Shear Strength (shear + strength)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Polymers and Materials Science

Kinds of Shear Strength

  • interfacial shear strength
  • interlaminar shear strength


  • Selected Abstracts


    The Effect of Intermetallic Compound on Shear Strength of Diffusion Soldered Interconnection

    ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 3 2006
    J. Wojewoda
    The mechanical properties of diffusion soldered Cu/Cu interconnections were examined. Application of the indium-tin eutectic alloy as a solder material and different manufacturing temperatures resulted in creation of the intermetallics in the interconnection area. The calculated cross-sections of the Cu-In-Sn diagram combined with Scanning Electron Microscopy investigation allowed for the detailed description of the joints before the shear test and after it. [source]


    Effect of grafting alkoxysilane on the surface properties of Kevlar fiber

    POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 3 2007
    Tao Ai
    This research applied the methodology of metalation and grafting alkoxysilane to modify the surface of Kevlar-29 fiber. The surface properties of the modified Kevlar fiber were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isothermal adsorption analysis. The relationship between surface characteristics of Kevlar fiber and its interfacial adhesion of Kevlar fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites was also discussed. Compared with the untreated fiber, the surface of the modified Kevlar fiber was much rougher, its oxygen content increased by about 12%, the surface area enlarged about 10 times, and the wetting behavior improved. Due to the modification of the fiber, the adhesion between the fiber and the resin matrix was markedly improved and the Interlaminar Shear Strength of its epoxy composites increased by about 57%. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:412,416, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source]


    Shear properties of epoxy under high strain rate loading

    POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 4 2010
    Niranjan K. Naik
    Shear properties of epoxy LY 556 under high strain rate loading are presented. Torsional Split Hopkinson Bar apparatus was used for the studies in the shear strain rate range of 385,880 per sec. Experimental details, specimen configuration and development, data acquisition, and processing are presented. Shear strength, shear modulus, and ultimate shear strain are presented as a function of shear strain rate. For comparison, studies are presented at quasi-static loading. It is observed that the shear strength at high strain rate is enhanced up to 45% compared with that at quasi-static loading in the range of parameters considered. Further, it is observed that, in the range of parameters considered, the change in shear properties with the change in shear strain rate is not significant. Comparison of torque versus time behavior derived from signals obtained from strain gauges mounted on incident bar and transmitter bar is also presented. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]


    Modelling increased soil cohesion due to roots with EUROSEM

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 13 2008
    S. De Baets
    Abstract As organic root exudates cause soil particles to adhere firmly to root surfaces, roots significantly increase soil strength and therefore also increase the resistance of the topsoil to erosion by concentrated flow. This paper aims at contributing to a better prediction of the root effects on soil erosion rates in the EUROSEM model, as the input values accounting for roots, presented in the user manual, do not account for differences in root density or root architecture. Recent research indicates that small changes in root density or differences in root architecture considerably influence soil erosion rates during concentrated flow. The approach for incorporating the root effects into this model is based on a comparison of measured soil detachment rates for bare and for root-permeated topsoil samples with predicted erosion rates under the same flow conditions using the erosion equation of EUROSEM. Through backwards calculation, transport capacity efficiencies and corresponding soil cohesion values can be assessed for bare and root-permeated topsoils respectively. The results are promising and present soil cohesion values that are in accordance with reported values in the literature for the same soil type (silt loam). The results show that grass roots provide a larger increase in soil cohesion as compared with tap-rooted species and that the increase in soil cohesion is not significantly different under wet and dry soil conditions, either for fibrous root systems or for tap root systems. Power and exponential relationships are established between measured root density values and the corresponding calculated soil cohesion values, reflecting the effects of roots on the resistance of the topsoil to concentrated flow incision. These relationships enable one to incorporate the root effect into the soil erosion model EUROSEM, through adapting the soil cohesion input value. A scenario analysis shows that the contribution of roots to soil cohesion is very important for preventing soil loss and reducing runoff volume. The increase in soil shear strength due to the binding effect of roots on soil particles is two orders of magnitude lower as compared with soil reinforcement achieved when roots mobilize their tensile strength during soil shearing and root breakage. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Experimental study of rill bank collapse

