• Geotechnical Engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.35-48
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• 1996

Reinforced soil structures may experience large local movements between soil and reinforcement. The failure modes of a reinforced structure depend on several factors which are governed by deformation and slipping of the reinforcement. In some cases, pulling out of the reinforcement may occur instead of rupturing, The growing use of geosynthetic liner system for storage of solid and liquid wastes has led to a number of slope instability problems where the synthetic liner may undergo a large amount of stretching and slipping as a result of the loading. The conventional finite element model for the soil-reinforcement interface uses a zero thickness joint element with normal and shear stiffnesses and can only accommodate a small amount of deformation. When a large slippage occurs, the model provides an i ncorrect mechanism for deformation. This paper presents a new interface finite element model which is able to simulate a large amount of slippage between soil and reinforcement. The formulation of the model is presented and the capability of the model is demonstrated using illustrative examples.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.53-73
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• 2013

Prediction of prestressed concrete girder integral abutment bridge (IAB) load effect requires understanding of the inherent uncertainties as it relates to thermal loading, time-dependent effects, bridge material properties and soil properties. In addition, complex inelastic and hysteretic behavior must be considered over an extended, 75-year bridge life. The present study establishes IAB displacement and internal force statistics based on available material property and soil property statistical models and Monte Carlo simulations. Numerical models within the simulation were developed to evaluate the 75-year bridge displacements and internal forces based on 2D numerical models that were calibrated against four field monitored IABs. The considered input uncertainties include both resistance and load variables. Material variables are: (1) concrete elastic modulus; (2) backfill stiffness; and (3) lateral pile soil stiffness. Thermal, time dependent, and soil loading variables are: (1) superstructure temperature fluctuation; (2) superstructure concrete thermal expansion coefficient; (3) superstructure temperature gradient; (4) concrete creep and shrinkage; (5) bridge construction timeline; and (6) backfill pressure on backwall and abutment. IAB displacement and internal force statistics were established for: (1) bridge axial force; (2) bridge bending moment; (3) pile lateral force; (4) pile moment; (5) pile head/abutment displacement; (6) compressive stress at the top fiber at the mid-span of the exterior span; and (7) tensile stress at the bottom fiber at the mid-span of the exterior span. These established IAB displacement and internal force statistics provide a basis for future reliability-based design criteria development.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.403-423
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• 2016

The challenges involved with fatigue damage assessment of steel catenary riser (SCR) in the touchdown zone (TDZ) are primarily due to the non-linear behaviour of the SCR-seabed interaction, considerable uncertainty in SCR-seabed interaction modelling and geotechnical parameters. The issue of fatigue damage induced by the cyclic movements of the SCR with the seabed has acquired prominence with the touch down point (TDP) interaction in the TDZ. Therefore, the SCR-seabed response is critical for reliable estimation of fatigue life in the TDZ. Various design approaches pertaining to the lateral pipe-soil resistance model are discussed. These techniques have been applied in the finite element model that can be used to analyse the lateral SCR-seabed interaction under hydrodynamic loading. This study investigates the sensitivity of fatigue performance to geotechnical parameters through a parametric study. In this study, global analyses are performed to assess the influence of vertical linear seabed springs, the lateral seabed model and the non-linear seabed model, including trench evolution into seabed, seabed normalised stiffness, re-penetration offset parameter and soil suction resistance ratio, on the fatigue life of SCRs in the TDZ.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.407-420
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• 2019

This paper illustrates the results of a series of seismic geotechnical centrifuge experiments to explore dynamic structure-soil-structure interaction (SSSI) of two structures (named S1 and S2) installed on ground surface. A dense homogeneous ground is prepared in an equivalent shear beam (ESB) container. Two structural models are designed to elicit soil-foundation-structure interaction (SFSI) with different masses, heights, and dynamic characteristics. Five experimental tests are carried out for: (1) two reference responses of the two structures and (2) the response of two structures closely located at three ranges of distance. It is found that differential settlements of both structures increase and the smaller structure (S2) inversely rotates out of the other (S1) when they interact with each other. S2 structure experiences less settlement and uplift when at a close distance to the S1 structure. Furthermore, the S1 structure, which is larger one, shows a larger rocking and a smaller sliding response due to the SSSI effects, while S2 structure tends to slide more than that in the reference test, which is illustrated by an increase in sliding response and rocking stiffness as well as a decrease in moment-to-shear ratio (M/H·L) of the S2 structure.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.633-647
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• 2014

Biopolymers, polymers produced by living organisms, are used in various fields (e.g., medical, food, cosmetic, medicine) due to their beneficial properties. Recently, biopolymers have been used for control of soil erosion, stabilization of aggregate, and to enhance drilling. However, the inter-particle behavior of such polymers on soil behavior are poorly understood. In this study, an artificial biopolymer (${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan) was used as an engineered soil additive for Korean residual soil (i.e., hwangtoh). The geotechnical behavior of the Korean residual soil, after treatment with ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan, were measured through a series of laboratory approaches and then analyzed. As the biopolymer content in soil increased, so did its compactibility, Atterberg limits, plasticity index, swelling index, and shear modulus. However, the treatment had no effect on the compressional stiffness of the residual soil, and the polymer induced bio-clogging of the soil's pore spaces while resulting in a decrease in hydraulic conductivity.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.67-86
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• 2009

