A physically based model describing the mechanism of surface sealing of soil was evaluated in the context of aggregate stability. The intent of the model study was to better understand the effect of mixing fine-textured mineral subsoil with organic surface soil on structural stability and surface seal formation. The mixing results from tillage and harvesting operations, and management practices such as levelling. The index derived from the model showed that sealing of the shallow organic soil increased with an increase of mineral matter content. The mathematical formulation of the model was based on the principle of conservation of mass and Darcy's law for flow of water through a layered soil column. Assuming convective flow, it was shown theoretically that the rate of surface seal formation is proportional to the flux density of the filtrate, as assumed by Scheidegger (1974). In the model it was further assumed that the pore necks at the soil surface clog first before the seal develops. The assumption that convective flow alone was responsible for the movement of the suspension is likely incorrect for suspensions derived from medium or coarse textured soils, since sedimentation does influence the movement of larger particles. However, introducing a constant sedimentation parameter into the convective flow model did not improve the model. Therefore, it is likely a non-constant sedimentation parameter could improve the model considerably. The model showed that for sufficiently large times the flux density of a filtrate flowing through a soil column at a constant hydraulic head is proportional to inverse square root of time. Testing the model experimentally showed a good agreement between theory and experiment. A highly significant correlation between the soil stability factor derived from the model and aggregate stability suggests that the index is a soil structural attribute. The soil stability factor was exponentially related with aggregate stability and mineral matter content. However, whereas the relationship between the soil stability factor and aggregate stability gave a positive exponent, a negative exponent was obtained with mineral matter content. Further studies showed that structural stability and saturated hydraulic conductivity of the aggregate beds were positively and significantly correlated exponentially. However, saturated hydraulic conductivity and mineral matter content were negatively and significantly correlated exponentially. Collateral to the results of the model, the strong negative correlation between wet-sieved aggregate stability and mineral matter content confirmed the deleterious effect of mixing fine-textured mineral soil on the structure of the shallow organic soil. It was theorized that aggregates stabilized through clay-organic complexing are likely to be much stronger than aggregates stabilized through other mechanisms. This implies that whenever the mineral matter content is much higher than the organic matter content, the surplus mineral matter that does not interact with organic matter will be most dispersible. The high silt content of the mineral matter fraction is likely to be an important factor contributing to the decrease in structural stability with increasing mineral matter content. Once the clay and the organic colloids have interacted, the silt that remains is not capable of forming stable aggregates without colloids (Baver et al. 1972). From measurements of the air to water permeability ratio, the decrease in saturated hydraulic conductivity of the aggregate beds with increasing mineral matter content was attributed to slaking of the mineral matter fraction. However, it is possible for the soil with high mineral matter content to be stable if the mineral matter is allowed to be in contact with the organic matter for a long period of time. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Orientadores: Zigomar Menezes de Souza, Reginaldo Barboza da Silva / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T15:41:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 VischiFilho_OswaldoJulio_D.pdf: 4103778 bytes, checksum: 244a2d329c481275d9b332f84992e061 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: O Brasil é o maior produtor mundial de açúcar e o segundo de álcool e para tanto possui mais de 10 milhões de hectares explorados com cana-de-açúcar. Houve a necessidade de modernizar o setor preparando as áreas de produção para a colheita mecanizada de cana crua. Este sistema visando a maior mecanização das etapas de produção, com ênfase para a colheita, promove o tráfego intenso das máquinas sobre o solo, resultando na sua compactação. Indicadores do processo de compactação derivados da curva de compressão e do intervalo hídrico ótimo do solo podem ser influenciados diferenciadamente pelo sistema de manejo. