The role of polyurethane foam compressible layer in the mechanical behaviour of multi-layer yielding supports for deep soft rock tunnels

The polyurethane foam(PU)compressible layer is a viable solution to the problem of damage to the secondary lining in squeezing tunnels.Nevertheless,the mechanical behaviour of the multi-layer yielding supports has not been thoroughly investigated.To fill this gap,large-scale model tests were conducted in this study.The synergistic load-bearing mechanics were analyzed using the convergenceconfinement method.Two types of multi-layer yielding supports with different thicknesses(2.5 cm,3.75 cm and 5 cm)of PU compressible layers were investigated respectively.Digital image correlation(DIC)analysis and acoustic emission(AE)techniques were used for detecting the deformation fields and damage evolution of the multi-layer yielding supports in real-time.Results indicated that the loaddisplacement relationship of the multi-layer yielding supports could be divided into the crack initiation,crack propagation,strain-hardening,and failure stages.Compared with those of the stiff support,the toughness,deformability and ultimate load of the yielding supports were increased by an average of 225%,61%and 32%,respectively.Additionally,the PU compressible layer is positioned between two primary linings to allow the yielding support to have greater mechanical properties.The analysis of the synergistic bearing effect suggested that the thickness of PU compressible layer and its location significantly affect the mechanical properties of the yielding supports.The use of yielding supports with a compressible layer positioned between the primary and secondary linings is recommended to mitigate the effects of high geo-stress in squeezing tunnels.

An Innovative Soft Design Science Methodology for Improving Development of a Secure Information System in Tanzania Using Multi-Layered Approach

This paper presents an innovative Soft Design Science Methodology for improving information systems security using multi-layered security approach. The study applied Soft Design Science Methodology to address the problematic situation on how information systems security can be improved. In addition, Soft Design Science Methodology was compounded with mixed research methodology. This holistic approach helped for research methodology triangulation. The study assessed security requirements and developed a framework for improving information systems security. The study carried out maturity level assessment to determine security status quo in the education sector in Tanzania. The study identified security requirements gap (IT security controls, IT security measures) using ISO/IEC 21827: Systems Security Engineering-Capability Maturity Model (SSE-CMM) with a rating scale of 0 - 5. The results of this study show that maturity level across security domain is 0.44 out of 5. The finding shows that the implementation of IT security controls and security measures for ensuring security goals are lacking or conducted in ad-hoc. Thus, for improving the security of information systems, organisations should implement security controls and security measures in each security domain (multi-layer security). This research provides a framework for enhancing information systems security during capturing, processing, storage and transmission of information. This research has several practical contributions. Firstly, it contributes to the body of knowledge of information systems security by providing a set of security requirements for ensuring information systems security. Secondly, it contributes empirical evidence on how information systems security can be improved. Thirdly, it contributes on the applicability of Soft Design Science Methodology on addressing the problematic situation in information systems security. The research findings can be used by decision makers and lawmakers to improve existing cyber security laws, and enact laws for data privacy and sharing of open data.

A New Method of Combination of Electroosmosis, Vacuum and Surcharge Preloading for Soft Ground Improvement

As a rapid and effective ground improvement method is urgently required for the booming land reclamation in China＇s coastal area, this study proposes a new combined method of electroosmosis, vacuum preloading and surcharge preloading. A new type of electrical prefabricated vertical drain （ePVD） and a new electroosmotic drainage system are suggested to allow the application of the new method. This combined method is then field-tested and compared with the conventional vacuum combined with surcharge preloading method. The monitoring and foundation test results show that the new method induces a settlement 20% larger than that of the conventional vacuum combined with surcharge preloading method in the same treatment period, and saves approximately half of the treatment time compared with the vacuum combined with surcharge preloading method according to the finite element prediction of the settlement. The proposed method also increases the vane shear strength of the soil significantly. The bearing capacity of the ground improved by use of the new proposed method raises 118%. In comparison, there is only a 75% rise when using the vacuum combined with surcharge preloading method during the same reinforcement period. All results indicate that the proposed combined method is effective and suitable for reinforcing the soft clay ground. Besides, the voltage applied between the anode and cathode increases exponentially versus treatment time when the output current of power supplies is kept constant. Most of the voltage potential in electroosmosis is lost at electrodes, leaving smaller than 50% of the voltage to be effectively transmitted into the soil.

