Study on Correlation of Physical and Mechanical Properties Indexex of Cohesive Soil in Hilly and Plain Region along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province

In this paper, a large number of geotechnical engineering survey data are collected in hilly and plain region along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province. Based on the statistical analysis and calculation of the experimental data of physical and mechanical properties of cohesive soils (the main quaternary soil layers in the area), the correlation between the liquidity index and water content and other physical and mechanical properties indexes are analyzed, and the fitting regression is carried out respectively. The results show that the liquidity index (IL)) and water content (w) are highly correlated with cohesion (C), compression modulus (Es), compression coefficient (α), natural density (ρ), void ratio (e), and the regression equations have high goodness of fit and good fitting effect; In addition, the fitting regression equations of water content, void ratio and natural density are compared with the theoretical calculation formula, it is found that the calculation results are close, which proves that the fitting regression equations are reliable and can be used in engineering practice.

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Rheological Properties of Muddy Flow and Their Measurement Method

Abnormal weather phenomena debris damage has recently been increasing worldwide. As primary rheological properties, the yield stress and plastic viscosity of muddy materials affect the flow distance and velocity. Therefore, in this study, direct and indirect measurement test methods for rheological properties and factors affecting the these properties were analyzed. Measurement methods utilize rheometers, shear creep, fall cones, inclined planes, direct shear, and ring shear, with each method having its respective advantages and disadvantages. Factors that affect rheological properties are water content, liquidity index, and the size of soil particles. This study enables determination of the best test and rheological properties suitable for the selected range and selected object.

Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Model for Shear Strength of Soil Prediction

Geotechnical structures, design of embankment, earth and rock fill dam, tunnels, and slope stability require further attention in determining the shear strength of soil and other parameters that govern the result. The shear strength of soil commonly obtained by conducting laboratory testing such as Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS) Test and Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) Test. However, random errors and systematic errors can occur during experimental works and caused the findings imprecise. Besides, the laboratory test also consuming a lot of time and some of them are quite costly. Therefore, soft computational tools are developed to improve the accuracy of the results and time effectively when compared to conventional method. In this study, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was employed to develop a predictive model to correlate the moisture content (MC), liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL), and liquidity index (LI) of cohesive soil with the undrained shear strength of soil. A total of 10 databases was developed by using MATLAB 7.0 - matrix laboratory with 318 of UCS tests and 451 of UU tests which are collected from the verified site investigation (SI) report, respectively. All the SI reports collected were conducted in Sarawak, Malaysia. The datasets were split into ratio of 3:1:1 which is 60:20:20 (training: validation: testing) with one hidden layer and eight hidden neurons. The input parameter of Liquidity index (LI) has shown the highest R-value (regression coefficient) which are 0.926 and 0.904 for UCS and UU model, respectively. In addition, the predictive models were tested and compare with the predicted and observed cohesion obtained from the collected experimental results. In summary, the ANN has the feasibility to be used as a predictive tool in estimating the shear strength of the soil.

A Novel Method for Obtaining the Loess Structural Index from Computed Tomography Images: A Case Study from the Lvliang Mountains of the Loess Plateau (China)

The structural index is an important quantitative parameter for revealing the structural properties of loess. However, there is no a widely accepted measurement method for structural index at present. This study aims at presenting a novel method for obtaining the loess structural index (LSI), based on the application of computed tomography (CT) scanning techniques and laboratory physico-mechanical tests. The mountainous area of Lvliang in northwest China was taken as the study area, and Late Pleistocene loess samples were taken from various sites in the region. Several physical parameters were first measured using laboratory tests, including dry density, pore ratio, and liquidity index. CT scanning was used to observe sample microstructures, and a mathematical relationship was established between CT image parameters and the physical property indices, through three dimensions (3D) reconstruction and slice porosity analysis. The results revealed that LSI can be expressed as a non-linear function related to CT image parameters, dry density, and the liquidity index of the loess. Compared with traditional calculation methods, this novel technique calculates the LSI by using an empirical formula, which is less labor-intensive. Such results indicate that the method warrants wide application in the future.

A study of clay soil deformability over time

Introduction. The study is focused on the process of clay soil deformation over time, provided that this soil, featuring varied liquidity index values, is exposed to constant load. The consolidation process is slow; it can run for years or decades in clay soils. Long-term deformations of clay soils must be taken into account in the course of design and construction of buildings and structures, on the one hand, and in the process of analyzing settlement rates and maximal settlement values for foundation beds, on the other hand. Materials and methods. Semi-solid, low-plasticity, high-plasticity, very high plasticity, and free-flowing clay samples were used in the study. The parameters under research encompass relative and absolute deformation of soil samples over time. These parameters are dependent on the soil liquidity index value. All laboratory tests were carried out in compression machines, and tested samples were exposed to constant load. The experimental data thus obtained were supplemented by the information provided M.A. Koltunov. Results. Values of absolute deformations and time-to-relative deformation ratios were obtained for clays having different liquidity index values. The analysis of the time-to-relative deformation curves shows that deformations develop over time at different rates depending on the liquidity index of clay soils. An increase in the value of the liquidity index boosts the values of initial deformations and deformation rates. Conclusions. The equations, derived in the course of the study, allow to analyze the deformation of semi-solid, low-plasticity, high-plasticity, very high plasticity, and free-flowing clays for various time ranges depending on the initial clay liquidity index. The accuracy of the approximation of these equations varies from 0.801 to 0.993, which makes it possible to characterize these dependences as high quality mathematical models.

Equations Used to Calculate Vertical Bearing Capacity of Driven Piles with Shaft Broadenings

In a pile foundation setting practice driven piles with an unconventional (variable) longitudinal shape of surface are widely used. Such piles are made with various slopes of the side faces, may have different types of broadenings, thickenings, etc. The effectiveness of such piles is due to their design features, allowing full use of the natural bearing capacity of the soil base without additional reinforcement. The obvious advantages of these piles make it relevant to study the features of their interaction with the soil stratum, especially the bearing capacity of piles. This study was aimed to investigate vertical bearing capacity of driven reinforced concrete piles with several broadening of the shaft. Numerical calculations and experimental studies of the bearing capacity of piles with broadening under the static loading have been carried out. Equations for calculating the bearing capacity of piles with broadenings are proposed and their verification is performed. The equations include a coefficient that takes into account the features of soil behavior underneath of the pile broadening during palification. Correlation dependence is presented which makes it possible to determine the values of that coefficient depending on the number of pile broadening and the liquidity index of soil. A correlation that makes allow calculations the bearing capacity of piles with broadening via the bearing capacity of a prismatic pile is proposed. The equations are recommended to be used at the stage of variant design of piles with broadening as part of the pile foundations of buildings and structures.