Finite element analysis of displacements of double pile-column bridge piers at steep slope

In order to study bearing characteristics of bridge pile at steep slope under complex loads in mountians, according to double pile-column bridge piers engineering at steep slope and test models in laboratory, finite element analysis of pile-column bridge piers was carried out using software ADINA under different loadings, such as horizontal loading in the longitudinal direction along bridge, vertical loadings, slope top loadings and complex loadings. The numerical simulation results show that displacements of front pile pier top and back pile pier top are different under horizontal loadings in the longitudinal direction along bridge or vertical loadings, the displacements of front pile pier top are higher than those of back pile pier top, and its difference increases with the increase of loadings. Vertical displacements will also appear under slope top loadings, and displacements of front pier top are higher than those of back pier top too, while its difference reduces with the increase of loadings. Displacements of both front pile pier top and back pile pier top under comlex loading are larger than those under single loading.

Regularity classification and corresponding analysis method requirements of horizontally curved bridges with unequal pier heights

The seismic behavior of horizontally curved bridges,particularly with unequal height piers,is more complicated than that of straight bridges due to their geometric properties.In this study,the seismic responses of several horizontally curved single-column-bent viaducts with various degrees of curvature and different pier heights have been investigated,employing three different analysis approaches:namely,modal pushover analysis,uniform load method,and nonlinear time history analysis.Considering the investigated bridge configurations and utilizing the most common regularity indices,the results indicate that viaducts with 45-degree and 90-degree deck subtended angles can be categorized as regular and moderately irregular,respectively,while the bridges with 180-degree deck subtended angle are found to be highly irregular.Furthermore,the viaducts whose pier heights are asymmetric may be considered as irregular for almost all ranges of the deck subtended angles.The effects of higher transverse and longitudinal modes are discussed and the minimum analysis requirements are identified to assess the seismic response of such bridge configurations for design purposes.Although the Regularity Indices used here are useful tools to distinguish between regular and irregular bridges,further studies are needed to improve their reliability.

Vertical and horizontal displacements of a reservoir slope due to slope aging effect,rainfall,and reservoir water

Landslides are common hazards in reservoir areas and significantly affect dam operation and human lives.For the prevention and management of landslides,accurate assessment of the factors influencing their generation is essential.This study evaluated the key external factors influencing horizontal and vertical displacements of Luobogang Reservoir Slope in Hanyuan County,China.Displacements had been monitored by a surface-displacement-monitoring system consisting of 118 GPS stations during 2012-2015.To identify the external driving factors,their influence zones,and slope responses,we analyzed 32 months of displacement measurements and other multi-source datasets using the empirical orthogonal function.Overall,the results show that slope aging effect,rainfall,and reservoir water levels are three main driving factors.For horizontal displacement,aging effect is the most critical factor and predominantly affects the edges of landslides,the gob cave,and the public building zones.The secondary factor is the reservoir water level,which mainly acts on the boundary between the slope and reservoir water surface.The closer the slope zone is to the reservoir water,the more significant the impact is.Regarding vertical displacement,the most important factor is rainfall.The vertical displacement caused by rainfall accounts for 56.76% of the total vertical displacements.However,rainfall induces elastic displacements that generally cause less damage to the slope.The secondary factor is aging effect,and the vertical displacement caused by aging effect accounts for 9.42%.However,seven individual zones are highly affected by slope aging effect,which is consistent with the distribution of public buildings.

Analysis of horizontal displacement distribution caused by single advancing longwall panel excavation

The paper presents an analysis of the horizontal displacement of surfaces induced by exploitation in a longwall panel. The panel under discussion is No. 698 of Prosper Haniel coal mine, Germany. The author discusses both the distribution of displacement vectors, according to the theory assuming surface point displacement towards the center of gravitation （COG） zone of a selected deposit element, and the analysis of horizontal displacement measurements, based on the assumption that the value of horizontal displacement is proportional to the slope of the subsidence trough. Finally, the value of horizontal displacement coefficient B is estimated for particular longitudinal and transverse measurement section of the analyzed longwall No. 698.

