• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.4
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• pp.421-436
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• 2024

This research addresses experimentally the relationship between the excitation frequency and both hoop and axial wall stresses in a water storage tank. A low-density polyethylene tank with six different aspect ratios (water level to tank radius) was tested using a shake table. A laminar box with sand represents a soil site to simulate Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI). Sine excitations with eight frequencies that cover the first free vibration frequency of the tank-water system were applied. Additionally, Ricker wavelet excitations of two different dominant frequencies were considered. The maximum stresses are compared with those using a nonlinear elastic spring-mass model. The results reveal that the coincidence between the excitation frequency and the free-vibration frequency of the soil-tank-water system increases the sloshing intensity and the rigid-like body motion of the system, amplifying the stress development considerably. The relationship between the excitation frequency and wall stresses is nonlinear and depends simultaneously on both sloshing and uplift. In most cases, the maximum stresses using the nonlinear elastic spring-mass model agree with those from the experiments.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.377-385
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• 2015

We constructed a model test apparatus to evaluate the dependence of the saturation velocity (V_s) in soils on rainfall intensity (I_R). The apparatus comprises a soil box, a rainfall simulator, and measuring sensors. The model grounds (60 cm × 50 cm × 15 cm) were formed by Joomunjin standard sand with a relative density of 75%. The rainfall simulator can control the rainfall intensity to reenact the actual rainfall in a soil box. Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) sensors and tensiometers were installed in the soils to measure changes in the volumetric water content and matric suction due to rainfall infiltration. During the tests, the soil saturation was determined by raising the groundwater table, which was formed at the bottom of the soil box. [Please check that the correct meaning has been maintained.] The wetting front did not form at the ground surface during rainfall because the soil particles were uniform and the coefficient of permeability was relatively high. Our results show that the suction stress of the soils decreased with increasing volumetric water content, and this effect was most pronounced for volumetric water contents of 20%-30%. Based on a regression analysis of the relationship between rainfall intensity and the average saturation velocity, we suggest the following equation for estimating the saturation velocity in soils: V_savg (cm/sec) = 0.068I_R (mm/hr).

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.65-73
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• 2002

Underground flexible pipes for electric cables are subject to external loads and surrounding soil pressure. Particularly, strain of flexible pipes is of great concern in terms of safety and maintenance for electric cables. In this paper, stress and strain of flexible pipes with various depth are compared using traditional formula, FEM analysis and model soil box test. The results show that theoretical values are more conservative in strain in comparison with model soil box test and FEM analysis. Considering the strain criteria - maximum 3.5%, flexible pipes can be buried at the depth of 40cm without additional soil improvement. From the result of this study, deformation formula compatible with the field condition was proposed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.03b
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• pp.191-198
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• 2000

Dynamic fatigue test is carried out using soil model box for the evaluation of performance of three different roadbed materials. Bearing capacity, settlement and mud pumping phenomenon of each roadbed materials as well as penetration of model ballast into the roadbeds are investigated. It was found that settlement of slag and crushed stone roadbed is smaller than the soil roadbed during dynamic fatigue test with same initial conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.157-165
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• 2000

The applicability and performance of HMS-25 as the railroad roadbed materials were evaluated through the model and laboratory tests. The uniaxial compression test of HMS-25, model soil box test, and combined resonant column and torsional shear test were performed for static and dynamic analysis of railroad roadbed. The uniaxial compression test result of HMS-25 shows steady increase in strength due to hardening chemical reaction between HMS-25 and water. The result of model soil box test reveals that railroad roadbed of HMS-25 is better than that of soil in several aspects such as bearing capacity and settlement. The combined resonant column and torsional that shear test result indicates that shear modulus of HMS-25 increases with the power of 0.5 to the confining pressure and that shear modulus increases with the increase of curing period.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.49-63
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• 2020

