ALBERT

Description:    The present paper mainly with deals the prediction of safe explosive charge used per delay (Q MAX ) using support vector machine (SVM) incorporating peak particle velocity (PPV) and distance between blast face to monitoring point (D). 150 blast vibration data sets were monitored at different vulnerable and strategic locations in and around a major coal producing opencast coal mines in India. 120 blast vibrations records were used for the training of the SVM model vis-à-vis to determine site constants of various conventional vibration predictors. Rest 30 new randomly selected data sets were used to compare the SVM prediction results with widely used conventional predictors. Results were compared based on coefficient of correlation (R) between measured and predicted values of safe charge of explosive used per delay (Q MAX ). It was found that coefficient of correlation between measured and predicted Q MAX by SVM was 0.997, whereas it was ranging from 0.063 to 0.872 by different conventional predictor equations. Content Type Journal Article Category Original paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10706-012-9503-8 Authors Manoj Khandelwal, Department of Mining Engineering, College of Technology and Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, 313 001 India Journal Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Online ISSN 1573-1529 Print ISSN 0960-3182

Description:    The examination of hydromechanical behavior of expansive soil lies mostly within the unsaturated soil mechanics framework, which renders the study of its soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) a necessity. This paper evaluates the correlations of two physicochemical properties, pH and surface conductance, with the behavior of the SWCCs of four natural expansive soils and four stabilized soils. The effects of chemical stabilization and curing time on the SWCCs are also analyzed. The SWCCs and the corresponding parameters were obtained from pressure plate tests and a fitting model. It was found that pH and surface conductance together showed a good correlation with the air-entry related parameter, α, because they determine the formation of the diffuse double layer around fine particles or aggregates. The macroscopic behavior, in terms of unconfined compressive strength, free swell and swell pressure at optimum moisture content (OMC), was also evaluated and good correlations of these property values with the matric suction values at OMC were observed for the four natural untreated soils, while no correlation existed for the stabilized soils. The results and the discussion provide new insight to address physicochemical mechanisms that determine the macroscopic behavior of expansive soil. Content Type Journal Article Category Original paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10706-012-9499-0 Authors Botao Lin, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA Amy B. Cerato, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA Journal Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Online ISSN 1573-1529 Print ISSN 0960-3182

Description:    In this work Data Mining tools are used to develop new and innovative models for the estimation of the rock deformation modulus and the Rock Mass Rating (RMR). A database published by Chun et al. (Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 46:649–658, 2008) was used to develop these models. The parameters of the database were the depth, the weightings of the RMR system related to the uniaxial compressive strength, the rock quality designation, the joint spacing, the joint condition, the groundwater condition and the discontinuity orientation adjustment, the RMR and the deformation modulus. As a modelling tool the R program environment was used to apply these advanced techniques. Several algorithms were tested and analysed using different sets of input parameters. It was possible to develop new models to predict the rock deformation modulus and the RMR with improved accuracy and, additionally, allowed to have an insight of the importance of the different input parameters. Content Type Journal Article Category Original paper Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s10706-012-9498-1 Authors Francisco F. Martins, Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal Tiago F. S. Miranda, Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal Journal Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Online ISSN 1573-1529 Print ISSN 0960-3182

Description:    The present experimental investigations study the effect of layering over rigid base on the dynamic behavior of foundation under vertical mode of vibration. Model block vibration tests were conducted on a rigid surface footing resting on different layered soil systems underlain by rigid base. The rigid base was used to simulate the presence of bedrock. The tests were carried out in a pit of size 2.0 m × 2.0 m × 1.9 m (deep) using a concrete footing of size 0.4 m × 0.4 m × 0.1 m. A rotating mass type mechanical oscillator was used for inducing vibration in vertical direction. Different layered soil systems were prepared within the total depth of 1,200 mm over the rigid base. Locally available gravel and fly ash were used to form different layered soil systems. In total, 132 nos. model block vibration tests in vertical mode were conducted for different layering and loading combinations. The experimentally obtained results are also compared with the results obtained from the analysis by mass-spring-dashpot and equivalent half-space theory. Content Type Journal Article Category Original paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10706-012-9497-2 Authors A. Mandal, Engineers India Ltd, UG (Annex) Floor, Bikaji Cama Place, New Delhi, 110066 India D. K. Baidya, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 721302 India D. Roy, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 721302 India Journal Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Online ISSN 1573-1529 Print ISSN 0960-3182