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 2 2007
    Jovan R. Stefanovic
    Abstract Rill bank collapse is an important component in the adjustment of channel morphology to changes in discharge and sediment flux. Sediment inputs from bank collapse cause abrupt changes in flow resistance, flow patterns and downstream sediment concentrations. Generally, bank retreat involves gradual lateral erosion, caused by flow shear stress, and sudden bank collapse, triggered by complex interactions between channel flow and bank and soil water conditions. Collapse occurs when bank height exceeds the critical height where gravitational forces overcome soil shear strength. An experimental study examined conditions for collapse in eroding rill channels. Experiments with and without a deep water table were carried out on a meandering rill channel in a loamy sand and sandy loam in a laboratory flume under simulated rainfall and controlled runon. Different discharges were used to initiate knickpoint and rill incision. Soil water dynamics were monitored using microstandpipes, tensiometers and time domain reflectometer probes (TDR probes). Bank collapse occurred with newly developed or rising pre-existing water tables near rill banks, associated with knickpoint migration. Knickpoint scour increased effective bank height, caused positive pore water pressure in the bank toe and reduced negative pore pressures in the unsaturated zone to near zero. Matric tension in unsaturated parts of the bank and a surface seal on the ,interrill' zone behind the bank enhanced stability, while increased effective bank height and positive pore water pressure at the bank toe caused instability. With soil water contents >35 per cent (sandy loam) and >23 per cent (loamy sand), critical bank heights were 0·11,0·12 m and 0·06,0·07 m, respectively. Bank toe undercutting at the outside of the rill bends also triggered instability. Bank displacement was quite different on the two soils. On the loamy sand, the failed block slid to the channel bed, revealing only the upper half of the failure plane, while on the sandy loam the failed block toppled forwards, exposing the failure plane for the complete bank height. This study has shown that it is possible to predict location, frequency and magnitude of the rill bank collapse, providing a basis for incorporation into predictive models for hillslope soil loss or rill network development. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Mineral soil surface crusts and wind and water erosion

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 9 2004
    Michael J. Singer
    Abstract The ,rst few millimetres of soil largely control the soil's response to the eroding forces of wind and water. The tendency of soils to form surface seals and crusts in,uences the processes of wind and water erosion differently. For wind, dry particle size distribution and particle organization determine the shear strength and threshold wind velocity necessary to initiate particle movement. In loams and clay loams, seals and crusts decrease roughness but increase surface soil strength, generally decreasing wind erosion. Conversely, in sand and sandy loams, loose erodible sandy material may either deposit on the crust and is subject to erosion or it may disrupt the crust, accelerating the erosion process. For water erosion, particle size distribution and structure determine in,ltration rate, time to ponding, and energy required for soil particle detachment. Seals and crusts tend to decrease in,ltration rate and time to ponding thus increasing overland ,ow and soil erosion. This paper brie,y reviews how permanent and time-dependent soil properties in,uence surface seals and crusts and how these affect soil erosion by wind and water. The tendency of a soil to form a seal and crust depends to some degree on the time-dependent property of soil structural stability, which tends to increase with increasing clay content and smectitic mineralogy which are permanent properties. These permanent properties and their effect on structure are variable depending on dynamic properties of exchangeable sodium percentage and soil solution electrical conductivity. Antecedent water content prior to irrigation or rainfall, rate of wetting before an erosive event and aging, the time between wetting and an erosive event, greatly in,uence the response of soil structure to raindrop impact. The effect of these dynamic processes is further in,uenced by the static and dynamic properties of the soil. Weak structure will be less in,uenced by wetting rate than will a soil with strong structure. Process-based models of wind and water erosion need to consider the details of the interactions between soil static and dynamic properties and the dynamic processes that occur prior to erosive events. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Gelifluction: viscous flow or plastic creep?

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 12 2003
    Charles Harris
    Abstract This paper reports results from two scaled centrifuge modelling experiments, designed to simulate thaw-related geli,uction. A planar 12° prototype slope was modelled in each experiment, using the same natural ,ne sandy silt soil. However two different scales were used. In Experiment 1, the model scale was 1/10, tested in the centrifuge at 10 gravities (g) and in Experiment 2, the scale was 1/30, tested at 30 g. Centrifuge scaling laws indicate that the time scaling factor for thaw consolidation between model and prototype is N2, where N is the number of gravities under which the model was tested. However, the equivalent time scaling for viscous ,ow is 1/1. If geli,uction is a viscosity-controlled ,ow process, scaling con,icts will therefore arise during centrifuge modelling of thawing slopes, and rates of displacement will not scale accurately to the prototype. If, however, no such scaling con,icts are observed, we may conclude that geli,uction is not controlled by viscosity, but rather by elasto-plastic soil deformation in which frictional shear strength depends on effective stress, itself a function of the thaw consolidation process. Models were saturated, consolidated and frozen from the surface downwards on the laboratory ,oor. The frozen models were then placed in the geotechnical centrifuge and thawed from the surface down. Each model was subjected to four freeze,thaw cycles. Soil temperatures and pore water pressures were monitored, and frost heave, thaw settlement and downslope displacements measured. Pore water pressures, displacement rates and displacement pro,les re,ecting accumulated shear strain, were all similar at the two model scales and volumetric soil transport per freeze,thaw cycle, when scaled to prototype, were virtually identical. Displacement rates and pro,les were also similar to those observed in earlier full-scale laboratory ,oor experiments. It is concluded therefore that the modelled geli,uction was not a time-dependent viscosity-controlled ,ow phenomenon, but rather elasto-plastic in nature. A ,rst approximation ,,ow' law is proposed, based on the ,Cam Clay' constitutive model for soils. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    The influence of groundwater on surface flow erosion processes during a rainstorm

