• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.27-42
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• 2018

Behavior of soil is usually described with continuum type of failure models such as Mohr-Coulomb or Drucker-Prager model. The main advantage of these models is in a relatively simple and efficient way of predicting the main tendencies and overall behavior of soil in failure analysis of interest for engineering practice. However, the main shortcoming of these models is that they are not able to capture post-peak behavior of soil nor the corresponding failure modes under extreme loading. In this paper we will significantly improve on this state-of-the-art. In particular, we propose the use of a discrete beam lattice model to provide a sharp prediction of inelastic response and failure mechanisms in coupled soil-foundation systems. In the discrete beam lattice model used in this paper, soil is meshed with one-dimensional Timoshenko beam finite elements with embedded strong discontinuities in axial and transverse direction capable of representing crack propagation in mode I and mode II. Mode I relates to crack opening, and mode II relates to crack sliding. To take into account material heterogeneities, we determine fracture limits for each Timoshenko beam with Gaussian random distribution. We compare the results obtained using the discrete beam lattice model against those obtained using the modified three-surface elasto-plastic cap model.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Different physical and chemical properties of biochar, which is made out of a variety of biomass materials, can impact water movement through amended soil. The objective of this research was to develop a decision support tool evaluating the impact of the shape and the size distribution of biochar on soil saturated hydraulic conductivity ($K_{sat}$). METHODS AND RESULTS: Plastic beads of different size and morphology were compared with biochar to assess impacts on soil $K_{sat}$. Bead and biochar were added at the rate of 5% (v/w) to coarse sand. The particle size of bead and biochar had an effect on the $K_{sat}$, with larger and smaller particle sizes than the original sand grain (0.5 mm) decreasing the $K_{sat}$ value. The equivalent size bead or biochar to the sand grains had no impact on $K_{sat}$. The amendment shape also influenced soil hydraulic properties, but only when the particle size was between 3-6 mm. Intra-particle porosity had no significant influence on the $K_{sat}$ due to its small pore size and increased tortuosity compared to the inter-particle spaces (macro-porosity). CONCLUSION: The results supported the conclusion that both particle size and shape of the amended biochar impacted the $K_{sat}$ value.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.247-262
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• 1996

In this study, the distribution of dictyostelid cellular slime molds was investigated from F, H and $A_1$ horizon of pinus, oak forests in Mt. Puk'an, Mt. Nam and Mt. Kwanak. The relationship of cellular slime molds with other soil microorganisms and abiotic factors were analyzed. The six species were isolated as follows: Polysphondlium pallidurn, Dictyostelium purpureum, D. mucoroides, D. crassicaule, D. capitatum, D. implicatum. The dominant species in pinus forests was P. pallidum, and in oak forests it was D. macro ides. In Mt. Nam, D. mucoroides and P. pallidum were isolated at only oak forest. The Correlations of slime mold abundance with bacteria were significant. Even though positive correlations of cellular slime molds with actinomycetes or fungi were not significant, correlations between soil microorganisms were analyzed. Correlation coefficients were high in Mt. Kwanak(r=0.5921) and Mt. Nam(r=0.7243) at significant level P<0.01. There were significant correlations between total slime molds and abiotic factors. It supports that cellular slime molds are limited by foods in nature. In low level of pH, water content and organic matter, that community diversity is more affected by bacteria whose organic degradation capacity is regulated by interactions of soil microorgaisms. Key words: Cellular slime molds, Soil microorganisms, Correlations, Abiotic factors.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2021

Cross-borehole electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is an effective groundwater detection tool in geophysical investigations. In this paper, an artificial water injection test was conducted on a small clay sample, where the high-resolution cross-borehole ERT was used to investigate the moisture migration law over time. The moisture migration path can be two-dimensionally imaged based on the relationship between resistivity and saturation. The hydraulic conductivity was estimated, and the magnitude ranged from 10^-11 m/s to 10^-9 m/s according to the comparison between the simulation flow and the saturation distribution inferred from ERT. The results indicate that cross-borehole ERT could help determine the resistivity distribution of small size clay samples. Finally, the cross-borehole ERT technique has been applied to investigate the self-sealing characteristics of clay.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.599-614
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• 2022

