International Journal of Geomechanics

Settlement Calculation of Composite Foundation Reinforced with Stone Columns

Ling Zhang, Minghua Zhao, Caijun Shi, and Heng Zhao
An axial compression will be generated in a stone column under vertical loads on its top, and is often accompanied by a radial expansion against the surrounding soil near the top portion of the column. Considering this deformation characteristic of the stone column, an analytical solution for the se ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000212] posted Thu Feb 2, 2012.

Bearing Capacity of Piles in Soft Clay Underlaid by Cohesive Frictional Soil

Debarghya Chakraborty and Jyant Kumar
By using the axisymmetric quasi lower bound finite element limit analysis, the bearing capacity factors N and N have been computed for axially loaded piles, with the shaft embedded in a fully cohesive soil medium and the tip placed over cohesive frictional soil strata. The results have been obtained ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000211] posted Thu Feb 2, 2012.

Rigid Spread Footings Resting on Soil Subjected to Axial Load and Biaxial Bending: II) Design Aids

J. A. Rodriguez-Gutierrez and J. Dario Aristizabal-Ochoa
Design aids (nomograms) for rectangular and symmetrical trapezoidal rigid spread footings are developed using a method previously developed by the authors in a companion paper. The nomograms can be used by designers to directly determine their maximum axial load and biaxial moment capacities without ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000210] posted Thu Feb 2, 2012.

Physical Basis and Validation of a Constitutive Model for Soil Shear Derived from Micro-Structural Changes

Paul G. Joseph
Previous work indicated that rates of change of shear stress, effective normal stress, and void ratio of a sheared soil are proportional to applied values of shear and effective normal stress; initial proportionality values decay exponentially with strain to become zero at the steady-state condition ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000209] posted Thu Feb 2, 2012.

Analytical Failure Prediction of Inclined Boreholes

K. Thorsen
Predicting when, where, and how pressure-induced borehole failures occur is of fundamental importance in borehole stability analysis and hydraulic fracture design. Numerical and statistical methods are not suited for system analysis, while existing analytical solutions depend on failure location, ne ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000208] posted Thu Feb 2, 2012.

Estimation of Design Parameters for Braced Excavation: Numerical Study

Subha Sankar Chowdhury, Kousik Deb, and Aniruddha Sengupta
The present paper pertains to the development of a numerical model for a braced excavation to estimate the various design parameters which significantly influence its behavior. The results of the present numerical model are compared with that of a reported case study of a braced excavation in sand a ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000207] posted Sat Jan 14, 2012.

Particle-Based Discrete Element Modeling: Geomechanics Perspective

Catherine O'Sullivan
This paper is a review of the use of particulate discrete element modeling (DEM) in geomechanics. The overall objective of the paper is to serve as an introduction to researchers and practitioners in geomechanics who are considering adopting DEM in their work or using the results of DEM simulations ... [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000024] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Constitutive Models for Simulation of Field Performance of Dams

Marta Dolezalova and Ivo Hladik
Numerical models fitting long-term monitoring results represent a useful tool for understanding behavior of dams, especially if unusual performance jeopardizing safety is observed and rehabilitation measures should be suggested. Path-dependent and time-dependent constitutive models suitable for simu ... [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000039] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Application of Large Three-Dimensional Finite-Element Analyses to Practical Problems

Fook-Hou Lee, Sze-Han Hong, Qian Gu, and Pengjun Zhao
This paper deals with the usefulness and feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) finite-element analysis in geotechnical engineering practice. The usefulness of 3D analysis is illustrated through two examples. The first example deals with a collapse problem and highlights the presence of significant t ... [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000049] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Modeling Seismic Wave Propagation and Amplification in 1D/2D/3D Linear and Nonlinear Unbounded Media

J. F. Semblat
To analyze seismic wave propagation in geological structures, it is possible to consider various numerical approaches: the finite difference method, the spectral element method, the boundary element method, the finite element method, the finite volume method, and so on. All these methods have variou ... [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000023] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Finite Element Analyses Applied in Design of Foundations and Anchors for Offshore Structures

