Root-soil mechanics and interactions

2004 ◽  
pp. 113-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald H. Gray ◽  
David Barker
Keyword(s):  
Soil Mechanics

Basic set of experiments for determination of mechanical properties of sand

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-137
Author(s):  
A. Sawicki ◽  
J. Mierczyński
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Soil Mechanics ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Local Strain ◽  
Initial State ◽  
Laboratory Equipment ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Basic Set ◽  
Initial Anisotropy

Abstract A basic set of experiments for the determination of mechanical properties of sands is described. This includes the determination of basic physical and mechanical properties, as conventionally applied in soil mechanics, as well as some additional experiments, which provide further information on mechanical properties of granular soils. These additional experiments allow for determination of steady state and instability lines, stress-strain relations for isotropic loading and pure shearing, and simple cyclic shearing tests. Unconventional oedometric experiments are also presented. Necessary laboratory equipment is described, which includes a triaxial apparatus equipped with local strain gauges, an oedometer capable of measuring lateral stresses and a simple cyclic shearing apparatus. The above experiments provide additional information on soil’s properties, which is useful in studying the following phenomena: pre-failure deformations of sand including cyclic loading compaction, pore-pressure generation and liquefaction, both static and caused by cyclic loadings, the effect of sand initial anisotropy and various instabilities. An important feature of the experiments described is that they make it possible to determine the initial state of sand, defined as either contractive or dilative. Experimental results for the “Gdynia” model sand are shown.

scholarly journals A process-based method for predicting lateral erosion rates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myron van Damme
Keyword(s):  
Soil Mechanics ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
Empirical Equations ◽  
Predictive Capability ◽  
Surface Shear ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Material Texture ◽  
Empirical Coefficients ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAn accurate means of predicting erosion rates is essential to improve the predictive capability of breach models. During breach growth, erosion rates are often determined with empirical equations. The predictive capability of empirical equations is governed by the range for which they have been validated and the accuracy with which empirical coefficients can be established. Most empirical equations thereby do not account for the impact of material texture, moisture content, and compaction energy on the erosion rates. The method presented in this paper acknowledges the impact of these parameters by accounting for the process of dilation during erosion. The paper shows how, given high surface shear stresses, the erosion rate can be quantified by applying the principles of soil mechanics. Key is thereby to identify that stress balance situation for which the dilatency induced inflow gives a maximum averaged shear resistance. The effectiveness of the model in predicting erosion rates is indicated by means of three validation test cases. A sensitivity analysis of the method is also provided to show that the predictions lie within the range of inaccuracy of the input parameters.

Design and performance of deep well dewatering: a case study

1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
D W Sargent ◽  
R D Beckie ◽  
G Smith
Keyword(s):  
Soil Mechanics ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Pumping Test ◽  
Observational Method ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Deep Well ◽  
And Performance

This paper reviews the process used to design the construction dewatering system at the Influent Pumping Station at Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. The design process followed the "observational method," as applied to soil mechanics by K. Terzaghi and set out by R.B. Peck in the Ninth Rankine Lecture. The design was based on a working hypothesis of behaviour anticipated under the most probable conditions identified in the data gathering and assessment program. The sensitivity of the design was evaluated by considering potentially unfavourable conditions evident in the available data. The design development included a review of monitoring feedback obtained during the pumping-well installation, a pumping test, and the dewatering system start-up. The monitoring program and review process are presented.Key words: dewatering, observational method, case study, pumping test.

Modelling and simulation of artificial locomotion systems

Robotica ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 595-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel F. Silva ◽  
J. A. Tenreiro Machado ◽  
António M. Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Fractional Order ◽  
Soil Mechanics ◽  
Viscous Friction ◽  
Legged Locomotion ◽  
Modelling And Simulation ◽  
Locomotion System ◽  
Linear Spring ◽  
Robot Leg ◽  
Robot Body

This paper describes a simulation model for a multi-legged locomotion system with joints at the legs having viscous friction, flexibility and backlash. For that objective the robot prescribed motion is characterized in terms of several locomotion variables. Moreover, the robot body is divided into several segments in order to emulate the behaviour of an animal spine. The foot-ground interaction is modelled through a non-linear spring-dashpot system whose parameters are extracted from the studies on soil mechanics. To conclude, the performance of the developed simulation model is evaluated through a set of experiments while the robot leg joints are controlled using fractional order algorithms.

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