The steady state of unsaturated soil takes a long time to achieve. The soil seepage behaviours and hydraulic properties depend highly on the wetting/drying rate. It is observed that the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) is dependent on the wetting/drying rate, which is known as the dynamic effect. The dynamic effect apparently influences the scanning curves and will substantially affect the seepage behavior. However, the previous models commonly ignore the dynamic effect and cannot quantitatively describe the hysteresis scanning loops under dynamic conditions. In this study, a dynamic hysteresis model for SWCC is proposed considering the dynamic change of contact angle and the moving of the contact line. The drying contact angle under dynamic condition is smaller than that under static condition, while the wetting contact angle under dynamic condition is larger than that under static condition. The dynamic contact angle is expressed as a function of the saturation rate according to the Laplace equation. The model is given by a differential equation, in which the slope of the scanning curve is related to the slope of the boundary curve by means of contact angle. Empirical models can simulate the boundary curves. Given the two boundary curves, the scanning curve can be well predicted. In this model, only two parameters are introduced to describe the dynamic effect. They can be easily obtained from the experiment, which facilitates the calibration of the model. The proposed model is verified by the experimental data recorded in the literature and is proved to be more convenient and effective.

Determination of the mechanical behaviour of jointed rock masses has been a challenge for rock engineers for decades. This problem is more pronounced for non-persistent jointed rock masses due to complicated interaction of rock bridges on the overall behaviour. This paper aims to study the effect of a non-persistent joint set configuration on the mechanical behaviour of rock materials under both uniaxial and biaxial compression tests using a discrete element code. The numerical simulation of biaxial compressive strength of rock masses has been challenging in the past due to shortcomings of bonded particle models in reproducing the failure envelope of rock materials. This problem was resolved in this study by employing the flat-joint contact model. The validity of the numerical model was investigated through a comprehensive comparative study against physical uniaxial and biaxial compression experiments. Good agreement was found between numerical and experimental tests in terms of the recorded peak strength and the failure mode in both loading conditions. Studies on the effect of joint orientation on the failure mode showed that four zones of intact, transition to block rotation, block rotation and transition to intact failure occurs when the joint dip angle varies from 0° to 90°. It was found that the applied confining stress can significantly alter the range of these zones. It was observed that the minimum strength occurs at the joint dip angle of around 45 degrees under different confining stresses. It was also found that the joint orientation can alter the post peak behaviour and the lowest brittleness was observed at the block rotation zone.

Soils are natural granular materials whose mechanical properties differ according to the size and composition of the particles, so soils exhibit an obvious scale effect. Traditional soil mechanics is based on continuum mechanics, which can not reflect the impact of particle size on soil mechanics. On that basis, a matrix-reinforcing-particle cell model is established in which the reinforcing particles are larger-diameter sand particles and the matrix comprises smaller-diameter bentonite particles. Since these two types of particles deform differently under shear stress, a new shear-strength theory under direct shear that considers the stress concentration and bypass phenomena of the matrix is established. In order to verify the rationality of this theory, a series of direct shear tests with different reinforcing particle diameter and volume fraction ratio are carried out. Theoretical analysis and experimental results showed that the interaction among particles of differing size and composition is the basic reason for the size effect of soils. Furthermore, the stress concentration and bypass phenomena of the matrix enhance the shear strength of a soil, and the volume ratio of reinforcing particles has an obvious impact on the shear strength. In addition, the newly proposed shear-strength theory agrees well with experimental values.

Safety is a most important parameters in underground railway transportation; Also stability of underground tunnel is very important in tunneling engineering. Design of a reliable support system requires an evaluation of both ground demand and support capacity. Iran's traditional railway tunnels are mainly supported with masonry structures or unsupported in high quality rock masses. A decrease in rock mass quality due to changes in groundwater regime creep and fatigue in rock and similar phenomena causes tunnel safety to decrease during time. The case study is an old tunnel in Iran, called "Keshvar"; it is more than 50 years old railway organization. In operating this Tunnel, until the several problems came up based on stability and leaking water. The goal of study is evaluation of the various reinforcement systems for supporting of the tunnel. The optimal selection of the reinforcement system is examined using TOPSIS Fuzzy method in light of the looming and available uncertainties. Several factors such as; the tunnel span, maintenance, drainage, sealing, ventilation, cost and safety were based to choose the method and system of designing. Therefore, by identifying these parameters, an optimal reinforcement system was selected and introduced. Based on optimization system for analysis, it is revealed that the systematic rock bolts and shotcrete protection had a most appropriate result for these kind of tunnel in Iran.

