at different stages of fracture formation. CT images were used to investigate the influence of concrete microstructure on fracture topography. Combined AE and CT damage evaluation techniques revealed different aspects of fracture development, thus expanding our understanding of AE events and their mechanisms. These images show how aggregate particles influence fracture nucleation and development. An emphasis has been placed on the role of coarse aggregates during the interlocking of fracture surfaces at transferring shear stresses. Ultrasonic wave velocity and AE techniques have been applied to uniaxial compression tests of concrete with various aggregate sizes and strengths similar to that of the concrete beams. AE parameters, p-wave velocities, and stress-strain data have been analyzed concurrently to image damage evolution under compression. Influence of material composition on microcracking and material state changes during loading has been investigated in detail. The results of compressive tests were used as building blocks for developing realistic micromechanical numerical models of concrete. The models were designed using a distinct element code, where material is modelled through the combination of bonded particles. A number of procedures were developed to transfer the exact microstructure of material incorporating its visual representation into the model. The models’ behaviour has been verified against experimental data. It was shown that these models exhibit realistic micromechanical behaviour. The results of the experimental investigation of concrete fracturing were expanded by modelling more cases with aggregate size and strength variations. It was shown that geophysical imaging techniques, along with advanced micromechanical numerical modelling, can help us understand damage formation and evolution.

The goal of this research is to investigate the fundamentals of fracturing processes in heterogeneous materials such as concrete using geophysical methods and dynamic micromechanical models. This work describes how different aspects of fracture formation in concrete can be investigated using a combination of Acoustic Emission (AE) techniques, ultrasonic wave velocity imaging, and high resolution Computed Tomography (CT). Fracture formation and evolution were studied during shear failure of large reinforced concrete beams and compressive failure of concrete samples. AE analysis includes studying complex spatial and temporal fracture development that precedes shear failure. Predominant microcrack mechanisms were analyzed at different stages of fracture formation. CT images were used to investigate the influence of concrete microstructure on fracture topography. Combined AE and CT damage evaluation techniques revealed different aspects of fracture development, thus expanding our understanding of AE events and their mechanisms. These images show how aggregate particles influence fracture nucleation and development. An emphasis has been placed on the role of coarse aggregates during the interlocking of fracture surfaces at transferring shear stresses. Ultrasonic wave velocity and AE techniques have been applied to uniaxial compression tests of concrete with various aggregate sizes and strengths similar to that of the concrete beams. AE parameters, p-wave velocities, and stress-strain data have been analyzed concurrently to image damage evolution under compression. Influence of material composition on microcracking and material state changes during loading has been investigated in detail. The results of compressive tests were used as building blocks for developing realistic micromechanical numerical models of concrete. The models were designed using a distinct element code, where material is modelled through the combination of bonded particles. A number of procedures were developed to transfer the exact microstructure of material incorporating its visual representation into the model. The models’ behaviour has been verified against experimental data. It was shown that these models exhibit realistic micromechanical behaviour. The results of the experimental investigation of concrete fracturing were expanded by modelling more cases with aggregate size and strength variations. It was shown that geophysical imaging techniques, along with advanced micromechanical numerical modelling, can help us understand damage formation and evolution.

