• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.821-845
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• 2016

Extensive researches on distribution of earthquake induced damages in different regions have shown that geological and geotechnical conditions of the local soils significantly influence behavior of alluvial areas under seismic loading. In this article, the site of Babol city which is formed up of saturated fine alluvial soils is considered as a case study. In order to reduce the uncertainties associated with earthquake resistant design of structures in this area (Babol city), the required design parameters have been evaluated with consideration of site's dynamic effects. The utilized methodology combines experimental ground ambient noise analysis, expressed in terms of horizontal to vertical (H/V) spectral ratio, with numerical one-dimensional response analysis of soil columns using DEEPSOIL software. The H/V spectral analysis was performed at 60 points, experimentally, for the region in order to estimate both the fundamental period and its corresponding amplification for the ground vibration. The investigation resulted in amplification ratios that were greater than one in all areas. A good agreement between the proposed ranges of natural periods and alluvial amplification ratios obtained through the analytical model and the experimental microtremor studies verifies the analytical model to provide a good engineering reflection of the subterraneous alluviums.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.583-595
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• 2019

In this paper, a comprehensive investigation of the dynamic response of a long-bridge subjected to spatially varying earthquake ground motions (SVEGM) is performed based on a proposed analytical model which includes the effect of soil-structure interaction (SSI). The spatial variability of ground motions is simulated by the powerful record generator, SIMQKE II. Modeling of the SSI in the system is simplified by replacing the pile foundations and soil with sets of independent equivalent linear springs and dashpots along the pile groups. One of the most fundamental objectives of this study is to examine how well the proposed model simulates the dynamic response of a bridge system. For this purpose, the baseline data required for the evaluation process is derived from analyzing a 3D numerical model of the bridge system which is validated in this paper. To emphasize the importance of the SVEGM and SSI, bridge responses are also determined for the uniform ground motion and fixed base cases. This study proposing a compatible analytical model concerns the relative importance of the SSI and SVEGM and shows that these effects cannot be neglected in the seismic analysis of long-bridges.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2019

In this paper, it was presented an investigation on the load-settlement and vertical stress analysis of the ring footings on the loose sand bed by conducting both laboratory model tests and numerical analyses. A total of twenty tests were conducted in geotechnical laboratory and numerical analyses of the test models were carried out using the finite element package Plaxis 3D to find the ultimate capacities of the ring footings. Moreover, the results obtained from both foregoing methods were compared with theoretical results given in the literature. The effects of the ring width on bearing capacity of the footings and vertical stresses along the depth were investigated. Consequently, the experimental observations are in a very good agreement with the numerical and theoretical results. The variation in the bearing capacity is little when $r_i/R_o$ <0.3. That means, when the ring width ratio, $r_i/R_o$, is equal to 0.3, this option can provide more economic solutions in the applications of the ring footings. Since, this corresponds to less concrete consumption in the ring footing design.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.5-12
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• 2021

The reliable seismic stability evaluation of the natural slopes and geotechnical structures has become a critical factor of the design. Pseudo-static or permanent displacement methods are typically employed to evaluate the seismic slope performance. In both methods, the effect of input ground motion on the sliding surface is ignored, and failure surface from the limit equilibrium method is used. For the assessment of the seismic sensitivity of failure surface, two-dimensional non-linear finite element analyses are performed. The performance of the finite element model was validated against centrifuge measurements. A parametric study with a range of input ground motion was performed, and numerical results were used to assess the influence of ground motion characteristics on the sliding surface. Based on the results, it is demonstrated that the characteristics of input ground motion have a significant influence on the location of the seismically induce failure surface. In addition to dynamic analysis, pseudo-static analyses were performed to evaluate the discrepancy. It is observed that sliding surfaces developed from pseudo-static and dynamic analyses are different. The location of the failure surface change with the amplitude and T_m of motion. Therefore, it is recommended to determine failure surfaces from dynamic analysis

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.497-514
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• 2020

This study investigated the causes of large-scale ground subsidence in the upper part of mining cavities of the Samdo limestone mine, Samcheok city, Gangwondo, Korea. Geological and electrical resistivity surveys were undertaken on the collapsed slope of the mountain and in the mine tunnel where subsidence occurred, with geotechnical evaluations and numerical analysis. It is concluded that wide mining cavities, with irregular pillars in unstable rock masses hosting discontinuities, weathered over time, resulting in subsidence occurring along a fault plane due to increasing ground stress.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.301-310
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• 2022

