The stability of embankments reinforced with steel

1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 768-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kerry Rowe ◽  
Brian L.J. Mylleville
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Limit Equilibrium ◽  
Soft Soil ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Worked Example ◽  
Steel Strips ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Embankment Stability

The undrained behaviour of embankments constructed on soft cohesive deposits is examined for the case where the embankment is reinforced using steel strips. A finite-element analysis that considers plastic failure of the fill and the foundation, pullout of steel strips, and potential yield of the reinforcement is used to demonstrate how steel reinforcement can improve embankment stability. The effect of strip spacing on the mode of failure and embankment stability is examined for a range of soil strength profiles that involve an increase in undrained shear strength with depth. A simple approach for the analysis of steel-reinforced embankments is proposed and illustrated by means of a worked example. A design based on these simple considerations of bearing capacity and limit equilibrium is then checked against the results of a full finite-element analysis of the problem and found to be slightly conservative. Key words : reinforcement, steel strips, finite element, limit equilibrium, soft soil, undrained stability.

Progressive failure of the Carsington Dam: a numerical study

1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 971-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Chen ◽  
N. R. Morgenstern ◽  
D. H. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Factor Of Safety ◽  
Progressive Failure ◽  
Limit Equilibrium ◽  
Equilibrium Analysis ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Limit Equilibrium Analysis ◽  
The Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Yellow Clay

The mechanism of progressive failure is well understood as one which involves nonuniform straining of a strain-weakening material. Traditional limit equilibrium analysis cannot be used alone to obtain a rational solution for progressive failure problems because the deformation of the structure must be taken into account in the analysis. The failure of the Carsington Dam during construction in 1984 has been attributed to progressive failure of the underlying yellow clay and the dam core materials. The dam was monitored extensively prior to failure, and an elaborate geotechnical investigation was undertaken after failure. The limit equilibrium analysis indicated that the factors of safety were over 1.4 using peak strength of intact clay material or 1.2 based on reduced strength accounting for preshearing of the yellow clay layer. Factors of safety were found to be less than unity if residual strengths were used. The actual factor of safety at failure was, of course, equal to one. By using the finite element analysis with strain-weakening models, the extent and degree of weakening along the potential slip surface were calculated. The calculated shear strength was then used in the limit equilibrium analysis, and the factor of safety was found to be 1.05, which is very close to the actual value of 1.0. More importantly, the mechanism of failure and the initiation and propagation of the shear zones were captured in the finite element analysis. It was also found that accounting explicitly for pore-water pressure effects using the effective stress approach in the finite element and limit equilibrium analyses provides more realistic simulations of the failure process of the structure than analyses based on total stresses. Key words : progressive failure, strain softening, finite element analysis, dams.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF A DENTAL IMPLANT

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 82-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHYH-CHOUR HUANG ◽  
CHANG-FENG TSAI
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Finite Element ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Stress Concentration Effect ◽  
Implant System

This paper presents results from using a 3-dimensional finite element model to assess the stress distribution in the bone, in the implant and in the abutment as a function of the implant's diameter and length. Increasing implant diameter and length increases the stability of the implant system. By using a finite element analysis, we show that implant length does not decrease the stress distribution of either the implant or the bone. Alternatively, however implant diameter increases reduce the stresses. For the latter case, the contact area between implant and bone is increased thus the stress concentration effect is decreased. Also, with increased implant diameter the bone loss is decreased and as a consequence the success rate is improved.

scholarly journals Factor of Safety Reduction Factors for Accounting for Progressive Failure for Earthen Levees with Underlying Thin Layers of Sensitive Soils

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J. Lobbestael ◽  
Adda Athanasopoulos-Zekkos ◽  
Josh Colley
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Strain Softening ◽  
Progressive Failure ◽  
Limit Equilibrium ◽  
Thin Layers ◽  
The Finite Element Method ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Limit Equilibrium Methods ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Reduction Factors

The effects of progressive failure on flood embankments with underlying thin layers of soft, sensitive soils are investigated. Finite element analysis allows for investigation of strain-softening effects and progressive failure in soft and sensitive soils. However, limit equilibrium methods for slope stability analysis, widely used in industry, cannot capture these effects and may result in unconservative factors of safety. A parametric analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of thin layers of soft sensitive soils on the stability of flood embankments. A flood embankment was modeled using both the limit equilibrium method and the finite element method. The foundation profile was altered to determine the extent to which varying soft and sensitive soils affected the stability of the embankment, with respect to progressive failure. The results from the two methods were compared to determine reduction factors that can be applied towards factors of safety computed using limit equilibrium methods, in order to capture progressive failure.

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