Investigation of Soil-Arching Development in Dense Sand by 2D Model Tests

Rui, R.; Tol, A.F. van; Xia, Yuanyou; Eekelen, S.J.M. van; Hu, Gang

doi:10.1520/gtj20150130

Cited by 99 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Costa et al conducted a similar study with centrifuge model tests under plane strain condition. Rui et al proposed three different soil arching evolution patterns through a series of 1‐g trapdoor model tests.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical and theoretical research on stress distribution in the loosening zone of the trapdoor problem

Liang

2019

Num Anal Meth Geomechanics

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Summary The traditional theory of soil arching effect was developed on the assumption that stress distribution in the loosening zone is uniform. However, because of the deflection of principal stress' direction, the stress distribution in the loosening zone is actually ununiform. For the evaluation of principal stress axis deflection and stress redistribution, a discrete element method numerical model of trapdoor problem is established for the simulation of soil arching effect. Based on the numerical results, an arc shape of major principal stress trajectory and uniform horizontal stress distribution at the same depth of the loosening zone are adopted. An analytical model is raised to estimate the average loosening earth pressure acting on the trapdoor and stress distribution in the loosening zone at a limit state. In addition, comparison studies are carried out between the predictions of the proposed solutions and discrete element method numerical results as well as available model test results, thereby validating the accuracy of the proposed theoretical model. Both numerical and theoretical results indicate that the vertical stress distribution in the loosening zone is obviously ununiform. The load acting in the middle of loosening zone is transferred toward two sides so that the vertical stress distribution in loosening zone is concave.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical and theoretical research on stress distribution in the loosening zone of the trapdoor problem

Liang

2019

Num Anal Meth Geomechanics

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“…Furthermore, van Eekelen et al (2013; developed a soil arching model with concentric hemispheres based on the models of Hewlett and Randolph (1988) and Zaeske and Kempfert (2002). Meanwhile, Rui et al (2016a;2016b) argued that there are three soil arching evolution patterns (i.e., a triangular expanding pattern, a tower-shaped evolution pattern, and an equal settlement pattern) in piled embankments. In summary, the existing soil arching models are quite different from each other, owing to the different assumptions adopted on the features of soil arching in each case.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visualization of the formation and features of soil arching within a piled embankment by discrete element method simulation

Zheng

Zhang

Cui

2016

J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. A

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Piled embankments are widely used in highway and railway engineering due to their economy and efficiency in overcoming several issues encountered in constructing embankments over weak soils. Soil arching, caused by the pile-subsoil relative displacement (Δs), plays an important role in reducing the embankment load falling on weak soil, however, the fundamental characteristics (e.g., formation and features) of soil arching remain poorly understood. In this study, a series of discrete element method (DEM) modellings are performed to study the formation and features of soil arching with the variation of Δs in piled embankments with or without geosynthetic reinforcement. Firstly, calibration for the modelling parameters is carried out by comparing the DEM results with the experimental data obtained from the existing literature. Secondly, the analysis of the macroand micro-behaviours is performed in detail. Finally, a parametric study is conducted in an effort to identify the influences of three key factors on soil arching: the friction coefficient of the embankment fill (f), the embankment height (h), and the pile clear spacing (s−a). Numerical results indicate that Δs is a key factor governing the formation and features of soil arching in embankments. To be specific, soil arching gradually evolves from two inclined shear planes at a small Δs to a hemispherical arch at a relatively large Δs. Then, with a continuous increase in Δs, the soil arching height gradually increases and finally approaches a constant value of 0.8(s−a) (i.e., the maximum soil arching height). For a given case, the higher the soil arching height, the greater the degree of soil arching effect. The parametric study shows that the friction coefficient of the embankment fill has a negligible influence on the formation and features of soil arching. However, embankment height is a key factor governing the formation and features of soil arching. In addition, pile clear spacing has a significant effect on the formation of soil arching, but not on its features.

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“…Several studies have investigated the kinematics of soil arching in piled embankments in plane strain model tests, where displacements have been observed through a transparent window (Chen et al 2008;Cui et al 2017;Hewlett and Randolph 1988;Hong et al 2007;Jenck et al 2007;Low et al 1994;Rui et al 2016). Such studies essentially model multiple active trapdoors (to simulate the subsoil settlement) separated by rigid supports (to simulate pile heads).…”

Section: Model Testsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of three-dimensional displacement field in piled embankments using synchrotron X-ray tomography

et al. 2019

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The measurement of displacement fields by nondestructive imaging techniques opens up the potential to study the pre-failure mechanisms of a wide range of geotechnical problems within physical models. With the advancement of imaging technologies, it has become possible to achieve high-resolution three-dimensional computed tomography volumes of relatively large samples, which may have previously resulted in excessively long scan times or significant imaging artefacts. Imaging of small-scale model piled embankments (142 mm diameter) comprising sand was undertaken using the imaging and medical beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. The monochromatic X-ray beam produced high-resolution reconstructed volumes with a fine texture due to the size and mineralogy of the sand grains as well as the phase contrast enhancement achieved by the monochromatic X-ray beam. The reconstructed volumes were well suited to the application of digital volume correlation, which utilizes cross-correlation techniques to estimate three-dimensional full-field displacement vectors. The output provides insight into the strain localizations that develop within piled embankments and an example of how advanced imaging techniques can be utilized to study the kinematics of physical models.

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Investigation of Soil-Arching Development in Dense Sand by 2D Model Tests

Cited by 99 publications

References 23 publications

Numerical and theoretical research on stress distribution in the loosening zone of the trapdoor problem

Numerical and theoretical research on stress distribution in the loosening zone of the trapdoor problem

Visualization of the formation and features of soil arching within a piled embankment by discrete element method simulation

Measurement of three-dimensional displacement field in piled embankments using synchrotron X-ray tomography

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