Acta Geotechnica最新文献

{"title":"Deformation properties of red mud-reinforced volcanic ash under long-term cyclic loading","authors":"Hailiang Liu,&nbsp;Changming Wang,&nbsp;Di Wu,&nbsp;Xiaoyang Liu","doi":"10.1007/s11440-025-02649-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-025-02649-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigated the dynamic properties of red mud (RM)-reinforced volcanic ash (VA) by dynamic triaxial tests. The effects of stress state (dynamic stress <i>σ</i>_d, confining stress <i>σ</i>₃), dynamic frequency (<i>f</i>) and load waveform (<i>F</i>) on the accumulative plastic strain (<i>ε</i>_p) have been investigated. The findings indicate a significant influence of the stress state on <i>ε</i>_p. When <i>σ</i>_d reaches 120 kPa, the specimens exhibit insufficient strength, leading to shear failure. As <i>σ</i>₃ increases, the dynamic stresses that lead to specimen destabilization also exhibit an upward trend. The effect of <i>f</i> on <i>ε</i>_p is limited. The <i>ε</i>_p does not exhibit a clear or consistent developing pattern with increasing <i>f.</i> As for the <i>F</i>, the <i>ε</i>_p exhibited by the specimens subjected to sinusoidal wave loads is less than that observed under trapezoidal wave loads. Shakedown theory classifies deformation responses into plastic shakedown, plastic creep and incremental collapse. The <i>ε</i>_p curve patterns of RM-reinforced VA exhibit plastic shakedown and incremental collapse without significant plastic creep characteristics under cyclic loading. A predictive model for <i>ε</i>_p under cyclic loading is established, which has good predictability. This study presents a novel application of VA and RM, offering substantial research insights into waste recycling.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"20 10","pages":"5159 - 5184"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145184195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamic compaction-induced ground vibration screening using dual open and geofoam-infilled barriers in layered soil media: physical field experiments and numerical simulations","authors":"Nitish Jauhari,&nbsp;Amarnath Hegde,&nbsp;Pradipta Chakrabortty","doi":"10.1007/s11440-025-02661-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-025-02661-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Dynamic compaction activities induce high-energy wave packets into the soil medium that cause public nuisances, necessitating the adoption of vibration mitigation measures. Most experimental studies have focused on the usage of single-wave barriers that demand nonviable depths. The current study employs a combination of field tests and numerical simulations to analyse the isolation potential of dual open and geofoam-infilled barriers in the mitigation of impact-induced ground vibrations. The experimental procedure consists of dropping a mass using a mechanical loading device. The amplitudes of vertical velocities were recorded before and after the installation of barrier systems. Furthermore, a numerical model simulating plane-strain behaviour was developed using PLAXIS 2D and verified through a direct comparison with experimental results. A detailed parametric investigation was then conducted to examine the influence of different contributing parameters in mitigating dynamic compaction-induced ground vibrations. Furthermore, the effectiveness of geofoam was compared with other infill materials, viz. bentonite, ceramsite, concrete and sand–rubber mixture. Strong evidence was observed for the implementation of dual barriers in preference to single barriers. The optimum depth of 0.5<i>L</i>_R and 0.7<i>L</i>_R (where <span>({L}_{text{R}})</span> is Rayleigh wavelength) was observed for dual open and geofoam-infilled barriers to screen 75% of vertical vibrations. An average amplitude reduction ratio of 0.24 and 0.27 was noted for the EPS15 (expanded polystyrene geofoam with a density of 15 kg/m³) and ceramsite-filled dual barriers for a depth of 0.7<i>L</i>_R. Furthermore, the isolation efficiency of EPS48 was noted to decline by 61% compared to EPS15 geofoam.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"20 10","pages":"5349 - 5379"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145184107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fault slip mechanics and seismic source characteristics considering fracture zone anisotropy","authors":"Zeng Ding,&nbsp;Xiaojun Feng,&nbsp;Enyuan Wang,&nbsp;Zhiwei Cao","doi":"10.1007/s11440-025-02679-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-025-02679-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The fracture zone, which constitutes majority of a fault, exhibits intricate deformation and significant non-homogeneity (internal structure, composition, mechanical properties, and permeability), which plays a crucial role in the initiation and evolution of seismic and slip instability. An acoustic emission (AE) localisation experiment was conducted on coal subjected to uniaxial graded compression to analyze the distribution of fracture sources. Simulations were employed to portray the anisotropy in the fault fracture zone. The results reveal