Lars Andresen, Hans Petter Jostad, and Knut H. Andersen
Offshore structures for oil and gas exploitation are designed to accommodate severe environments with large cyclic loads. These structures are either founded directly on the seabed, or they are moored to anchors installed in the seabed soil. The permanent and cyclic loading, the foundation or anchor ... [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000020] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Rock-Joint Micromechanics: Relationship of Roughness to Closure and Wave Propagation

Anil Misra and Orestes Marangos
The closure behavior of rock joints is intimately related to joint roughness. Here we utilize a micromechanical approach that explicitly considers asperity interactions on joint surfaces to study the rock-joint closure and wave propagation behavior. Elastic deformations and inelastic frictional slid ... [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000021] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Reviewers

Abstract not available. [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000179] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Computational Simulation of Mechanized Tunneling as Part of an Integrated Decision Support Platform

G. Meschke, F. Nagel, and J. Stascheit
Mechanized tunneling is characterized by a staged procedure of excavation and lining erection and continuous support of the soil by means of supporting fluids (or compressed air) at the tunnel face and pressurized grouting of the tail gap. The interactions between the tunnel boring machine (TBM), th ... [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000044] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Numerical Prediction of the Dynamic Behavior of Two Earth Dams in Italy Using a Fully Coupled Nonlinear Approach

Gaetano Elia, Angelo Amorosi, Andrew H. C. Chan, and Michael J. Kavvadas
The paper deals with the seismic stability assessment of two existing earth dams in Italy using a fully coupled effective stress nonlinear approach implemented in a finite-element (FE) code. The mechanical behavior of the involved clayey and granular soils is described through advanced elastoplastic ... [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000043] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Constitutive Modeling Including Creep- and Rate-Dependent Behavior and Testing of Glacial Tills for Prediction of Motion of Glaciers

Chandrakant S. Desai, Shantanu Sane, and John Jenson
The disturbed state concept (DSC) is used to characterize the deformation behavior of glacial tills, which may have a significant role in the motion of overlying glaciers with attendant implications for global climate dynamics. The model includes elastic, plastic, and creep deformation; microstructu ... [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000091] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Large-Scale Numerical Modeling in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

Jinchi Lu, Ahmed Elgamal, Linjun Yan, Kincho H. Law, and Joel P. Conte
Calibration, on the basis of data from centrifuge and shake table experiments, continues to promote the development of more accurate computational models. Capabilities such as coupled solidfluid formulations and nonlinear incremental-plasticity approaches allow for more realistic representations of ... [Int. J. Geomech. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000042] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Deep Stability Evaluation for High Gravity Dam under the Combining Action of Powerhouse and Dam

Huaizhi Su, Jiang Hu, Jinyou Li, and Zhongru Wu
The rock foundation of gravity dam is usually cut into the slide blocks by the structural surfaces. Its stability is controlled by the characteristics and the combining action of these structural surfaces. The failure of gravity dam can be caused by the destruction or large deformation of local rock ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000206] posted Mon Jan 2, 2012.

Rock Slide Simulation with the Combined Finite Discrete Element Method

Marco Barla, Giovanna Piovano, and Giovanni Grasselli
This paper describes the application of the combined Finite Discrete Element Method (FDEM) for the simulation of two different rock slides observed at the Alpetto mine in Cesana Brianza (Italy). Previous numerical modelling conducted to study the stability conditions of the high rock cuts are used i ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000204] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

Parameter Estimation for a System of Beam Resting on Stone Column-Reinforced Soft Soil

Kousik Deb and Anirban Dhar
The paper pertains to the development of a methodology for the identification of optimal design parameters for a system of beams resting on a stone column-improved soft soil. The simulation-optimization based methodology combines a finite difference based simulation model and an evolutionary multiob ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000203] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

