Constitutive modeling for mechanical behaviors of geomaterials, newdesigns and techniques in geotechnical engineering

This Special Issue of the Journal of Rock Mechanics and GeotechnicalEngineering （JRMGE） contains 13 papers prepared by internationalexperts on various general topics in geomechanics, rockmechanics and geotechnical engineering. It represents a usefulmix of theoretical developments, testing and practical applications.We present in the following brief details in the papers, alphabeticallyin accordance with the last name of the first author.Barla presents a review of tunneling techniques with emphasison the full-face method combining full-face excavation and facereinforcement by means of fiber-glass elements with a yieldcontrolsupport. This method has been used successfully in difficultgeologic conditions, and for a wide spectrum of ground situations.The validation of the method with respect to the Saint Martin LaPorte access adit along the LyoneTurin Base tunnel experiencingseverely squeezing conditions during excavation is also includedin the paper. The numerical modeling with consideration of therock mass time-dependent behavior showed a satisfactory agreementwith monitoring results.

Monitoring damage evolution of steel strand using acoustic emission technique and rate process theory

Utilizing the acoustic emission(AE) technique, an experimental investigation into the damage evolution for steel strand under axial tension was described. The damage evolution model for steel stand relating the damage evolution to acoustic emission parameters was proposed by incorporating the AE rate process theory. The AE monitoring results indicate that damages occur in both elastic and plastic phases of steel strand. In elastic phase, AE signals are mainly sent out from the micro damage due to the surface friction among the wires of steel strand, while in plastic phase, AE signals emitted from the plastic deformation of wires. In addition, the AE cumulative parameters curves closely resemble the loading curve. The AE cumulative parameters curves can well describe the damage evolution process including the damage occurrence and damage development for steel strands. It is concluded that the AE technique is an effective and useful nondestructive technique for evaluating the damage characteristics of steel strand.

Grain crushing in geoscience materials-Key issues on crushing response,measurement and modeling:Review and preface

Grain crushing is commonly encountered in deep foundation engineering,high rockfill dam engineering,railway engineering,mining engineering,coastal engineering,petroleum engineering,and other geoscience application.Grain crushing is affected by fundamental soil characteristics,such as their mineral strength,grain size and distribution,grain shape,density and specimen size,and also by external factors including stress magnitude and path,loading rate and duration,degree of saturation,temperature and geochemical environment.Crushable material becomes a series of different materials with the change in its grading during grain crushing,resulting in a decrease in strength and dilatancy and an increase in compressibility.Effects of grain crushing on strength,dilatancy,deformation and failure mechanisms have been extensively investigated through laboratory testing,discrete element method(DEM)modelling,Weibull statistics,and constitutive modelling within the framework of the extended crushing-dependent critical state theory or the energy-based theory.Eleven papers summarized in this review article for this special issue addressed the above issues in grain crushing through the advanced testing and modelling.

Simulation of Random Crack Generation in Concrete Members with Uniform Stress Fields

The randomness of strength and deformation of concrete material is serious and should be considered both in theoretical analyses such as Finite Element Methods and engineering practice, specially for those structural members with a uniform stress field, where stresses or strains are approximately the same under loading. A mathematical ap- proach of producing a series of random variables of the ultimate tensile strain in concrete is proposed to describe the randomness ofconcrete deformation. With reinforced concrete finite elements a real model calculation method is found for the randomness of initial cracks determined by a minimum tension strain within the uniform stress fields of concrete members. The proposed methods in our paper have as aim to improve the existing method used by FEM and other rela- tive approaches, which normally pay less attention to randomness with consequences that may possibly differ from testing or practice. The method and sample computation as indicated is meaningful and comply with testing and engi- neering practice.

Determination and applications of rock quality designation(RQD)

Characterization of rock masses and evaluation of their mechanical properties are important and challenging tasks in rock mechanics and rock engineering. Since in many cases rock quality designation （RQD） is the only rock mass classification index available, this paper outlines the key aspects on determination of RQD and evaluates the empirical methods based on RQD for determining the deformation modulus and unconfined compressive strength of rock masses. First, various methods for determining RQD are presented and the effects of different factors on determination of RQD are highlighted. Then, the empirical methods based on RQD for determining the deformation modulus and unconfined compressive strength of rock masses are briefly reviewed. Finally, the empirical methods based on RQD are used to determine the deformation modulus and unconfined compressive strength of rock masses at five different sites including 13 cases, and the results are compared with those obtained by other empirical methods based on rock mass classification indices such as rock mass rating （RMR）, Q-system （Q） and geological strength index （GSI）. It is shown that the empirical methods based on RQD tend to give deformation modulus values close to the lower bound （conservative） and unconfined compressive strength values in the middle of the corresponding values from different empirical methods based on RMR, Q and GSI. The empirical methods based on RQD provide a convenient way for estimating the mechanical properties of rock masses but, whenever possible, they should be used together with other empirical methods based on RMR, Qand GSI.