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 5 2002
    D. L. RockwellArticle first published online: 27 MAY 200
    Abstract Surface erosion rates on a disturbed natural soil in a 10 m indoor flume increased by an order of magnitude when a water table developed at a 10 cm depth during simulated rainstorms. Erosion rate increases did not correlate well with surface hydraulic flow conditions, and all significant erosion increases began before the full soil depth was saturated, before the water table reached the soil surface, and before seepage was possible. Groundwater influenced erosion processes primarily by increasing unsaturated pore-water pressures and decreasing soil shear strength in surface rainflow, rather than through the direct entrainment of soil particles by seepage flow. There was no unique morphologic expression of the influence of groundwater during a rainstorm. Subsurface processes influencing surface erosion were detected only by appropriate subsurface instrumentation, which included micropiezometers, tensiometers and time domain reflectometry. Erosion rate increases occurred all along the slope, and were not concentrated at the base of slope due to a seepage zone. Soil depth was crucial to determining surface erosion increase. It is likely that confusing trends in surface flow erosion rates in past studies have occurred due to unrecorded groundwater development or an emphasis on seepage effects. Groundwater must be monitored along hillslopes under all moisture and soil conditions in order to avoid misleading and inconsistent conclusions derived solely from surface flow or seepage data. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Seismic response analysis of multidrum classical columns

    EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 10 2005
    Dimitrios Konstantinidis
    Abstract This paper presents a numerical investigation on the seismic response of multidrum classical columns. The motivation for this study originates from the need to understand: (a) the level of ground shaking that classical multidrum columns can survive, and (b) the possible advantages or disadvantages of retrofitting multidrum columns with metallic shear links that replace the wooden poles that were installed in ancient times. The numerical study presented in this paper is conducted with the commercially available software Working Model 2DÔ, which can capture with fidelity the sliding, rocking, and slide-rocking response of rigid-body assemblies. This paper validates the software Working Model by comparing selected computed responses with scarce analytical solutions and the results from in-house numerical codes initially developed at the University of California, Berkeley, to study the seismic response of electrical transformers and heavy laboratory equipment. The study reveals that relative sliding between drums happens even when the g -value of the ground acceleration is less than the coefficient of friction, µ, of the sliding interfaces and concludes that: (a) typical multidrum classical columns can survive the ground shaking from strong ground motions recorded near the causative faults of earthquakes with magnitudes Mw=6.0,7.4; (b) in most cases multidrum classical columns free to dislocate at the drum interfaces exhibit more controlled seismic response than the monolithic columns with same size and slenderness; (c) the shear strength of the wooden poles has a marginal effect on the sliding response of the drums; and (d) stiff metallic shear links in-between column drums may have an undesirable role on the seismic stability of classical columns and should be avoided. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Behavior of moment-resisting frame structures subjected to near-fault ground motions

    EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 6 2004
    Babak Alavi
    Abstract Near-fault ground motions impose large demands on structures compared to ,ordinary' ground motions. Recordings suggest that near-fault ground motions with ,forward' directivity are characterized by a large pulse, which is mostly orientated perpendicular to the fault. This study is intended to provide quantitative knowledge on important response characteristics of elastic and inelastic frame structures subjected to near-fault ground motions. Generic frame models are used to represent MDOF structures. Near-fault ground motions are represented by equivalent pulses, which have a comparable effect on structural response, but whose characteristics are defined by a small number of parameters. The results demonstrate that structures with a period longer than the pulse period respond very differently from structures with a shorter period. For the former, early yielding occurs in higher stories but the high ductility demands migrate to the bottom stories as the ground motion becomes more severe. For the latter, the maximum demand always occurs in the bottom stories. Preliminary regression equations are proposed that relate the parameters of the equivalent pulse to magnitude and distance. The equivalent pulse concept is used to estimate the base shear strength required to limit story ductility demands to specific target values. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Strengthening of moment-resisting frame structures against near-fault ground motion effects

    EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 6 2004
    Babak Alavi
    Abstract Near-fault ground motions with forward directivity are characterized by a large pulse. This pulse-like motion may cause a highly non-uniform distribution of story ductility demands for code-compliant frame structures, with maximum demands that may considerably exceed the level of code expectations. Strengthening techniques for multi-story frame structures are explored with the objective of reducing maximum drift demands. One option is to modify the code-based SRSS distribution of story shear strength over the height by strengthening of the lower stories of the frame. The modified distribution reduces the maximum story ductility demand, particularly for weak and flexible structures. However, this strengthening technique is less effective for stiff structures, and is almost ineffective in cases in which the maximum demand occurs in the upper stories, i.e. strong and flexible structures. As an alternative, the benefits of strengthening frames with elastic and inelastic walls are evaluated. The effects of adding walls that are either fixed or hinged at the base are investigated. It is demonstrated that strengthening with hinged walls is very effective in reducing drift demands for structures with a wide range of periods and at various performance levels. Wall inelastic behavior only slightly reduces the benefits of strengthening with hinged walls.Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Material stiffness, branching pattern and soil matric potential affect the pullout resistance of model root systems

