Horizontal pullout capacity of a group of two vertical plate anchors in clay

The horizontal pullout capacity of a group of two vertical strip plate anchors, placed along the same vertical plane, in a fully cohesive soil has been computed by using the lower bound finite element limit analysis. The effect of spacing between the plate anchors on the magnitude of total group failure load (P-uT) has been evaluated. An increase of soil cohesion with depth has also been incorporated in the analysis. For a weightless medium, the total pullout resistance of the group becomes maximum corresponding to a certain optimum spacing between the anchor plates which has been found to vary generally between 0.5B and B; where B is the width of the anchor plate. As compared to a single plate anchor, the increase in the pullout resistance for a group of two anchors becomes greater at a higher embedment ratio. The effect of soil unit weight has also been analyzed. It is noted that the interference effect on the pullout resistance increases further with an increase in the unit weight of soil mass.

Numerical analysis of geocell reinforced ballast overlying soft clay subgrade

Geotextiles and geogrids have been in use for several decades in variety of geo-structure applications including foundation of embankments, retaining walls, pavements. Geocells is one such variant in geosynthetic reinforcement of recent years, which provides a three dimensional confinement to the infill material. Although extensive research has been carried on geocell reinforced sand, clay and layered soil subgrades, limited research has been reported on the aggregates/ballast reinforced with geocells. This paper presents the behavior of a railway sleeper subjected to monotonic loading on geocell reinforced aggregates, of size ranging from 20 to 75 mm, overlying soft clay subgrades. Series of tests were conducted in a steel test tank of dimensions 700 mm x 300 mm x 700 mm. In addition to the laboratory model tests, numerical simulations were performed using a finite difference code to predict the behavior of geocell reinforced ballast. The results from numerical simulations were compared with the experimental data. The numerical and experimental results manifested the importance that the geocell reinforcement has a significant effect on the ballast behaviour. The results depicted that the stiffness of underlying soft clay subgrade has a significant influence on the behavior of the geocell-aggregate composite material in redistributing the loading system.

Response of vertically loaded pile in clay: a probabilistic study

This study presents the response of a vertically loaded pile in undrained clay considering spatially distributed undrained shear strength. The probabilistic study is performed considering undrained shear strength as random variable and the analysis is conducted using random field theory. The inherent soil variability is considered as source of variability and the field is modeled as two dimensional non-Gaussian homogeneous random field. Random field is simulated using Cholesky decomposition technique within the finite difference program and Monte Carlo simulation approach is considered for the probabilistic analysis. The influence of variance and spatial correlation of undrained shear strength on the ultimate capacity as summation of ultimate skin friction and end bearing resistance of pile are examined. It is observed that the coefficient of variation and spatial correlation distance are the most important parameters that affect the pile ultimate capacity.

Vertical Uplift Resistance of Two Interfering Horizontal Anchors in Clay

The vertical uplift resistance of two interfering rigid strip plate anchors embedded horizontally at the same level in clay has been examined. The lower and upper bound theorems of the limit analysis in combination with finite-elements and linear optimization have been employed to compute the failure load in a bound form. The analysis is meant for an undrained condition and it incorporates the increase of cohesion with depth. For different clear spacing (S) between the anchors, the magnitude of the efficiency factor (eta c gamma) resulting from the combined components of soil cohesion (c) and soil unit weight (gamma), has been computed for different values of embedment ratio (H/B), the rate of linear increase of cohesion with depth (m) and normalized unit weight (gamma H/c). The magnitude of eta c gamma has been found to reduce continuously with a decrease in the spacing between the anchors, and the uplift resistance becomes minimum for S/B=0. It has been noted that the critical spacing between the anchors required to eliminate the interference effect increases continuously with (1) an increase in H/B, and (2) a decrease in m.

Retrieving clay minerals from stabilised soil compacts

Stabilised soil products such as stabilised soil blocks, rammed earth and stabilised adobe are being used for building construction since the last 6-7 decades. Major advantages of stabilised soil products include low embodied carbon, use of local materials, decentralized production, and easy to adjust the strength, texture, size and shape. Portland cement and lime represent the most commonly used stabilisers for stabilised soil products. The mechanism of strength development in cement and lime stabilised soils is distinctly different. The paper presents results of scientific investigations pertaining to the status of clay minerals in the 28 day cured cement and lime stabilised soil compacts. XRD, SEM imaging, grain size distribution and Atterberg's limits of the ground stabilised soil products and the natural soil were determined. Results reveal that clay minerals can be retrieved from cement stabilised soil products, whereas in lime stabilised soil products clay minerals get consumed in the lime-clay reactions and negligible percentage of clay minerals are left in the stabilised soil compacts. The results of the present investigation clearly demonstrate that cement stabilisation is superior to lime stabilisation in retrieving the clay minerals from the stabilised soil compacts. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of temperature and clay content on water absorption characteristics of modified MMT clay/cyclic olefin copolymer nanocomposite films: Permeability, dynamic mechanical properties and the encapsulated organic device performance