The Vertical Deformation and Horizontal Displacement Fields,Movement, and Seismicity of the Island Arc Tectonics

In this work,the vertical deformation,horizontal displacement,and stress fields of arcuate tectonics are theoretically derived from the horizontal tectonic stress; then the characteristics of tectonic movement,seismicity,and focal mechanism of arcuate tectonics of the entire world are explained.It is pointed out that the island arc and other arcuate tectonics are gradually developed under the displacement and stress fields of the arcuate tectonics and that the under-thrusting action of the ocean plate is secondary.The distance formulas between the volcanic arc and the trench are suggested and also that theoretical results are consistent with actual data.

Dynamic evolution of crustal horizontal deformation before the Ms6.4 Menyuan earthquake

An Ms6.4 earthquake occurred in the Menyuan county of Qinghai Province on Jan 21, 2016. In order to recognize the development of horizontal deformation and distinguish precursory deformation anomalies, we obtained coordinates time series, velocity and strain model around the seismic zones from processing of continuous observations from 2010 and 6 times of surveying Global Positioning System （GPS） data since 2009. The results show that, before the earthquake, the eastern segmentation of the Qilian tectonic zone where the Lenglongling Fault located is in strong crustal shortening and compressional strain state with dilatational rates of -15 to -25 ppb. The Lenglongling Fault has a strike-slip rate of 3.1 mm/a and a far-field differential orthogonal rate of 7 mm/a, while differential rate is only 1.2 mm/a near the fault, which reflects its locking feature with strain energy accumulation and high seismic risks. Dynamic evolution of deformation model shows that preevent dilatational rates around the seismic zones increases from 15 ppb/a to -20 ppb/a with its center moving to the source areas. Time series of N components of G337 station, which is 13.7 km away from the Lenglongling Fault, exhibit a 5 mm/a acceleration anomaly. Time series of base-station QHME （in Menyuan） displays a reverse acceleration from the end of Sep. to Dec., 2016 when it comes to a largest deviation, and the accumulative displacement is more than 4 mm and the value reverse till the earthquake. In our results, coseismic displacement of N, E, U components in QHME site are 3.0 mm, 3.0 mm, -5.4 mm, respectively. If we profile these values onto the Lenglongling Fault, we can achieve a 1.1 mm of strike slip and 4.1 mm updip slip relative to the hanging wall.

Effects of Locations of Spur Dyke on Bed and Scour around Bridge Piers in Meandering Channel

Spur dykes are the structures which are used to protect the eroding bank of rivers.They are sometimes also used to safeguard the life of many struc­tures such as bridge piers,abutments etc.The efficiency of spur dykes has been checked in straight channels by conducting model tests in laboratories by many investigators.Very few studies were done in curved channels.In present work an attempt has been made to study the effect of location of spur dyke on bed and scour around bridge pier in curved open channel(bend angle=80o)with time.Experiment has been carried out in 80o channel bend at constant discharge(3.5×10^(-3) m^(3)/s)and bridge pier is located at angular displacementϴ=60o.Hereϴis the angle the line drawn at the inlet of any bend to the line joining the centre of curvature and any point on the outer portion of the bend.It is found that maximum scouring occurs atϴ=0o and 20oalong inner wall and atϴ=60o and 80o along outer wall.It is also found that scouring around bridge pier is more in the vicinity of pier and decreases with increase in distance from pier.The most suitable location for spur dyke to protect bridge pier is at angular displacementϴ=20o.Scour developed rapidly during initial time and then rate of scouring decreases with elapse of time.

Scaling of residual displacements in terms of elastic and inelastic spectral displacements for existing SDOF systems

Structures undergoing inelastic displacements during earthquake ground motions are known to sustain some amount of residual displacements, which may make them unusable or unsafe. In this study an attempt is made to estimate residual displacements for elastic-perfectly-plastic single-degree-of-freedom oscillators with a given lateral strength ratio. It is observed in the case of a class of ground motions that there are no trends in the dependence of residual displacement on the temporal features of the ground motion, and thus any estimation of residual displacements should be carried out only in the statistical sense. Statistical estimation of residual displacement spectrum via normalization with respect to inelastic or elastic spectral displacements is considered, and it is found that normalization with respect to inelastic spectral displacements is preferable. Expressions for residual displacement spectra are proposed for both types of normalizations and for the givenlateral-strength-ratio type oscillators.

