In this work the possibility of identifying two important aspects in the process of adopting soil parameters for calculating stability analysis models in tailing dams is discussed. The use of commercial computer progr...In this work the possibility of identifying two important aspects in the process of adopting soil parameters for calculating stability analysis models in tailing dams is discussed. The use of commercial computer programs for stability calculations allows obtaining numerically exact results. Its representativeness, however, will be linked to the correct definition of the phreatic regime and to the prediction of volumetric soil behavior during shearing (contractile vs. dilating materials). The theoretical principles for the selection of soils parameters for different failure models are briefly presented. Also, how the incorrect assumptions regarding material behavior can significantly affect the estimation of tailing dams’ stability. The results of CPTu tests for the diagnosis of the phreatic and mechanical condition of the materials are discussed and two examples are presented to remark on the care that should be taken to avoid incorrect soils parameters adoption.展开更多
The mechanical behaviour of a quasi-brittle material,i.e.Pietra Serena sandstone,was investigated both numerically and experimentally in order to build a reliable numerical modelling system applicable to more complex ...The mechanical behaviour of a quasi-brittle material,i.e.Pietra Serena sandstone,was investigated both numerically and experimentally in order to build a reliable numerical modelling system applicable to more complex cases.The Karagozian and Case concrete(KCC)model was exploited as the material constitutive law and a new method to utilise this model for efficient and accurate simulation of quasibrittle materials is discussed.The capability of this model is evaluated by comparing the results of the numerical simulations with the corresponding experimental results,and the method itself is critically assessed.展开更多
Objective: By means of neuropsychologic tests, to further analyse a specific chiasmal monocular visual testing behaviour, here labelled temporal blocking because of the elective ignorance of optotypes on the temporal ...Objective: By means of neuropsychologic tests, to further analyse a specific chiasmal monocular visual testing behaviour, here labelled temporal blocking because of the elective ignorance of optotypes on the temporal side of the chart. Often it is combined with impairment of reading and other cognitive impairments. Methods: Eighteen patients with lesions to the chiasm and some degree of temporal blocking aged 24 - 76 years underwent: 1) tests for visual neglect (Gothenburg test;behavioural inattention tests: star cancellation;line bisection);2) visuo-perceptual tests;and 3) a test involving reading a crowded ten-letter and cipher bar. Results: The temporal blocking in two patients recovered after emergency neurosurgery and their results were normal when subsequently tested. Of the 16 patients with deficiencies, 14 had a poorer left eye (p Conclusions: The best neuropsychologic tests appeared to be those for visual neglect and the crowded bar test. In most cases, the right cerebral hemisphere’s lack of some crossed information from the left eye, usually needed for normative saccades and adjustment to visual space, may be a factor underlying the specific visual behaviour.展开更多
A formulation for the coupled analysis of thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) problems in joints is first presented. The work involves the establishment of equilibrium and mass and energy balance equations. Balance equati...A formulation for the coupled analysis of thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) problems in joints is first presented. The work involves the establishment of equilibrium and mass and energy balance equations. Balance equations were formulated taking into account two phases: water and air. The joint element developed was implemented in a general purpose finite element computer code for THM analysis of porous media (Code_Bright). The program was then used to study a number of cases ranging from laboratory tests to large scale in situ tests. A numerical simulation of coupled hydraulic shear tests of rough granite joints is first presented. The tests as well as the model show the coupling between permeability and the deformation of thejoints. The experimental investigation was focused on the effects of suction on the mechanical behaviour of rock joints. Laboratory tests were performed in a direct shear cell equipped with suction control. Suction was imposed using a vapour forced convection circuit connected to the cell and controlled by an air pump. Artificial joints of Lilla claystone were prepared.Joint roughness of varying intensity was created by carving the surfaces in contact in such a manner that rock ridges of different tip angles were formed. These angles ranged from 0° (smooth joint) to 45° (very rough joint profile). The geometric profiles of the two surfaces in contact were initially positioned in a "matching" situation. Several tests were performed for different values of suctions (200, 100, and 20 MPa) and for different values of vertical stresses (30, 60, and 150 kPa). A constitutive model including the effects of suction and joint roughness is proposed to simulate the unsaturated behaviour of rock joints. The new constitutive law was incorporated in the code and experimental results were numerically simulated.展开更多
文摘In this work the possibility of identifying two important aspects in the process of adopting soil parameters for calculating stability analysis models in tailing dams is discussed. The use of commercial computer programs for stability calculations allows obtaining numerically exact results. Its representativeness, however, will be linked to the correct definition of the phreatic regime and to the prediction of volumetric soil behavior during shearing (contractile vs. dilating materials). The theoretical principles for the selection of soils parameters for different failure models are briefly presented. Also, how the incorrect assumptions regarding material behavior can significantly affect the estimation of tailing dams’ stability. The results of CPTu tests for the diagnosis of the phreatic and mechanical condition of the materials are discussed and two examples are presented to remark on the care that should be taken to avoid incorrect soils parameters adoption.