In the present study, amino-silane modified layered organosilicates were used to reinforce cyclic olefin copolymer to enhance the thermal, mechanical and moisture impermeable barrier properties. The optimum clay loading (4%) in the nanocomposite increases the thermal stability of the film while further loading decreases film stability. Water absorption behavior at 62 degrees C was carried out and compared with the behavior at room temperature and 48 degrees C. The stiffness of the matrix increases with clay content and the recorded strain to failure for the composite films was lower than the neat film. Dynamic mechanical analysis show higher storage modulus and low loss modulus for 2.5-4 wt% clay loading. Calcium degradation test and device encapsulation also show the evidence of optimum clay loading of 4 wt% for improved low water vapor transmission rates compared to other nanocomposite films. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

FRP-Confined Clay Brick Masonry Assemblages under Axial Compression: Experimental and Analytical Investigations

Unreinforced masonry (URM) structures that are in need of repair and rehabilitation constitute a significant portion of building stock worldwide. The successful application of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) for repair and retrofitting of reinforced-concrete (RC) structures has opened new avenues for strengthening URM structures with FRP materials. The present study analyzes the behavior of FRP-confined masonry prisms under monotonic axial compression. Masonry comprising of burnt clay bricks and cement-sand mortar (generally adopted in the Indian subcontinent) having E-b/E-m ratio less than one is employed in the study. The parameters considered in the study are, (1) masonry bonding pattern, (2) inclination of loading axis to the bed joint, (3) type of FRP (carbon FRP or glass FRP), and (4) grade of FRP fabric. The performance of FRP-confined masonry prisms is compared with unconfined masonry prisms in terms of compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and stress-strain response. The results showed an enhancement in compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, strain at peak stress, and ultimate strain for FRP-confined masonry prisms. The FRP confinement of masonry resulted in reducing the influence of the inclination of the loading axis to the bed joint on the compressive strength and failure pattern. Various analytical models available in the literature for the prediction of compressive strength of FRP-confined masonry are assessed. New coefficients are generated for the analytical model by appending experimental results of the current study with data available in the literature. (C) 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Three-dimensional numerical analysis of geocell-reinforced soft clay beds by considering the actual geometry of geocell pockets

Due to its complex honeycomb structure, the numerical modeling of the geocell has always been a big challenge. Generally, the equivalent composite approach is used to model the geocells. In the equivalent composite approach, the geocellsoil composite is treated as the soil layer with improved strength and stiffness values. Though this approach is very simple, it is unrealistic to model the geocells as the soil layer. This paper presents a more realistic approach of modeling the geocells in three-dimensional (3D) framework by considering the actual curvature of the geocell pocket. A square footing resting on geocell reinforced soft clay bed was modeled using the ``fast Lagrangian analysis of continua in 3D'' (FLAC(3D)) finite difference package. Three different material models, namely modified Cam-clay, Mohr-Coulomb, and linear elastic were used to simulate the behaviour of foundation soil, infill soil and the geocell, respectively. It was found that the geocells distribute the load laterally to the wider area below the footing as compared to the unreinforced case. More than 50% reduction in the stress was observed in the clay bed in the presence of geocells. In addition to geocells, two other cases, namely, only geogrid and geocell with additional basal geogrid cases were also simulated. The numerical model was systematically validated with the results of the physical model tests. Using the validated numerical model, parametric studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of various geocell properties on the performance of reinforced clay beds.

In-situ synthesized poly(vinyl butyral)/MMT-clay nanocomposites: The role of degree of acetalization and clay content on thermal, mechanical and permeability properties of PVB matrix

Poly(vinyl butyral) - MMT clay nanocomposites were synthesized in situ with three different degrees of acetalization and with varying clay content for each vinyl butyral polymer ratio. The clay nano-platelet galleries were expanded, as determined by X-ray diffraction and TEM analysis. The glass transition temperature of the polymer nanocomposites were found to be similar to 56 degrees C and similar to 52 degrees C for the neat polymer and the 4% clay loaded samples, respectively. The 4 wt% clay loaded film showed higher strength and low strain to failure. The dynamic mechanical analysis also confirmed the improved stability of the matrix. The matrix with 0.5 butyral to alcohol ratio for 4 wt% clay exhibited good water vapor transmission compared to all other compositions. The encapsulated devices with 2.5 and 4 wt% clay loaded films increases the device life time and the efficiencies of these films were 50% higher than their encapsulated pristine polymer films. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bearing capacity of a circular foundation on layered sand-clay media