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007
    S. B. Mickovski
    Summary Understanding of the detailed mechanisms of how roots anchor in and reinforce soil is complicated by the variability and complexity of both materials. This study controlled material stiffness and architecture of root analogues, by using rubber and wood, and also employed real willow root segments, to investigate the effect on pullout resistance in wet and air-dry sand. The architecture of model roots included either no laterals (tap-root) or a single pair at two different locations (herringbone and dichotomous). During pullout tests, data on load and displacement were recorded. These studies were combined with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) image analysis of the model root-soil system at a transparent interface during pullout to increase understanding of mechanical interactions along the root. Model rubber roots with small stiffness had increasing pullout resistance as the branching and the depth of the lateral roots increased. Similarly, with the stiff wooden root models, the models with lateral roots embedded deeper showed greatest resistance. PIV showed that rubber model roots mobilized their interface shear strength progressively whilst rigid roots mobilized it equally and more rapidly over the whole root length. Soil water suction increased the pullout resistance of the roots by increasing the effective stress and soil strength. Separate pullout tests conducted on willow root samples embedded in sand showed similar behaviour to the rigid model roots. These tests also demonstrated the effect of the root curvature and rough interface on the maximum pullout resistance. [source]


    Increased Interface Strength in Carbon Fiber Composites through a ZnO Nanowire Interphase

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2009
    Yirong Lin
    Abstract One of the most important factors in the design of a fiber reinforced composite is the quality of the fiber/matrix interface. Recently carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide whiskers have been used to enhance the interfacial properties of composites; however, the high growth temperature degrade the fiber strength and significantly reduce the composite's in-plane properties. Here, a novel method for enhancing the fiber/matrix interfacial strength that does not degrade the mechanical properties of the fiber is demonstrated. The composite is fabricated using low-temperature solution-based growth of ZnO nanowires on the surface of the reinforcing fiber. Experimental testing shows the growth does not adversely affect fiber strength, interfacial shear strength can be significantly increased by 113%, and the lamina shear strength and modulus can be increased by 37.8% and 38.8%, respectively. This novel interface could also provide embedded functionality through the piezoelectric and semiconductive properties of ZnO. [source]


    A destructuration theory and its application to SANICLAY model

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 10 2010
    Mahdi Taiebat
    Abstract Many natural clays have an undisturbed shear strength in excess of the remoulded strength. Destructuration modeling provides a means to account for such sensitivity in a constitutive model. This paper extends the SANICLAY model to include destructuration. Two distinct types of destructuration are considered: isotropic and frictional. The former is a concept already presented in relation to other models and in essence constitutes a mechanism of isotropic softening of the yield surface with destructuration. The latter refers to the reduction of the critical stress ratio reflecting the effect of destructuration on the friction angle, and is believed to be a novel proposition. Both the types depend on a measure of destructuration rate expressed in terms of combined plastic volumetric and deviatoric strain rates. The SANICLAY model itself is generalized from its previous form by additional dependence of the yield surface on the third isotropic stress invariant. Such a generalization allows to obtain as particular cases simplified model versions of lower complexity including one with a single surface and associative flow rule, by simply setting accordingly parameters of the generalized version. A detailed calibration procedure of the relatively few model constants is presented, and the performance of three versions of the model, in descending order of complexity, is validated by comparison of simulations to various data for oedometric consolidation followed by triaxial undrained compression and extension tests on two structured clays. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    On the capillary stress tensor in wet granular materials

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 10 2009
    L. Scholtès
    Abstract This paper presents a micromechanical study of unsaturated granular media in the pendular regime, based on numerical experiments using the discrete element method, compared with a microstructural elastoplastic model. Water effects are taken into account by adding capillary menisci at contacts and their consequences in terms of force and water volume are studied. Simulations of triaxial compression tests are used to investigate both macro and micro-effects of a partial saturation. The results provided by the two methods appear to be in good agreement, reproducing the major trends of a partially saturated granular assembly, such as the increase in the shear strength and the hardening with suction. Moreover, a capillary stress tensor is exhibited from capillary forces by using homogenization techniques. Both macroscopic and microscopic considerations emphasize an induced anisotropy of the capillary stress tensor in relation with the pore fluid distribution inside the material. Insofar as the tensorial nature of this fluid fabric implies shear effects on the solid phase associated with suction, a comparison has been made with the standard equivalent pore pressure assumption. It is shown that water effects induce microstructural phenomena that cannot be considered at the macro level, particularly when dealing with material history. Thus, the study points out that unsaturated soil stress definitions should include, besides the macroscopic stresses such as the total stress, the microscopic interparticle stresses such as the ones resulting from capillary forces, in order to interpret more precisely the implications of the pore fluid on the mechanical behaviour of granular materials. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Micromechanical aspects of the shear strength of wet granular soils