that the percentage of AE signals (exceeding 30%) and the source location can serve as criteria to identify the time of pre-slip and the fracture position. Tensile sources are predominant and densely distributed along the fault plane, whereas shear sources constitute the second-largest proportion and are concentrated in the middle of the fault plane. In summary, pre-existing crack (pre-crack) dominates the fracture deformation mode, with the size distribution influencing the fault porosity and crack opening angles. The non-homogeneous proportion correlates closely with the abnormal distribution of local stress caused by material heterogeneity, which induces shear displacement and results in relative dislocation. During the meta-instability stage (from the stress peak to the sudden stress release), the pre-crack tip becomes locked, and middle fractures occur in a discontinuous and gradual manner. That is, the local stress is gradually concentrated and transferred from one micro-crack to another, resulting in point-to-point stress transfer, rather than the crack being instantly penetrated. Tensile force chains dominate the failure, progressing from strong to weak or non-force chain areas. The compressive force chain drives sudden fault slip. The paper provides a high-resolution database for fractures in coal samples made up of grains of different shapes and sizes. These findings provide insights into explanations for fault rupture–development–activation and the disaster-causing evolution in fault fracture zones.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"20 7","pages":"3411 - 3437"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145164613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stability analysis of slopes in anisotropic and heterogeneous clay by LSM-based SRFEM","authors":"Shiyi Liu,&nbsp;Ming Li,&nbsp;Zhiwei Gao","doi":"10.1007/s11440-025-02641-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-025-02641-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This paper presents a method for analyzing slope stability in anisotropic and heterogeneous clay using a strength reduction finite element method (SRFEM) integrated with the level set method (LSM). Anisotropy refers to the inherent anisotropy in the clay's strength, while heterogeneity describes the spatial variability in strength parameters. The static LSM uses a zero level set function to model heterogeneous clay slopes. The method is validated through undrained slope stability analyses on different types of anisotropic clay and heterogeneous fields, showing its effectiveness in modeling anisotropic shear strength and capturing the characteristics of heterogeneous regions. The results indicate that the proposed method accurately predicts factors of safety and slip surfaces across various soil conditions, accounting for both anisotropic and heterogeneous characteristics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"20 9","pages":"4723 - 4734"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144868692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterizing internal flow mechanisms in reverse extrusion tests using X-ray CT and marker tracking","authors":"Shuoshuo Xu,&nbsp;Jinxing Lai,&nbsp;Brendan C. O’Kelly,&nbsp;Budi Zhao","doi":"10.1007/s11440-025-02660-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-025-02660-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The reverse extrusion (RE) test has been used to evaluate the undrained shear strength of fine-grained soils, but its interpretation is complicated by uncertainties in failure mechanisms. This study adopts X-ray computed tomography (CT) combined with a marker-based tracking method to characterize internal flow patterns during RE testing of kaolinite samples prepared at different water contents. Fine sand particles embedded within the samples served as tracking markers, enabling detailed characterization of internal deformation through sequential X-ray CT scans and advanced image processing techniques. An artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to enhance marker linkage between scans, using optimized searching zones based on the axisymmetric displacement fields. The analysis revealed two distinct deformation regions for the tested samples, largely independent of soil water content. Near the loading ram, significant radial inward soil displacements created a dome-shaped shear failure surface, driving soil extrusion to occur via the central orifice. In contrast, the region nearest the closed end of the sample chamber exhibited minimal soil displacement, being somewhat influenced by sidewall friction, entrained air bubbles, and stress transfer from the extrusion zone. The observed deformation patterns, characterized by arched shear surfaces and stress rotation zones, differ significantly from previously assumed RE models. These findings highlight the need to refine RE test interpretations, as applied to fine-grained soils, in order to account for complex internal flow mechanisms, chamber sidewall friction effects, and the presence of entrained air bubbles, which would result in improved reliability of RE undrained shear strength measurements.