Development of a void ratio-moisture ratio-net stress framework for the prediction of the volumetric behavior of unsaturated granular materials

Despite extensive research on the behavior of unsaturated fine-grained materials, there is still a lack of understanding of the volumetric behavior of unsaturated granular materials. In this research, a model has been developed to predict the fundamental volumetric behavior of unsaturated granular materials through loading and wetting state paths. In this regard, a loading-wetting surface was developed in a space of void ratio-moisture ratio-net stress. A distinctive feature of the proposed model is the relative simplicity in obtaining the model parameters using conventional geotechnical testing equipment. Two types of recycled granular materials, commonly applied in unbound pavements were used, namely, recycled crushed brick (CB) and excavation waste rock (WR). The uniqueness of the developed surface was evaluated by employing a number of loading and wetting state paths. The results indicate that the developed surface is unique in its loading state paths; however, it only shows uniqueness in its wetting state paths for stress levels greater than 2000 kPa. The proposed model seeks to introduce the application of the unsaturated soil mechanics theory, for predicting the behavior of granular materials in the field, by providing a practical and cost-effective methodology.     

Seismic analysis of geosynthetic-reinforced retaining wall in cohesive soils

Although a cohesionless backfill is recommended for geosynthetic reinforced earth retaining walls, cohesive soil have been widely used in many regions across the globe for economic reasons. This type of backfill exposes the soil to the crack formation that leads to reduce the stability of the system. In this paper, to investigate the internal seismic stability of reinforced earth retaining walls with cracks, the discretization method combined with the upper bound theorem of limit analysis are used. The potential failure mechanism is generated using the point-to-point method. Two types of cracks are considered, a pre-existing crack and a crack formation as a part of the failure mechanism. The use of the discretization method allows the consideration of the vertical spatial variability of the soil properties. A pseudo-dynamic approach is implemented which allows the account of the dynamic characteristics of the ground shaking. The presented method is validated using the conventional limit analysis results of an existing study conducted under static conditions. Once the proposed technique to consider the cracks is validated, a parametric study is conducted to highlight the key parameters effects on the lower bound of the required reinforcement strength.     

Particle loss: An initial investigation into size effects and stress-dilatancy

Drained triaxial tests have been performed to explore the effect of particle loss on shearing behaviour and critical states in granular mixtures. The mixtures comprise Leighton Buzzard sand (d₅₀ = 0.8 mm), to which was added 15% by mass of salt particles of different nominal sizes: 0.063 mm, 0.25 mm and 0.5 mm. Shearing behaviours before and after particle loss (by dissolution) were compared. A good fit is observed between the test data and a stress-dilatancy relationship for the post-dissolution tests, highlighting the ability of the stress-dilatancy analysis as a means to interpret the effects of particle loss on shearing. It was noted that critical state strength parameter M is determined by the post-dissolution grading regardless of size of removed particle. However, the duration of contractant volumetric strain increased with the larger removed particles (0.25 mm & 0.5 mm) even when initial specific volumes were virtually identical. It is suggested that a loose volumetric state is reached if the sand particle network is initially disrupted by the amount and/or size of salt particles, which following dissolution results in structural or fabric phenomena that are not reflected in scalar volumetric measures such as specific volume.     

Deformation analysis of geosynthetic-encased stone column using cavity expansion models with emphasis on boundary condition

This paper presents a modified theoretical model to predict the deformation of geosynthetic-encased stone column (GESC) and surrounding soil, using cylindrical cavity expansion model (CEM). The model was distinguished for single GESC and GESC in groups with emphasis on the different boundary conditions. The displacement boundary of CEM was used for GESC in groups, and the stress boundary of CEM was adopted for single GESC. The plasticity development of the soil obeying the Mohr-Coulomb yielding criterion was considered. The stress and settlement of the GESC were analyzed by radial stress and vertical stress equilibrium. This method has been verified via comparison with test data and numerical simulation results. The influences of applied loading, geosynthetic encasement stiffness, and soil stiffness on the mechanical performance of the GESC and the surrounding soil have also been investigated. The proposed theoretical approaches are suitable for predicting the deformation of the GESC, and the surrounding soil. The proposed method in unit cell analysis was more reasonable for GESC in groups.     