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 14 2008
    U. El Shamy
    Abstract This paper presents a micromechanical model for the analysis of wet granular soils at low saturation (below 30%). The discrete element method is employed to model the solid particles. The capillary water is assumed to be in a pendular state and thus exists in the form of liquid bridges at the particle-to-particle contacts. The resulting inter-particle adhesion is accounted for using the toroidal approximation of the bridge. Hydraulic hysteresis is accounted for based on the possible mechanism of the formation and breakage of the liquid bridges during wetting and drying phases. Shear test computational simulations were conducted at different water contents under relatively low net normal stresses. The results of these simulations suggest that capillary-induced attractive forces and hydraulic hysteresis play an important role in affecting the shear strength of the soil. These attractive forces produce a tensile stress that contributes to the apparent cohesion of the soil and increases its stiffness. During a drying phase, capillary-induced tensile stresses, and hence shear strength, tend to be larger than those during a wetting phase. The proposed model appears to capture the macroscopic response of wet granular materials and revealed a number of salient micromechanical mechanisms and response patterns consistent with theoretical considerations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    On double shearing in frictional materials

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 1 2007
    J. A. M. Teunissen
    Abstract This paper evaluates the mechanical behaviour of yielding frictional geomaterials. The general Double Shearing model describes this behaviour. Non-coaxiality of stress and plastic strain increments for plane strain conditions forms an important part of this model. The model is based on a micro-mechanical and macro-mechanical formulation. The stress,dilatancy theory in the model combines the mechanical behaviour on both scales. It is shown that the general Double Shearing formulation comprises other Double Shearing models. These models differ in the relation between the mobilized friction and dilatancy and in non-coaxiality. In order to describe reversible and irreversible deformations the general Double Shearing model is extended with elasticity. The failure of soil masses is controlled by shear mechanisms. These shear mechanisms are determined by the conditions along the shear band. The shear stress ratio of a shear band depends on the orientation of the stress in the shear band. There is a difference between the peak strength and the residual strength in the shear band. While peak stress depends on strength properties only, the residual strength depends upon the yield conditions and the plastic deformation mechanisms and is generally considerably lower than the maximum strength. It is shown that non-coaxial models give non-unique solutions for the shear stress ratio on the shear band. The Double Shearing model is applied to various failure problems of soils such as the direct simple shear test, the biaxial test, infinite slopes, interfaces and for the calculation of the undrained shear strength. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Tunnel stability analysis during construction using a neuro-fuzzy system

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 15 2005
    José Luis Rangel
    Abstract This paper presents an alternative strategy to evaluate the stability of tunnels during the design and construction stages based on a hybrid system, composed by neural, neuro-fuzzy and analytical solutions. A prototype of this system is designed using a database formed by 261 cases, 45 real and the rest synthetic. This system is capable of reproducing the displacements induced at the periphery of the tunnel before and after support installation. The stability of the excavation process is evaluated using a criterion that considers dimensionless parameters based on the shear strength of the media, the induced deformation level in the ground, the plastic radii and the advance of excavation without support. The efficiency and validity of the prototype is verified with two examples of actual tunnels, one included in the database used to train the system and the other not included. The results of both examples show a better approximation than other commonly used techniques. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Minimum principle and related numerical scheme for simulating initial flow and subsequent propagation of liquefied ground

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 11 2005
    Sami Montassar
    Abstract The problem of predicting the evolution of liquefied ground, modelled as a viscoplastic material, is addressed by combining a minimum principle for the velocity field, which characterizes such an evolution, and a time step integration procedure. Two different numerical schemes are then presented for the finite element implementation of this minimum principle, namely, the regularization technique and the decomposition-co-ordination method by augmented Lagrangian. The second method, which proves more accurate and efficient than the first, is finally applied to simulate the incipient flow failure and subsequent spreading of a liquefied soil embankment subject to gravity. The strong influence of liquefied soil residual shear strength on reducing the maximum amplitude of the ground displacement is particularly emphasized in such an analysis. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Indentation of a free-falling lance penetrometer into a poroelastic seabed

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 2 2005
    Derek Elsworth
    Abstract A solution is developed for the build-up, steady and post-arrest dissipative pore fluid pressure fields that develop around a blunt penetrometer that self-embeds from freefall into the seabed. Arrest from freefall considers deceleration under undrained conditions in a purely cohesive soil, with constant shear strength with depth. The resulting decelerating velocity field is controlled by soil strength, geometric bearing capacity factors, and inertial components. At low impact velocities the embedment process is controlled by soil strength, and at high velocities by inertia. With the deceleration defined, a solution is evaluated for a point normal dislocation penetrating in a poroelastic medium with a prescribed decelerating velocity. Dynamic steady pressures, PD, develop relative to the penetrating tip geometry with their distribution conditioned by the non-dimensional penetration rate, UD, incorporating impacting penetration rate, consolidation coefficient and penetrometer radius, and the non-dimensional strength, ND, additionally incorporating undrained shear strength of the sediment. Pore pressures develop to a steady peak magnitude at the penetrometer tip, and drop as PD=1/xD with distance xD behind the tip and along the shaft. Peak induced pressure magnitudes may be correlated with sediment permeabilities, post-arrest dissipation rates may be correlated with consolidation coefficients, and depths of penetration may be correlated with shear strengths. Together, these records enable strength and transport parameters to be recovered from lance penetrometer data. Penetrometer data recorded off La Palma in the Canary Islands (J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 2000; 101:253) are used to recover permeabilities and consolidation coefficients from peak pressure and dissipation response, respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Experimental study of thermal effects on the mechanical behaviour of a clay

