Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This paper presents the ‘load-transfer functions’ t-z and p-y methods for determining the axial and lateral displacements of single piles. They are based on the results of pressuremeter tests. The methods from the results of the Ménard pre-borehole pressuremeter tests (MPM) and the self-boring pressuremeter tests (PAF, for Pressiomètre AutoForeur in French) are described. Especially, the t-z and p-y methods derived from the MPM test results are commonly used in the French practice. For both t-z and p-y curves, some theoretical background (usually FEM calculations in linear elasticity) is given. The results of the t-z and p-y analyses are compared to the measurements from loading tests on full scale piles. A proposal concerning barrettes is also presented.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The use of geosynthetic reinforcement in piled embankments over soft soils is an effective solution for the reduction of settlements and to increase the embankment stability. The most efficient position for the reinforcement layer is on the pile cap or head. However, a direct contact of the reinforcement with sharp edges may damage it, compromising its efficiency to transfer loads to the piles. This paper investigates the possibility of mechanical damages in geosynthetic reinforcements on pile caps by large scale laboratory tests. Tests with and without pieces of nonwoven geotextile protective layer between the caps and the reinforcements were executed. Wide strip tensile tests were performed on exhumed reinforcement specimens after the tests to assess tensile strength and stiffness variations. A statistical analysis of the results shows reductions in tensile strength of unprotected reinforcement layers of up to 28%. A mechanical damage index is introduced and its correlation with calculated reduction factors is investigated. The use of a piece of a thick geotextile layer to protect the reinforcement against mechanical damage can be effective. However, the geotextile product must be properly specified and installed with due care.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract According to previously available research and seismic microzonation studies a large area of the Guayaquil (Ecuador, South America) sits on estuarine deltaic deposits which consist of weak and highly compressible clays with diatoms. The nature of these fine-grained deposits may determine difficulties in a proper estimation of the soil properties. In this respect, the paper provides a detailed geotechnical and geophysical characterization of these soft clays, carried out in the estuarine complex of the Ecuadorean city. Borehole logs, standard penetration tests (SPT), piezocone tests (CPTu), a seismic dilatometer test (SDMT), a non-invasive geophysical survey, and laboratory tests were performed and then compared to analyze the static and dynamic geotechnical parameters of these deposits. The interpretation of the results highlighted the higher reliability of CPTu and SDMT rather than SPT and characterization lab testing to estimate soil shear strength, compressibility and stress history due to the soft nature of these clays, underlining also a certain sensitivity to the presence of the diatoms.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract In the design of piles partially embedded in rock, the main factors that influence the strength and deformability of the rock and the transmission of loads from pile to rock are of utmost relevance to pile behavior. Most empirical methods were developed based on data from specific regions. Differences in geological conditions, drilling methods and other features are not considered in most procedures. The article deals with a case of piles partially embedded in rock located in the town of São Lourenço da Mata, Pernambuco, Brazil. The rock mass consists of ancient deposits, formed mainly by granites of different compositions, gneiss and schists. The deposits have been deformed by several tectonic processes. Results from 99 dynamic loading tests enabled comparison between the mobilized lateral and pile toe resistance, with the estimated capacity obtained from the design methods known in the literature. In the prediction, the lateral shear resistance due to pile penetration in residual soil was also considered. Because failure was not reached in the dynamic tests, the estimated capacity was higher than the mobilized resistance.The resistances mobilized by the pile shaft friction in soil, by the pile shaft friction in rock and by the mobilized toe resistance in rock in the dynamic loading tests are compared to design methods known in the literature. Five static loading tests indicated failure loads greater than the mobilized resistance in the dynamic methods. The comparisons allow recommendations of the most consistent design methods to use in similar cases in practice.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Fibre reinforcement is considered a good alternative for improving the geotechnical properties of soil. However, studies that investigate its behaviour, accounting for the unsaturated condition, and the hydraulic behaviour of soil mixtures with fibre, are limited. Therefore, the current study evaluates the impact of the inclusion of polypropylene fibres on the hydraulic behaviour of soil through geotechnical characterisation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), macroporosity and microporosity tests, and filter paper tests. The soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) of different mixtures of fibre-reinforced soil was adjusted by the models enshrined in the literature, using polypropylene fibres of length 6 mm, diameter 18 μm, and fibre contents 0.25% (SF025), 0.75% (SF075), 1.0% (SF100), and 1.25% (SF125) relative to the dry weight of the soil. The results indicated a transition from unimodal to bimodal shape in the SWCC for the polypropylene fibre-reinforcement, suggesting that their inclusion altered the soil structure. The same bimodal behaviour of SWCC was observed in all reinforced samples that produced similar values of air-entry suction and residual volumetric water content, but with increased water retention for the same level of suction for higher fibre content. The results of the tension table test indicated an increase in the volume of macropores with an increase in fibre content and a decrease in micropore volumes. These results agree with the compaction tests, which showed a decrease in the dry maximum density with an increased fibre content, whereas the optimum water content increased.