Sensor monitoring of a newly designed foundation pit supporting structure

A new type of pit supporting structure, which was tested and verified using the sensor monitoring technology, was presented. The new supporting structure is assembled by prefabricated steel structural units. The adjacent steel structural units are jointed with fasteners, and each steel structural unit has a certain radian and is welded by two steel tubes and one piece of steel disc. In order to test and verify the reliability of the new supporting structure, the field tests are designed. The main monitoring programs include the hoop stress of supporting structure, lateral earth pressure, and soil deformation. The monitoring data of the field tests show that the new supporting structure is convenient, reliable and safe.

Analytical Research on Deformation Monitoring of Large Span Continuous Rigid Frame Bridge during Operation

Based on a large span continuous rigid frame bridge in Chongqing of China, the main pier vertical displacement and deviation, the bridge deck alignment and the expansion joint deformation are analytically researched during operation. Firstly, the monitoring content and method of the large span continuous rigid frame bridge are clearly stated. Secondly, by finite element software Midas Civil, the relevant deformation values of the bridge are calculated. Thirdly, in practice, the relevant deformation values of the bridge are measured. Finally, the measured values in practice are compared with the calculated ones by the finite element software Midas Civil, finding that the former is less than the latter, and it can be concluded that the bridge is basically in the normal working condition. In this paper, the analytical research on the deformation monitoring can provide the basis for similar bridges, which has good practical significance.

Observed deformation characteristics of a deep excavation for the spring area in Jinan,China

The observed deflections and internal forces of pile-anchor retaining excavation were studied in spring area in Jinan city of China. Based on field measured data, the ground surface settlement, deflection of retaining piles and wall, internal force analysis of concrete piles, axial anchoring forces, groundwater table, and the deformation of surround building and pipelines were investigated. The results indicates that the combining application of concrete piles, jet grouting columns and anchors support system can effectively control excavation-induced surface ground settlements. The field maximum lateral wall deflections are between 0.o2% and o.19% of the excavation depth due to the competitive site conditions. The bending moment-depth relationship curve is S-type. Groundwater leakage results in the sharp drop in groundwater level, which is part of the reasons for the adjacent building settlement. The axial anchoring forces of the upper layer of anchors increase gradually during the excavation, but those of the lower layer of anchors slightly reduced firstly and then tend to be stable during the excavation procedure. In comparison with the histories of excavation cases, the small lateral wall deflection in this study results from the favorable site condition and the relative rigidity of the retaining structure system.

3D Finite Elements Technique for Collapse Causes of the Pylons in Egyptian Temples: A Study of the Great Pylon of Ramesseum Temple, Luxor, Egypt

This research presents damage causes of the pylons in the ancient Egyptian temples based on 3D finite elements analysis. The main purpose of the research determines the failure causes of the first pylon of the Ramessium temple, which is situated in Upper Egypt, at Luxor “Thebes” on the west bank of the Nile River. The first pylon of Ramessium temple subjected to seismic activity effects on long term, combined with several structural damage factors such as the defects resulting from the construction technique, where the builder used the poor quality of stones in foundations of the pylon, the building materials residue was used as filler for the core of the pylon walls, and it lacked vertical joints between the courses. In addition to it founded on alluvial soil that is vulnerable to contaminated water, it is still suffering damage factors and urban trespasses at the moment. All of the former factors helped the pylon to be affected by the earthquakes loads that occurred on it. The structural behavior of the pylon under self-weight and earthquakes loads were carried out by Numerical analysis to find out the loads and stresses which caused collapsing of the pylon. Results of the study indicated that the pylon subjected to a horizontal displacement due to old earthquakes force, led to collapse of the pylon. Finally, the study represents use of modern technique to study the structural behavior of the most important architectural units in ancient Egyptian temples to identify the causes of its collapse.