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 3 2004
    Cane Cekerevac
    Abstract The paper presents the results of an experimental study of thermal effects on the mechanical behaviour of a saturated clay. The study was performed on CM clay (Kaolin) using a temperature-controlled triaxial apparatus. Applied temperatures were between 22 and 90°C. A comprehensive experimental program was carried out, including: (i) triaxial shear tests at ambient and high temperatures for different initial overconsolidation ratios; (ii) consolidation tests at ambient and high temperatures; and (iii) drained thermal heating for different initial overconsolidation ratios. The obtained results provide observations concerning a wide scope of the thermo-mechanical behaviour of clays. Test results obtained at 90°C were compared with tests performed at ambient temperature. Based on these comparisons, thermal effects on a variety of features of behaviour are presented and discussed. Focus is made on: (i) induced thermal volume change during drained heating; (ii) experimental evidence of temperature influence on preconsolidation pressure and on compressibility index; (iii) thermal effects on shear strength and critical state; and (iv) thermal effects on elastic modulus. Thermal yielding is discussed and yield limit evolution with temperature is presented. The directions of the induced plastic strains are also discussed. Several remarks on the difference in the mechanical behaviour at ambient and high temperatures conclude the paper. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Reinforcing mechanism of anchors in slopes: a numerical comparison of results of LEM and FEM

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 7 2003
    Fei Cai
    Abstract This paper reports the limitation of the conventional Bishop's simplified method to calculate the safety factor of slopes stabilized with anchors, and proposes a new approach to considering the reinforcing effect of anchors on the safety factor. The reinforcing effect of anchors can be explained using an additional shearing resistance on the slip surface. A three-dimensional shear strength reduction finite element method (SSRFEM), where soil,anchor interactions were simulated by three-dimensional zero-thickness elasto-plastic interface elements, was used to calculate the safety factor of slopes stabilized with anchors to verify the reinforcing mechanism of anchors. The results of SSRFEM were compared with those of the conventional and proposed approaches for Bishop's simplified method for various orientations, positions, and spacings of anchors, and shear strengths of soil,grouted body interfaces. For the safety factor, the proposed approach compared better with SSRFEM than the conventional approach. The additional shearing resistance can explain the influence of the orientation, position, and spacing of anchors, and the shear strength of soil,grouted body interfaces on the safety factor of slopes stabilized with anchors. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Stabilization of soft clay in irrigation projects,

    IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 2 2005
    M. M. Mubeen
    stabilisation de chaux; utilisation d'argile molle; déchet de pierre pulvérisée; ouvrage d'irrigation Abstract Clay,lime improvement is an effective means to improve soft clay soil. Lime stabilization especially improves the strength and the workability of the clay soil. In addition, lime improvement provides more resistance to the soil structure and to the effect of weather on the soil structure. This study has investigated lime stabilization of soft clay and the possibility of utilizing waste rock powder produced in crusher plants as a supplemental material for lime stabilization in order to increase the strength of the soil structure. The purpose of the study was to apply the results especially in irrigation projects in order to avoid the problems of soft clay on irrigation structures in Sri Lanka. However, the results and conclusions can be considered for other regions, where the same type of soft clay problems exists. The Dutch Oostvaardersplassen (OVP) soft clay, which has a high plasticity, low shear strength and high natural water content, was chosen for the investigations. The results of unconfined compressive strength for different water contents of clay and also for different lime and waste rock powder contents show an excellent increase in strength and workability. The waste rock powder proved to increase the effect of lime stabilization. The strength improvement caused by waste rock powder is more significant for those soils which have a low clay content. Since in irrigation projects a wide range of clay soils exist, this investigation may be useful to utilize waste rock powder in order to improve the quality and the durability of the foundation of irrigation structures in the long run. Therefore the application of lime and rock material improvement on soft clay in irrigation projects may be a useful approach to stabilize soft soils and improve medium-scale shallow foundation irrigation structures and road and canal embankments, including repairing canal leaks. It has also been found that by applying this method in irrigation projects in Sri Lanka, the stabilization cost for structures on soft clay can be significantly reduced compared to other methods. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. L'amélioration de l'argile avec de la chaux est une moyenne effective pour améliorer la terre de l'argile molle. Spécialement la stabilisation de chaux améliore la force et la maniabilité de la terre argileuse. De plus l'amélioration de chaux fournit plus de résistance à la structure de la terre avec l'effet du temps sur la structure de la terre pendant les conditions atmosphériques différentes. Dans cette étude on a examiné la stabilisation de chaux dans l'argile molle et la possibilité de utiliser des déchets de pierre pulvérisée, obtenus par pulvériser des usines, comme une matérielle supplémentaire pour la stabilisation de chaux afin que la force de la structure de la terre s'améliore. L'objective de cette étude était d'appliquer les résultats spécialement dans des projets d'irrigation pour éviter des problèmes de l'argile molle dans des structures d'irrigation en Sri Lanka. Les résultats et les conclusions peuvent être considérés pour d'autres régions, ayant le même problème de l'argile molle. Les Oostvaarderplassen (OVP) en Hollande ont de l'argile molle ayant une plasticité haute, une résistance au cisaillement basse et un haut pourcentage de l'eau naturelle. C'est pour ça les Oostvaardersplassen ont été choisis pour accomplir la recherche. Les résultats de la force de pression indéfinie pour des teneurs en eau différents dans l'argile, aussi pour les teneurs en chaux différents et des déchets de pierres pulvérisées montrent une augmentation excellente de la force et de la maniabilité. Les déchets de pierre pulvérisée se révèlent d'augmenter l'effet de la stabilisation de chaux. L'amélioration de la force, causée par les déchets de pierre pulvérisée, est plus significative pour ces terres ayant un teneur d'argile bas. Parce que les projets d'irrigation ont beaucoup de la terre d'argile cette recherche peut être utile pour user des déchets de pierre pulvérisée pour améliorer la qualité et la durabilité de la fondation des structures d'irrigation à long terme. C'est pourquoi l'application du matériel de chaux et de pierre sur de l'argile molle dans des projets d'irrigation peut être une approche utile pour stabiliser des terres molles et peut améliorer des structures de fondations d'irrigation dans des eaux pas profondes, dans des remblais de chemins et de canaux, inclus dans des réparations des fuites de canaux. Aussi on a révélé qu'en appliquant ce méthode dans des projets d'irrigation en Sri Lanka les coûts de la stabilisation des structures sur de l'argile molle peuvent être réduits d'une manière importante comparée avec d'autres méthodes. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Nanofilled polyethersulfone as matrix for continuous glass fibers composites: Mechanical properties and solvent resistance,

    ADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
    M. Aurilia
    Abstract Polyethersulfone (PES) is high performance thermoplastic polymer; however, its applications are limited by the poor resistance to several classes of solvents. Fumed silica and expanded graphite nanoparticles were used to prepare nanofilled PES by a melt-compounding technique with the view to improve the barrier properties. Solvent uptake at equilibrium and solvents resistance of nanofilled PES compounds were investigated by three different methodologies: (1) weight increase by methylene chloride absorption in a vapor-saturated atmosphere, (2) solvent uptake of acetone at equilibrium, and (3) decay of storage modulus induced by acetone diffusion. The storage modulus decay was measured by means of dynamic mechanical analysis on samples immersed in an acetone bath. The collected data were fitted to an ad hoc model to calculate the diffusion coefficient. The produced nanofilled PES showed a significant improvement in barrier properties and considerable reduction in acetone uptake at equilibrium, in comparison with the neat PES. Nanofilled PES compounds were also used to produce continuous glass fiber composites by the film-stacking manufacturing technique. The composites exhibited, by and large, improvements in flexural and shear strength. Their solvent resistance was evaluated by measuring the variation of mechanical properties after exposure to acetone for 1 and 5 days. These tests showed that the composites produced with the nanocomposite matrix did not exhibit higher solvent resistance than those prepared with neat PES, probably because of the deterioration of the fiber/nanocomposite-matrix interfacial bond in the wet state. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 29:146,160, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary. DOI 10.1002/adv.20187 [source]


    Effect of silica on viscosity, tack, and shear strength of epoxidized natural rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesives in the presence of coumarone-indene resin

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010
    Imran Khan
    Abstract The viscosity, loop tack, and shear strength of silica-filled epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 25 and ENR 50 grade) adhesive were investigated using coumarone-indene as the tackifying resin. Silica loading was varied from 10,50 parts per hundred parts of rubber (phr), whereas the coumarone-indene concentration was fixed at 40 phr. Toluene was used as the solvent throughout the study. Polyethylene terephthalate substrate was coated at various adhesive coating thicknesses, i.e., 30, 60, 90, and 120 ,m using a SHEEN Hand Coater. Viscosity of the adhesive was determined by a HAAKE Rotary Viscometer whereas loop tack and shear strength were measured by a Llyod Adhesion Tester operating at 30 cm/min. Result shows that viscosity of the adhesive increases gradually with increase of silica loading due to the concentration effect of the filler. Both loop tack and shear strength show maximum value at 40 phr silica for ENR 25. However, the respective values for ENR 50 are 20 and 40 phr of filler. This observation is attributed to the maximum wettability and compatibility of adhesive on the substrate at the respective silica loadings. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source]


    Synergetic behavior of low Tg polybutadiene polymers and polysiloxanes as components for glass fiber sizing in composite materials

