Sharif Digital Repository

Numerical simulation of liquefaction-induced lateral spreading in gently sloped sandy layers requires fully coupled dynamic hydro-mechanical analysis of saturated sandy soil subjected to seismic loading. In this study, a fully coupled finite element model utilizing a critical-state two-surface-plasticity constitutive model has been applied to numerically investigate the effects of surface/subsurface geometry on lateral spreading. Using a variable permeability function with respect to excess pore pressure ratio is another distinctive feature of the current study. The developed code has been verified against the results of the well-known VELACS project. Lateral spreading phenomenon has been... 

Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is the most commonly used insitu test for soil characterization, including the liquefaction resistance. Many studies have sought to correlate SPT number to cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) as a frequently-used approach for assessment of liquefaction potential. However, it has been shown that SPT has major deficiencies (e.g., inaccuracy in coarse sands and clays) which have given rise to development and utilization of new characterization methods such as geophysical tests (e.g., down-hole and cross-hole). In this paper, a comparison is made between the results of SPT and geophysical tests in three boreholes through the body and foundation of Mahabad Dam (located... 

In performance-based geotechnical earthquake engineering, the required degree and spatial extent of ground densification for mitigation of liquefaction beneath a structure should be determined based on the acceptable levels of performance of foundation. Currently, there is no solution for evaluation of the amount of settlement and tilt of footings constructed on a densified ground which is surrounded by a liquefiable soil. This implies the need for numerical procedures for simulation of seismic behavior of shallow foundations supported on both liquefiable and densified subsoil. In this paper, the dynamic response of shallow foundations on a densified ground is studied using a 3D fully... 

In this study, a fully coupled dynamic finite element model was employed for numerical simulation of the response of level to gently sloping saturated sand layers subjected to cyclic loading. This model utilized a critical state two-surface-plasticity constitutive model to simulate the cyclic behavior of sandy soil. Moreover, a recently proposed variable permeability function was implemented in the numerical model to reflect the effects of soil permeability variations during the liquefaction phenomenon. The numerical model was validated by simulating a number of well-documented geotechnical centrifuge tests with different relative density of sand, base acceleration time history, and surface... 

In the current research, the main concern is to verify the behavior of gravelly soils. To that matter, with taking use of CU triaxial tests and variations in parameters of interest, gradation, relative density, isotropic pressure and anisotropy of consolidation during the tests, the effects on the steady state condition and monotonic liquefaction of gravelly soils are investigated. The test results indicated that as the isotropic pressure increases, percentage increase of steady state strength resulting from the increase of relative density will decrease. Moreover, with the increase of anisotropy of consolidation, the effect of relative density on steady state strength and built-up pore... 

Due to its unique properties, helium has wide application in different industries and scientific fields, which has turned it into a strategic material. Helium liquefaction plants include wide temperature range from 300 k to 4.2 k, so these plants have high energy consumption. A lot of studies have done to optimize the operation of these cycles. In this research, an exergy analysis is performed for a liquid helium production plant. The optimal performance of 3 and 4 stage cycles is extracted using parametric study and the results are compared with those of Collins dual-expander cycle. The results show that by increasing the number of cooling stages, not only the compressor optimum discharge... 

Due to its unique properties, helium has wide application in different industries and scientific fields, which has turned it into a strategic material. Helium liquefaction plants include wide temperature range from 300 k to 4.2 k, so these plants have high energy consumption. A lot of studies have done to optimize the operation of these cycles. In this research, an exergy analysis is performed for a liquid helium production plant. The optimal performance of 3 and 4 stage cycles is extracted using parametric study and the results are compared with those of Collins dual-expander cycle. The results show that by increasing the number of cooling stages, not only the compressor optimum discharge... 

Liquefaction of loose and saturated soils during earthquakes and strong ground motions has been a major cause of damage to buildings and earth embankments as well as other civil engineering structures. In order to evaluate the liquefaction potential and steady state characteristics of gravely sand of south west Tehran, a subsoil exploration program conducted dividing the region into 10 zones. In each zone of 500 m × 500 m a borehole of 20 m deep was drilled. SPT was performed at one meter intervals in each borehole and a total of 200 samples were recovered. Soils of similar grain size distribution have been considered to have similar steady state characteristics,therefore consolidated... 

The application of the simplified method for evaluating the liquefaction potential based on shear wave velocity measurements has increased substantially due to its advantages, especially for microzonation of liquefaction potential. In the simplified method, a curve is proposed to correlate the cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) with overburden stress-corrected shear wave velocity (Vs1). However, the uniqueness of this curve for all types of soils is questionable. The objective of this research is to study whether the correlation between CRR and Vs1 is unique or not. Besides, the necessity of developing the soil-specific correlations is also investigated. Based on laboratory test data, a new... 

Abstract Lateral Spreading, which usually occurs as a consequence of liquefaction in gently sloped loose saturated sand layers, is known to be a major source of earthquake-induced damages to structures such as quay walls, bridge piers, pipelines, and highway/railways. Therefore evaluation of the liquefaction potential and using appropriate methods for prediction of the adverse consequences of lateral spreading is of great importance. In this study, numerical modeling has been used to study lateral spreading phenomenon behind rigid waterfront structures. Coupled dynamic field equations of the extended Biot's theory with u-P formulation are used for simulating the phenomenon. A fully coupled... 

Liquefaction is one of the most serious geotechnical hazards that may cause irreparable and financial damages. Based on in-situ testing results, several methods have been developed to evaluate the liquefaction potential. Due to continuous and repeated records, the piezocone (CPTu) has gained wide acceptance among other in-situ tests in geotechnical practice. In this paper, a new approach is proposed for liquefaction potential evaluation based on CPTu results. The new approach is verified by ten CPTu soundings (case histories) derived from different sites. By analyzing the liquefied sites, an area on the soil classification charts was introduced in this paper, showing the soil types which are...