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os ciclos de uso do solo cultivado com cana-de-açúcar utilizando indicadores de qualidade estrutural do solo em função da pressão de pré-consolidação e do intervalo hídrico ótimo do solo que possibilitem diagnosticar o comportamento estrutural dos mesmos com diferentes épocas de implantação e classes texturais. O experimento foi desenvolvido na usina São Martinho, município de Pradópolis, SP, em lavoura comercial de cana-de-açúcar, em quatro áreas distintas sobre Latossolo Vermelho, com duas classes texturais (argilosa e média), em sistemas com seis e dezoito anos de colheita mecanizada. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial, com os fatores: dois ciclos de colheita mecanizada (um e três ciclos), duas classes texturais (argilosa e média), dois locais de coleta (canteiro e linha de plantio) e quatro camadas amostradas. Os tratamentos foram: área com um ciclo de colheita mecanizada (seis anos de cultivo) em Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico, textura argilosa (T1); área com três ciclos de colheita mecanizada (dezoito anos de cultivo) em Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico, textura argilosa (T2); área com um ciclo de colheita mecanizada em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, textura média (T3) e área com três ciclos de colheita mecanizada em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, textura média (T4). O solo foi amostrado nas linhas de plantio e no canteiro, nas camadas de 0,00-0,10, 0,10-0,20,0,20-0,30 e 0,30-0,40 m. Os atributos do solo avaliados foram: densidade, porosidade, resistência à penetração, conteúdo de água, estabilidade de agregados, teor de carbono e curva de retenção de água. A qualidade física do solo foi avaliada por meio do intervalo hídrico ótimo e pela modelagem da capacidade de suporte de carga, relacionando a pressão de pré-consolidação em função do teor de água. O maquinário de plantio e colheita da usina (trator, transbordo e colhedora de cana) foi avaliado quanto à área de contato, real e da elipse e pressão de contato dos rodados sobre o solo. Os resultados evidenciam a diminuição da porosidade total e a macroporosidade. A microporosidade e a produtividade da cultura não foram afetadas. Maior macroporosidade, Intervalo Hídrico Ótimo, diâmetro médio ponderado e diâmetro médio geométrico e menor densidade e resistência do solo à penetração ocorreram na linha de plantio. Os maiores teores de água no solo ocorreram no solo argiloso no sistema com três ciclos de colheita mecanizada (T2). O Intervalo Hídrico Ótimo no solo argiloso foi maior para o sistema de colheita mecanizada com um ciclo (T1) e no solo de textura média no sistema com três ciclos (T4). A colhedora de cana com massa de 18,3 Mg foi a máquina que apresentou a maior área de contato e a menor pressão de contato. O transbordo com massa de 28,74 Mg - foi o equipamento que apresenta a menor área de contato e a maior pressão de contato. As maiores capacidades de suporte de carga ocorreram no sistema de colheita mecanizada com dezoito anos, tanto no Latossolo Vermelho argiloso (T2) quanto no Latossolo Vermelho de textura média (T4), em relação ao sistema com seis anos (T1 e T3) / Abstract: Brazil is the world's largest sugar producer and the second for alcohol, for that it has over 10 million hectares exploited with sugarcane. There was a need to modernize the sector preparing the production areas to receive the mechanized harvesting of sugarcane. This system aiming at the highest possible mechanization of production stages, with emphasis on harvest, promotes intense machine traffic on the ground, resulting in its compaction. Indicators of compaction process derived from compression curve; in addition from the soil Least Limiting Water Range can be influenced differently by the handling system applied to sugarcane. The study aimed to evaluate the use of soil cycles cultivated with sugar cane using sustainability structural models of soil in terms of pre-consolidation pressure, as well as soil Least Limiting Water Range that allow diagnosing the soil structural behavior under cultivation of sugar cane at different times of deployment and textural classes. The experiment was conducted at Usina São Martinho, in Pradópolis, SP, sugarcane commercial farming, in four distinct areas on Oxisol, with two textural classes (clayey and medium), at systems with six and eighteen years of mechanized harvesting. The experimental design was entirely randomized in mechanized harvest, along with factors: two cycles of mechanized harvest (one and three cycles), two texture classes (clayey and medium), two harvest location (bed and rows), as well as four sampled layers. The treatments were: one cycle (six