Optimization of constitutive parameters of foundation soils k-means clustering analysis

The goal of this study was to optimize the constitutive parameters of foundation soils using a k-means algorithm with clustering analysis. A database was collected from unconfined compression tests, Proctor tests and grain distribution tests of soils taken from three different types of foundation pits： raft foundations, partial raft foundations and strip foundations. k-means algorithm with clustering analysis was applied to determine the most appropriate foundation type given the un- confined compression strengths and other parameters of the different soils.

New artificial boundary condition for saturated soil foundations

Anew artificial boundary model based on multi-directional transmitting and viscous-spring artificial boundary theories is proposed to absorb stress waves in a saturated soil foundation in dynamic analysis. Since shear waves （S-waves） are the same in a saturated soil foundation and a single-phase medium foundation, a tangential visco-elastic boundary condition for a single-phase medium foundation can also be used for saturated soil foundations. Thus, the purpose of the artificial boundary proposed in this paper is primarily to absorb two types of P-waves in a saturated soil foundation. The main idea is that the stress of the P-waves in the saturated soil foundation is decomposed into two types. The first type of stress, δra＇ is absorbed by the first artificial boundary. The second type of stress, δrb, is balanced by the stress generated by the second artificial boundary. Ultimately, both types of P-waves （fast-P-waves and slow-P-waves） are absorbed by the artificial boundary model proposed in this paper. In particular, note that the fast-P-waves and slow-P-waves are absorbed at the position of the first boundary. Thus, the artificial boundary model proposed herein can simultaneously absorb P-fast waves, P-slow waves and shear waves. Finally, a numerical example is given to examine the proposed artificial boundary model, and the results show that it is very accurate.

Engineering Geological Zoning of Soft-Soil Foundation Based on Combination Weighting and Extension Methods

Different criteria and factors are used in different methods of soft soil foundation settlement calculation and engineering geological zoning.The methods used are not universally suitable for complex geological environments.The post-construction settlement of soft soil foundations are especially large and difficult to calculate.In addition,there are many deficiencies in the current methods used for engineering geological zoning.Focusing on the need of establishing engineering geological zoning for areas with soft soil foundations in the Tianjin Marine Economic Area,combination weighting and extension methods were introduced.An evaluation model for the settlement of soft soil foundations was established using multiple factors and large amounts of data.This evaluation model is accurate and objective for delineating engineering geological zoning.These methods eliminate deficiencies by considering both objective and subjective factors,and help obtain an objective and accurate result.

Analysis of Dynamic Interaction Between Deeply Embedded Platform and Foundation Soil

-Dynamic interaction characteristics of the model deeply embedded platform and foundation soil are studied by means of dynamic substructuring interface transformation synthesis and dynamic condensation. The theoretical analysis, computer programs and practical examples are presented; and the results are compared with those obtained by statical condensation method and finite element method.

Review of research on high-speed railway subgrade settlement in soft soil area

Construction issues of high-speed rail infrastructures have been increasingly concerned worldwide,of which the subgrade settlement in soft soil area becomes a particularly critical problem.Due to the high compressibility and low permeability of soft soil,the post-construction settlement of the subgrade is extremely difficult to control in these regions,which seriously threatens the operation safety of high-speed trains.In this work,the significant issues of high-speed railway subgrades in soft soil regions are discussed.The theoretical and experimental studies on foundation treatment methods for ballasted and ballastless tracks are reviewed.The settlement evolution and the settlement control effect of different treatment methods are highlighted.Control technologies of subgrade differential settlement are subsequently briefly presented.Settlement calculation algorithms of foundations reinforced by different treatment methods are discussed in detail.The defects of existing prediction methods and the challenges faced in their practical applications are analyzed.Furthermore,the guidance on future improvement in control theories and technologies of subgrade settlement for high-speed railway lines and the corresponding challenges are provided.

