• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2024

We aimed to assess the evolution of small-strain stiffness and relative density in non-compacted embankment layers. We developed embedded type in-situ soil stiffness measurement devices for monitoring small-strain stiffness occurring after filling at a test site and conducted comprehensive laboratory compaction tests using an oedometer cell with a bender element. However, direct comparison is extremely difficult because the shear wave velocity measured in the field and laboratory depend on depth and effective stress, respectively. Therefore, we propose a method for establishing a relationship between effective stress and depth using a compressibility model. In this study, the shear wave velocity measured in the field was compared to the estimated shear wave velocity-depth profiles for completely dry and saturated conditions with different relative densities. The relative density under saturated soil conditions may vary between 50% and 90% and tends to be closer to 95%. Under dry soil conditions, the relative density of the embankment can vary from 30% to 70% and tends to approach 76%. For model validation, the relative density estimated from shear wave velocity-depth profiles was compared to that estimated from DCPI data. In other words, the results analyzed in the context of an effective stress-depth model enable the prediction of engineering properties such as the small-strain stiffness and relative density of embankment layers. This study demonstrates that physics-based data analyses successfully capture the relative density of non-compacted embankment layers.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.23-32
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• 2013

In order to evaluate the bearing capacity behaviour of a monopod suction bucket foundation for an offshore wind tower at the western sea of Korea, a centrifuge load test and numerical analyses were performed. The monopod bucket foundation was designed to be installed in a silty sand layer. The model soil was prepared to simulate a target site by using soil samples having similar properties and controlling relative density. In-flight miniature cone penetration test and bender element array were used to confirm that the model soil had represented the target site conditions. The load - rotation curve of the centrifuge load test was analysed. A series of numerical analyses were performed to validate the experimental conditions. Self-weight of the model, distance to the boundary and elastic modulus of the soil layer were varied to study their effects on the load - rotation curves.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.35-46
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• 2017

Most of high carbon fly ashes (HCFA) are discarded in landfills with high costs due to low recycling rate. This study aims to explore the geotechnical behaviors of HCFA mixtures reinforced with fiber and sand. A series of compaction test, unconfined compressive strength test and modified 1D consolidation test with bender element were performed. Specimens were prepared at their optimal moisture contents based on the results of compaction tests. The results of this study demonstrate that the inclusion of fibers to the matrix of HCFA increases unconfined compressive strength (UCS), strain at UCS, and maximum shear modulus ($G_{max}$) at a given void ratio. Reinforcement with sand increases UCS of HCFA; while the strain at UCS is irrelevant with sand fractions. Sand particles may disrupt the direct contacts between HCFA particles at low sand content, resulting in a decrease in $G_{max}$. However, it can be expected that the mixtures with sand content larger than 20% are in dense state; thus, $G_{max}$ of HCFA reinforced with sand shows greater value than that of unreinforced HCFA compacted with the same energy. Regardless of types of reinforcement, the compression index ($C_c$) of both fiber and sand reinforced HCFA is mainly determined by initial void ratio.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.3C
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• pp.179-186
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• 2008

Pressuremeter test estimates the deformational properties of soil from the relationship between applied pressure and the displacement of cavity wall. It is general to utilize the reloading curve for the estimation of deformational properties of soil because the initial loading curve can be affected by the disturbance caused by boring. On the other hand, the instrumental resolution or the variation of measured data makes it hard to estimate the maximum shear modulus from pressuremeter test results. This study suggested the methodology estimating the maximum shear modulus from pressuremeter test directly, based on the curve fitting of reloading curve. In addition, the difference was taken into account between the stress state around the probe in reloading and that of the in-situ state. Pressuremeter tests were conducted for 15 cases using a large calibration chamber, together with a number of reference tests. The maximum shear moduli taken from suggested method were compared with those from empirical correlation and bender element test.