years of cultivation) area with mechanized harvesting in Oxisol, clayey (T1); area with three cycles of mechanical harvesting (eighteen years of cultivation) in Oxisol Typic Acrudox, clayey (T2); area with one mechanized harvest cycle in Oxisol Typic Acrudox, medium texture (T3) and areas with three cycles of mechanized harvesting in Oxisol Typic Acrudox, medium texture (T4). Soil was sampled on rows and bed, at layers of 0.00-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.30 and 0.30-0.40 m. Soil attributes evaluated were: bulk density, soil porosity, soil penetration resistance, water content, aggregate stability, carbon content and soil water retention curve. Soil physical quality was assessed by Least Limiting Water Range, as well by support modeling capacity of soil load, relating pre-consolidation pressure to water content function. The farm machinery for planting and harvesting (tractor, transshipment t and sugarcane harvester) was evaluated for contact area, real and eclipse, also wheel contact pressure on soil. The results show the decrease in total porosity and macroporosity. The microporosity and the crop yield were not affected. Greater macroporosity, Limiting Water Range, medium weight diameter and medium geometric diameter, as well as lower density and penetration soil resistance occurred in the rows. The higher water content on the soil occurred in clayey soil at three cycle system of mechanical harvesting (T2). The Limiting Water Range in clayey soil was higher for mechanical harvesting system with one cycle (T1) and on the medium textured soil in the system with three cycles (T4). The sugarcane harvester with mass 18.3 Mg was the machine with the highest contact area, as well as the lowest contact pressure. Transshipment with mass 28.74 Mg. was the equipment that showed the smallest contact area and the greatest contact pressure. The highest load bearing capacity occurred in mechanized harvesting system with eighteen years, both for an Oxisol (T2) as for Oxisol of medium texture (T4), compared to six years old system (T1 and T3) / Doutorado / Agua e Solo / Doutor em Engenharia Agrícola

Apresenta-se uma metodologia para análise de interação solo-estrutura aplicada ao estudo da estabilidade global de estruturas de concreto armado sobre fundações profundas. A metodologia de análise de interação solo-estrutura consiste num processo iterativo no qual, inicialmente, determinam-se as reações da superestrutura, considerando os apoios indeslocáveis. Com estas reações, por meio do programa EDRR, calculam-se os deslocamentos dos blocos de fundação. Com as reações e estes deslocamentos calcula-se os coeficientes das molas que substituirão os apoios fixos da superestrutura, cujas reações são recalculadas. Repete-se o processo até que as reações de duas iterações consecutivas sejam aproximadamente iguais. O programa EDRR (estaqueamento, deslocamento horizontal, recalque, rotação), elaborado em linguagem FORTRAN, determina os esforços no estaqueamento através de análise matricial considerando a reação horizontal do solo. Os deslocamentos horizontais e rotações são calculados através da teoria de viga sobre apoio elástico, enquanto os recalques no maciço de solos são calculados considerando o efeito de grupo através da continuidade do meio. Através de exemplos de casos reais, com medida de recalques, demonstra-se a eficiência da metodologia na previsão dos recalques. Além disso, procura-se mostrar que os recalques influenciam na estabilidade global da superestrutura. / This work presents a methodology for the analysis of soil-structure interaction applied to the study of the global stability of reinforced concrete structures on deep foundations. The soil-structure interaction methodology consists of an iterative process in which, at the beginning, the superstructure support reactions are computed, assuming fixed supports. Using the computed reactions, with aid of the EDRR program, foundation cap displacements are computed. Then, with the computed support reactions and displacements, spring coefficients, which will replace the fixed supports, are calculated. The process is repeated until reactions determined in two consecutive iterations are close to each other. The EDRR program, written in FORTRAN language, computes the forces at the top of piles by means of matrix analysis, taking into account the horizontal soil reaction. Horizontal linear displacements and rotations are computed using the elastic foundation beam theory, and soil mass settlements are computed taking into account the group effect considering the mass continuity. Thro ugh real case examples, with settlement monitoring, the proposed methodology efficiency is demonstrated. Furthermore, the influence of settlements on the structure global stability is shown.