Estimation of elastic wave velocity through unsaturated soil slope as function of water content and shear deformation

The objective of this study was to estimate the elastic wave velocity of an unsaturated soil slope, and to verify its applicability. The elastic wave velocity in a silty sand was measured. The individual influence of the volumetric water content and the tilt angle on the normalized wave velocity through unsaturated soil were investigated through a series of varied slope model tests. The relationship function of the normalized wave velocity-volumetric water content-tilt angle was established. To verify the proposed estimation function, a series of fixed slope model tests was carried out. The relationship functions were used to estimate the behaviors of the wave velocity in rainfall-induced slope failure model tests. The applicability of the proposed relationship functions for the wave velocity behaviors was also presented. It was found that the estimation function is highly consistent with the measurements for the wave velocity behaviors through unsaturated soil slope in the presented test conditions. In addition, the effects of the rainfall duration/initial water content, density, slope angle and surface layer thickness on the decrease rate of the normalized wave velocity with the volumetric water content and the tilt angle within the test conditions in this study were seen to be small.     

Expansive soil modified by waste steel slag and its application in subbase layer of highways

Steel slag is a waste by-product of the steel industry. The recycling usage of steel slag is limited due to the mutative chemical compositions it contains and its low cementation. In this investigation, the composition adjustment and activation of steel slag were studied to produce an optimal slag-based composite with improved cementation efficiency. The controlling moduli of cement clinker were introduced to standardise the composite. Subsequently, the composite was used to modify Hefei expansive soil (a kind of engineering waste for swelling properties) in embankment construction. The basic physical properties including free swelling ratio, California bearing ratio, unconfined compressive strength, microstructure, and mineral evolution were evaluated to understand the engineering performance and mechanism of modified expansive soils. The results show that the cementation of the slag was significantly improved after the composition adjustment and activation. Furthermore, the treated soil can satisfy the requirement of the Chinese standard for first-class road/highway when the composite incorporation ratio is more than 5%. The microstructural and mineralogical analysis shows that the component adjustment and activation enrich the cementation of the slag, resulting in the suppression of the swelling potential and improved strength. The above findings improve the reuse efficiency of steel slag, especially in expansive soil modifications.     

Deterioration of swelling pressure of compacted Gaomiaozi bentonite induced by heat combined with hyperalkaline conditions

Compacted bentonite has been considered a suitable engineered barrier material for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repositories for several decades. However, hyperalkaline groundwater produced by cementitious materials, combined with the heat generated by nuclear decay during the long-term storage of waste canisters, may cause the deterioration of the swelling properties of compacted bentonite. In this study, a series of swelling pressure tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were performed on compacted Gaomiaozi (GMZ) bentonite (dry density 1.7 Mg/m³) to investigate the deterioration of the swelling pressure. Results indicated that the deterioration of the swelling pressure was facilitated by the temperature when the same concentration of NaOH solution was infiltrated, and a model of swelling pressure deterioration was developed to predict the long-term swelling pressure. Furthermore, the dissolution of montmorillonite and some silicate minerals, as well as the formation of non-expanding secondary minerals, led to transformations of the agglomeration patterns of the soil particles and structural damage to the bentonite, which controlled the long-term deterioration of the swelling pressure. Therefore, for the long-term operation of an HLW repository, the deterioration of the swelling pressure of compacted bentonite should be monitored, and safety assessments should account for the effects of heat and alkalinity.     

Investigation for the key technologies of ultra-high asphalt concrete core rockfill dams

The mechanical characteristics of ultra-high asphalt concrete core rockfill dams (UACCRDs) at different periods is investigated via Rankine’s earth pressure theory, and a shear safety control standard for UACCRDs is proposed. The reasonable material parameters of the asphalt concrete core (ACC) and transition material that independently and comprehensively satisfy the shear safety control standard are back-calculated. The engineering measures that reduce the stress level (shear stress) of the ACC are given. Moreover, the engineering measures (straight asphalt concrete core rockfill dams (SACCRDs) are designed as curved asphalt concrete core rockfill dams (CACCRDs)) that reduce the tensile stress of the ACC are proposed. Based on the theory of the straight beam and curved beam on Winkler elastic foundation, the simplified mechanical models of straight asphalt concrete core (SACC) and curved asphalt concrete core (CACC) are established. The improvement effect of CACC that reduces tensile stress is also investigated. The results show that the following value ranges of the internal friction angle, cohesion of ACC and the internal friction angle of transition material for the suitable construction of UACCRDs are recommended: φ_a ≥ 30.5°, C_a ≥ 0.25 MPa and φ_t ≤ 43.5° (h = 200 m), with the growth gradient adjusted by 0.5%, 1.5% and ?0.5%/25 m. The stress level of ACC can be obviously reduced by increasing the internal friction angle and cohesion of ACC, and reducing the internal friction angle of transition material. The simplified mechanical models of SACC and CACC can estimate the force and deformation characteristic of the ACC (SACC and CACC) well. The CACC can significantly reduce tensile stress to a level approximately 42.8% lower than that of SACC.