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"20 10","pages":"5203 - 5219"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11440-025-02660-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145184193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Resonance compaction technique for liquefaction mitigation: CPTU liquefaction hazard indices and random field-based evaluation","authors":"Wei Duan,&nbsp;Chaofeng Wang,&nbsp;Qiushi Chen,&nbsp;Songyu Liu,&nbsp;Zening Zhao,&nbsp;Mengfen Shen","doi":"10.1007/s11440-025-02678-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-025-02678-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The resonance compaction technique (RCT) is a novel and effective method for improving deep liquefaction-susceptible layers. This study utilizes piezocone penetration test (CPTU) data integrated with random field models to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of RCT in mitigating liquefaction hazards. Four liquefaction indices, calculated both before and after the RCT, are used to quantify site improvements. A random field-based approach is developed to enable spatial interpolation and uncertainty quantification across the site. Comparisons among the four liquefaction indices provide insights into their effectiveness in representing the site’s improvement after RCT treatment. Results reveal that RCT, as a novel compaction technique, significantly reduces the liquefaction potential of the site and is particularly effective in reinforcing deep liquefaction-susceptible layers (over 15 m in depth). The effectiveness of the improvement can be visualized and quantitatively evaluated by the random field-based approach, demonstrating the significant value of the random field models for practical applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"20 10","pages":"4957 - 4976"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145184106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of the effect of pullout rate on the tensile capacity of suction caisson anchors in sand using a three-dimensional displacement method","authors":"Hiroyoshi Hirai","doi":"10.1007/s11440-025-02651-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-025-02651-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>There has been little analytical research work to clarify the influence of the pullout rate on the ultimate capacity of suction caisson anchors subjected to vertical tensile (<i>V</i>), horizontal (<i>H</i>), and moment (<i>M</i>) loads in soils. In this study, an analytical approach is proposed by employing a three-dimensional displacement method to elucidate the effect of the pullout rate on the ultimate vertical tensile, horizontal, and moment capacities of suction caisson anchors in sands. The vertical displacement of the inside and outside soils adjacent to the skirt of the caisson is obtained from considering the vertical equilibrium of an annular element of the skirt via vertical tractions inside and outside the skirt of a caisson subjected to a vertical tensile load. An appropriate bearing capacity equation for predicting experimental results of suction caisson anchors in sand is proposed. Reasonable agreement is found between the results obtained from laboratory and field tests and those predicted by the present method, comparing the relationships among the capacity, suction, and displacement of suction caisson anchors in sand subjected to inclined tensile loads with various pullout rates. Failure envelopes in the <i>H–V</i> plane are shown taking into account the effect of the pullout rate on the ultimate inclined tensile capacity for a suction caisson anchor in sand.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"20 9","pages":"4707 - 4722"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144868642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Micro-mechanical analysis of sand-rubber mixtures with discrete element method","authors":"Pei Wang,&nbsp;Junwei Gan,&nbsp;Shuai Huang,&nbsp;Bo Liu,&nbsp;Changjie Xu","doi":"10.1007/s11440-025-02670-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-025-02670-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Incorporating sand with waste tire rubber as a new geotechnical material offers an effective solution to the global challenge of waste tire pollution. To investigate the complex mechanical behaviors of sand-rubber mixtures, DEM modeling of the sand-rubber mixtures, considering the realistic shape of particles and the deformability of rubber fibers is performed in this study. Microscopic parameters in the DEM are obtained through a comprehensive calibration process with results from the direct shear test, sliding test, and uniaxial tensile test. Next, a series of direct shear tests are simulated with sand-rubber mixtures of different rubber mass fractions and normal stresses, and the macroscopic behaviors, i.e., shear stress and volumetric strain of mixtures, are analyzed. At the microscale, the particle displacement fields, contact forces, internal forces of rubber fibers, and rubber fiber deformation are presented and investigated. In particular, a novel descriptor is proposed to assess the bending