With the development of high-speed railroads the dynamic behaviour of railroad bridges is increasingly important to explore. Deeper knowledge about the influence of different factors and what should be included in a model is essential if the designer shall be able to make reliable estimates of responses in existing and new structures. One factor is the soil-structure interaction (SSI), describing how the foundation of the bridge and the soil properties affect the behavior of the bridge under dynamic loading. In this thesis, the influence of including SSI in a model of a portal frame railway bridge is studied, and an analysis procedure in the frequency domain for models with frequency-dependent boundary conditions is described. A 3D finite element model of an e isting bridge has been built up, based on the theory of linear elasticity. The model has been given three different types of boundary conditions: clamped, static stiffness and frequency-dependent stiffness from SSI. Results from simulated train passages, with a train set consisting of two wagons, were compared for the different boundary conditions. The models have also been compared with measurement data from the bridge, which has given indications about which model describes reality in the best way. The results show that the model in which SSI is included by frequency dependent boundary conditions is in slightly better agreement with measurement data than the clamped model and the model with static stiffness. The model gives a slightly better damping of the free vibrations and the natural frequencies correspond better with experimental data. The difference in maximum acceleration from a train passage is very small between the different models, even if it is found that the clamped model generally has lower accelerations and hence is non-conservative. It appears that the train speed affects the maximum acceleration, the size of the free vibrations and the natural frequencies that are present in the free vibrations in the models. Further studies are suggested where it is emphasized that an analysis with longer trains, which give resonance phenomena, should be made to see how the different eigenfrequencies in the models affect the accelerations at different speeds. It is also noted that more measurements would be needed in order to draw more general conclusions about the degree of correspondence between the measurements and the models, and to calibrate the parameters of the model against measurement data.

In recent years, the desperate need for reliable clean and relatively small power demand has emerged for edge-of-grid or off-grid regions to keep pace with development demands. A salient technology that has gained much attention for this purpose is the Small Modular Reactors, i.e., SMRs. SMRs differ from conventional Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) in many aspects, specifically the enclosing structure of the reactor. The burial depth of the SMR structure is expected to reach great depths. For example, the substructure depth reaches 30 m in the SMR design proposed by NuScale (NuScale Power, 2020). Consequently, seismic analysis of deeply embedded structures with a relatively small footprint has been identified as one of the challenges to the safe implementation of SMR technology (DIS-16-04, 2016). Such structures are expected to be more sensitive to surface wave propagation and the seismic interaction with nearby substructures and nonstructural elements such as pipelines. This dissertation develops analytical and numerical methods to analyze the seismic earth pressure exerted on the SMR substructure by considering the effects of seismic surface waves, structure-soil-structure interaction (SSSI), and the interaction with nearby pipelines. The three-dimensional wave propagation theory is employed in the analysis. Solutions for the earth pressure induced by Rayleigh waves are obtained for substructures deeply embedded into homogeneous or multilayered soil profiles. In addition, the effect of thin soil layer (stiff or soft) soils in a soil profile is investigated in the presence of Rayleigh waves. Furthermore, additional earth pressure due to SSSI is examined, and a simplified procedure is proposed based on the three-dimensional wave propagation theory and a guided flow chart to track seismic wave interference. The SSSI analysis yields solutions for the optimal distance between substructures corresponding to the minimum SSSI in new designs. The interaction between substructures and nearby pipelines is explored numerically using the Spectral Element Method. SPECFEM2D software is adopted to perform the analysis, where the three-dimensional wave propagation is successfully implemented. Based on the analysis for pipelines with different configurations, general conclusions are drawn regarding the additional earth pressure on substructures and pipelines based on a comprehensive parametric study of various parameters. In addition, this research also provides an approach to determine the backfill configuration and the selection of backfill materials, which could minimize the seismic amplitudes transmitted to substructures. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are the cornerstone of recent developments in the nuclear industry. However, the SMRs technology faces several safety-related challenges, which includes the earthquake hazards related to the large embedment depth of the enclosing structure. In particular, the major concerns are about the risks related to seismic surface waves as well as the seismic interaction between nearby structural and non-structural elements (e.g., pipelines). The thesis addressed these major concerns by developing analytical and numerical methods to complement the analysis for the integrity of SMRs with sufficient seismic resistance. The solutions are verified and benchmarked using data in the literature. Future researches are suggested to further improve seismic analysis of SMRs.