Quantitative Comparison of Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Discrete Element Simulations of Nominally Two-Dimensional Shear Flow

J. A. Fleischmann, M. E. Plesha, and W. J. Drugan
We report results obtained from numerical simulations of direct (or ring) shear tests on ASTM standard graded (Ottawa) sand using the discrete element method (DEM) with periodic boundary conditions in both two and three dimensions. We quantitatively compare the data obtained from these simulations t ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000202] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

P Based Solutions for Slope Stabilising Piles

Wei Dong Guo
This paper proposes an equivalent load transfer approach for simulating response of passive piles owing to soil movement. The approach is elaborated for two commonly seen (normal and deep) sliding modes. In terms of compatibility conditions across sliding and stable layers, new coupled elastic (slid ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000201] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

Linearization of Drucker-Prager Yield Criterion for Axisymmetric Problems: Implementation in Lower Bound Limit Analysis

Jyant Kumar and Debarghya Chakraborty
The linearization of the Drucker-Prager yield criterion associated with an axisymmetric problem has been achieved by simulating a sphere with the Truncated Icosahedron having 32 faces and 60 vertices. On this basis, a numerical formulation has been proposed for solving an axisymmetric stability prob ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000200] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

Viscoelastic Poisson's Ratio of Asphalt Mixtures

Emad Kassem, Zachary C. Grasley, and Eyad Masad
The Poisson's ratio (PR) of asphalt mixtures is a fundamental material property that is an important input parameter to viscoelastic pavement models. It is typically assumed that Poisson's ratio of asphalt is time independent or, in cases where the time dependency of viscoelastic PR is considered, c ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000199] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

Inexact Block Diagonal Preconditioners to Mitigate the Effects of Relative Differences in Material Stiffnesses

Krishna Bahadur Chaudhary, Kok-Kwang Phoon, and Kim-Chuan Toh
Finite element analysis of many soil-structure interaction problems involves material zones of widely differing stiffnesses. The large relative differences in material stiffnesses usually result in an ill-conditioned system for which practical preconditioners become ineffective for the iterative sol ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000197] posted Sat Dec 10, 2011.

Nonlinear Finite Element Modeling Analysis of Soil-Pipe Interaction

Ali Abolmaali and Anupong Kararam
The effect of dynamic compaction forces are ignored in the analysis and design of underground structures. Several failure cases have been reported in which longitudinal cracks are observed during installation and compaction processes. Since in the current specifications, compacting forces are not co ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000196] posted Sat Dec 10, 2011.

A Simple Approach to Consolidation Due to Constant Rate Loading in Clays

Daniel Hanna, Nagaratnam Sivakugan, and Julie Lovisa
Terzaghi's one-dimensional consolidation theory is extended to constant rate of loading, where a simple expression relating average degree of consolidation and time factor is derived. This expression is used to assess Terzaghi's approximation that the ramp load can be assumed as an instantaneous loa ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000195] posted Thu Nov 24, 2011.

Effects of Grain Scale Heterogeneity on Rock Strength and the Chipping Process

Marlene C. Villeneuve, Mark S. Diederichs, and Peter K. Kaiser
Heterogeneity is an important factor controlling fracture initiation, accumulation and propagation within a polycrystalline rock. Internal special variability in terms of mineralogy, grain size and anisotropy affect the yielding process. In order to investigate these factors, a texture-generating al ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000194] posted Thu Nov 24, 2011.

The Application of Periodic Theory to Rows of Piles for Horizontal Vibration Attenuation

Jiankun Huang and Zhifei Shi
One of the most important phenomena in periodic structures is the existence of the Band of Frequency Gaps (BFGs). Elastic waves with frequencies in BFGs cannot propagate in the medium. Therefore, the BFGs can be utilized to reduce the dynamic response of structures behind periodic pile barriers. Tho ... [International Journal of Geomechanics doi:10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000193] posted Sat Nov 19, 2011.