The calculation process in Eurocode 2 that is showing how calculation of punching is to be done is long and some parts are not well explained. At the end of the calculation of punching, it is said that a check of the shear capacity without any reinforcement should be done outside the affected zone but the intent of the check is not justified. The purpose of the study was to find out why the check must be done and then examine whether it is possible to limit the use of the control. The results have been produced by doing literature studies on the field and calculations to understand how the control is affected. The program Excel have been used to compile and compare all the results in the calculation part. To gain a wider understanding of the area two other international standards have been compared with Eurocode 2. The standards used are American Concrete Institute 318 and Brittish Standard 8110. The maximum allowed distance of shear reinforcement without having to extend the area is 2d because the length of the base control section from the column surface in each direction has that distance. By testing how all the conditions affect the distance, is it possible to see which values are required to make the distance exceed 2d. After calculations have been made on several different prerequisites, it can be noted that on many occasions the distance is below 2d. Since so many conditions influenced the outcome, it was difficult to judge reasonable values on all of them which was making it more difficult to evaluate how often the control was needed. An uncomplicated way to limit the use of the control was by finding a prerequisite that is dominant, but it did not work in these cases so instead it was chosen to compare the shear capacitance without shear reinforcement with the transverse force loaded over the control perimeter. / När en pelarunderstödd platta belastats av en koncentrerad last från pelarna och utbredd last ovanifrån finns det risk för genomstansningsbrott eftersom pelarna som stabiliserar pressas mot plattans yta så att betongen runt pelarna stansas ut. Pelarunderstödda plattor är ett vanligt stomsätt som möjliggör att det går att ha balkfria konstruktioner som enbart stabiliseras utav innerväggar och pelare. Stomsättet kan användas i flera sorters konstruktioner t ex i kontorsfastigheter, parkeringshus och broar. Beräkningsgången i Eurokod 2 som visar hur beräkning av genomstansning i pelardäck ska göras är lång och avsikten med kontrollen är inte motiverat. I slutet av beräkningsgången av genomstansning anges att en kontroll av skjuvkapaciteten utan armering ska göras utanför den påverkade zonen men utan förklaring till varför. Eftersom det inte nämns varför kontrollen måste göras vet inte alla konstruktörer vad det är de kontrollerar och om den ens kommer till användning. Vid beräkning av pelardäck måste det göras beräkningar vid alla pelare som skiljer sig vilket kan resultera i att samma beräkning behöver göras många gånger och därför skulle det spara mycket tid om det gick att undvika sista kontrollen. Syftet med studien är att ta reda på varför kontrollen måste göras och sedan undersöka om det går att begränsa användandet av kontrollen. Resultaten har tagits fram genom att göra en litteraturstudie inom området och beräkningar för att förstå hur kontrollen påverkas. Vid beräkningsdelen har programmet Excel används för att sammanställa och jämföra alla resultat. Andra internationella normer har studerats för att kunna jämföras med Eurokod 2 samt för att få en större förståelse inom området. Normerna som används är American Concrete Institute 318 och Brittish Standard 8110. BS8110, ACI318 och Eurokod 2 skiljer sig i tillvägagångsätt en hel del och en av de största skillnaderna är att ACI318 använder en längre procentenhet av betongskapacitet när skjuvkapaciteten med armering dimensioneras. Det högst tillåtna avståndet på skjuvarmering utan att behöva förlänga området är 2d eftersom grundkontrollsnittets längd från pelarens yta i varje riktning har det avståndet. Genom att prova hur alla förutsättningar påverkar avståndet går det att se vilka värden som krävs för att avståndet ska överskrida 2d. Förutsättningen som gör störst påverkan är effektivhöjden vilket syns tydligt när de 3 faktorer som påverkar mest jämförs. Efter att beräkningar har gjorts på flera olika förutsättningsfall kan det konstateras att vid många tillfällen blir avståndet under 2d. På grund av att så många förutsättningar påverkar resultatet är det svårt att bedöma rimliga värden på alla vilket gör det svårare att värdera hur ofta kontrollen är viktig. Ett enkelt sätt att begränsa användandet av kontrollen är genom att hitta en förutsättning som är dominerande men det gick inte detta fall så därför valdes det istället att jämföra skjuvkapaciteten utan armering med tvärkraften belastad över grundkontrollområdet. Det här sättet att begränsa är bundet av vad som antas vara rimliga värden på förutsättningarna och därför kan användandet variera mycket.