In this study, a 3D transmitting boundary in water-saturated transversely isotropic soil strata has been developed based on u-w formulation for application to general 3D analysis. Behavior in the far field region is expanded in the Fourier series, and dynamic stiffness for each term is obtained based on the u-w formulation. Transformation of the dynamic stiffness is presented to combine the transmitting boundary with the 3D finite elements for the near field region formulated in a 3D Cartesian coordinate system. The developed transmitting boundary is verified through a comparison of the dynamic behavior of a rigid circular foundation with the results from the existing numerical method. In addition, the developed transmitting boundary is applied to the analysis of the dynamic behavior of rigid foundations of diverse shapes, and the effects of the level of the groundwater table on the dynamic stiffness of a rigid rectangular foundation in the water-saturated transversely isotropic layered stratum are studied.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.759-767
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• 2003

This paper presents the simplified but more rational analysis method for the prediction of additional internal forces induced in integral abutment bridges. These internal forces depend upon the degree of restraint provided tc the deck by the backfill soil adjacent to the abutments and piles. In addition, effect of the relative flexural stiffness ratio among pile foundations, abutment, and superstructure on the structural behavior is also an important factor. The first part of the paper develops the stiffness matrices, written in terms of the soil stiffness, for the lateral and rotational restraints provided by the backfill soil adjacent to the abutment. The finite difference analysis is conducted and it is confirmed that the results are agreed well with the predictions obtained by the proposed method. The simplified spring model is used in the parametric study on the behavior of simple span and multi-span continuous integral abutment PSC beam bridges in which the abutment height and the flexural rigidity of piles are varied. These results are compared with those obtained by loading Rankine passive earth pressure according to the conventional method. From the results of parametric study, it was shown that the abutment height, the relative flexural rigidity of superstructure and piles, and the earth pressure induced by temperature change greatly affect the overall structural response of the bridge system. It may be possible to obtain more rational and economical designs for integral abutment bridges by the proposed method.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.667-674
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• 2011

This paper discusses the analysis method of prestressed concrete girder integral abutment bridges for a 75-year bridge life and the development of prediction models for abutment displacements under thermal loading due to annual temperature fluctuation and time-dependent loading. The developed nonlinear numerical modeling methodologies considered soil-structure interaction between supporting piles and surrounding soils and between abutment and backfills. Material nonlinearity was also considered to simulate differential rotation in construction joints between abutment and backwall. Based on the numerical modeling methodologies, a parametric study of 243 analysis cases, considering five parameters: (1) thermal expansion coefficient, (2) bridge length, (3) backfill height, (4) backfill stiffness, and (5) pile soil stiffness, was performed to established prediction models for abutment displacements over a bridge life. The parametric study results revealed that thermal expansion coefficient, bridge length, and pile-soil stiffness significantly influenced the abutment displacement. Bridge length parameter significantly influenced the abutment top displacement at the centroid of the superstructure, which is similar to the free expansion analysis results. Developed prediction model can be used for a preliminary design of integral abutment bridges.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.9-15
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• 2006

The Green Wall system is one of segmental concrete crib type earth retaining wall. Green wall is constructed as procedures that lay the front stretchers, rear stretchers and headers then making a rigid body through harden filled soil of interior cell. Recently, Green Wall method is applied in variable cutting ground construction because of advantage which minimize to cut base ground. In case of Green Wall method is constructed with soil nail method, expect that total system stability will increase more than flexible facing because of facing stiffness is big. However, in this case of design, facing stiffness is not considered so that is poor economy. Hence, in this study, stability increasing effect of total system analyze about that soil nail method is constructed with rigidity facing like a Green Wall method. In present study, laboratory model tests was performed for analysis on stability increasing effect of total system about changing stiffness of facing. LEM analysis conducted for evaluation on safety factor of total system sliding that facing condition changed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.204-212
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• 2016

The soils used as trackbed in Korea are selected using USCS utilizing basic soil properties such as Grain Size Distribution(GSD), % passing of #200 sieve ($P_{200}$), % passing of #4 sieve ($P_4$), Coefficient of uniformity ($C_u$), and Coefficient of curvature ($C_c$). Degree of compaction of the soils adapted in the code by KR should be evaluated by maximum dry density (${\gamma}_{d-max}$) and deformation modulus $E_{v2}$. The most important influencing factor that is critical to stability and deformation of the compacted soils used as trackbed is stiffness. Thus, it is necessary to construct a correlation between the modulus and the basic soil properties of trackbed soil in order to redefine a new soil classification system adaptable only to railway construction. To construct the relationship, basic soil test data is collected as a database, including GSD, maximum dry unit weight (${\gamma}_{d-max}$), OMC, $P_{200}$, $P_4$, $C_u$, $C_c$, etc.; deformation modulus $E_{v2}$ and $E_{vd}$ are obtained independently by performing a Repeated Plated Bearing Test (RPBT) and Light Weight Deflectometer Test (LWDT) for ten different railway construction sites. A linear regression analysis is performed using SPSS to obtain the relationship between the basic soil properties and the deformation modulus $E_{v2}$ and $E_v$. Based on the constructed relationship and the various obtained mechanical test data, a new soil classification system will be proposed later as a guideline for the design and construction of trackbed foundation in Korea.