文摘The mechanical behaviour of a quasi-brittle material,i.e.Pietra Serena sandstone,was investigated both numerically and experimentally in order to build a reliable numerical modelling system applicable to more complex cases.The Karagozian and Case concrete(KCC)model was exploited as the material constitutive law and a new method to utilise this model for efficient and accurate simulation of quasibrittle materials is discussed.The capability of this model is evaluated by comparing the results of the numerical simulations with the corresponding experimental results,and the method itself is critically assessed.
文摘Objective: By means of neuropsychologic tests, to further analyse a specific chiasmal monocular visual testing behaviour, here labelled temporal blocking because of the elective ignorance of optotypes on the temporal side of the chart. Often it is combined with impairment of reading and other cognitive impairments. Methods: Eighteen patients with lesions to the chiasm and some degree of temporal blocking aged 24 - 76 years underwent: 1) tests for visual neglect (Gothenburg test;behavioural inattention tests: star cancellation;line bisection);2) visuo-perceptual tests;and 3) a test involving reading a crowded ten-letter and cipher bar. Results: The temporal blocking in two patients recovered after emergency neurosurgery and their results were normal when subsequently tested. Of the 16 patients with deficiencies, 14 had a poorer left eye (p Conclusions: The best neuropsychologic tests appeared to be those for visual neglect and the crowded bar test. In most cases, the right cerebral hemisphere’s lack of some crossed information from the left eye, usually needed for normative saccades and adjustment to visual space, may be a factor underlying the specific visual behaviour.
文摘A formulation for the coupled analysis of thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) problems in joints is first presented. The work involves the establishment of equilibrium and mass and energy balance equations. Balance equations were formulated taking into account two phases: water and air. The joint element developed was implemented in a general purpose finite element computer code for THM analysis of porous media (Code_Bright). The program was then used to study a number of cases ranging from laboratory tests to large scale in situ tests. A numerical simulation of coupled hydraulic shear tests of rough granite joints is first presented. The tests as well as the model show the coupling between permeability and the deformation of thejoints. The experimental investigation was focused on the effects of suction on the mechanical behaviour of rock joints. Laboratory tests were performed in a direct shear cell equipped with suction control. Suction was imposed using a vapour forced convection circuit connected to the cell and controlled by an air pump. Artificial joints of Lilla claystone were prepared.Joint roughness of varying intensity was created by carving the surfaces in contact in such a manner that rock ridges of different tip angles were formed. These angles ranged from 0° (smooth joint) to 45° (very rough joint profile). The geometric profiles of the two surfaces in contact were initially positioned in a "matching" situation. Several tests were performed for different values of suctions (200, 100, and 20 MPa) and for different values of vertical stresses (30, 60, and 150 kPa). A constitutive model including the effects of suction and joint roughness is proposed to simulate the unsaturated behaviour of rock joints. The new constitutive law was incorporated in the code and experimental results were numerically simulated.