Description:    Ground subsidence incidents occurred in a residential suburb in an arid desert terrain due to sinkholes. Several investigation programs were conducted to understand the cause of the incidents attributed to the dissolution of the limestone bedrock and the subsequent ravelling of the overburden soil cover. A pilot area within the affected locale of the residential suburb in the state of Kuwait was selected for implementing treatment measures. The main purpose of the treatment measures was to fill the uppermost layer of the limestone bedrock in order to eliminate the risk of recurrence of ground subsidence. Cavity filling and permeation cement grouts were injected from the ground surface for filling the underground cavities and the fractured rocks. Results of the implemented grouting measures for treating underground voids and the GIN concept are presented in the paper. Reduction in the porosity of the bedrock layer due to the applied treatment measures was verified and percentage of treatment fill volume for the entire pilot area was estimated. An assessment method for the efficiency of the treatment measures coupled with the properties of grout materials, and lessons learned from the implemented treatment are also presented herein. Content Type Journal Article Category Original paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10706-012-9576-4 Authors Hasan A. Kamal, Environment and Urban Development Division, Building and Energy Technologies Department, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, PO Box 24885, Safat, Kuwait Journal Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Online ISSN 1573-1529 Print ISSN 0960-3182

Description:    Record of damages and casualties caused by earthquakes in Thailand reveals that Chiang Mai, the second largest province of Thailand, has faced the great threat among other provinces. Triaxial tests, standard penetration tests, and multichannel analysis of surface wave have been recently performed to understand the dynamic response of Chiang Mai ground. However, the cyclic simple shear test, which could convincingly represent the real seismic ground shaking under repeated horizontal shear force, has not been conducted yet. Therefore, this paper aims to characterize the behaviors of Chiang Mai sand under monotonic and cyclic loadings using a direct simple shear apparatus. Sand specimens taken from the Ping River were prepared by dry deposition technique. The mobilized friction angle at the critical state measured by the direct simple shear test is equal to 37.3° which is 9 % less than that measured by direct shear box test. This paper also provides the appropriate dynamic properties of Chiang Mai sand with the shear strain level 〈2 % for any practical purpose. Test results showed that the normalized shear modulus agrees well with other investigators while the damping ratio is noticeably smaller than the lower-bound range for sand reported in the past studies. Content Type Journal Article Category Original paper Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s10706-012-9563-9 Authors Soksan Thay, Department of International Development Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-I7-2 O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550 Japan Suched Likitlersuang, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330 Thailand Thirapong Pipatpongsa, Global Scientific Information and Computing Center, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-I7-2 O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550 Japan Journal Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Online ISSN 1573-1529 Print ISSN 0960-3182

Description:    Foundry sand, an industrial waste, was treated with up to 12 % cement kiln dust content at comparative energy levels of British standard light, West African standard or “intermediate” (WAS) and British standard heavy (BSH) efforts at molding water contents −2, 0, 2, 4 and 6 % of optimum moisture content. Samples were extruded from the compaction molds and allowed to air dry in the laboratory in order to assess the effect of desiccation-induced shrinkage on the material for use as a hydraulic barrier in waste containment application. Results recorded show that volumetric shrinkage strain (VSS) values were large within the first 5 days of drying; VSS values increased with higher molding water content, water content relative to the optimum moisture content. VSS generally increased with higher initial degree of saturation for all compactive efforts, irrespective of the level of cement kiln dust (CKD) treatment. A compaction plane of acceptable zones for VSS based on the regulatory value is ≤4 %. The influence of CKD treatment generally showed a decrease in the desiccation-induced volumetric shrinkage strain with increasing CKD content. This is largely due to the pozzolanic input of CKD. Finally, only the BSH compactive effort gave successful results of volumetric shrinkage strain at CKD treatment content of between 4 and 8 %, while 12 % CKD content produced successful volumetric shrinkage strain results at WAS and BSH compactive effort, respectively. Content Type Journal Article Category Original paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10706-012-9577-3 Authors George Moses, Department of Civil Engineering, Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria Jacob Oyenisi Afolayan, Department of Civil Engineering, Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria Journal Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Online ISSN 1573-1529 Print ISSN 0960-3182

