Role of silanized halloysite nanotubes on structural,mechanical properties and fracture toughness of thermoset nanocomposites

This study investigates the structure/property relationship of thermosetting unsaturated polyester (UPE) filled with pristine halloysite (HNT) and vinyltrimethoxysilane-treated halloysite nanotubes (s-HNT) nanocomposites. The dispersion of particles and morphological structures of the nanocomposites were examined using TEM and XRD analysis as well as Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and mechanical properties were characterized. The evaluation of stress intensity factor (K_Ic) was measured based on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) and single-edge notch bending (SENB) geometry to identify the role of silanized halloysites on toughening improvement. It was found that modifying UPE matrix with HNT or s-HNT changed the crystalline structure of the UPE nanocomposites, indicating a high degree of halloysite orientation. Uniform dispersed halloysites are observed in the s-HNT/UPE versus skewed-like clusters in the HNT/UPE nanocomposite. The introduction of HNT or s-HNT up to 5 wt.% induced higher mechanical properties and improved fracture toughness associated with a shift in toughening mechanisms from a highly brittle fracture for neat UPE into matrix shear yielding and zone shielding mechanisms with the presence of halloysite particles in the nanocomposite.     

A constitutive model for saturated compacted soils under undrained shear condition

Abstract

In this paper, elasto‐plastic constitutive equations extended from theory of plasticity and based on laws of thermo‐dynamics were derived to predict the mechanical behavior of saturated geological media. Besides, these equations can also be adapted to form the stiffness matrix for finite element analysis on deformation and stress distribution in geotechnical engineering practice. The test data were obtained from compacted crushed mudstone under consolidated un‐drained triaxial tests with pore water pressure measurement. The preparation of the specimen was different from those which had usually been adopted. Hence, it is hoped that this study will throw some light on the constitutive equations applied on compacted geological media.     

Measuring hydraulic properties of geotextiles after installation damage

Since geotextiles have been progressively incorporated into coastal protection structures, the influence of installation damage on them has been the primary concern. During installation/construction, geotextiles are repeatedly subjected to high mechanical stresses which often exceed service stress. It is therefore vital to evaluate the mechanical and hydraulic damage and determine the consequences of these damages to better develop criteria for selection of suitable products. As these damages could reduce the material's mechanical strength and hydraulic efficiency, or in the severest form of damage, puncturing, would end the separation function. The properties investigated in this paper include the permittivity and apparent opening size (AOS) of geotextiles. Generally, the greater the drop energy of armour units applied to geotextiles, the greater the potential for damage. Findings show that the residual permittivity could increase significantly, 45% during installation. The preliminary design of coastal structures will be optimised as engineers and designers can better estimate the amount of damage on geotextiles upon installation.     

Performance of a pavement foundation system based on the partial compensation of masses method

The system of the partial compensation of masses in the lacustrine zone of the Mexico Basin has been conceptualized, developed, used and improved over the past five decades as a foundation alternative for different types of roadways. This kind of foundation has been used in highways and runways built on lacustrine soils to reduce the settlement that can affect the service and operation conditions of those structures. In the construction of the new Mexico City International Airport in the Texcoco Lake area, various alternatives for runway foundations were evaluated through different test sections that were constructed to identify which of them would yield an adequate transfer of stress and prevent excessive total and differential deformations of the soil deposits. In this work, the behavior of the test section of the system of the partial compensation of masses, built in the Texcoco Lake area, is studied. An exploration campaign was performed; it consisted of different field and laboratory tests to determine the stratigraphic profile and the index and mechanical properties of the soil strata. Numerical models were applied using the finite element software PLAXIS 2D to analyze the behavior of the test section and to determine the maintenance frequency required to preserve the functionality of future runways. To validate the capability of the numerical models to properly simulate the stress-strain behavior of the test section, a comparative analysis was performed between the data obtained from the instrumentation installed on the test section and the results obtained from the finite element software. Once the numerical models were calibrated, the medium- and long-term behaviors of the test section were predicted, and the evolution over time of its surface geometry and transverse slopes were obtained.     

Analyzing growth and mortality in a subtropical urban forest ecosystem

Information on urban tree growth, mortality and in-growth is currently being used to estimate urban forest structure changes and ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration. This study reports on tree diameter growth and mortality in 65 plots distributed among four land use categories, which were established in 2005/2006 in Gainesville, Florida, USA and were re-measured in 2009. Models for mortality and in-growth models were developed by grouping species into hardwoods and softwoods. Annual change in tree diameter at breast height growth was analyzed using three tree species groups based on potential height and longevity. Additionally, the four most common tree species in the study area were modeled to explore factors affecting tree growth. The average annual mortality rate in the city was 9.97%. Trees located in Institutional land use/land cover (LULC) had the highest annual mortality rate (19.2%/yr), and commercial had the lowest (3.1%/yr). Overall, growth rates for the study area (0.70 cm/yr) and residential LULC (0.80 cm/yr) were comparable to other studies. Growth rates for trees in forested areas were higher (0.56 cm/yr) than those previously reported. Individual species-level growth rates such as those for Juniperus virginiana (1.24 cm/yr) and Quercus virginiana (1.08 cm/yr) were different than other species values reported in other studies. Maintenance activities, site conditions, soil properties, tree characteristics, and LULC significantly influenced urban tree growth, mortality, and in-growth. Results can be used to better understand urban forest ecosystem structure and services in medium sized, subtropical cities and to make better decisions regarding planting and maintenance strategies.     