Numerical Simulation and Field Monitoring Analysis for Deep Foundation Pit Construction of Subway Station

To investigate the effect of deep foundation pit excavation on the stability of retaining structure, a subway stationin the city of Jinan was selected as a project, and a FLAC3D-based three dimensional model was developed fornumerical simulation. The horizontal displacement of the retaining structure, the axial force of the support, andthe vertical displacement of the column were studied and compared to the collected data from the field. The findingsindicate that when the foundation pit is excavated, the maximum deformation of the retaining structure progressivelydecreases from the top, the distortion of the retaining structure gradually rises, and the final maximumdeformation is around 17 meters deep. In each layer of support, the largest axial force support is located in thefirst reinforced concrete support;the uplift of the pit bottom caused by soil unloading plays a primary role in thevertical displacement of the column, and the column exhibits an upward trend under all construction conditions.When compared to the measured data, the generated findings are comparable and the fluctuation trend is extremelyconsistent. The findings of this article may give technical direction for the development of subway stationswith a comparable engineering basis.

Optimization of shut-in time based on saturation rebalancing in volume-fractured tight oil reservoirs

Based on imbibition replacement of shut-in well in tight oil reservoirs, this paper expounds the principle of saturation rebalancing during the shut-in process after fracturing, establishes an optimization method for shut-in time after horizontal well volume fracturing with the goal of shortening oil breakthrough time and achieving rapid oil breakthrough, and analyzes the influences of permeability, porosity, fracture half-length and fracturing fluid volume on the shut-in time. The oil and water imbibition displacement in the matrix and fractures occurs during the shut-in process of wells after fracturing. If the shut-in time is too short, the oil-water displacement is not sufficient, and the oil breakthrough time is long after the well is put into production. If the shut-in time is too long, the oil and water displacement is sufficient, but the energy dissipation in the formation near the bottom of the well is severe, and the flowing period is short and the production is low after the well is put into production. A rational shut-in time can help shorten the oil breakthrough time, extend the flowing period and increase the production of the well. The rational shut-in time is influenced by factors such as permeability, porosity, fracture half-length and fracturing fluid volume. The shortest and longest shut-in times are negatively correlated with porosity, permeability, and fracture half-length, and positively correlated with fracturing fluid volume. The pilot test in tight oil horizontal wells in the Songliao Basin, NE China, has confirmed that the proposed optimization method can effectively improve the development effect of horizontal well volume fracturing.

Using cyclic alternating water injection to enhance oil recovery for carbonate reservoirs developed by linear horizontal well pattern

In view of high water cut and low oil recovery caused by the unidirectional flow in linear pattern of horizontal wells for the carbonate reservoirs in the Middle East,this paper provides a novel approach to improve oil recovery by converting linear water injection to cyclic alternating water injection patterns including cyclic alternating water injection with apparent inverted seven-spot pattern or apparent five-spot pattern and cyclic differential alternating water injection.The main advantage of using this strategy is that the swept efficiency is improved by changing injection-production streamlines and displacement directions,which means displacement from two different direction for the same region during a complete cycle.This technology is effective in increasing the swept efficiency and tapping the remaining oil,thus resulting in higher oil recovery.Field application with three new patterns in a carbonate reservoir in the Middle East is successful.By optimizing injection and production parameters based on the cyclic alternating well pattern,the test well group had a maximum increase of daily oil production per well of 23.84 m^(3) and maximum water cut drop of 18%.By further optimizing the distance(keep a long distance)between the heels of injection and production wells,the waterflooding performance could be better with water cut decreasing and oil production increasing.

Study of Effective Edge Safety Factor Using Analytical Solution of Grad-Shafranov Equation for Circular Cross Section Tokamak

In this work, we present effective edge safety factor using analytical solution of the Grad-Shafranov equation based on expansion of free functions of first order and magnetic probes for circular cross section HT-7 tokamak.