The bearing capacity of a circular footing lying over fully cohesive strata, with an overlaying sand layer, is computed using the axisymmetric lower bound limit analysis with finite elements and linear optimization. The effects of the thickness and the internal friction angle of the sand are examined for different combinations of c(u)/(gamma b) and q, where c(u)=the undrained shear strength of the cohesive strata, gamma=the unit weight of either layer, b=the footing radius, and q=the surcharge pressure. The results are given in the form of a ratio (eta) of the bearing capacity with an overlaying sand layer to that for a footing lying directly over clayey strata. An overlaying medium dense to dense sand layer considerably improves the bearing capacity. The improvement continuously increases with decreases in c(u)/(gamma b) and increases in phi and q/(gamma b). A certain optimum thickness of the sand layer exists beyond which no further improvement occurs. This optimum thickness increases with an increase in 0 and q and with a decrease in c(u)/(gamma b). Failure patterns are also drawn to examine the inclusion of the sand layer. (C) 2015 The Japanese Geotechnical Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of current density on the microstructure and corrosion properties of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings on AM50 Mg alloy produced in an electrolyte containing clay additives

Plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings were produced on AM50 Mg alloy in alkaline phosphate based electrolyte with montmorillonite clay additives employing current densities of 30, 60, and 120 mA/cm(2). The effect of current density on the microstructure and corrosion properties of the coating was investigated. The clay additives got melted and reactively incorporated into the coating forming an amorphous phase, at all the current densities. However, the coating was predominantly amorphous only at 30 mA/cm(2) and with increasing current density, increasing fractions of crystalline phases were formed. Higher current densities resulted in increased thickness of the coating, but reduced the compactness of the coatings. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests in 0.5 wt.% (0.08 M) and 3.5 wt.% (0.6 M) NaCl solution revealed that the coatings processed at 30 mA/cm(2) exhibited a relatively better initial corrosion resistance owing to its relatively defect-free barrier layer and compactness of the coating. However, the presence of amorphous phases in significant amounts and lack of MgO in the coating resulted in increased rate of dissolution of the coatings and degradation of corrosion resistance. Coatings produced at higher current densities exhibited initial inferior corrosion resistance due to a more defective barrier layer and increased porosity in pore band and outer porous layer. However, the increased amount of crystalline phases and an increased amount of MgO, which resisted dissolution, counterbalanced the negative effects of defective barrier and increased porosity resulting in a relatively lower rate of the degradation of the corrosion resistance. Thus, the corrosion resistance of all the coatings continuously decreased with time and became similar after prolonged immersion in NaCl solution. Increasing current density, therefore, did not prove to be beneficial for the improvement of the corrosion performance of the PEO coatings. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Uplift resistance of buried pipelines in blocky clay backfill

This paper presents the results from 10 minidrum centrifuge tests conducted at the Schofield Centre, compiled with 4 additional test results from Thusyanthan et al., 2008. All these tests were designed to measure the uplift resistance of a pipeline installed into stiff clay by trenching and backfilling, then uplifted approximately 3 months after installation. All tests were conducted at 1:30 scale using soil obtained from offshore clay samples. Experimental results show that clay blocks remained intact after 3 prototype months of consolidation, and were lifted rather than sheared during pipe pullout. The uplift resistance therefore depends on the weight of the soil cover and the shearing resistance mobilised at the softening contact points between the intact blocks and within the interstitial slurry. Slow drained pullout led to lower resistance than fast pullout, indicating that the drained response is critical for design. The varying scatter shows that peak uplift resistance is very sensitive to the arrangement of the backfill blocks when the cover and pipe diameter are comparable to the block size. Copyright © 2009 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).

Adaptación del nopal (Opuntia ficus indica L. miller) para la producción de nopal verdura en la comunidad Buena Vista del Sur, Diriamba, Carazo