A Model of the Universe that Can Explain Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fourth Space Dimension

This paper explains how a model of the universe can be constructed by incorporating time and space into geometry in a unique way to produce a 4-space dimension/1-time dimension model. The model can then show how dark matter can be the gravity that is produced by real matter that exists throughout our entire universe. The model can also show how dark energy is not an increase in energy that is causing the accelerated expansion of the universe, but is an accelerating decrease in matter throughout the universe as the stars and galaxies in the universe continue to convert matter into energy during their life cycles. And then the model can show how a fourth space dimension must exist in our universe to locate a point in space.

砂土颗粒形状量化及其对力学指标的影响分析

砂作为一种特殊的散体材料,其宏观物理力学性质,如密实度、剪切特性(临界状态角,剪胀角)、压缩性及颗粒破碎特征等均受到颗粒形状的影响,目前为止,对于砂粒土颗粒形状的量化工作,未到达成熟阶段。试验采用普通光学显微镜获取3种不同砂颗粒及一种相似材料(玻璃球)数字图像,利用ImageJ图形软件对其进行黑白二值化处理,获取颗粒形状轮廓边界;从3个层次定义颗粒形状参数,并利用java语言编制形状量化插件程序,计算砂粒各形状参数值,最后通过相对密度试验、直剪试验测试不同砂样的极限孔隙比、剪切强度指标。试验结果表明:整体轮廓系数、球形度、棱角度3项形状参数可作为不同砂粒形状鉴别和量化的关键参数,且与剪胀角、临界状态摩擦角均具有良好的相关性,试验提供了一种量化砂颗粒形状的有效方法,并可将得到的关键量化参数应用到宏观力学性质分析与数值模拟工作中。

一种计算三维裂纹应力强度因子的新方法

构造了一种新的三维奇异单元,提出了一种有效计算三维裂纹应力强度因子新的数值方法。该方法的计算结果与理论解和Newman解结果一致;与Panson等方法相比所使用的自由度数大大减小。结果表明该方法是一种高效、稳定可靠的计算方法。

A modified method of discontinuity trace mapping using three-dimensional point clouds of rock mass surfaces

This paper presents an automated method for discontinuity trace mapping using three-dimensional point clouds of rock mass surfaces.Specifically,the method consists of five steps:(1)detection of trace feature points by normal tensor voting theory,(2)co ntraction of trace feature points,(3)connection of trace feature points,(4)linearization of trace segments,and(5)connection of trace segments.A sensitivity analysis was then conducted to identify the optimal parameters of the proposed method.Three field cases,a natural rock mass outcrop and two excavated rock tunnel surfaces,were analyzed using the proposed method to evaluate its validity and efficiency.The results show that the proposed method is more efficient and accurate than the traditional trace mapping method,and the efficiency enhancement is more robust as the number of feature points increases.

Determination of reasonable finished state of self-anchored suspension bridges

A systematic and generic procedure for the determination of the reasonable finished state of self-anchored suspension bridges is proposed, the realization of which is mainly through adjustment of the hanger tensions. The initial hanger tensions are first obtained through an iterative analysis by combining the girder-tower-only finite element(FE) model with the analytical program for shape finding of the spatial cable system. These initial hanger tensions, together with the corresponding cable coordinates and internal forces, are then included into the FE model of the total bridge system, the nonlinear analysis of which involves the optimization technique. Calculations are repeated until the optimization algorithm converges to the most optimal hanger tensions(i.e. the desired reasonable finished bridge state). The "temperature rigid arm" is introduced to offset the unavoidable initial deformations of the girder and tower, which are due to the huge axial forces originated from the main cable. Moreover, by changing the stiffness coefficient K in the girder-tower-only FE model, the stiffness proportion of the main girder, the tower or the cable subsystem in the whole structural system could be adjusted according to the design intentions. The effectiveness of the proposed method is examined and demonstrated by one simple tutorial example and one self-anchored suspension bridge.

Developing a Risk Assessment Model for Typhoon-triggered Debris Flows

A methodology is developed for interactive risk assessment of physical infrastructure and spatially distributed response systems subjected to debris flows.The proposed framework is composed of three components,namely geotechnical engineering,geographical information systems and disaster management.With the integration of slope stability analysis,hazard scenario and susceptibility,geological conditions are considered as temporary static data,while meteorological conditions are treated as dynamic data with a focus on typhoons.In this research,the relevant parameters required for database building are defined,and the procedures for building the geological database and meteorological data sets are explained.Based on the concepts and data sets,Nantou and Hualien in Taiwan are used as the areas for case studies.