deformation of rubber fibers. The findings of this work enhance our comprehension of the mechanical behavior of sand-rubber mixtures and contribute to their application in engineering practices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"20 8","pages":"4289 - 4309"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11440-025-02670-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145163909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Water–heat–vapor–salt–mechanics coupling mechanism in unsaturated freezing sulfate saline soil: insights from theory and experiment","authors":"Jing Zhang,&nbsp;Yuanming Lai,&nbsp;Mingyi Zhang,&nbsp;Shuangyang Li,&nbsp;Zhemin You,&nbsp;Dongwei Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s11440-025-02635-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-025-02635-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The freezing of unsaturated saline soil is a dynamic water–heat–vapor–salt–mechanics coupling process. Salt–frost heave, resulting from water–vapor–salt transfer, poses a significant threat to the stability and reliability of geotechnical engineering in salinized cold regions. Based on Gibbs free energy theory, a theoretical framework incorporating osmotic and matric potentials for calculating relative humidity was proposed, highlighting the role of solutes in water–vapor transfer. Unidirectional freezing experiments were conducted to explore how salt content, water content, temperature gradients, and freezing modes influence water–heat–vapor–salt–mechanics coupling interaction. The results reveal the coupling mechanism of water–vapor–salt migration, heat transfer, phase transformations between water, vapor, and ice, salt crystallization, and salt–frost heave in freezing unsaturated saline soil. The findings show that vapor diffusion is the primary factor driving moisture accumulation beneath the impermeable layer. Solutes in the pores lower relative humidity, slow the water–vapor phase transition, and hinder vapor diffusion. Water redistribution is influenced by the spatiotemporal variations in water and vapor transfer rates, with a critical moisture threshold required to enhance vapor migration. Below this threshold, vapor transfer becomes significantly more intense. Near the freezing front, overlapping peaks of water and salt concentration create a new impermeable layer due to the accumulation of ice and salt crystals. This process further intensifies water–vapor–salt migration, amplifying salt–frost heave. These findings provide crucial insights into the dynamics of water–vapor–salt interaction and offer strategies for mitigating salt–frost heave in salinized cold regions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"20 7","pages":"3269 - 3290"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145163528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Specimen geometry-dependent small-to-large strain stiffness","authors":"Younggeun Yoo,&nbsp;Jong-Sub Lee,&nbsp;Dongsoo Lee,&nbsp;Junghee Park","doi":"10.1007/s11440-025-02657-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11440-025-02657-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This paper examines the behavioral characteristics of soil across various diameter-to-height ratios and relative densities using an oedometer system, a method of laboratory testing. We design a floating-ring oedometer cell combined together with bender elements for shear wave transducers. The ratio λ between specimen diameter D and height H is λ = 1.0, 1.3, 1.7, and 2.0, and remolded sand specimens with relative densities of D_r = 50%, 63%, 76%, and 90% are prepared to simulate the initial fabric conditions for medium-dense to dense states. All specimens experience static step loading to 500kPa followed by unloading step. Load cell data recorded at the top and bottom of the specimens confirm that the soils experience the same vertical load at the both ends. In the void ratio versus vertical effective space, the compression index C_c tends to increase as the diameter-to-height ratio λ increases. Furthermore, α-value and β-exponent in the power equation of vertical stress vary with the size ratio. The force-equilibrium setup for conventional fixed-ring system under zero-lateral strain conditions reveals that the specimen geometry determines the friction at the soil–wall interface and leads to the exponential decay of vertical effective stress imposed on the top of the specimens. More significant volume contraction occurs in the higher size ratio specimen; then, this vertical deformation leads to the shorter tip-to-tip distance for bender elements. Clearly, the greater size ratio will provide a more reliable maximum shear modulus at small-strain regime. These findings indicate that careful consideration is necessary for selecting equipment specifications when conducting oedometer tests in laboratory experiments, especially using the bender elements.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49308,"journal":{"name":"Acta Geotechnica","volume":"20 9","pages":"4503 - 4514"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144868800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}