• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.461-476
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• 2015

Rankine's theory of earth pressure cannot be directly employed to c-${\phi}$ soils backfill with a sloping ground subjected to complex loadings. In this paper, an analytical solution for active earth pressures on retaining structures of cohesive backfill with an inclined surface subjected to surcharge, pore water pressure and seismic loadings, are derived on the basis of the lower-bound theorem of limit analysis combined with Rankine's earth pressure theory and the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion. The generalized active earth pressure coefficients (dimensionless total active thrusts) are presented for use in comprehensive design charts which eliminate the need for tedious and cumbersome graphical diagram process. Charts are developed for rigid earth retaining structures under complex environmental loadings such as the surcharge, pore water pressure and seismic inertia force. An example is presented to illustrate the practical application for the proposed coefficient charts.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.427-438
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• 2018

Static stability is a decisive factor in the design of domes. Stability-related external factors, such as load and supports, are incorporated into structural vulnerability theory by the definition of a relative rate of joint well-formedness ($r_r$). Hence, the instability mechanism of domes can be revealed. To improve stability, an optimization model against instability, which takes the maximization of the lowest $r_r$ ($r_{r,min}$) as the objective and the discrete member sections as the variables, is established with constraints on the design requirements and steel consumption. Optimizations are performed on two real-life Kiewitt-6 model domes with a span of 23.4 m and rise of 11.7 m, which are initially constructed for shaking table collapse test. Well-formedness analyses and stability calculation (via arc-length method) of the models throughout the optimization history demonstrate that this proposed method can effectively enhance $r_{r,min}$ and optimize the static stability of shell-like structures. Additionally, seismic performance of the optimum models subjected to the same earthquake as in the shaking table test is checked. The supplemental simulations prove that the optimum models are superior to the original models under earthquake load as well.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1039-1054
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• 2016

This paper presents the dynamic characteristics analysis of the purlin-sheet roofs by the random vibration theories. Results show that the natural vibration frequency of the purlin-sheet roof is low, while the frequencies and mode distributions are very intensive. The random vibration theory should be used for the dynamic characteristics of the roof structures due to complex vibration response. Among the first 20th vibration modes, the first vibration mode is mainly the deformations of purlins, while the rest modes are the overall deformations of the roof. In the following 30th modes, it mainly performs unilateral local deformations of the roof. The frequency distribution of the first 20th modes varies significantly while those of the following 30th modes are relatively sensitive. For different parts, the contributions of vibration modes on the vibration response are different. For the part far from the roof ridge, only considering the first 5th modes can reflect the wind-induced vibration response. For the part near the ridge, at least the first 12 modes should be considered, due to complex vibration response. The wind vibration coefficients of the upwind side are slightly higher than that of the leeward side. Finally, the corresponding wind vibration coefficient for the purlin-sheet roof is proposed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.195-206
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• 2017

This paper presents the parametric numerical analysis on the ultimate bearing capacity of the purlin-sheet roofs connected by standing seam clips. The effects of several factors on failure modes and ultimate bearing capacity of the purlins are studied, including setup of anti-sag bar, purlin type, sheet thickness and connection type et al. A simplified design formula is proposed for predicting the ultimate bearing capacity of purlins. Results show that setting the anti-sag bars can improve the ultimate bearing capacity and change the failure modes of C purlins significantly. The failure modes and ultimate bearing capacity of C purlins are significantly different from those of Z purlins, in the purlin-sheet roof connected by standing seam clips. Setting the anti-sag bars near the lower flange is more favorable for increasing the ultimate bearing capacity of purlins. The ultimate bearing capacity of C purlins increases slightly with sheet thickness increasing from 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm. The ultimate bearing capacity of the purlin-sheet roofs connected by standing seam clips is always higher than those by self-drilling screws. The predictions of the proposed design formulas are relatively in good agreement with those of EN 1993-1-3: 2006, compared with GB 50018-2002.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2020

Microseismic monitoring is utilized for the performance verification and safety management of the structure by detecting fine levels of damage. In order to construct a highly reliable microseismic monitoring system, the role of signal conditioner is critical. The signal conditioner helps with accurate data collection and precision control of the device, and performs additional functions such as signal conversion, linearization, and amplification. In this technical report, noise reduction signal conditioner suitable for mining sites was developed and reviewed for the purpose of implementing more precise monitoring by supplementing the previously developed microseismic monitoring system.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2019

An optimal hydraulic section is critical for irrigated water conservancy in seasonal frozen ground due to a large proportion of water leakage, as investigated by in-situ surveys. This is highly correlated with the frost heave of underlain soils in cold season. This paper firstly derived a practical model for frost heave of clayey soils, with temperature dependent thermal indexes incorporating phase change effect. A model test carried out on clay was used to verify the rationality of the model. A novel approach for optimizing the cross-section of irrigation canals in cold regions was suggested with live updated geometry characterized by three unique geometric constraints including slope of canal, ratio of practical flow section to the optimal and lining thickness. Allowable frost heave deformation and tensile stress in canal lining are utilized as standard in computation iterating with geometry updating while the construction cost per unit length is regarded as the eventual target in optimization. A typical section along the Jinghui irrigation canal was selected to be optimized with the above requirements satisfied. Results prove that the optimized hydraulic section exhibits smaller frost heave deformation, lower tensile stress and lower construction cost.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.149-166
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• 2024