Description:    This paper aims at finding force-displacement relationships to be employed in the design of bucket foundations for offshore wind turbine. This is accomplished by combining small-scale tests and element tests within a theoretical framework. A similitude theory, regarding the lateral displacement of bucket foundations under horizontal load, is put forward. A constitutive law of the soil and a load-displacement relationship for the bucket foundation are theoretically obtained. Triaxial tests of sand, and small-scale tests of bucket foundation, are respectively employed to corroborate the theory. Attention is given to the different behaviour shown during the compressive and dilative phases of the soil. Some analogy between triaxial tests and tests of bucket foundation are pointed out. A theoretically derived power law is found capable to represent the dimensionless horizontal load-displacement curves of experimental results. In accordance with the theory, the exponent of the power law slightly varies between tests with considerably different features. The non-dimensional moment-rotation relationship is represented by a power law as well. The approach is considered valid for fatigue design. The study may be an interesting source for further researches on long-term cyclic horizontal loading. Content Type Journal Article Category Original paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10706-012-9574-6 Authors Aligi Foglia, Department of Civil Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, Ålborg, Denmark Lars Bo Ibsen, Department of Civil Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, Ålborg, Denmark Journal Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Online ISSN 1573-1529 Print ISSN 0960-3182

Description:    This paper presents the results and analysis of Repeated Load Triaxial Testing (RLTT) conducted on three basecourse products; two crushed concrete, or Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) materials, and a local Virgin Aggregate (VA). The objective of this testing program was to study the impact of applied stress states on resilient modulus and permanent deformation of the materials using the AUSTROADS RLTT approach (Vuong and Brimble 2000 ). A series of RLTT was performed under drained conditions on cylindrical specimens statically compacted at different levels of initial moisture content. The RLTT specimens were tested at 60, 80 and 90 % of Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) and to a single target dry density ratio of 98 % of Maximum Dry Density from Modified Proctor compaction testing. Duplicate specimens were tested for each moisture level. On sample measurements were made of sample deformation. It was found that the resilient moduli of the two RCA products ranged between 340 and 715 MPa, while corresponding moduli from tests on VA varied from 270 to 450 MPa. Resilient modulus was found to be dependent on both moisture content and applied stress. The two specimens of VA prepared at 90 % OMC failed during the permanent strain testing stages of the AUSTROADS test protocol. Moreover the recycled materials could be used as basecourses according to interpretation of the AUSTROADS RLTT data by Vuong and Arnold ( 2006 ). Content Type Journal Article Category Original paper Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10706-012-9572-8 Authors A. R. Gabr, School of NBE, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia K. G. Mills, School of NBE, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia D. A. Cameron, School of NBE, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia Journal Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Online ISSN 1573-1529 Print ISSN 0960-3182

Description: Reply to the Discussion on “Re-examination of Undrained Strength at Atterberg Limits Water Contents” Content Type Journal Article Category Comments/Discussions and Replies Pages 1-3 DOI 10.1007/s10706-012-9560-z Authors H. B. Nagaraj, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, India A. Sridharan, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, India H. M. Mallikarjuna, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, India Journal Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Online ISSN 1573-1529 Print ISSN 0960-3182