Seismoelectric wave propagation modeling in a borehole in water-saturated porous medium having an electrochemical interface

Water-saturated porous media often exhibit a seismoelectric effect due to the existence of an electrical double layer and a relative flow of pore fluid. Here we consider the seismoelectric waves in an open borehole surrounded by water-saturated porous formation which exhibits discontinuity of electrochemical properties at a cylindrical interface. We carefully analyze the seismoelectric interface response since these signals show sensitivity to contrasts in electrochemical properties across an interface. Both coupled and approximate methods are used to compute borehole seismoelectric fields. The simulation results show that the radiated electromagnetic wave from the electrochemical interface is generated due to the change of salinity in pore fluid in the porous formation. However, the elastic properties of the formation remain unchanged across such an electrochemical interface. As a result it is difficult to recognize such a change in electrochemical properties using only elastic waves. Therefore, the seismoelectric interface response is potentially used to detect the changes of the electrochemical properties in the formation.

Disturbed state concept as unified constitutive modeling approach

A unified constitutive modeling approach is highly desirable to characterize a wide range of engineeringmaterials subjected simultaneously to the effect of a number of factors such as elastic, plastic and creepdeformations, stress path, volume change, microcracking leading to fracture, failure and softening,stiffening, and mechanical and environmental forces. There are hardly available such unified models. Thedisturbed state concept （DSC） is considered to be a unified approach and is able to provide materialcharacterization for almost all of the above factors. This paper presents a description of the DSC, andstatements for determination of parameters based on triaxial, multiaxial and interface tests. Statementsof DSC and validation at the specimen level and at the boundary value problem levels are also presented.An extensive list of publications by the author and others is provided at the end. The DSC is considered tobe a unique and versatile procedure for modeling behaviors of engineering materials and interfaces. 2016 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

Modeling the Effect of Irrigation Practices in Flash Floods: A Case Study for the US Southwest

Conventional streamflow forecasting does not generally take into account the effects of irrigation practice on the magnitude of floods and flash floods. In this paper, we report the results of a study in which we modeled the impacts of an irrigated area in the US Southwest on streamflow. A calibrated version of the Variable Infiltration Capacity model (VIC), coupled with a routing algorithm, was used to investigate two strategies for irrigating alfalfa in the Beaver Creek watershed (Arizona, USA), for the period January to March of 2010, at a resolution of 1.8 km and hourly time step. By incorporating the effects of irrigation in artificially maintaining soil moisture, model performance is improved without requiring changes in the resolution or quality of input data. Peak flows in the watershed were found to increase by 10 to 500 times, depending on the irrigation scenario, as a function of the strategy and the intensity of rainfall. The study suggests that both flood control and irrigation efficiency could be enhanced by applying improved irrigation techniques.

An Application of Damage Detection Methods to A Real World Structure Subjected to Ground Motion Excitation

This paper aims at investigating the efficacy of different state-of-art damage detection methods when applied to real worm structures subjected to ground motion excitations, for which the literature contributions are, at present, still not fully comprehensive. To this purpose the paper analyses two test structures： （1） a four-story scaled steel frame tested on a shake table in a controlled laboratory conditions, and （2） a seven-story reinforced concrete building monitored during the seismic excitations of the 1999 Chi-Chi （Taiwan） Earthquake main shock and numerous fore and afiershocks. Some model based damage approaches and statistics based damage indexes are reviewed. The different methodologies and indexes are, then, applied to the two test structures with the final aim of analysing their performance and validity within the case of a laboratory scaled model and a real world structure subjected to input ground motion.

Design and performance testing of a novel building integrated photovoltaic thermal roofing panel

A novel building integrated photovoltaic thermal(BIPVT)roofing panel has been designed considering both solar energy harvesting efficiency and thermal performance.The thermal system reduces the operating temperature of the cells by means of a hydronic loop integrated into the backside of the panel,thus resulting in maintaining the efficiency of the solar panels at their feasible peak while also harvesting the generated heat for use in the building.The performance of the proposed system has been evaluated using physical experiments by conducting case studies to investigate the energy harvesting efficiency,thermal performance of the panel,and temperature differences of inlet/outlet working liquid with various liquid flow rates.The physical experiments have been simulated by coupling the finite element method(FEM)and finite volume method(FVM)for heat and mass transfer in the operation.Results show that the thermal system successfully reduced the surface temperature of the solar module from 88℃to as low as 55℃.Accordingly,the output power that has been decreased from 14.89 W to 10.69 W can be restored by 30.2%to achieve 13.92 W.On the other hand,the outlet water from this hydronic system reaches 45.4℃which can be used to partially heat domestic water use.Overall,this system provides a versatile framework for the design and optimization of the BIPVT systems.