Influence of cement-fly ash-gravel pile-supported approach embankment on abutment piles in soft ground

Abutment piles in soft ground may be subjected to both vertical and horizontal soil movements resulting from approach embankment loads. To constrain the soil movements, the soft soil ground beneath the approach embankment is often improved using composite pile foundations, which aim at mitigating the bump induced by high-speed trains passing through the bridge. So far, there is limited literature on exploring the influence of the degree of ground improvement on abutment piles installed in soft soil grounds. In this paper, a series of three-dimensional （3D） centrifuge model tests was performed on an approach embankment over a silty clay deposit improved by cement-fly ash-gravel （CFG） piles combined with geogrid. Emphasis is placed on the effects of ground replacement ratio （m） on the responses of the abutment piles induced by embankment loads. Meanwhile, a numerical study was conducted with varying ground replacement ratio of the pile-reinforced grounds. Results show that the performance of the abutment piles is significantly improved when reinforcing the ground with CFG piles beneath the approach embankment. Interestingly, there is a threshold value of the replacement ratio of around 4.9% above which the effect of CFG pile foundations is limited. This implies that it is essential to optimize the ground improvement for having a cost-effective design while minimizing the risk of the bump at the end of bridge.

Numerical Analyses of Bearing Capacity of Deep-Embedded Large-Diameter Cylindrical Structure on Soft Ground Against Lateral Loads

Presented in this paper is a three-dimensional plastic limit analysis method of bearing capacity of the deeply-embedded large-diameter cylindrical structure in the cross-anisotmpic soft ground. The most likely failure mechanism is assumed to be of a composite rupture surface which is composed of an individual wedge in the passive zone or two wedges in both active and passive zones near the mudline, depending on the separation or bonding state at the interface between the cylindrical structure and neighboring soils in the active wedge, and a truncated spherical slip surface at the base of the cylinder when the structure tends to overturn around a point located on the symmetry axis of the structure. The cylindrical structure and soil interaction system under consideration is also numerically analyzed by the finite element method by virtue of the general-purpose FEM software ABAQUS, in which the soil is assumed to obey tie Hill＇s criterion of yield. Both the failure mechanism assumed and the plastic limit analysis predictions are validated by numerical computations based on FEM. For the K0-consolidated ground of clays typically with anisotropic undrained strength property, it is indicated through a parametric study that limit analysis without consideration of anisotropy of soil overestimates the lateral ultimate bearing capacity of a deeply-embedded cylindrical structure in soft ground in a certain condition.

Influence of dynamic pressure on deep underground soft rock roadway support and its application

Due to high ground stress and mining disturbance, the deformation and failure of deep soft rock roadway is serious, and invalidation of the anchor net-anchor cable supporting structure occurs. The failure characteristics of roadways revealed with the help of the ground pressure monitoring. Theoretical analysis was adopted to analyze the influence of mining disturbance on stress distribution in surrounding rock,and the change of stress was also calculated. Considering the change of stress in surrounding rock of bottom extraction roadway, the displacement, plastic zone and distribution law of principal stress difference under different support schemes were studied by means of FLAC3D. The supporting scheme of U-shaped steel was proposed for bottom extraction roadway that underwent mining disturbance. We carried out a similarity model test to verify the effect of support in dynamic pressure. Monitoring results demonstrated the change rules of deformation and stress of surrounding rock in different supporting schemes. The supporting scheme of U-shaped steel had an effective control on deformation of surrounding rock. The scheme was successfully applied in underground engineering practice, and achieved good technical and economic benefits.

Measured Performance and Analysis of the Residual Settlement of a PVD-Improved Marine Soft Ground

Prefabricated vertical drains(PVDs)are commonly used to shorten the drainage path for consolidation as part of the improvement of marine soft ground.Many studies that focus on the primary consolidation settlement of PVD-improved soft ground have been conducted;however,residual settlement has been scarcely investigated.Residual settlement is the net effect of secondary compression and the remaining primary consolidation and generally occurs while the facilities are operating.In this study,residual settlement was investigated using the measured field settlement data obtained from the surface settlement plate and multilayer settlement gauges.This study determined that PVD still has some effect on residual settlement and can reduce the settlement times.Residual settlement is only related to the PVD-improved soil layer and only occurs significantly in the middle zone of that layer over a few months.The middle zone may be related to the time delay of excess pore water pressure dissipation.This study concluded that the remaining primary consolidation in the PVD-improved soil layer is the primary cause of residual settlement,whereas secondary compression in the PVD-improved soil layer is only a minor cause.

