Performance of Conservatories under Wind and Snow Loads

Wind and snow loads are the governing load cases for the design of conservatories. The performance of conservatories under these loads determines to a great extent the reliability and serviceability of these structures. This paper presents a study that evaluates the performance of several conservatory designs under wind and snow loads calculated according to the ASCE 7–05 standard. A full-scale model of one common conservatory design was constructed and tested under extreme wind and snow conditions. The model was able to withstand the applied loads without any signs of damage or partial failures. Measured deformations were used to calibrate the three-dimensional computer model developed to simulate the actual structure. Several other computer models were developed to structurally analyze different conservatory designs and estimate their vertical and lateral deflections. The design of critical sections in each model was checked using the load and resistance factor design of wood structures. The study concluded that the design of these conservatories is adequate and their performance is satisfactory under wind and snow loading conditions.     

Novel Approach to Integration of Numerical Modeling and Field Observations for Deep Excavations

Precedent and observation of performance are an essential part of the design and construction process in geotechnical engineering. For deep urban excavations designers rely on empirical data to estimate potential deformations and impact on surrounding structures. Numerical simulations are also employed to estimate induced ground deformations. Significant resources are dedicated to monitor construction activities and control induced ground deformations. While engineers are able to learn from observations, numerical simulations have been unable to fully benefit from information gained at a given site or prior excavation case histories in the same area. A novel analysis method, self-learning in engineering simulations (SelfSim), is introduced to integrate precedent into numerical simulations. SelfSim is an inverse analysis technique that combines finite element method, biologically inspired material models, and field measurements. SelfSim extracts relevant constitutive soil information from field measurements of excavation response such as lateral wall deformations and surface settlement. The resulting soil model, used in a numerical analysis, provides correct ground deformations and can be used in estimating deformations of similar excavations. The soil model can continuously evolve using additional field information. SelfSim is demonstrated using two excavation case histories in Boston and Chicago.     

Behavior of an Atypical Embankment on Soft Soil: Field Observations and Numerical Simulation

This paper compares the behavior of an embankment with nonsymmetric geometry built on soft soil with that predicted numerically using four elastoplastic soil models. Two of these models are based on isotropic conditions (Modified Cam-Clay on its own or in association with Von Mises) and two other are derived from anisotropic conditions (Melanie on its own or conjugated with Mohr Coulomb). The performance of the models, whose parameters are derived from experimental data, is checked against triaxial tests results. For the embankment, the measured and computed displacements and excess pore pressure are compared, with the isotropic models performing best. The maximum horizontal displacements versus settlements, the change in excess pore pressure versus vertical stress, the extent of the yield domain and the contours of the effective vertical and horizontal stress increments are also examined. The numerical results are explained based on the characteristics of the numerical models, namely the size and shape of the yield surface. The embankment, despite its nonsymmetric geometry, exhibits some similarities with typical behavior.     

Fertigation in Furrows and Level Furrow Systems. II: Field Experiments, Model Calibration, and Practical Applications

Furrow fertigation can be an interesting practice when compared to traditional overland fertilizer application. In the first paper of this series, a model for furrow fertigation was presented. The simulation model combined overland water flow (Saint-Venant equations), solute transport (advection-dispersion), and infiltration. Particular attention was paid to the treatment of junctions present in level furrow systems. In this paper, the proposed model is validated using five furrow fertigation evaluations differing in irrigation discharge, fertilizer application timing, and furrow geometry. Model parameters for infiltration and roughness were estimated using error minimization techniques. The error norm was based on observed and simulated values of advance time, flow depth, and fertilizer concentration. Model parameters could be adequately predicted from just one discharge experiment, although the use of more experiments resulted in decreased error. The validated model was applied to the simulation of a level furrow system from the literature. The model adequately reproduced irrigation advance and flow depth. Fertigation events differing in application timing were simulated to identify conditions leading to adequate fertilizer uniformity.     

In-Situ Desaturation Test by Air Injection and Its Evaluation through Field Monitoring and Multiphase Flow Simulation

Desaturation of ground by air injection attracts considerable attention in recent years as an innovative technique for a liquefaction countermeasure. Several research programs were conducted in laboratories regarding the related topics. This paper describes an in situ air-injection test that aims to examine the effectiveness of the air injection to desaturate ground and the validity of observation techniques to monitor the evolution of the unsaturated zone. In the test, air was injected from an air injector deployed in a targeted saturated-sand layer at a depth of 6?m. Observations revealed that the air-flow rate increased linearly with increasing air-injection pressure and the desaturated zone was generated within 4?m from the injection point. A 3-dimensional electric resistivity tomography technique was effective for evaluation of the desaturated zone. The degree of saturation of the in situ soil was observed by using high quality undisturbed samples obtained by the ground freezing method. The degree of saturation ranged from 68–98%, which was low enough to almost double the liquefaction resistance of the soil at the site. Numerical analyses were also conducted with a gas-liquid two-phase flow simulator to describe the evolution of the soil desaturation. Qualitatively, predictions show a relatively good agreement with the in situ measurements of the 3D electric resistivity tomography and are quantitatively compatible with the in-field degree of saturation measured indirectly by using the frozen soil samples. Actual liquefaction resistance was evaluated utilizing the undisturbed samples by conducting a triaxial test under cyclic shear conditions, which revealed that desaturated samples were indeed less susceptible to liquefaction compared with the fully saturated samples.