• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.2C
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• pp.75-81
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• 2008

In this study, a series of laboratory column test on Suction Drain Method which is one of the way to make an soft ground improvement were conducted in order to investigate the effect of the Hardening Zones and the ratio of improvements depending on periods of the improvements and various applied suction pressures. On this occasion, the experimental conditions are followings; in the case of the periods of effectiveness, 4 days, 8 days, 12 days, 16 days, 20 days and in the case of the applied pressures of the Suction are -20 kPa, -40 kPa, -60 kPa and -80 kPa were carried out. As a result of test, settlement increased with suction pressure and duration increase, and gradually converged. Also, as comparing permeability decrease ratio with which calculated back from water content and numerically predicted using Hansbo's radial consolidation theory, measured value was almost coincide with predicted value when permeability decrease ratio was assumed as 2~3. Furthermore, the hardening zone was appeared within 7~8 cm of whole radial (25 cm).

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.489-501
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• 2020

This paper conducts a complicated coupled effective stress analysis of X-section-in-place concrete (XCC) pile installation and consolidation processes using the dual-stage Eulerian-Lagrangian (DSEL) technique incorporating the modified Cam-clay model. The numerical model is verified by centrifuge data and field test results. The main objective of this study is to investigate the shape effect of XCC pile cross-section on radial total stress, excess pore pressure and time-dependent strength. The discrepancies of the penetration mechanism and set-up effects on pile shaft resistance between the XCC pile and circular pile are discussed. Particular attention is placed on the time-dependent strength around the XCC pile shaft. The results show that soil strength improved more significantly close to the flat side compared with the concave side. Additionally, the computed ultimate shaft resistance of XCC pile incorporating set-up effects is 1.45 times that of the circular pile. The present findings are likely helpful in facilitating the incorporation of set-up effects into XCC pile design practices.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.359-370
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• 2020

Prestressed ground anchors are important structural elements in geotechnical engineering. Despite their widespread usage, the design process is often significantly simplified. One of the major drawbacks of commonly used design methods is the assumption that skin friction is mobilized uniformly along an anchor's fixed length, one consequence of which is that a progressive failure phenomenon is neglected. The following paper introduces an alternative design approach - a computer algorithm employing the load-transfer method. The method is modified for the analysis of anchors and combined with a procedure for the derivation of load-transfer functions based on commonly available laboratory tests. The load-transfer function is divided into a pre-failure (hardening) and a post-failure (softening) segment. In this way, an aspect of non-linear stress-strain soil behavior is incorporated into the algorithm. The influence of post-grouting in terms of radial stress update, diameter enlargement, and grout consolidation is included. The axial stiffness of the anchor body is not held constant. Instead, it gradually decreases as a direct consequence of tensile cracks spreading in the grout material. An analysis of the program's operation is performed via a series of parametric studies in which the influence of governing parameters is investigated. Finally, two case studies concerning three investigation anchor load tests are presented.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.311-315
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• 2006

Various core shapes of cylindrical drains are used for accelerating primary consolidation for soft clay deposits, but serious harmful disadvantages on drainage capacity may occur on cylindrical drains due to confining Pressure when they are installed in that soil. In this study, two different core shapes of cylindrical drain are used to evaluate the drainage capacity with consideration of clogging effects on their filter jackets for an applied confining pressure. Column tests with radial drainage system were conducted under confining pressure of 50 kPa for 13 days. Two parameters which are discharge and accumulated volume of water drained were measured as the time elapsing. From this experimental study, the results showed that at the Initial stage before the clogging developed enough, the cylindrical drain with angular-type-plastic-core could produce discharge twice higher (maximum) than those with round-type. After 13 days had passed on, cylindrical drain with angular-type-plastic-core could produce discharge only 20% higher than those with round-type one. Eventually, there is a possibility that the efficiency of using angular-type-cylindrical-drain will be similar to the round-type one as the clogging develops more.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.81-95
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• 2015

The permeability behavior of Ariake clays has been investigated by constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation tests with vertical or radial drainage. Three types of Ariake clays, namely undisturbed Ariake clay samples from the Saga plain, Japan (aged Ariake clay), clay deposit in shallow seabed of the Ariake Sea (young Ariake clay) and reconstituted Ariake clay samples using the soil sampled from the Saga plain, were tested. The test results indicate that the deduced permeability in the horizontal direction ($k_h$) is generally larger than that in the vertical direction ($k_v$). Under odometer condition, the permeability ratio ($k_h/k_v$) increases with the vertical strain. It is also found that the development of the permeability anisotropy is influenced by the inter-particle bonds and clay content of the sample. The aged Ariake clay has stronger initial inter-particle bonds than the young and reconstituted Ariake clays, resulting in slower increase of $k_h/k_v$ with the vertical strain. The young Ariake clay has higher clay content than the reconstituted Ariake clay, resulting in higher values of $k_h/k_v$. The microstructure of the samples before and after the consolidation test has been examined qualitatively by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image and semi-quantitatively by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests. The SEM images indicate that there are more cut edges of platy clay particles on a vertical plane (with respect to the deposition direction) and there are more faces of platy clay particles on a horizontal plane. This tendency increases with the increase of one-dimensional (1D) deformation. MIP test results show that using a sample with a larger vertical surface area has a larger cumulative intruded pore volume, i.e., mercury can be intruded into the sample more easily from the horizontal direction (vertical plane) under the same pressure. Therefore, the permeability anisotropy of Ariake clays is the result of the anisotropic microstructure of the clay samples.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.307-323
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• 2003

In this study the pilot test of C.G.S (Compaction Grouting System) as injection method by low slump mortar was performed and the results were analyzed in order to find out the application of this method to the soft ground and the effect of settlement restraint. The site for pilot test is adjacent to apartments supported by pile foundations. Sand drain method was performed previously as countermeasures against settlement, but settlement occurs continuously because this ground is very soft. Site investigations such as SPT, CPT and vane shear test were performed to determine the characteristics of ground improvement after the installation of C.G.S. Field measurements were performed on purpose to find out the displacement of ground during the installation of C.G.S. From the results of this study, C.G.S method can be optimized by the control of radius, space, depth, injection material and injection pressure. C.G.S improves soft ground with radial consolidation of adjacent soft ground. Considering that increase of N value to about 3, C.G.S can be considered as an effective method to increase the bearing capacity as well as constrain the settlement of soft ground. It is also expected to be economic and effective in the improvement of ground when it is used in applicable sites.