Deformation of bridges that are induced by thermal loads can be accommodated by expansion joints and bearings. Integral Abutment Bridges have gained acceptance as a way to mitigate potential damage from thermal movements, eliminating the poor performance and maintenance costs associated with expansion joints and bearings. However, integral abutments significantly change the structural response of the bridges. Several researches including real time field monitoring and finite element analyses have been conducted on straight and skewed integral abutment bridges in order to improve an understanding on field performance of them. Some state transportation agencies have also developed guidelines for the design of straight and skewed integral abutment bridges in recent years. In contrast, very little information is available on the performance of curved integral abutment bridges. A detailed finite element model of Stockbridge Bridge, VT is used to evaluate the behavior of curved integral abutment bridges under self-weight and thermal loading. In addition, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the effects of bridge curvature and abutment backfill soil type. Finally, six additional finite element models are created to compare the responses of jointed (conventional) bridges and integral abutment bridges. Results reported include abutment displacements, rotations, moments in abutment piles, earth pressures and bridge superstructure moments. Suggestions for improvement of analytical modeling and recommendations for design of curved integral abutment bridges are made.

No description available.

Geosynthetic tubes have the potential to replace the traditional flood protection device of sandbagging. These tubes are manufactured with many individual designs and configurations. A small number of studies have been conducted on the geosynthetic tubes as water barriers. Within these studies, none have discussed the dynamics of unanchored geosynthetic tubes. A two-dimensional equilibrium and vibration analysis of a freestanding geosynthetic tube is executed. Air and water are the two internal materials investigated. Three foundation variations are considered: rigid, Winkler, and Pasternak. Mathematica 4.2 was employed to solve the nonlinear equilibrium and dynamic equations, incorporating boundary conditions by use of a shooting method. General assumptions are made that involve the geotextile material and supporting surface. The geosynthetic material is assumed to act like an inextensible membrane and bending resistance is neglected. Friction between the tube and rigid supporting surface is neglected. Added features of viscous damping and added mass of the water were applied to the rigid foundation study of the vibrations about the freestanding equilibrium configuration. Results from the equilibrium and dynamic analysis include circumferential tension, contact length, equilibrium and vibration shapes, tube settlement, and natural frequencies. Natural frequencies for the first four mode shapes were computed. Future models may incorporate the frequencies or combinations of the frequencies found here and develop dynamic loading simulations. / Master of Science

The effects of managing soil with organic amendments were examined with respect to soil microbial community dynamics, macroaggregate formation, and plant physio-genetic responses. The objective was to examine the possibility of managing soil microbial communities via soil management, such that the microbial community would provide agronomic benefits. In part one of this research, effects of three amendments (hairy vetch residue, manure, compost) on soil chemical and microbial properties were examined relative to formation of large macroaggregates in three different soils. Vetch and manure promoted fungal proliferation (measured via two biomarkers: fatty acid methyl ester 18:2ω6c and ergosterol) and also stimulated the greatest macroaggregate formation. In part two of this research, effects of soil management (same amendments as above, inorganic N fertilization, organic production) on soil chemical and microbial properties were examined relative to the expression of nitrogen assimilation and defense response genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Soil management affected expression of a nitrogen assimilation gene (GS1, glutamine synthetase) and several defense-related genes. The GS1 gene was downregulated with inorganic N fertilization, expression of the pathogenesis-related PR1b gene (which codes for the pathogenesis-related PR1b protein) was increased in plants grown in soil amended with compost, vetch, and N fertilizer, and expression of three other defense-related genes coding for chitinase (ChiB), osmotin (Osm), and β-1,3-glucanase (GluA) were decreased in plants from soil amended with manure and in plants from the organically managed soil. Differential expression of defense-related genes was inversely related to the relative abundance of Gram-negative bacteria. The relative abundance of the 18:1ω7c Gram‑negative bacterial biomarker was greatest in manure treated soil and in organically managed soil (which recieves seasonal manure applications). These treatments also had the lowest expression of ChiB, Osm, and GluA, leading to speculation that manure, through increases in Gram-negative bacteria, may have suppressed populations of soil organisms that induce a defense response in plants, possibly allowing for less-stressed plants. Outcomes of this research may be useful for those interested in developing management strategies for maintaining or improving soil structure as well as those interested in understanding management effects plant physio-genetic responses.