The acoustic emission (AE) technique is utilized to estimate the rock failure status in underground spaces. Understanding the AE characteristics under loading conditions is essential to ensure the reliability of AE monitoring. The AE characteristics depend on the material properties (p-wave velocity, density, UCS, and Young's modulus) and damage stages (stress ratio) of the target rock mass. In this study, two groups of granite specimens (based on the p-wave velocity regime) were prepared to explore the effect of material properties on AE characteristics. Uniaxial compressive loading tests with an AE measurement system were performed to investigate the effect of the rock properties using AE indices (count index, energy index, and amplitude index). The test results were analyzed according to three damage stages classified by the stress ratio of the specimens. Count index was determined to be the most suitable AE index for evaluating rock mass stability.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.541-557
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• 2015

This research aims to analyze the fracture coalescence characteristics of brittle sandstone specimen ($80{\times}160{\times}30mm$ in size) containing various flaws (a single fissure, double squares and combined flaws). Using a rock mechanics servo-controlled testing system, the strength and deformation behaviours of sandstone specimen containing various flaws are experimentally investigated. The results show that the crack initiation stress, uniaxial compressive strength and peak axial strain of specimen containing a single fissure are all higher than those containing double squares, while which are higher than those containing combined flaws. For sandstone specimen containing combined flaws, the uniaxial compressive strength of sandstone increase as fissure angle (${\alpha}$) increases from $30^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$, which indicates that the specimens with steeper fissure angles can support higher axial capacity for ${\alpha}$ greater than $30^{\circ}$. In the entire deformation process of flawed sandstone specimen, crack evolution process is discussed detailed using photographic monitoring technique. For the specimen containing a single fissure, tensile wing cracks are first initiated at the upper and under tips of fissure, and anti-tensile cracks and far-field cracks are also observed in the deformation process; moreover anti-tensile cracks usually accompanies with tensile wing cracks. For the specimen containing double squares, tensile cracks are usually initiated from the top and bottom edge of two squares along the direction of axial stress, and in the process of final unstable failure, more vertical splitting failures are observed in the ligament region. When a single fissure and double squares are formed together into combined flaws, the crack coalescence between the fissure tips and double squares plays a significant role for ultimate failure of the specimen containing combined flaws.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

The Down-the-Hole hammer is one of the pneumatic drill equipment used for grinding, drilling, and mining. One the advantages of which is that a reduction work efficiency at deep site are relatively small compared to other drilling methods. Due to the large vibration in the underground area, it is difficult to measure the performance of the hammer, and hammer testing requires substantial production cost and operating expenses so research on the development of the hammer is insufficient. Therefore, this study has developed a dynamic simulation model that apprehends the operating principles of an 8-inch DTH hammer and calculates performance data such as performance impact force, piston speed, and BPM. By using the simulation model, design factors related to strike force and BPM were selected, and the influence of each design factors on performance was analyzed through ANOVA analysis. As a result, be the most important for BPM and the strike force are position of upper port that push the piston in the direction of the bit and in BPM, the size of the empty space between the bits and the piston is the second most important design factor.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.189-203
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• 2019

Brine leakage is a common phenomenon during construction facilitated by artificial freezing technique, threatening the stability of frozen wall due to the continual thawing of already frozen domain. This paper takes the frequently encountered soft clay in Wujiang District as the study object, and remolded specimens were prepared by mixing calcium chloride solutions at five levels of concentration. Both the deformation and pore water pressure of frozen specimens during thawing were investigated by two-stage loading tests. Three sections were noted from the changes in the strain rate of specimens during thawing at the first-stage load, i.e., instantaneous, attenuated, and quasi-stable sections. During the second-stage loading, the deformation of post-thawed soils is closely correlated with the dissipation of pore water pressure. Two characteristic indexes were obtained including thaw-settlement coefficient and critical water content. The critical water content increases positively with salt content. The higher water content of soil leads to a larger thaw-settlement coefficient, especially at higher salt contents, based on which an empirical equation was proposed and verified. The normalized pore water pressure during thawing was found to dissipate slower at higher salt contents, with a longer duration to stabilize. Three physical indexes were experimentally determined such as freezing point, heat conductivity and water permeability. The freezing point decreases at higher salt contents, especially as more water is involved, like the changes in heat conductivity. The water permeability maintains within the same order at the considered range of salt contents, like the development of the coefficient of consolidation. The variation of the pore volume distribution also accounts for this.