Accurate prediction of mixed ground conditions ahead of a tunnel face is of vital importance for safe excavation using tunnel boring machines (TBMs). Previous studies have primarily focused on electrical resistivity surveys from the ground surface for geotechnical investigation. In this study, an FE (finite element) numerical model was developed to simulate electrical resistivity surveys for the prediction of risky mixed ground conditions in front of a tunnel face. The proposed FE model is validated by comparing with the apparent electrical resistivity values obtained from the analytical solution corresponding to a vertical fault on the ground surface (i.e., a simplified model). A series of parametric studies was performed with the FE model to analyze the effect of geological and sensor geometric conditions on the electrical resistivity survey. The parametric study revealed that the interface slope between two different ground formations affects the electrical resistivity measurements during TBM excavation. In addition, a large difference in electrical resistivity between two different ground formations represented the dramatic effect of the mixed ground conditions on the electrical resistivity values. The parametric studies of the electrode array showed that the proper selection of the electrode spacing and the location of the electrode array on the tunnel face of TBM is very important. Thus, it is concluded that the developed FE numerical model can successfully predict the presence of a mixed ground zone, which enables optimal management of potential risks.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 2022

Many geotechnical analyses require the investigation of water flow within partially saturated soil zone to incorporate the effect of climatic conditions. It is widely understood that the hydraulic properties of the partially saturated soil should be included in the transient seepage analyses. However, the characteristics of dual porosity soils with dual-mode water retention curve are normally modelled using single-mode mathematical equation for simplification of the analysis. In reality, the rainwater flow can be affected significantly by the dual-mode hydraulic properties of the soil. This paper presents the variations of safety factor for dual porosity soil slope with dual-mode water retention curve and dual-mode unsaturated permeability. This paper includes the development of the new dual-mode unsaturated permeability to represent the characteristics of soil with the dual-mode water retention curve. The finite element analyses were conducted to examine the role of dual-mode water retention curve and dual-mode unsaturated permeability on the variations of safety factor under rainfall loading. The results indicate that the safety factor variations of dual porosity soil slope modelled using the dual-mode water retention curve and the unsaturated permeability equation are lower than those of dual porosity slope modelled using single-mode water retention curve and unsaturated permeability equations.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.567-581
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• 2023

Enhanced vertical load capacity of the ground reinforced with the stone columns drew great attention by the researchers as it deals with many of the geotechnical difficulties associated with the weak ground. Recently, it has been found that the stone columns are also prone to fail under the shear load when employed beneath the embankments or the foundations susceptible to lateral loads. In this study, the effect of various encasement conditions on the lateral deflection of stone columns is investigated. A method of dual layers of encasement has been introduced and its the effect on lateral load capacity of the stone columns has been compared with those of the single encased stone column and the un-encased stone columns. Large shear box tests were utilised to generate the shear deformation on the soil system under various normal pressure conditions. The stiffness of the soil-stone column combined system has been compared for various cases of encasement conditions with different diameters. When subjected to lateral deformation, the encased columns outperformed the un-encased stone columns installed in loose sand. Shear stress resistance is up to 1.7 times greater in dual-layered, encased columns than in unencased columns. Similarly, the secant modulus increases as the condition changes from an unencased stone column to single-layer encasement and then to dual-layer encasement, indicating an improvement in the overall soil-stone column system.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.293-305
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• 2023

To ensure the safety of underground infrastructures, ground can sometimes be first treated by cement slurry and then stabilized using artificial ground freezing (AGF) technique before excavation. The hydration heat produced by cement slurry increases the soil temperature before freezing and results in an extension of the active freezing time (AFT), especially when the Metro Jet System (MJS) treatment is adopted due to a high cement-soil ratio. In this paper, by taking advantage of an on-going project, a case study was performed to evaluate the influence of MJS and AGF on the ground temperature variation through on-site measurement and numerical simulation. Both on-site measurement and simulation results reveal that MJS resulted in a significant increase in the soil temperature after treatment. The ground temperature gradually decreases and then stabilized after completion of MJS. The initiation of AGF resulted in a quick decrease in ground temperature. The ground temperature then slowly decreased and stabilized at later freezing. A slight difference in ground temperature exists between the on-site measurements and simulation results due to limitations of numerical simulation. For the AGF system, numerical simulation is still strongly recommended because it is proven to be cost-effective for predicting the ground temperature variation with reasonable accuracy.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.437-447
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• 2023

The failures of tailing dams have caused irreparable damage to human lives, assets and environment and this has ultimately resulted in great economic, social and environmental challenges worldwide. Due to this, investigation into mechanical behaviour of tailings has received some attention. However, the knowledge and understanding of mechanics of behaviour in iron tailings is still limited. This study investigates the mechanics of iron tailings from Nigeria considering grading, effects of fabric resulting from different sample preparations and the possibility of non-convergent behaviour. This was achieved by conducting series of one-dimensional compression tests in conjunction with index, microstructural, chemical and mineralogical tests. The materials are predominantly poorly graded, non-clayey and non-plastic. The tailings are characterised by angular particles with no obvious particle aggregations and dominated by silicon, iron, aluminium, haematite and quartz. The compression paths do not converge and unique normal compression lines are not found and this is an important feature of the transitional mode of behaviour. The behaviour of these iron tailings therefore depends on initial specific volume. The preparation methods also have effect on the compression paths of the samples. The gradings of the samples have an influence on the degree of transitional behaviour but the preparation methods do affect the degree of convergence. The transitional mode of behaviour in these iron tailings investigated is very strong.