Monitoring of drying-induced soil moisture loss with PZT-based EMI technique

Air-drying process of soil is a crucial procedure in geological and geotechnical engineering. Drying-induced ground subsidence and damage to overlying buildings is a widespread and urgent problem. Monitoring of drying-induced water evaporation in soil is of great importance. In this paper, soil moisture loss monitoring based on lead zirconate titanate (PZT) transducer using electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) technique was investigated. A physical model test in our laboratory was conducted to study the feasibility and applicability. In the experimental research, three identical PZT transducers that were wrapped with waterproof insulation glue were pre-embedded inside a cohesive soil specimen. In addition, another PZT transducer was embedded in a sandy soil specimen to explore the application effect in soil with different composition. EMI signatures of these four PZT patches during the air-drying process were collected and analyzed. Experimental results indicated that the peak frequency in the conductance signatures presented a rightward shift as the water evaporates. Moreover, the corresponding peak magnitude keep decreasing with the continuous development of soil moisture loss. To better quantify the variations, two statistical metrics including root mean square deviation (RMSD) and mean absolute percentage deviation (MAPD) were employed to study the changing characteristics of the EMI signatures. All these two metrics increase coincidentally in the process. Experimental results demonstrate that cohesive and sandy soil moisture loss monitoring by using the embedded PZT transducer is feasible and reliable. This work also serves as a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate the performance of the EMI technique in monitoring the soil moisture content.

Horizontal Wave Pressures on the Crown Wall of Rubble Mound Breakwater under Non-Breaking Condition

The crown wall with parapet on top of the rubble mound breakwater represents a relatively economic and efficient solution to reduce the wave overtopping discharge. However, the inclusion of parapet leads to increased wave pressure on the crown wall. The wave pressure on the crown wall is investigated by physical model test. To design the crown wall the wave loads should be available, and the horizontal wave pressure is still unclear. Regarding to the horizontal wave pressure on the crown wall, a series of experiments were conducted by changing the rubble mound type structure and the wave conditions. Based on these results, pressure modification factors of Goda’s (1974, 2010) formula have been suggested, which can be applicable for the practical design of the crown wall of the rubble-mound breakwater covered by tetrapods.

Calculation Method for the Critical Thickness of a Karst Cave Roof at the Bottom of a Socketed Pile

The thickness of a karst cave roof at the bottom of a socketed pile plays an important role in the vertical bearing capacity of the socketed pile in the karst region. In practice, its thickness is simply recommended to be not less than 3 times the diameter of the socketed pile, regardless of the geological conditions and the size of the cave itself. In this study, we present an approach for calculating the critical thickness-to-diameter ratio of a karst cave roof η (η = h/d, the ratio of karst cave roof thickness to pile diameter) based on the generalized Hoek–Brown criterion by virtue of the limit analysis method, which considers the pile tip load, hardness degree of the intact rock, and rock mass quality. The analysis results show that less load at the bottom of the pile, higher quality of rock mass, and more hard rock all lead to a smaller critical thickness-diameter ratio, whereas the critical thickness-to-diameter ratio is greater. The validity of the proposed method is verified through a physical model test.

Fluid Resonance Between Twin Floating Barges with Roll Motion Under Wave Action

The wave-induced fluid resonance between twin side-by-side rectangular barges coupled with the roll motion of the twin barges is investigated by both numerical simulation and physical model test. A 2D numerical wave flume, based on an open source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package OpenFOAM, is applied for the numerical simulation. After numerical validations and convergent verifications, the characteristics of the fluid resonance in the gap between the twin rolling side-by-side barges are examined. The resonant frequency of the oscillating fluid in the gap between the twin rolling barges decreases compared with that between the twin fixed barges. Generally, the twin barges roll in the opposite directions, and their equilibrium positions lean oppositely with respect to the initial vertical direction. A physical model test is carried out for a further investigation, in which the twin barges are set oppositely leaning and fixed. From the present experimental results, a linear decrease of the resonant frequency with the increasing leaning angle is found. Combined with the numerical results, the deflection of the equilibrium positions of the twin barges is a relevant factor for the resonant frequency. Besides, the effects of the gap width and incident wave height on the fluid resonance coupled with roll motion are examined.

Determining the Depth of Local Scouring in a Downstream Energy Dissipation in the Physical Model Test

Karangnongko Weir is planned to be located in the Bengawan Solo River (Lower Solo River Basin) about 15 km downstream of the confluence of Bengawan Solo River with the Madiun River in Ngelo Village, Margomulyo Sub-District, Bojonegoro Regency, and Ngrawoh Village in Kradenan Sub-District, Blora Regency. This study aims to determine the Depth and pattern of scouring in downstream energy dissipation through physical model tests based on initial planning. Downstream protection of energy dissipation in the original design model combines 50 m of riprap rocks and 50 m of riprap concrete for a total length of 100 m of protection. The maximum scouring pattern occurred at elevation + 17.64 m, where the scouring was 4.36 m deep, from the planned essential height of Height 00 m. Thus, the downstream protection of energy dissipation was extended to 112 m in riprap concrete blocks for the final design model. Scouring at the end of riprap was 3.04 m, the original elevation of the river bottom of + 22.00 m, down to + 18.96 m. It is concluded that the protection is effective in reducing scouring by up to 30.27%.

Development and Application of the 3D Model Test System for Water and Mud Inrush of Water-Rich Fault Fracture Zone in Deep Tunnels

In order to study the evolution process, damage characteristics, and occurrence mechanism of water and mud inrush disaster in deep tunnel fault zone with infiltration instability under complex conditions, a set of the three-dimensional physical model test systems of water and mud inrush flow-solid coupling in tunnel fault zones is developed. The system mainly comprises a rigid test frame, ground stress loading system, hydraulic loading system, multiple information monitoring and acquisition system, and mud and water protrusion recovery system. The system’s main features are that it can meet the model’s simulation of the ground stress field, water pressure, and other complex environments subjected to ground stress, and water pressure gradients can be controlled. The system is characterized by high rigidity, high-pressure strength, visualization, good sealing, and expandability. Taking the water fault zone of a well in the Dazhu Mountain Tunnel of the Darui Railway as the research object, the new fault zone and surrounding rock similar materials applicable to the flow-solid coupling model test are designed using the self-developed flow-solid coupling similar materials. The system is used for model tests to reveal the spatial and temporal changes of the surrounding rock stress field and seepage field during the tunnel excavation process. The test results show that the system is stable and reliable, and the research method and results are of guiding significance to the research of the same type of underground engineering.