Discussion on bearing capacity of soft rock ground based on in-situ load test

The suitability of five methods was discussed here,taking the typical results from in-situ load test of Renshou Mansion and Caifu Plaza in Yueyang City for example.It shows that bearing capacity can be obtained by the proportion load and limit load from p-s curve with the first and the second point of contraflexure easily.It is recommended that the accurate value of bearing capacity can be obtained by hyperbola fitting method and minimum curvature radius method theoretically.The rebound method is clear in principle,in which the elastoplasticity characteristic is thought about.Out of consideration for the unsteadiness and unobviousness of bearing capacity from relative settlement method,it can be only adopted as reference.So bearing capacity of soft rock ground should be determined by weathering condition of soft rock and curve type.

Soft ground tunnel lithology classification using clustering-guided light gradient boosting machine

During tunnel boring machine(TBM)excavation,lithology identification is an important issue to understand tunnelling performance and avoid time-consuming excavation.However,site investigation generally lacks ground samples and the information is subjective,heterogeneous,and imbalanced due to mixed ground conditions.In this study,an unsupervised(K-means)and synthetic minority oversampling technique(SMOTE)-guided light-gradient boosting machine(LightGBM)classifier is proposed to identify the soft ground tunnel classification and determine the imbalanced issue of tunnelling data.During the tunnel excavation,an earth pressure balance(EPB)TBM recorded 18 different operational parameters along with the three main tunnel lithologies.The proposed model is applied using Python low-code PyCaret library.Next,four decision tree-based classifiers were obtained in a short time period with automatic hyperparameter tuning to determine the best model for clustering-guided SMOTE application.In addition,the Shapley additive explanation(SHAP)was implemented to avoid the model black box problem.The proposed model was evaluated using different metrics such as accuracy,F1 score,precision,recall,and receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve to obtain a reasonable outcome for the minority class.It shows that the proposed model can provide significant tunnel lithology identification based on the operational parameters of EPB-TBM.The proposed method can be applied to heterogeneous tunnel formations with several TBM operational parameters to describe the tunnel lithologies for efficient tunnelling.

Theoretical prediction of ground settlements due to shield tunneling in multi-layered soils considering process parameters

This paper conducts a theoretical analysis of ground settlements due to shield tunneling in multi-layered soils which are usually encountered in urban areas.The proposed theoretical solution which is based on the general form of the Mindlin’s solution and Loganathan-Poulos formula can comprehensively consider the in-process tunneling parameters including:unbalanced face pressure,shield-soil friction,unbalanced tail grouting pressure,unbalanced secondary grouting pressure,overloading during tunneling and the ground volume loss.The method is verified by comparing with the field data from the Qinghuayuan Tunnel Project in terms of the ground surface settlements along the longitudinal and transverse direction.Due to the local settlement or heave caused by the certain tunneling parameters,the ground surface settlements calculated using current solution along the longitudinal direction presents an irregular S-shaped curve instead of the traditional S-shaped curve.Results also find that the effect of the unbalanced secondary grouting pressure and the overloading during tunneling cannot be ignored.

Geotechnical characterization of red shale and its indication for ground control in deep underground mining

Geotechnical properties of red shale encountered in deep underground mining were characterized on both laboratory and field scale to reveal its unfavorably in geoenvironment.Its constituents,microstructure,strength properties and water-weakening properties were investigated.In situ stress environment and mining-induced fractured damage zone after excavation were studied to reveal the instability mechanism.The results show that red shale contains swelling and loose clayey minerals as interstitial filling material,producing low shear strength of microstructure and making it vulnerable to water.Macroscopically,a U-shaped curve of uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)exists with the increase of the angle between macro weakness plane and the horizon.However,its tensile strength reduced monotonically with this angle.While immersed in water for72h,its UCS reduced by91.9%comparing to the natural state.Field sonic tests reveal that an asymmetrical geometrical profile of fractured damage zone of gateroad was identified due to geological bedding plane and detailed gateroad layout with regards to the direction of major principle stress.Therefore,red shale is a kind of engineering soft rock.For ground control in underground mining or similar applications,water inflow within several hours of excavation must strictly be prevented and energy adsorbing rock bolt is recommended,especially in large deformation part of gateroad.