Studying the critical response characteristics of box culverts with diverse geometrical configurations under seismic excitations is a necessary step to develop a reasonable design method. In this work, a numerical parametric study is conducted on various soil-culvert systems, aiming to highlight the critical difference in the seismic performances between three- and four-sided culverts. Two-dimensional numerical models consider a variety of burial depths, flexibility ratios and foundation widths, assuming a visco-elastic soil condition, which permits to compare with the analytical solutions and previous studies. The results show that flexible three-sided culverts at a shallow depth considerably amplify the spectral acceleration and Arias intensity. Larger racking deformation and rocking rotation are also predicted for the three-sided culverts, but the bottom slab influence decreases with increasing burial depth and foundation width. The bottom slab combined with the burial depth and structural stiffness also significantly influences the magnitude and distribution of the dynamic earth pressure. The findings of this work shed light on the critical role of the bottom slab in the seismic responses of box culverts and may have a certain reference value for the preliminary seismic design using R-F relation.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.397-408
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• 2024

Buried box culverts are crucial elements of transportation infrastructure. However, their behavior under foundation loads is not well understood, indicating a significant gap in existing research. This study aims to bridge this gap by conducting a detailed numerical analysis using the Finite Element Method and Abaqus software. The research evaluates the behavior of buried box culverts by examining their interaction with surrounding soil and the pressures from surface foundation loads. Key variables such as embedment depth, culvert wall thickness, concrete material properties, foundation pressure, foundation width, soil elastic modulus, and friction angle are altered to understand their combined effects on structural response. The methodology employs a validated 2D numerical model under plane strain conditions. Parametric studies highlight the critical role of culvert depth (H) in influencing earth pressure and bending moments. Foundation pressure and width demonstrate complex interdependencies affecting culvert behavior. Variations in culvert materials' elastic modulus show minimal impact. It was found that the lower wall of the buried culvert experiences higher average pressure compared to the other two walls, due to the combined effects of the culvert's weight and down drag forces on the side walls. Furthermore, while the pressure distribution on the top and bottom walls is parabolic, the pressure on the side walls follows a different pattern, differing from that of the other two walls.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.209-219
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• 2022

To experimentally investigate the variation of soil characteristics in slope during rainfall and the shape of slope failure, the model test was performed using soil box and artificial rainfall simulator. The model test of slope formed by the homogenous sand was performed, and the saturation pattern in the model slope due to rainfall infiltration was observed. The slope model with the inclination of 35° was set up on the slope of 30°, and the rainfall intensity of 50 mm/hr was applied in the test. The soil depth of 35 cm was selected by considering the size of soil box, and the TDR (time domain reflectometry) sensors were installed at various depths to investigate the change of soil characteristics with time. As the result of model test, the slope model during rainfall was saturated from the soil surface to the subsurface, and from the toe part to the crest part due to rainfall infiltration. That is, the toe part of slope was firstly saturated by rainfall infiltration, and then due to continuous rainfall the saturation range was enlarged from the toe part to the crest part in the slope model. The failure of slope model was started at the toe part of slope and then enlarged to the crest part, which is called as the retrogressive failure. At the end of slope failure, the collapsed area increased rapidly. Also, the mode of slope failure was rotational. Meanwhile, the slope failure was occurred when the matric suction in the slope was reached to the air entry value (AEV) estimated in soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC).

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.5-12
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• 2011

This study was performed to analyze the degree of rainfalls, the duration time of rainfalls, the inclination of slopes and other damage causes depending on the ground condition, when the landslide occurs by the rainfall. Based on that, a big and a small model soil box were compared to examine the features of landslides, which is ultimately for forecasting landslides. An artificial rainfall device was installed in the model box, and the large model box has a real-size slope in it. Also, various measures were fulfilled such as collapse forms, a pore pressure, an earth pressure and moisture contents in order to analyze the effect of the model box size on the landslide mechanism and to test the usability of a small model box as a material for landslide experiments.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.5-14
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• 2010

To simulate two-dimensional plane-strain conditions in the laboratory model test, the side frictional resistance between the soil and thick glass or plastic sheet of the soil container should be reduced as much as possible. However, in fact this side friction cannot be removed completely. In this paper, the ground model simulated as a multi-sized aluminium rod mixture was introduced to get rid of the side frictional resistance and applied to the laboratory shear box test. In addition, an application of the close range photogrammetric technique to the shear box test was validated. As a result, it was found that a mean value of dilation angle from the close range photogrammetry was close to the dilation angle defined by the curve of shear strain vs. volumetric strain.