El presente trabajo se realizó en la finca Guadarrama, de la comunidad Buena Vista del Sur, del municipio de Diriamba, Carazo en los meses de julio a noviembre del 2004; con los obje tivos de evaluar 6 tipos de secciones de propagación ( ½ de sección vertical, ½ de sección horizontal, 1, 2, 3 y 4 cladodios) para determinar las respue stas a las condiciones edafoclimáticas de la zona, en aras de presentarles alternativas de producción a los agricultores, se estableció en un diseño experimental de bloques completamente al azar (BCA) con 4 re peticiones. Se evaluó el número, longitud y diámetro de lo s brotes por plantas, así como el porcentaje de sobrevivencia. El número de brotes en los tratamientos 4 y 3 cladodios presentaron los mejores resultad os con 2.66 y 2.38 brotes/planta respectivamente. En longitud de brot es no hubo diferencias estadísticas entre los tratamientos, observándose el mayor valor numérico en el tratamiento de 4 cladodios con 11.71 cm /brote; en la variable diámetro de brotes los mejores resultados se obtuvi eron de los tratamientos 4, 1, 3 y 2 cladodios con 5.04, 4.44, 4.09 y 3.95 cm /brote. La sobrevivencia de las plantas fue significativamente diferente entre los tratamientos obteniendo el 100% de sobrevivencia los tratamientos 2 y 3 cladodios para el mejor resultado. Los menores porcentajes de sobreviven cia se encontraron con la forma de reproducción de ½ transversal, el cual presentó 1.16 brotes/planta, con longitud de 7.40 cm/brote y 2.13 cm/brote de diámet ro y un 60% de sobrevivencia de las plantas.

Evaluacion de cuatro densidades de siembra de nopal (Opuntia ficus indica L. Miller), en la comunidad de Buena Vista del Sur, Diriamba, Nicaragua

El presente trabajo se realizó en la finca Guadarrama, de la comunidad Buena Vista del Sur, del municipio de Diriamba, Carazo, en los meses de Julio a Noviembre del 2004, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar 4 distanciamientos de siembra en el cultivo del Nopal (Opuntia ficus indica L. Miller), (0.5, 1, 1.5 y 2 metros entre plantas con dos metros entre surcos respectivamente) para determinar en cual de estos distanciamientos se obtienen mejores rendimientos, se estableció el experimento en un diseño experimental de bloques completos al azar (BCA) con 6 repeticiones, se evaluó el número, longitud y diámetro de brotes por planta, así como el porcentaje de sobrevivencia, el número de brotes en los tratamientos 0.5 y 1 metro entre plantas presentaron los mejores resultados a los 105 días después de la siembra (dds) con 3.14 y 2.38 brotes por planta respectivamente, en longitud de brotes no hubo diferencias estadísticas entre los tratamientos, observándose el mayor valor numérico en el tratamiento de 0.5 con 4.45 cm/brote ; en la variable diámetro por brote los mejores resultados se obtuvieron en los tratamientos 0.5 y 1 metro por planta con 4.45 y 4.42 cm/brote, la sobrevivencia de las plantas fue significativamente diferente entre los tratamientos obteniendo los mejores resultados en el distanciamiento de 0.5 metros entre planta con 99.15 %, los menores porcentajes de sobrevivencia se encontraron con el distanciamiento de 2 metros entre plantas, el cual presentó un 98.88 % de sobrevivencia de las plantas.

Efecto de niveles de compost sobre el rendimiento del cultivo de nopal (Opuntia ficus indica L. Miller), Diriamba, 2008

El nopal (Opuntia ficus indica L.), es una planta capaz de crecer en suelos muy pobres, presentando un alto potencial de establecimiento en estas condiciones, lo que unido a su gran resistencia a la sequía lo hace especialmente interesante para muchas zonas en la que la desertificación y cambios climáticos constituye una amenaza. En Nicaragua la producción de nopal es incipiente, sin embargo, la escasez de alimentos, especialmente durante el verano, podría ser suplida por el nopal. En julio del 2008, en la finca Guadarrama de Buena Vista Sur, Diriamba, en el kilómetro 56 ½ departamento de Carazo, se estableció un ensayo experimental en bloques completos al azar (BCA), con 4 repeticiones y 6 tratamientos (testigo absoluto, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 y 2.5 kg de compost por planta, aplicados al momento de la siembra), con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de niveles de compost sobre el rendimiento del nopal. Las variables evaluadas fueron: sobrevivencia, brotes por planta, longitud y ancho de brotes, brotes totales versus brotes a cosecha y rendimiento. A los 120 días después de la siembra los resultados más significativos en cuanto a número de brotes fue el tratamiento 2.5 kg de compost con 5 brotes y el menor número de brotes, lo presentó el tratamiento testigo absoluto con 3 brotes por planta, el promedio de largo y ancho de brotes osciló entre 13 -15 cm y 6 -7 cm respectivamente sin presentar diferencias significativas estadísticas. El mayor rendimiento fue obtenido por el tratamiento 2.5 kg de compost por planta, con 3 041 kg.ha -1, seguido del tratamiento 2 kg de compost con 2 127 kg ha-1, el tratamiento con el resultado más bajo fue el tratamiento testigo absoluto con 1 276 kg ha-1. La sobrevivencia para todos los tratamientos fue del 100 %.