Résumé : Les dalles de tabliers de ponts et des stationnements sont exposées à des environnements agressifs en particulier au Québec et en Amérique du Nord en raison de l'utilisation de sels de déglaçage et des cycles de gel-dégel. La substitution des armatures d’acier par des armatures en matériaux composites de polymères renforcés de fibres (PRF) constitue une alternative intéressante qui connait beaucoup de succès ces dernières années. Le béton armé de PRF est durable, car l’armature n’est pas sujette à la corrosion électrochimique. Aussi l’armature de PRF possède une résistance en traction élevée et est légère. En Amérique du Nord, l’utilisation des composites de PRF a suscité une attention toute particulière de la part des ingénieurs et des gestionnaires d’ouvrages. Plusieurs organismes dont des ministères de transport spécifient l’armature de PRF comme matériau structural dans leurs devis techniques pour lutter contre la corrosion et allonger la durée de service de leurs infrastructures. Les dalles en béton armé sont souvent soumises à des efforts de cisaillement critiques. Actuellement les méthodes de calcul au cisaillement (à l’effort tranchant) de dalles unidirectionnelles en béton armé de PRF différèrent d’une norme à une autre. En effet, la majorité des équations proposées dans les normes et guides de conception ont dérivées à partir de relations empiriques. Bien que des efforts de recherche considérables aient été consacrés dans ce domaine au cours de la dernière décennie, une meilleure compréhension du comportement au cisaillement et des mécanismes de rupture de dalles unidirectionnelles en béton armé de PRF est encore nécessaire. Dans cette recherche, un programme expérimental visant à étudier le comportement de dalles renforcées avec différents types de barres en PRF a été mis en place. Vingt-deux dalles unidirectionnelles en béton renforcées avec des barres de PRF ont été construites et testées en flexion a quatre points jusqu’à la rupture. Les paramètres d’étude comprennent : le type et le taux d’armature, le diamètre de la barre, l’espacement et la configuration de l’armature ainsi que la résistance en compression du béton afin d’examiner leur effet sur la résistance au cisaillement des dalles. Le comportement des dalles testées a été examiné en considérant le réseau de fissures, la charge ultime ainsi que les modes de rupture. Aussi, une base de données comprenant 203 poutres et dalles unidirectionnelles en béton armé de PRF rompues en cisaillement a été répertoriée et introduite dans les analyses. Les charges de rupture en cisaillement des dalles testées dans le cadre de cette thèse ainsi que celles de la base de données ont été comparées à celles prédites par les équations de calcul proposées par la normes canadiennes CSA S6-06/S1 et CSA S806-12, ainsi que celles des deux guides de calcul ACI 440.1R-06 et JSCE-97. Les analyses effectuées ont montré que les valeurs prédites par les équations de calcul proposées par l’ACI 440.1R-06 sont très conservatrices, alors que celles prédites par celles de JSCE-97 sont en meilleur accord avec les valeurs expérimentales. Aussi, les résultats obtenus ont montré que les équations de la nouvelle norme CSA S806-12 prédisent bien la résistance au cisaillement expérimentale. Toutefois, une amélioration de l'équation de la norme CSAS806-12, conduisant à de meilleurs résultats, est proposée. Par ailleurs, les résultats obtenus dans le cadre de cette thèse ont mené à une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes de rupture et des facteurs principaux qui contribuent à la résistance au cisaillement de dalles unidirectionnelles en béton armée de PRF. Enfin, des recommandations pour des travaux futurs y sont également formulées. // Abstract : Bridge deck and parking garage slabs are exposed to aggressive environments particularly in the North American regions resulting from the excessive use of de-icing salts. Fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) reinforcements have emerged as a practical and sustainable anti-corrosive reinforcing material with superior tensile strength to overcome the corrosion problem. High comfort level and increase use of the material is currently seen. Protection and regulations policies of some Public North American agencies currently include GFRP reinforcing bars as premium reinforcement. Shear behaviour in RC slabs is examined since most of the bridge deck and parking garage slabs are shear critical. However, there is still no agreement in FRP design codes and guidelines for shear strength equations. Several design code equations are still based on empirical relationships while recent developments are based on shear theories. The complex nature of shear phenomena which is influenced by many parameters, in addition to the existence of various schools of thoughts in shear, makes it difficult to find a general agreement on a unified equation. Huge research efforts are being established, however better understanding for the shear behaviour and failure mechanisms for unidirectional FRP RC slabs is still needed. In this research study, an experimental program was designed to investigate the shear behaviour of one-way concrete slabs reinforced with different types of FRP bars. A total of twenty one concrete slabs reinforced with FRP bars in addition to a steel reinforced slab were constructed and tested to failure under two-point loading. The variation in the concrete contribution to the shear strength V[subscript c] is investigated with respect to FRP reinforcement properties. Newly developed GFRP bars with high modulus, which were not previously investigated in the literature, are used. Different FRP reinforcement properties were included in the study such as reinforcement ratio, modulus of elasticity and axial stiffness, type of bars, and reinforcement configuration. Also, normal concrete and high strength concrete were considered in the research program. Analysis of the experimental results included the general behavior of the tested slabs, crack patterns, ultimate capacities, and modes of failure, load deflection relationships as well as the concrete and reinforcement strains. Test results of the present investigation indicate an influence of the reinforcement type, bar diameter, and the shear stiffness of the bars on the mode of failure and the shear strength. The experimental investigation and analysis of test results provided better understanding of concerning mechanisms of failure and factors contributing to the shear capacity of FRP RC slabs. A refined shear model to the CSA S806-12 is introduced and found to provide better results compared to the existing design codes and guidelines. The model is based on regression analysis of an experimental database. The database is assembled from twenty five different studies in addition to the present investigation. The used database includes 203 unidirectional members reinforced with FRP bars (without shear reinforcement) failing in shear. The model was evaluated through the experimental concrete shear capacities (V[subscript c exp]) of the database and found to provide good predictions. The experimental shear capacities of the database ( V[subscript c exp]) was compared to their corresponding predicted shear capacities (Vcpred ) using CSA S806-12, CAN/CSA-S6.1S1, ACI 440.1R-06, and JSCE-97. It was found that the ACI guide is very conservative. It can be noted that using this guide in its present form may reduce the economic competitiveness of fibre-reinforced polymers. JSCE recommendations are in better agreement with the test results. The Canadian CSA S806-12 equation was found to be in good fit with the experimental shear capacities.