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010
    Katherine M. Danner
    Abstract The effect of low Tg polybutadiene (PBD) rubbery polymer as a part of polysiloxane/PBD E-glass fibers sizing on mechanical properties of a corresponding epoxy composite material has been evaluated by the punch shear test technique. The results show that the use of hydroxyl terminated PBD led to significant increase in interface shear strength, energy absorption, as well as dynamic modulus and Tg in a corresponding composite material. The sizing composition and fiber morphology were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and AFM microscopy, respectively. Possible rational for such sizing composition/material property relationship is discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source]


    Influence of high temperature and pressure ammonia solution treatment on interfacial behavior of carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2009
    L. H. Meng
    Abstract The method of high temperature and pressure ammonia solution treatment to improve the interfacial performances of carbon fiber/epoxy composites is discussed in this study. Besides, the influence of high temperature and pressure ammonia solution treatment on carbon fiber and its reinforced epoxy composite interface performance were studied. The untreated and treated carbon fibers were characterized by monofilament tensile test, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscope (AFM). The interfacial adhesion of the untreated and treated carbon fibers reinforced epoxy resin composites were also evaluated by interface shear strength (IFSS) test, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) test, and fracture morphology analysis. It was found that the interfacial adhesion of composites increased greatly after high temperature and pressure ammonia solution treatment. The improvement of interfacial adhesion was attributed to the increase of polar functional groups and surface roughness of carbon fibers surface after treatment. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source]


    Effect of quasi-carbonization processing parameters on the mechanical properties of quasi-carbon/phenolic composites

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008
    Donghwan Cho
    Abstract In this work, quasi-carbon fabrics were produced by quasi-carbonization processes conducted at and below 1200°C. Stabilized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fabrics and quasi-carbon fabrics were used as reinforcements of phenolic composites with a 50 wt %/50 wt % ratio of the fabric to the phenolic resin. The effect of the quasi-carbonization process on the flexural properties, interfacial strength, and dynamic mechanical properties of quasi-carbon/phenolic composites was investigated in terms of the flexural strength and modulus, interlaminar shear strength, and storage modulus. The results were also compared with those of a stabilized PAN fabric/phenolic composite. The flexural, interlaminar, and dynamic mechanical results were quite consistent with one another. On the basis of all the results, the quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties of quasi-carbon/phenolic composites increased with the applied external tension and heat-treatment temperature increasing and with the heating rate decreasing for the quasi-carbonization process. This study shows that control of the processing parameters strongly influences not only the mechanical properties of quasi-carbon/phenolic composites but also the interlaminar shear strength between the fibers and the matrix resin. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source]


    Precooling of the femoral canal enhances shear strength at the cement,prosthesis interface and reduces the polymerization temperature

    JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 9 2006
    Pang-Hsin Hsieh
    Abstract Preheating of the femoral stem in total hip arthroplasty improves the cement,prosthesis bond by decreasing the interfacial porosity. The main concern, however, is the potential thermal osteonecrosis because of an increased polymerization temperature. In this study, the effects of femoral canal precooling on the characteristics of the cement,stem interface were evaluated in an experimental model for three test conditions: precooling of the femoral canal, preheating of the stem (44°C), and a control in which stems were inserted at room temperature without thermal manipulation of the implant, cement, or bone. Compared to the control group, precooling of the femoral canal and preheating of the stem had similar effects on the cement,stem interface, with greater interfacial shear strength and a reduced porosity. Femoral canal precooling also produced a lower temperature at the cement,bone interface. No difference was found in the ultimate compressive strength of bone cement for the three preparation conditions. Based on this laboratory model, precooling of the femoral canal could improve shear strength and porosity at the stem,cement interface, minimize thermal injury, and maintain the mechanical strength of the cement. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res [source]


    Mechanical characteristics of the bone,graft,cement interface after impaction allografting

    JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005
    Hanspeter Frei
    Impaction allografting is an attractive procedure for the treatment of failed total hip replacements. The graft,cement,host bone interface after impaction allografting has not been characterized, although it is a potential site of subsidence for this type of revision total hip reconstruction. In six human cadaveric femurs, the cancellous bone was removed proximally and local diaphyseal lytic defects were simulated. After the impaction grafting procedure, the specimens were sectioned in 6 mm transverse sections and pushout tests were performed. From the adjacent sections the percentage cement contact of the PMMA cement with the endosteal bone surface was determined. The host bone interface mechanical properties varied significantly along the femur largely due to different interface morphologies. The apparent host bone interface shear strength was highest around the lesser trochanter and lowest around the tip of the stem. A significant positive correlation was found between the percentage cement contact and the apparent host bone interface shear strength (r2 = 0.52). The sections failed in 69% of the cases through a pure host bone interface failure without cement or allograft failure, 19% failed with local cement failure, and 12% with a local allograft failure. The apparent host bone interface strength was on average 89% lower than values reported for primary total hip replacements and were similar to cemented revisions proximally and lower distally. This study showed that cement penetration to the endosteal surface enhanced the host bone,graft interface. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source]