温控非饱和土三轴试验装置的研制及其应用

高放核废物地质处置、地热资源开采与贮存以及城市地下供热管道设计等现代岩土工程的建设都需要考虑温度的影响，使得温度对天然非饱和土体基本性质影响的研究成为土力学的重要课题之一。为了研究非饱和土水力和力学性质受温度影响的规律，需要研制新的温控试验装置，以便为这种研究提供工具和手段。基于对既有非饱和土静三轴仪的改造，研制了一种温控非饱和土三轴试验装置，通过将所研制的温控压力室与非饱和土三轴试验系统的有机结合，实现了试验过程中对温度控制及量测的目的。利用该试验装置，对不同温度下非饱和土土水特征曲线进行了测定，所得结果与现有理论结果相吻合。     

Modelling the compaction curve of fine-grained soils

A theoretical model for the compaction curve of fine-grained soils at various compaction efforts for the entire range of water content is presented in this study. The prediction method is based on the assumption that the compaction curve represents the state surface at the yield state in an unsaturated condition. Thus, for each applied compaction effort, the compaction curve relates to one yielding point on the saturated normal consolidation line (NCL). For a given soil, the model requires the NCL, S_rc, and one point from any compaction curve to predict the compaction curves for different compaction efforts. Moreover, the lines of equal suctions on the compaction curves can be determined if the SWCC, the wetting path, is known. The model introduced here provides additional theoretical understanding of the soil׳s volume change behavior of the compaction curve. The model was verified in two ways: first it was verified quantitatively, by experimental results, and second it was verified qualitatively, by examining the relationships from other models in the literature. The model was further applied to experimental data reported in the literature on previous static and dynamic compaction tests. The results show that the model fits the experimental data very well. Finally, a simple chart, based on this model and using only liquid limits, is presented to estimate γ_dmax and OMC quickly.     

Evaluation of tensile load-strain characteristics of geogrids through in-soil tensile tests

This paper evaluates in-soil tensile load-strain characteristics of geogrids with the help of a custom designed and developed in-soil tensile setup in the laboratory. Displacement controlled in-soil tensile tests were carried out to evaluate the effect of normal stress, soil type, and presence of sand-sandwiched layer, on the tensile load-strain characteristics of geogrid. Confinement of geogrid within the soil and application of normal stress were found to increase the mobilized tensile load and secant tensile stiffness of geogrid. Secant stiffness improvement factors were determined to quantify the improvement in tensile load-strain characteristics of geogrid under confinement, on comparison to in-isolation values. Geogrid was observed to exhibit lower secant tensile stiffness when embedded in marginal soil, moist-compacted at wet of optimum. However, the concept of sand-sandwiched geogrid was found to improve the tensile load-strain behaviour of geogrids embedded in marginal soil compacted at wet of optimum.     

A thermo-hydro-mechano-chemical formulation for modeling water transport around a ventilated tunnel in an argillaceous rock

Argillaceous rocks are being considered as potential host rocks for deep geological disposal. For the research work in DECOVALEX-2011, 5 participant research teams performed simulations of a laboratory drying test and a ventilation experiment for Mont Terri underground laboratory built in argillaceous rock formation. Our study starts with establishing a coupled thermo-hydro-mechano-chemical (THMC) processes model to simulate water transport in rock around the ventilated tunnel. Especially in this THMC formulation, a three-phase and two-constituent hydraulic model is introduced to simulate the processes which occur during tunnel ventilation, including desaturation/resaturation in the rock, phase change and air/rock interface, and to explore the Opalinus clay parameter set. It can be found that water content evolution is very sensitive to intrinsic permeability, relative permeability and capillary pressure in clay rock. Water loss from surrounding rock is sensitive to the change of permeability in clay which is induced by excavation damaged zone. Chemical solute transport in the rock near ventilation experiment tunnel is simulated based on the coupled THMC formulation. It can be estimated that chemical osmotic flow has little significance on water flow modeling. Comparisons between simulation results from 5 teams and experimental observations show good agreement. It increases the confidence in modeling and indicates that it is a good start for fully THMC understanding of the moisture transportation and mechanical behavior in argillaceous rock.     

Copper accumulation in soils from two different‐aged apricot orchards in Central Otago,New Zealand

In recent years there has been a move in New Zealand to convert small, uneconomic orchards to other agricultural uses. Overseas research has demonstrated that copper from fungicide sprays often accumulates in the soils of orchards and can cause certain problems for plant growth and livestock. To date, no assessments appear to have been made of the degree of copper accumulation in such older orchards in New Zealand. This study presents the results of an assessment of two well‐established apricot orchards in the Central Otago region of South Island, New Zealand.

Two aspects of the results are surprising. The first is the relatively low levels of copper in the soil when compared with results from another orchard in the region. That orchard is 18 years old and mean soil copper has already reached 100.0 μg/g, indicating a much faster rate of accumulation than in the two orchards in the current study. The second unexpected result is that the younger orchard has a significantly higher level of copper than the older orchard. Reasons for these findings are discussed in relation to apparent differences in soil properties.