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This paper explores the potential of machine learning techniques to predict the soil water retention curve based on physical characterization parameters. Results from 794 water retention and suction points obtained from 51 different soils were used in the algorithm. The soil properties used are the percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay, the plasticity index, the porosity, and the relation between the volumetric water content and total suction. The data were used as input for machine learning estimators to predict the volumetric water content of a soil with specified physical characterization parameters and suction, the techniques of artificial intelligence were developed in python. Results show that an extremely randomized trees' estimator can reach a coefficient of determination of 0.99 in the training dataset, with a coefficient of 0.90 in the cross-validation and testing dataset, which measures the generalization capacity. Furthermore, a continuous function can be obtained by fitting a model such as Cavalcante & Zornberg, or van Genuchten, or Costa & Cavalcante (bimodal) to the predictions of the machine learning for use in numerical methods. These results indicate that the proposed machine learning estimator can become an interesting alternative to estimate the soil water retention curve in engineering practice. This work is in progress and the predictions can be improved with the addition of new data. Know how to participate at the end of the paper.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Although embankments on soft soils with prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) under vacuum preloading have been widely studied, there is a lack of studies in the literature in which overall stability is analysed through three-dimensional (3D) mechanical-hydraulic coupled modelling. In order to contribute to overcome such deficiency, this paper presents 3D numerical analyses of an embankment on soft soils incorporating PVDs and vacuum preloading. A finite element code, which includes 3D fully coupled analysis, is used and a method for overall stability study – which uses the 3D numerical results obtained with the finite element code – is presented and applied. A parametric study is performed in order to analyse the influence of the magnitude of the vacuum preload and the staged construction of the embankment (time of vacuum application before completion of the embankment). Overall stability, excess pore pressures, settlements, horizontal displacements and stress levels are analysed.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract In big cities the construction of new tunnels in close proximity to existing ones is unavoidable given the densely and growing occupation of the subsoil. The interaction between tunnels in such conditions is well identified in the literature and has been thoroughly investigated in the past. However, most of those studies are focused on the effect of the ground conditions and relative position between tunnels on the ground movements and often disregard the impact induced by the second excavation on the lining forces of both tunnels. To provide further insight into this subject a numerical study of the sequential excavation of side-by-side twin tunnels is presented in this paper. The study also assesses the influence of parameters that have not been covered in the previous studies, namely the stiffness of the lining and the initial stress conditions. The results confirm that significant interaction occurs when the tunnels are spaced less than one diameter, where a considerable increase on both hoop forces and bending moments, particularly on the lining of the existing tunnel, is observed after the second excavation. For a spacing higher than two diameters the interaction between tunnels is almost negligible. The magnitude of the lining forces and of the interaction effects are also dependent of the stiffness of the linings and of the initial stress conditions.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract There are an increasing number of studies that use the artificial neural networks (ANN) as a prediction tool in the field of foundations with satisfactory results. In this paper, multilayer perceptrons are used to develop prediction models for the shaft and tip bearing capacities of single piles based on a supervised training using the error back propagation algorithm. Results from static load tests carried out on 95 instrumented single piles executed in different regions of Brazil were used in the ANN modelling. The prediction models of shaft and tip bearing capacities of single piles were obtained portraying indicated in the validation phase determination coefficients equal to 95% and 99%, respectively. To demonstrate their applicability and efficiency, such models were used to estimate the bearing capacity of single piles unused in the models’ development, as well as groups of two and three piles. The results demonstrated that the neuron models were much closer to the values of the bearing capacities measured in single pile tests and groups of piles, than the estimated results using semi-empirical methods. As a result of overestimating the predicted bearing capacities in relation to the results of the load tests, it is recommended to use models applying reduction factors of 0.88 for single piles, and 0.75 for groups of up to three piles.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Advances in equipment and tools implemented for geotechnics have been allowing design to be supported by numerical simulations. However, even with sophisticated resources, the dam geotechnical engineering industry still lacks few information on laboratory parameters as in the case of Concrete Face Rockfill Dams (CFRD). It is necessary to simplify the use of back-analysis that represent real CFRD, in search of tools that can be applied in the industry. The objectives include the simplification of the behavior of the linear modules associated with a linear coefficient representing the vertical creep and evaluation of the influence of the constructive delay of the concrete face in a specific case. The text goes through examples of real CFRD simulations, as a theoretical background. The CFRD calibration model includes an elegant representation of the vertical orthotropic rockfill creep with only two calibration parameters. The displacements obtained from a CFRD are represented with a linear elastic constitutive model with linear vertical deformation in time. The result is well adjusted both in the construction phase and during filling. Further on, six different slab constructive delay sequencing arrangements were simulated. The study uses a numerical device that makes it possible to drive the concrete slab in its correct design thickness. Among the stress results, the step-by-step sequencing of the slab following the rockfill reached the worst horizontal stresses, reaching almost 45 MPa, which exceeds the typical compressive strengths of conventional concretes that can affect the structural integrity of the slab. The results suggest that step-by-step sequencing should be avoided. In the case studied, the balanced behavior could be achieved in a concreting scenario maintaining the constructive delay of the slab with at least half the height of the dam. It is important to point out that all this work considerations serve for a specific example. Any generalization should be avoided or associated with broader complementary studies, as each dam is a unique work and must be studied individually, case by case.