In this study, the reliability analysis of internal and external stabilities of Reinforced Soil Walls (RSWs) under static and seismic loads are investigated so that it can help the geotechnical engineers to perform the design more realistically. The effect of various variables such as angle of internal soil friction, soil specific gravity, tensile strength of the reinforcements, base friction, surcharge load and finally horizontal earthquake acceleration are examined assuming the variables uncertainties. Also, the correlation coefficient impact between variables, sensitivity analysis, mean change, coefficient of variation and type of probability distribution function were evaluated. In this research, external stability (sliding, overturning and bearing capacity) and internal stability (tensile rupture and pull out) in both static and seismic conditions were investigated. Results of this study indicated sliding as the predominant failure mode in the external stability and reinforcing rupture in the internal stability. First-Order Reliability Method (FORM) are applied to estimate the reliability index (or failure probability) and results are validated using the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method. The results showed among all variables, the internal friction angle and horizontal earthquake acceleration have dominant impact on the both reinforced soil wall internal and external stabilities limit states. Also, the type of probability distribution function affects the reliability index significantly and coefficient of variation of internal friction angle has the greatest influence in the static and seismic limits states compared to the other variables.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 2016

We conducted the study on the relationship between the distribution of coastal sand dune plants and edaphic factors from the shoreline to inland in sand dune ecosystem. The application of TWINSPAN classification based on 10 species, led to the recognition of three vegetative groups (A-C), which associated with their habitats (foredune, hummuck in semistable zone and stable zone). The associations were separated along soil gradient far from the seashore. The relationships between species composition and environmental gradients were explained by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Distance from the shoreline was an important indicator to determine soil properties (pH, total ion contents, sand particle sizes, organic matters and nitrogen contents) from the seaward area to inland area and distribution pattern of coastal sand dune plants. Group A is foredune zone, characterized by Calystegia soldanella; group included typical foredune species such as Elymus mollis, Carex kobomugi, Ixeris repens, C. soldanella and Glehnia littoralis. Group B on semi-stabilized zone was characterized by Vitex rotundifolia, a perennial woody shrub. This group was associated the proportion of fine sand size (100 to 250 μm). The results on the proportion of soil particle size showed a transition in sand composition, particularly with respect to the proportion of fine sand size that occurred from the foredune ridge at 32.5 m to the Vitex rotundifolia community at 57.5 m from the shoreline. Group C on stabilized zone was characterized by Zoysia macrostachya, Lathyrus japonicus and Cynodon dactylon and were associated soil organic matter and nitrogen contents. The spatial distribution of plants in the Goraebul coastal sand dune system may result from the interactions between the plant species and environmental heterogeneity.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.185-195
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• 2017

With the rapid development of urban underground traffic, the study of soil deformation induced by subway tunnel construction and its settlement prediction are gradually of general concern in engineering circles. The law of soil displacement caused by shield tunnel construction of adjacent buildings is analyzed in this paper. The author holds that ground surface settlement based on the Gauss curve or Peck formula induced by tunnel excavation of adjacent buildings is not reasonable. Integrating existing research accomplishments, the paper proposed that surface settlement presents cork distribution curve characters, skewed distribution curve characteristics and normal distribution curve characteristics when the tunnel is respectively under buildings, within the scope of the disturbance and outside the scope of the disturbance. Calculation formulas and parameters on cork distribution curve and skewed distribution curve were put forward. The numerical simulation, experimental comparison and model test analysis show that it is reasonable for surface settlement to present cork distribution curve characters, skewed distribution curve characteristics and normal distribution curve characteristics within a certain range. The research findings can be used to make effective prediction of ground surface settlement caused by tunnel construction of adjacent buildings, and to provide theoretical guidance for the design and shield tunnelling.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.144-148
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• 1998

Soil microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes were seasonally isolated at depths (0.5~2, $10{\pm}1$, $50{\pm}1cm$) of field. The frequency of microbial isolates was employed for the determination of microbial population (CFU/g dry soil) and distribution ratio (%) in soil. Both bacteria (24-fold) and actinomycetes (7-fold) exhibited the biggest change at the depth of $50{\pm}1cm$, whereas fungi showed the maximum (13-fold) at $10{\pm}1cm$. On the whole, the bacterial population was high in spring soil, fungi in winter, and actinomycetes in autumn. Soil microorganisms also exhibited the seasonal variation on their distribution ratio (%). The maximum distribution ratio (85.7%) of bacteria was observed at the depth of $50{\pm}1cm$ in spring, whereas bacteria showed the minimum (35.2%) at the depth of $10{\pm}1cm$ in spring. The maximum distribution ratio (23.0%) of fungi was found at the depth of $50{\pm}1cm$ in spring, whereas its minimum (0.5%) at the depth of $10{\pm}1cm$ in spring. Actinomycetes exhibited the maximum distribution ratio (45.2%) at the depth of $10{\pm}1cm$ in spring, whereas its minimum (12.2%) was showed at the depth of $50{\pm}1cm$ in spring.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.4403-4416
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• 1977

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.16-17
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• 1999