Responses of calcareous sand foundations to variations of groundwater table and applied loads

The long-term settlement of calcareous sand foundations caused by daily periodic fluctuations has become a significant geological hazard,but effective monitoring tools to capture the deformation profiles are still rarely reported.In this study,a laboratory model test and an in situ monitoring test were conducted.An optical frequency domain reflectometer(OFDR)with high spatial resolution(1 mm)and high accuracy(10-6)was used to record the soil strain responses to groundwater table and varied loads.The results indicated that the fiber-optic measurements can accurately locate the swelling and compressive zones.During the loading process,the interlock between calcareous sand particles was detected,which increased the internal friction angle of soil.The foundation deformation above the sliding surface was dominated by compression,and the soil was continuously compressed beneath the sliding surface.After 26e48 h,calcareous sand swelling occurred gradually above the water table,which was primarily dependent on capillary water.The swelling of the soil beneath the groundwater table was completed rapidly within less than 2 h.When the groundwater table and load remain constant,the compression creep behavior can be described by the Yasong-Wang model with R2¼0.993.The daily periodically varying in situ deformation of calcareous sand primarily occurs between the highest and lowest groundwater tables,i.e.4.2e6.2 m deep.The tuff interlayers with poor water absorption capacity do not swell or compress,but they produce compressive strain under the influence of deformed calcareous sand layers.

Settlement Mode Analysis for An Immersed Tube Tunnel Considering A Nonuniform Foundation Under Tidal Load

Immersed tube tunnels are usually placed on soft soil layers in cross-sea tunnelling engineering.Owing to the influence of stratum conditions and slope design,the longitudinal distribution of substratum layers is generally uneven.Thus,the inhomogeneous deformation of the element-joint becomes the key factor in the failure of the immersed tube tun-nel.Therefore,a corresponding calculation method for joint deformation is needed to explore the deformation law of immersed tube tunnels.By constructing a three-section immersed tube tunnel analysis model(TTM),the relationship between the two types of deformation of the immersed tube tunnel structure in a longitudinal nonuniform soft soil foundation is described,and the deformation characteristics of the immersed structure under different boundaries are discussed.Based on the mechanical behaviour of the joint and foundation,according to the Timoshenko beam on the Vlasov two-parameter foundation(VTM),considering the tidal cyclic load during the operation and maintenance period,an example analysis is given.Moreover,the deformation characteristics and development trend of the immersed tube tunnel under the influence of different soil layers are discussed.The obtained results have a certain guiding significance for the deformation calculation of immersed tube tunnels.

Laboratory test on the combined cooling effect of L-shaped thermosyphons and thermal insulation on high-grade roadway construction in permafrost regions

With the completion of the Qinghai-Tibetan Railway,economic development of related areas has been greatly accelerated.This,in return,calls for building or upgrading more roadways,especially high-grade roadways.In cold regions,the thawing of permafrost can induce settlement damage of and even failure to railway (or roadway) embankments.Thermosyphons (self-powered refrigera-tion devices that are used to help keep the permafrost cool) have proved effective in mitigating thaw settlement by maintaining the thermal stability of the embankments.However,for high-grade roadway embankments of great width,stabilizing or cooling ef-fects of traditional geotechnological measures may be limited.To enhance the cooling effect of thermosyphons,an L-shaped thermosyphon was designed.A laboratory test was carried out to study the combined cooling effect of the L-shaped thermosyphon and thermal insulation applying to roadbed construction.The angle between the evaporator and condenser sections of the L-shaped thermosyphon is 134 degrees,and the L-shaped thermosyphon was inserted into the soil at an angle of 5 degrees with the road surface.The tested results show that the L-shaped thermosyphon is effective in removing heat from a roadway in winter.When the ambient air temperature is lower than the soil temperature,the thermosyphon is active and extracts the heat in the soil around it.When the ambient air temperature is higher than the soil temperature,the thermosyphon is inactive,and no heat is in-jected into the soil through the L-shaped thermosyphon.Compared to embankments with straight thermosyphons,the inner parts of the embankments with L-shaped thermosyphons were significantly cooled.It is hoped that the present study would be useful to the application of L-shaped thermosyphons in the construction of high-grade roadways in cold regions.

Horizontal freezing study for cross passage of river-crossing tunnel

To determine the appropriate soft foundation treatment for a river-crossing tunnel, freezing reinforcement design and technology were introduced based on the channel tunnel design and construction practice. Through finite element analysis and engineering practices, two rows of horizontal perforated freezing pipes were designed and installed on both sides of a passage for tunnel rein- forcement, which produced the thickness and strength of frozen crust that satisfied the design requirements. These information are valuable for guiding the design and construction of river-crossing tunnels in coastal areas.