Elastic behavior of saturated porous materials under undrained freezing

The elastic behavior of saturated porous materi- als under undrained freezing is investigated by using a poro- mechanical approach. Thermodynamic equilibria are used to describe the crystallization process of the partially frozen solution in bulk state and confined state in pores. By phase transition at freezing, fusion energy, thermal contraction of solid, solution and ice crystals, volume changes of crystallization build up remarkable pore pressure that induces expansion or shrinkage of solid matrix. Owing to the lower chemical potential when pore water mixes with salts, fewer ice forms in pores. Penetration of ice into the porous materials increases the capillary pressure, but limits effect on the pore liquid pressure and the strain of solid matrix. On the contrary, the pore pressure induced by solution density rises as salt concentration increases and causes significant shrinkage of solid matrix.

Analytical study on the dynamic displacement response of a curved track subjected to moving loads

A closed-form out-of-plane dynamic displacement response of a curved track subjected to moving loads was proposed.The track structure was modeled as a planar curved Timoshenko beam periodically supported by the double-layer spring-damping elements.The general dynamic displacement response induced by the moving loads along the curve on the elastic semi-infinite space was firstly obtained in the frequency domain,according to the Duhamel integral and the dynamic reciprocity theorem.In the case of the periodic curved track structure subjected to moving loads,the dynamic displacement equation was simplified into a form of summation within the basic track cell instead of the integral.The transfer function for the curved track was expressed in the form of a transfer matrix.Single and series moving loads were involved in the calculation program.For the verification of the analytical model,the mid-span vertical deflection of a simply support curved beam subjected to moving load was recalculated and compared with the same case in the reference.The research results indicate that:under the same moving loads,the displacement response of the curved track decreases slightly with the increasing track radius,and the displacement response of the curved track with the radius greater than or equal to 600 m is almost equivalent to the displacement response of the straight track;the frequency spectrum of the curved track is more abundant than that of the straight track,which may result in more wheel-rail resonance and rail corrugation in the curved lines.

Low frequency vibration tests on a floating slab track in an underground laboratory

Low frequency vibrations induced by underground railways have attracted increasing attention in recent years. To obtain the characteristics of low frequency vibrations and the low frequency performance of a floating slab track (FST), low frequency vibration tests on an FST in an underground laboratory at Beijing Jiaotong University were carried out. The FST and an unbalanced shaker SBZ30 for dynamic simulation were designed for use in low frequency vibration experiments. Vibration measurements were performed on the bogie of the unbalanced shaker, the rail, the slab, the tunnel invert, the tunnel wall, the tunnel apex, and on the ground surface at distances varying from 0 to 80 m from the track. Measurements were also made on several floors of an adjacent building. Detailed results of low frequency vibration tests were reported. The attenuation of low frequency vibrations with the distance from the track was presented, as well as the responses of different floors of the building. The experimental results could be regarded as a reference for developing methods to control low frequency vibrations and for adopting countermeasures.

Influence of freezing rate on cryo-damage of cementitious material

We report an experimental investigation on the impact of the freezing rate on the cryo-deformation and cryo-damage of cementitious materials.Saturated,dried and air-entrained mortar specimens are subjected to laboratory freeze-thaw cycles under three freezing rates without moisture exchange with the environment.In addition to basic mechanical properties and pore distribution,the measurement is also effectuated for freezing expansion,residual deformation of the specimens in each cycle.From the results it is observed that a high freezing rate does augment the freezing expansion of material while the cryo-damage is more important for a low freezing rate.Accordingly,both the freezing rate and freezing duration should be taken into account for the cyro-damage extent of cementitious materials.