Preloading of soft clays is a common ground stabilization method for improvement of compressibility and the undrained shear strength. The waiting period under preload is a primary design criterion controlling the degree of improvement obtained. Upon unloading the overconsolidation attained with respect to actual loads defines the long term performance. This paper presents a laboratory study for investigation of creep behavior of Famagusta Bay alluvial soft soil preloaded under various effective stresses for analysis of long term performance based on the degree of overconsolidation. Traditional one-dimensional consolidation tests as well as modified creep tests are performed on reconstituted soft specimens. Compressibility parameters are precisely backcalculated using one dimensional consolidation theory and the coefficient of creep is determined using the traditional Cassagrande method as well as two modified methods based on log cycles of time and the inflection of the creep curve. The test results indicated that the long term creep can be successfully predicted considering the proposed method. The creep coefficients derived as part of this method can also be related to the recompression index (recompression index, swelling index) considering the results of the testing method adopted in this study.

Time-dependent stress-strain behaviour significantly influences the compressibility characteristics of the clayey soil. In this paper, a series of oedometer tests were conducted in two loading patterns and investigated the time-dependent compressibility characteristics of Indian Montmorillonite Clay, also known as black cotton soil (BC) soil, during loading-unloading stages. The experimental data are analyzed using a new non-linear function of the Elasto-Visco-Plastic Model considering Swelling behaviour (EVPS model). From the experimental result, it is found that BC soil exhibits significant time-dependent behaviour during creep compared to the swelling stage. Pore water entrance restriction due to consolidated overburden pressure and decrease in cation hydrations are responsible factors. Apart from it, particle sliding is also evident during creep. The time-dependent parameters like strain limit, creep coefficient and C_αe/C_c are observed to be significant during the loading stage than the swelling stage. The relationship between creep coefficients and applied stresses is found to be nonlinear. The creep coefficient increases significantly up to 630 kPa-760 kPa (during reloading), and beyond it, the creep coefficient decreases continuously. Several parameters like loading duration, the magnitude of applied stress, loading history, and loading path have also influenced secondary compressibility characteristics. The time-dependent compressibility characteristics of BC soil are presented and discussed in detail.

Roughness and joint inclination angle are the important factors that affect the strength and deformation characteristics of jointed rock mass. In this paper, 3D printer has been employed to make molds firstly, and casting the jointed specimens with different joint roughness coefficient (JRC), and different joint inclination angle (α). Conventional triaxial compression tests were carried out on the jointed specimens, and the influence of JRC on the strength and deformation parameters was analyzed. At the same time, acoustic emission (AE) testing system has been adopted to reveal the AE characteristic of the jointed specimens in the process of triaxial compression. Finally, the morphological of the joint surface was observed by digital three-dimensional video microscopy system, and the relationship between the peak strength and JRC under different confining pressures has been discussed. The results indicate that the existence of joint results in a significant reduction in the strength of the joint specimen, JRC also has great influence on the morphology, quantity and spatial distribution characteristics of cracks. With the increase of JRC, the triaxial compressive strength increase, and the specimen will change from brittle failure to ductile failure.

The seismic holding behaviors of plate anchor embedded into submerged coarse-grained soils were investigated considering different anchor inclinations. The limit equilibrium method and the Pseudo-Dynamic Approach (PDA) were employed to calculate the inertia force of the soils within the failure rupture. In addition, assuming the permeability of coarse-grained soils was sufficiently large, the coefficient of hydrodynamic force applied on the inclined plate anchor is obtained through adopting the exact potential flow theory. Therefore, the seismic holding resistance was calculated as the combination of the inertia force and the hydrodynamic force within the failure rupture. The failure rupture can be developed due to the uplift loads, which was assumed to be an arc of a circle perpendicular to the anchor and inclines at (π/4 - φ/2). Then, the derived analytical solutions were evaluated by comparing the static breakout factor N_γ to the published experimental and analytical results. The influences of soil and wave properties on the plate anchor holding behavior are reported. Finally, the dynamic anchor holding coefficients N_γd, were reported to illustrate the anchor holding behaviors. Results show that the soil accelerations in x and z directions were both nonlinear. The amplifications of soil accelerations were more severe at lower normalized frequencies (ωH/V) compared to higher normalized frequencies. The coefficient of hydrodynamic force, C, of the plate anchor was found to be almost constant with anchor inclinations. Finally, the seismic anchor holding coefficient oscillated with the oscillation of the inertia force on the plate anchor.