Master of Engineering (Research) / Soil surrounding a submarine buried pipeline consolidates as ocean waves propagate over the seabed surface. Conventional models for the analysis of soil behaviour near the pipeline assume a two-dimensional interaction problem between waves, the seabed soil, and the structure. In other words, it is often considered that water waves travel normal to the orientation of pipeline. However, the real ocean environment is three-dimensional and waves approach the structure from various directions. It is therefore the key objective of the present research to study the seabed behaviour in the vicinity of marine pipelines from a three-dimensional point of view. A three-dimensional numerical model is developed based on the Finite Element Method to analyse the so-called momentary behaviour of soil under the wave loading. In this model, the pipeline is assumed to be rigid and anchored within a rigid impervious trench. A non-slip condition is considered to exist between the pipe and the surrounding soil. Quasi-static soil consolidation equations are then solved with the aid of the proposed FE model. In this analysis, the seabed behaviour is assumed to be linear elastic with the soil strains remaining small. The influence of wave obliquity on seabed responses, i.e. the pore pressure and soil stresses, are then studied. It is revealed that three-dimensional characteristics systematically affect the distribution of soil response around the circumference of the underwater pipeline. Numerical results suggest that the effect of wave obliquity on soil responses can be explained through the following two mechanisms: (i) geometry-based three-dimensional influences, and (ii) the formation of inversion nodes. Further, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the influence of soil, wave and pipeline properties on wave-associated pore pressure as well as principal effective and shear stresses within the porous bed, with the aid of proposed three-dimensional model. There is strong evidence in the literature that the failure of marine pipelines often stems from the instability of seabed soil close to this structure, rather than from construction deficiencies. The wave-induced seabed instability is either associated with the soil shear failure or the seabed liquefaction. Therefore, the developed three-dimensional FE model is used in this thesis to further investigate the instability of seabed soil in the presence of a pipeline. The widely-accepted criterion, which links the soil liquefaction to the wave-induced excess pressure is used herein to justify the seabed liquefaction. It should be pointed out that although the present analysis is only concerned with the momentary liquefaction of seabed soil, this study forms the basis for the three-dimensional analysis of liquefaction due to the residual mechanisms. The latter can be an important subject for future investigations. At the same time, a new concept is developed in this thesis to apply the dynamic component of soil stress angle to address the phenomenon of wave-associated soil shear failure. At this point, the influence of three-dimensionality on the potentials for seabed liquefaction and shear failure around the pipeline is investigated. Numerical simulations reveal that the wave obliquity may not notably affect the risk of liquefaction near the underwater pipeline. But, it significantly influences the potential for soil shear failure. Finally, the thesis proceeds to a parametric study on effects of wave, soil and pipeline characteristics on excess pore pressure and stress angle in the vicinity of the structure.