Les Technosols forment une nouvelle classe de sols, caractérisée par une forte influence anthropique dont le fonctionnement est peu étudié. L'agrégat étant l'intégrateur de l'histoire du sol et révélateur de son fonctionnement actuel, l'étude du processus d'agrégation est de ce fait une entrée pertinente pour comprendre le fonctionnement des Technosols et les stades vers lesquels ils peuvent évoluer. A partir d'échantillons de sol prélevés sur une parcelle d'un hectare, un protocole non destructif de quantification directe de la porosité et de l'agrégation par analyse d'images a été mis en place. Les résultats montrent qu'au bout de deux ans, le Technosol construit se compacte avec une réduction de la surface de des pores de diamètre > 25 µm et une augmentation des pores < 25 µm. Malgré cette compaction, l'agrégation augmente avec le temps. Pour suivre la dynamique de la porosité et d'agrégation de ce Technosol en fonction de facteurs choisis de pédogenèse, un dispositif de visualisation in situ a été conçu. Les résultats d'analyse d'images ont montré que dans les stades précoces d'évolution des sols, la porosité et l'agrégation augmentent significativement. Ensuite, elles baissent significativement dans la modalité « humectation-dessiccation» tout en continuant d'augmenter dans les modalités « plante » et « faune + plante ». Cette augmentation est proportionnelle à l'âge des racines et à l'intensité de l'action des vers de terre. Le « Technosol construit » est alors un modèle expérimental dont la constitution organominérale et le fonctionnement sont très largement contrôlés, en comparaison de sols « naturels » évolués dont le point initial de développement est quasi systématiquement inconnu / Technosols form a new class of soils, which is characterized by a strong anthropogenic influence of which functioning is less studied. Aggregates can be considered as an integrator of soil history and an indicator of soil bio functioning, therefore studying the process of aggregation is a relevant way to understand how technosols operate and states towards which they will evolve. Through samples collected on a hone hectare plot, a protocol of none destructive direct quantification of aggregates and porosity by thin sections images analysis has been performed. Results showed that this Technosol is compacting with a decrease of pores with an equivalent diameter >2000 µm and an increase of those <25µm. Despite this compaction, the aggregation increases with time. To study the dynamics of porosity and aggregation of this constructed Technosol as function of pedogenetic factors, a dispositive of in situ soil visualization has been developed. Results of images analysis showed that, during the early stage of soil evolution, porosity and aggregation increase significantly in all modalities. Then, they significantly decrease in ?wetting drying cycle? modality but continued increasing in ?plant? and ?plant-earthworm? modalities. This increase is proportional to the age of plants roots and intensity of earthworm?s activity. The ?constructed Technosol? is therefore an experimental soil model whose organomineral contents and function are well controlled compared to so-called ?natural soils?. In these evolved natural soils, the starting point is quite systematically unknown