No description available.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Also available in print.

No description available.

A computer program based on the finite element procedure was modified to analyze the multipass effect of rubber-tired vehicles on soil compaction. The wheel-soil interaction was modeled as an axisymmetric problem by approximating the elliptical wheelsoil contact area with an equivalent circular area. A hyperbolic stress-strain relationship was used to model the nonlinear material characteristics of the soil. The boundary load conditions were based on contact area and contact pressure data for a standard tire. The finite element program developed was verified by conducting a linear elastic analysis of a circular flexible footing problem and comparing the results with closed form solution. The results of the finite element analysis agreed well with the closed form solution. The effects of soil type, wheel-soil contact area, and multiple wheel loading on soil compaction were analyzed. The results of the analyses provided information on soil displacement, stress distribution, and volumetric strain. Residual volumetric strain contours, developed after each loading and unloading cycle (simulating the passage of a wheel), showed zones of maximum compaction and the propagation of compaction zones as a function of the number of wheel loadings. A major portion (80% - 90%) of the total residual volumetric strain was found to occur during the first wheel pass. The rate of increase in volumetric strain dropped noticeably as the number of passes increased. As expected, results of the analysis show that for a given vehicle weight, the use of large tires minimizes the degree of compaction. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Applied Geosciences / Master / Master of Science

A modified plate load (MPL) test was developed to measure the in situ cohesion of a carbonate or caliche cemented soil. The MPL test was performed on the crest of a vertical cut in alluvial soil with a steel plate loaded until the soil failed. A three-dimensional slope stability analysis was then used to back calculate soil cohesion. In situ test results were used in conjunction with laboratory testing of deaggregated soils samples to completely define the Mohr-Coulomb strength parameters of the in situ soil. In order to check the result of the in situ test procedure, the field test conditions were modeled for use in a two-dimensional slope stability analysis using the computer program CSLIP1. A comparison of the results shows reasonable values of soil cohesion were obtained using the MPL test method.

Thesis. 1975. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil Engineering. / Bibliography: leaves 112-114. / M.S.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1981.