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract A root pile is a form of injection pile (cast-in-place with pressure, with very distinct construction aspects from the known micropile type). During the mortar shaft development, these piles are inserted using distinct injection pressures of up to 500 kPa. Static load tests are typically used to control root piles, which can be an expensive and time-consuming testing procedure. Static load tests were performed on eight monitored piles with diameters of 350 and 410 mm to investigate root pile performance control during pile installation. This research presents a refined and developed alternative methodology for confirming root pile performance using a digital odometer attached to the drill rig's rotatory head. The methodology consists of monitoring variables obtained during pile installation related to pile bearing capacity. Moreover, empirical equations with simple and relevant applications to estimate root pile bearing capacity during installation are proposed. The developed equations produced results consistent with the values obtained from static load testing on the test piles. Therefore, the results suggest that the proposed methodology is a viable alternative for root pile performance control.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Fine-grained soils usually have low shear strength and bearing capacity and high swelling potential in the wet state, therefore, they have often to be stabilized by additives. The main objective of this study is to determine the possible effects of ground-granulated blast-furnace slag on the physical and mechanical properties of fine-grained soil. For this purpose, a number of Atterberg, compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR), unconfined compression and freeze-thaw tests were conducted on fine-grained soil. Steel slag (SS) inclusion reduced plasticity index of soil from 44% to 20% when slag content increased from 0% to 55.0%. Moreover, the slag addition improved soil CBR with maximum improvement rate in the sample consists to 55% slag. This increment in CBR was about 140% and 154% for 2.54 mm and 5.08 mm penetration respectively. In addition, slag inclusion raised soil strength with a maximum increment of 132% for clay mixed with 55% slag. Water content and volume changes in freeze-thaw cycles also decreased with increasing percentage of SS, therefore mixtures durability increased.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Early Warning Systems (EWS) are non-structural measures for landslides disaster prevention. They are based on the detection of impending failure signals. The results of a landslide simulation experiment where accelerometers were used to identify pre-failure signals are presented in this paper. Landslide was simulated in a tilting flume filled with sandy soil. During the experiment, the flume was fixed at 30° inclination and water percolated through the soil until it slid. Accelerometers were embedded into the soil and recorded acceleration data from the beginning of the experiment until failure. Acceleration data were analyzed in time domain aiming at estimating translational velocity of the movement. Angular variation was also estimated from acceleration data. The experiment was recorded with a camera and pictures were used for Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) analysis, in order to validate the estimated translational velocity. Results showed that accelerometers can identify pre-failure signals before any macroscopic movement could indicate impending failure in fast to very fast landslides, showing their potential to be used in EWS. Validation of estimated velocities was not always possible due to PIV setup constraints and the velocity of the mass movement simulated. In fact, the estimated translational velocities seem to be unreliable. On the other hand, the results suggest that acceleration data and angular position variation trend and rate can be incorporated into EWS.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Some studies that analyze the risk of dam failures estimate that between 2016 and 2025 about 30 major tragedies should be expected. Failure records between 1900 and 2014 indicate that there is an average of three ruptures every two years, considering only the failures that were officially registered and investigated. It can be said that the potential for dam failures will be driven by the economy, since cost has been the main variable considered in the design, construction, operation, monitoring and closing plan of these structures. As companies reduce investments in maintenance, risk management and failure prevention, there is an incentive for economic recovery, competitiveness of product value and debt reduction, required by investors. The result has been a decrease in specialized labor, to the point that companies no longer have sufficient knowledge about the engineering and operational skills that apply to tailings and water management. Learning from the dams’ tragedies is practically non-existent, in Brazil and worldwide, leading to catastrophic environmental and social consequences. Failures will occur as long as they are viewed and treated as unpredictable, thereby lacking risk management. The proposed risk management method, presented in this paper, considers the information of inspection and instrumentation, identifying risks from event trees, separately, intolerable, tolerable and acceptable risks. The intolerable risks are conducted for FMEA-type failure analysis, where severe, intermediate and mild failures are assessed. The objective is to enable the development of an assertive and effective action plan for dam safety management.