This research investigated the behavior of nonseismically detailed reinforced concrete exterior beam-column joints subjected to bidirectional lateral cyclic loading using nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA). Beam-column joints constitute a critical component in the load path of reinforced concrete buildings due to their fundamental role in integrating the overall structural system. Earthquake reconnaissance reports reveal that failure of joints has contributed to partial or complete collapse of reinforced concrete buildings designed without consideration for large lateral loads, resulting in significant economic impact and loss of life. Such infrastructure exists throughout seismically active regions worldwide, and the large-scale risk associated with such deficiencies is not fully known. Computational strategies provide a useful complement to the existing experimental literature on joint behavior and are needed to more fully characterize the failure processes in seismically deficient beam-column joints subjected to realistic failure conditions. Prior to this study, vulnerable reinforced concrete corner beam-column joints including the slab had not been analyzed using nonlinear finite element analysis and compared with experimental results. The first part of this research focused on identification and validation of a constitutive modeling strategy capable of simulating the behaviors known to dominate failure of beam-column joints under cyclic lateral load using NLFEA. This prototype model was formulated by combining a rotating smeared crack concrete constitutive model with a reinforcing bar plasticity model and nonlinear bond-slip formulation. This model was systematically validated against experimental data, and parametric studies were conducted to determine the sensitivity of the response to various material properties. The prototype model was then used to simulate the cyclic response of four seismically deficient beam-column joints which had been previously evaluated experimentally. The simulated joints included: a one-way exterior joint, a two-way beam-column exterior corner joint, and a series of two-way beam-column-slab exterior corner joints with varying degrees of seismic vulnerability. The two-way corner joint specimens were evaluated under simultaneous cyclic bidirectional lateral and cyclic column axial loading. For each specimen, the ability of the prototype model to capture the strength, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation, joint shear strength, and progressive failure mechanisms (e.g. cracking) was demonstrated.

Master of Engineering (Research) / Soil surrounding a submarine buried pipeline consolidates as ocean waves propagate over the seabed surface. Conventional models for the analysis of soil behaviour near the pipeline assume a two-dimensional interaction problem between waves, the seabed soil, and the structure. In other words, it is often considered that water waves travel normal to the orientation of pipeline. However, the real ocean environment is three-dimensional and waves approach the structure from various directions. It is therefore the key objective of the present research to study the seabed behaviour in the vicinity of marine pipelines from a three-dimensional point of view. A three-dimensional numerical model is developed based on the Finite Element Method to analyse the so-called momentary behaviour of soil under the wave loading. In this model, the pipeline is assumed to be rigid and anchored within a rigid impervious trench. A non-slip condition is considered to exist between the pipe and the surrounding soil. Quasi-static soil consolidation equations are then solved with the aid of the proposed FE model. In this analysis, the seabed behaviour is assumed to be linear elastic with the soil strains remaining small. The influence of wave obliquity on seabed responses, i.e. the pore pressure and soil stresses, are then studied. It is revealed that three-dimensional characteristics systematically affect the distribution of soil response around the circumference of the underwater pipeline. Numerical results suggest that the effect of wave obliquity on soil responses can be explained through the following two mechanisms: (i) geometry-based three-dimensional influences, and (ii) the formation of inversion nodes. Further, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the influence of soil, wave and pipeline properties on wave-associated pore pressure as well as principal effective and shear stresses within the porous bed, with the aid of proposed three-dimensional model. There is strong evidence in the literature that the failure of marine pipelines often stems from the instability of seabed soil close to this structure, rather than from construction deficiencies. The wave-induced seabed instability is either associated with the soil shear failure or the seabed liquefaction. Therefore, the developed three-dimensional FE model is used in this thesis to further investigate the instability of seabed soil in the presence of a pipeline. The widely-accepted criterion, which links the soil liquefaction to the wave-induced excess pressure is used herein to justify the seabed liquefaction. It should be pointed out that although the present analysis is only concerned with the momentary liquefaction of seabed soil, this study forms the basis for the three-dimensional analysis of liquefaction due to the residual mechanisms. The latter can be an important subject for future investigations. At the same time, a new concept is developed in this thesis to apply the dynamic component of soil stress angle to address the phenomenon of wave-associated soil shear failure. At this point, the influence of three-dimensionality on the potentials for seabed liquefaction and shear failure around the pipeline is investigated. Numerical simulations reveal that the wave obliquity may not notably affect the risk of liquefaction near the underwater pipeline. But, it significantly influences the potential for soil shear failure. Finally, the thesis proceeds to a parametric study on effects of wave, soil and pipeline characteristics on excess pore pressure and stress angle in the vicinity of the structure.