During shearing of stiff clays, plate-shaped clay particles are parallel-oriented in the direction of shear reaching the minimum resistance of &ldquo / residual shear strength&rdquo / . The residual shear strength envelopes of stiff clays are curved, but for practical purposes represented by linear envelopes. This study investigates the nonlinearity of the residual shear strength envelope using experimental evidence (i) from laboratory reversal direct shear tests on two stiff clays (Ankara clay and kaolinite) at 25 to 900 kPa effective normal stresses and (ii) from laboratory data collected from literature. To evaluate the importance of nonlinearity of the envelope for geotechnical engineering practice, by limit equilibrium method, (a) case histories of reactivated landslides are analyzed and (b) a parametric study is carried out. Conclusions of this study are: (1) The residual shear strength envelopes of both Ankara clay and kaolinite are nonlinear, and can be represented by a power function (cohesion is zero). (2) At least 3 reversals or cumulative 20 mm shear displacement of direct shear box is recommended to reach residual condition. (3) Empirical relations between plasticity index and residual friction angle can accurately estimate the residual strength of stiff clays. (4) Nonlinearity is especially important for landslides where average effective normal stress on the shear plane is less than 50 kPa, both for translational and rotational failures. For such slopes using a linear strength envelope overestimates the factor of safety (more significantly for the case of high pore pressures). (5) As the plasticity index increases, the power &ldquo / b&rdquo / of the nonlinear shear strength envelope decreases, indicating more significant nonlinearity. For less plastic materials, using linear and nonlinear shear strength envelopes does not affect the factor of safety.

Anisotropy in engineering properties of soils occurs due to the depositional process forming the soil fabric and/or different directional stresses in soil history. This study investigates the anisotropy in undrained shear strength and drained compressibility of preconsolidated, stiff and fissured Ankara Clay. The compressibility behavior is determined using standard oedometer testing while the shear strength anisotropy is investigated through large diameter unconsolidated-undrained triaxial testing on undisturbed samples taken in vertical and horizontal directions from several deep excavation sites along the Konya Road in &Ccedil / ukurambar-Balgat Area, Ankara. According to the results achieved, Ankara Clay is slightly anisotropic in compressibility, with an anisotropy ratio between 0.72 and 1.17 in terms of coefficient of volume compressibility for several pressure ranges between 50 kPa and 1600 kPa. On the other hand, while a slight anisotropy in undrained shear strength at a ratio ranging between 0.87 and 1.19 in terms of deviator stress can be observed in Ankara Clay, considering the great variation in the test results of samples in same direction which mostly overlaps with the range of results obtained in the other direction, it has been concluded that the Ankara Clay located in this area can be regarded as isotropic in terms of shear strength for practical purposes.

Bridge failures in the past decade due to structural deficiencies demonstrated the clear need for a review of the current bridge analysis approaches. This study focuses on pile-supported bridges under predominantly static loading. A critical review of the current analysis approaches was performed. It was concluded that in the absence of an onerous iteration process, the current approaches often produce inaccurate and, in many cases, unsafe results since the interactions between superstructure and foundation are not fully considered. To address the inherent limitations of the current approaches, a computer program [Soil Spring Module (SSM) 2.0] was developed as a part of the study. SSM 2.0 can be used in conjunction with a frame analysis program to capture nonlinear load transfer from foundation elements to soil in different directions simultaneously. STAAD.Pro was selected for demonstration in this study. Using SSM 2.0 and STAAD.Pro, this study proposes a new analysis approach using the Integrated Analysis Process (IAP). The same methodology can be applied in other frame analysis programs. Kansas Bridge 45 was selected as a case study. Using the IAP approach, a series of integrated analyses including all superstructure elements (e.g., deck, girders and piers) and all foundation elements (e.g., pile caps and piles) were performed on Kansas Bridge 45 for different soil types and properties. Different from the conventional approaches, the full interactions between superstructure and foundation were considered simultaneously in a single analysis using the IAP approach. The analysis results from the IAP approach and the conventional approaches were examined. The advantages of the IAP approach were identified. Comparing to the conventional approaches in current practice, the proposed IAP approach does not involve crude assumptions or intensive iterations. Using the IAP approach, design engineers can complete structural and foundation analysis of pile-supported bridges with good accuracy in a timely manner. The same methodology can potentially be applied to other structure types. / Graduate / 2022-12-15