Synchronous injection-production energy replenishment for a horizontal well in an ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir: A case study of Changqing oilfield in Ordos Basin, NW China

It is difficult to build an effective water flooding displacement pressure system in the middle section of a horizontal well in an ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir.To solve this problem,this study proposes to use packers,sealing cannula and other tools in the same horizontal well to inject water in some fractures and produce oil from other fractures.This new energy supplement method forms a segmental synchronous injection-production system in a horizontal well.The method can reduce the distance between the injection end and the production end,and quickly establish an effective displacement system.Changing the displacement between wells to displacement between horizontal well sections,and point water flooding to linear uniform water flooding,the method can enhance water sweeping volume and shorten waterflooding response period.The research shows that:(1)In the synchronous injection and production of horizontal well in an ultra-low-permeability sandstone reservoir,the water injection section should select the section where the natural fractures and artificial fractures are in the same direction or the section with no natural fractures,and the space between two sections should be 60?80 m.(2)In addition to controlling injection pressure,periodic water injection can be taken to reduce the risk of re-opening and growth of natural fractures or formation fracture caused by the gradual increase of water injection pressure with water injection going on.(3)Field tests have verified that this method can effectively improve the output of single well and achieve good economic benefits,so it can be widely used in the development of ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoirs.

Analysis on the Observation Data of Three Profiles across the Qilian Mountain-Haiyuan Fault Zone

By analyzing GPS, leveling and gravity observation data from the Minle, Huazangsi and Shagouhe profiles across the Qilian Mountain-Haiyuan fault during 2005 - 2009, the changes of these data and activity characteristics of the main faults in different time are obtained. The results show that the Changma-Erbo, Maomaoshan, Zhunglanghe and Haiyuan faults have been active in recent years. The relationship between the vertical displacement and mobile gravity data is analyzed, and the results reveal the gravity changes are mainly due to mass transfer. The results of GPS observation show that the direction of the horizontal movement velocity was almost along the fault strike in 2006 - 2007, while the horizontal velocity deviated from the fault direction in 2007 - 2008, characterized by increased eastward displacement. Further analysis upon removal of the linear trend on the time series of the N and E coordinate values of the continuous observation stations of the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China near the three profiles reveals that the Wenchuan earthquake had an effect on the observations in 2007 - 2008. Comparing the gravitational changes in 2008 - 2009 with the Bouguer gravity anomaly background, we find that the area near Minle profile is in the stage of adjustment and recovery, while the anomaly is not completely recovered around Huazangsi and Shagouhe profiles.

Effect of Mutual Interference of Bridge Piers on Scouring in Meandering Channel

Local scour is the reduction of original bed level around any hydraulic structure.Bridge failure due to scouring has made researchers study the cause of scouring and predict the scour depth and pattern around bridge piers and foundations.Several investigators have extensively studied local scour around isolated bridge pier,but modern designs of the bridges comprise of wide span and thus group of piers rather than a single pier.The flow and scour pattern around group of piers are different from the case of a single pier due to the interaction effect.The objective of present study is to investigate the effect of mutual interference of bridge piers on local scour experimentally around two piers in non-cohesive bed.Experiments were carried out on model bridge piers of circular cross section in a meandering channel.It was observed that when front and rear piers were placed at an angular displacement ofθ=40°and 80°respectively,maximum depth of scour is maximum.Hereθis the angle the line drawn at the inlet of bend to the line joining the centre of curvature and any point on the outer portion of the bend.

Effect of Meander on Bridge Pier Scour

have been done in the past by many researchers.Many factors which affect scour around piers such as shape of piers,size,positioning and orientation etc.have been studied in detail by them.However,similar studies in meandering channels are scanty.Very few researchers have studied the effect of angular displacement which has considerable effects of scour around bridge piers.In this paper an attempt has been made to carry out a detailed study of angular displacement on scour.A constant diameter bridge pier of circular shape has been tested in a meandering channel bend with bend angle as 800.The test bed was prepared by using uniform sand having d50 as 0.27 mm and run was taken for a discharge of 2.5 l/s.