Feature Extraction and Classification of Echo Signal of Ground Penetrating Radar

Automatic feature extraction and classification algorithm of echo signal of ground penetrating radar is presented. Dyadic wavelet transform and the average energy of the wavelet coefficients are applied in this paper to decompose and extract feature of the echo signal. Then, the extracted feature vector is fed up to a feed forward muhi layer perceptron classifier. Experimental results based on the measured GPR, echo signals obtained from the Mei shan railway are presented.

Spatial-Temporal Ground Deformation Study of Baotou Based on the PS-InSAR Method

Ground subsidence is an emerging geological hazard in Baotou,Inner Mongolia.Four areas of Baotou with relatively large subsidence range and rate were selected for analysis.Focusing on investigation of ground subsidence using PS-In SAR technology,a total of 43 frames of ALOS PALSAR images yielded a SAR data span from December 2006 to January 2011,allowing ground subsidence scope,subsidence velocity,time-series deformation to be obtained.Major causes and influencing factors of the ground subsidence are closely related to soft soil consolidation and compaction and the decrease in the level of groundwater caused by increased development and utilization of groundwater.

Analysis of ground deformation development and settlement prediction by air-boosted vacuum preloading

Vacuum preloading has been widely used to improve soft soils in coastal areas of China.An increasing amount of evidence from field operations has shown that conventional vacuum preloading is prone to clogging in prefabricated vertical drains(PVDs)and demands a large volume of sand fills.In recent years,air-boosted vacuum preloading has been developed to overcome these limitations;however,this method still requires more data to verify its performance.In this study,a field test for air-boosted vacuum preloading was conducted,and a large-strain two-dimensional(2D)finite element(FE)model was developed and validated against the field test data.Then,a series of FE parametric analyses was performed to assess key factors,i.e.the air injection pressure,the injection spacing,and the characteristics of cyclic injection,which affect the performance of the air-boosted vacuum preloading.The results showed that the ground settlement and lateral displacement of the soils increased due to an increase in the injection pressure,a decrease in the injection spacing,or increases in the number and duration of the injection cycles.Based on the parametric analyses,an empirical formula for ground settlement prediction was proposed and compared with a case history reported in the literature,showing good agreement.

Effect of Partial Ground Plane Removal on the Radiation Characteristics of a Microstrip Antenna

This study presents a new, simple method for reducing the back-lobe radiation of a microstrip antenna (MSA) by a partially removed ground plane of the antenna. The effect of the partial ground plane removal in different configurations on the radiation characteristics of a MSA are investigated numerically. The partial ground plane removal reduces the backlobe radiation of the MSA by suppressing the surface wave diffraction from the edges of the antenna ground plane. For further improving the front-to-back (F/B) ratio of the MSA, a new soft-surface configuration consisting of an array of stand-up split ring resonators (SRRs) are placed on a bare dielectric substrate near the two ground plane edges. Compared to the F/B ratio of a conventional MSA with a full ground plane of the same size, an improved F/B ratio of 9.7 dB has been achieved experimentally for our proposed MSA.

近远场地震下RC大跨轻柔拱桥减隔震支座方案优化

为探明不同地震动输入对某大跨轻柔拱桥减隔震的影响,通过非线性有限元模型分析近远场地震下桥梁结构的响应规律,得到大桥支座的优化布置方案.首先,基于模态分析,对比该桥与传统钢筋混凝土(RC)拱桥动力特性差异;其次,选取不同脉冲周期的近场地震动、近场无脉冲及远场长周期地震动记录;最后,研究近远场地震下拱桥的响应行为和损伤演化路径,得到优化桥梁的减隔震支座设计方案.研究结果表明:近场脉冲及远场长周期地震下的桥梁结构响应大于无脉冲地震响应;纵竖向地震下高墩柱剪力及弯矩包络曲线呈“S”形,墩身中部易形成塑性铰,高阶振型影响显著;桥梁纵桥向先于横向震损,损伤路径依次为矮柱、高墩柱及拱肋实心-空心截面段;摩擦摆支座减震效果最佳但位移较大,高阻尼支座方案在近场中长脉冲周期及远场长周期地震下仍会发生损伤,板式橡胶支座方案因无法保证支座同步滑移而不能形成准隔震体系;“高阻尼+摩擦摆”混合方案的支座位移小,拱肋及墩柱均处于弹性,是近断层大跨轻柔RC拱桥的优选减隔震方案.