Pushover analysis of underground structures:Method and application

Pushover analysis is common because of its conceptual simplicity and computational attractiveness in computing seismic demand.Considering that traditional pushover analysis is restricted in underground structures due to the stark differences in the seismic response characteristics of surface structures,this paper proposes a pushover analysis method for underground structures and its application in seismic damage assessment.First,three types of force distribution are presented based on ground response analysis.Next,the target displacements and analysis models are established according to force-based and performance-based design.Then,the pushover analysis procedure for underground structures is described.Next,the applicability of pushover analysis to underground structures is verified by comparing the responses of a Chongwenmen subway station determined by the proposed procedure and by nonlinear response history analysis.In addition,two other points are made:that the inverted triangular distribution of effective earthquake acceleration is more practical than the other two distributions,and that performance-based design is more effective than force-based design.Finally,a cyclic reversal loading pattern based on one cycle of reversal loads as an earthquake event is presented and applied to the seismic damage assessment of underground structures.The results show that the proposed pushover analysis can be effectively applied to the seismic design and damage assessment of underground structures.

A surface-based hiding function linking flume and field data

The quantification of the sheltering and exposure effects of non-uniform sediments has been widely achieved through hiding function models. Big challenge exists so far in the model parameter that is highly variable and differs greatly between laboratory flumes and field streams. This paper presents an improved surface-based hiding fimction. The force balance for particle inception was formulated and the allocation of the overall bed shear stress into each group of sediments was mimicked. The new hiding function was examined against and agrees well with the documented field and flume data. It was shown that the hiding fimction is closely related to the relative flow depth and the reference elevation in the velocity profile in addition to the bed material gradation. The power law of velocity profile that applies to both flume flows and natural streams can link the flume and field data together. The hiding function with b = 1/6 and b = 1/2 is applicable to natural streams and laboratory flumes, respectively. The value orb = 0.263 also works well for gravel bed rivers. The range of the reference elevation, namely z0 = 0.4Dm-1.4Dm, is recommended for either the flume or field data. The new hiding function contributes to addressing clearer physical meanings and a useful perspective for further improvement.

Photonic structures in radiative cooling

Radiative cooling is a passive cooling technology without any energy consumption,compared to conventional cooling technologies that require power sources and dump waste heat into the surroundings.For decades,many radiative cooling studies have been introduced but its applications are mostly restricted to nighttime use only.Recently,the emergence of photonic technologies to achieves daytime radiative cooling overcome the performance limitations.For example,broadband and selective emissions in mid-IR and high reflectance in the solar spectral range have already been demonstrated.This review article discusses the fundamentals of thermodynamic heat transfer that motivates radiative cooling.Several photonic structures such as multilayer,periodical,random;derived from nature,and associated design procedures were thoroughly discussed.Photonic integration with new functionality significantly enhances the effciency of radiative cooling technologies such as colored,transparent,and switchable radiative cooling applications has been developed.The commercial applications such as reducing cooling loads in vehicles,increasing the power generation of solar cells,generating electricity,saving water,and personal thermal regulation are also summarized.Lastly,perspectives on radiative cooling and emerging issues with potential solution strategies are discussed.

Nonlinear stochastic dynamics of an array of coupled micromechanical oscillators

The stochastic response of a multi‐degree‐of‐freedom nonlinear dynamical system is determined based on the recently developed Wiener path integral(WPI)technique.The system can be construed as a representative model of electrostatically coupled arrays of micromechanical oscillators,and relates to an experiment performed by Buks and Roukes.Compared to alternative modeling and solution treatments in the literature,the paper exhibits the following novelties.First,typically adopted linear,or higher‐order polynomial,approximations of the nonlinear electrostatic forces are circumvented.Second,for the first time,stochastic modeling is employed by considering a random excitation component representing the effect of diverse noise sources on the system dynamics.Third,the resulting high‐dimensional,nonlinear system of coupled stochastic differential equations governing the dynamics of the micromechanical array is solved based on the WPI technique for determining the response joint probability density function.Comparisons with pertinent Monte Carlo simulation data demonstrate a quite high degree of accuracy and computational efficiency exhibited by the WPI technique.Further,it is shown that the proposed model can capture,at least in a qualitative manner,the salient aspects of the frequency domain response of the associated experimental setup.