阳离子半径对电化学法加固软黏土效果的影响试验研究

在电化学法加固中,注浆试剂种类一直是主要研究课题之一。化学试剂的注入对土体电动特性存在一定影响,主要影响因素为注浆溶液的阳离子种类、离子浓度、离子价位、离子半径等,土体的电动特性改变对电渗加固效果的影响不可忽视。因此,为研究注浆试剂中的阳离子半径对电化学法加固软土地基效果的影响,以同价位不同半径的二价金属离子Ca^(2+)、Mg^(2+)、Cu^(2+)为研究对象,进行电渗固结试验研究。对试验过程中的电流、排水量、电渗透系数变化及试验后的含水率与抗剪强度分布进行分析,并结合扫描电镜(SEM),深入探究阳离子半径对电化学加固效果的影响。结果表明:在电化学法中,提高注入试剂中阳离子的离子半径,电渗过程中的电流、排水量、排水速率、电渗透系数及处理后的土体抗剪强度均有明显提升,其中,钙离子的离子半径最大,加固效果最好,试验后的土体SEM微观图像也表明,钙离子处理后土体密实度更高。

软硬不均地层盾构隧道荷载模式研究

系统考虑隧道埋深、滑移面形式、侧压力系数与地层的关联,提出一种适用于软硬不均地层的盾构隧道荷载模式。对于浅埋隧道,基于椭球体理论推导极限状态下滑移面为椭圆的侧压力系数及竖向松动土压力表达式,并构建力学平衡方程推导侧压力计算式;对于深埋隧道,考虑软硬不均地层突变性并对太沙基理论滑移面宽度进行合理修正,推导对应的围岩压力计算式;再结合软硬不均地层分界线位于隧道水平中线上方、下方2类典型工况,推导出隧底反力表达式;最后结合工程实例对所提荷载模式进行验证。结果表明:与修正惯用法荷载体系相比,所提方法得到的软土-硬土隧道顶部、下半拱竖向土压力与实测值的误差分别缩小74%和172%;相较于软土-硬土隧道,该方法应用于土层-岩层隧道时,计算得到的下半拱竖向土压力、隧底侧向土压力与实测值的误差更小,即所提荷载计算模式更符合隧道实际受荷状态,且当隧道埋深与开挖直径之比较大以及下部地层越坚硬时,其适用性越强。

基于时间窗的机场地面保障车辆动态调度

机场各类地面资源的优化配置是机场场面运行优化的核心问题,而机场地面保障任务的调度是其中的关键一环。针对机场地面保障车辆的调度问题,考虑航班延误、提前等情况,构建了双阶段机场地面保障车辆调度模型,并设计双阶段启发式算法进行求解;基于中国某大型机场的实际运行数据,以清水车和食品车调度为例分别进行仿真实验。结果表明:对比先到先服务策略,清水车行驶总距离减少55.31%,食品车行驶总距离减少47.38%;对比传统遗传算法,清水车行驶总距离减少19.31%,食品车行驶总距离减少22.93%;动态调整后,清水车新增总行驶距离1.2%,食品车总行驶距离新增3.2%,均在可接受范围之内。可见,双阶段机场地面保障车辆调度模型能提高大型机场场面运行效率,为机场航班实际地面保障任务调度提供理论依据和决策支持。

软土地基上的港口陆域回填区场地地震反应分析

在软土地基上通过回填砂形成的港口后方陆域,其场地为在密实砂层下卧软弱土层的特殊场地。利用一维场地地震反应分析软件DEEPSOIL的时域非线性分析方法建立分析模型,选择10组地震加速度记录作为输入地震动,分析该类特殊场地的地震反应。结果表明,软弱土层在强震作用下会产生大的剪切变形,使滞回阻尼充分发挥从而耗散地震能量;地震在通过软弱土层向上传递过程中迅速减小,软弱土层具有明显的减震和隔震效果。