The soil-rock mixture is a heterogeneous material consisting of high-strength rocks and a low-strength soil matrix, with complex interactions among its mesoscopic components under loading. Considering the mesoscopic structural characteristics, the interface between soil and rock, as well as the interior of the soil matrix, are identified as the material's weak points. Using the cohesive model, the initiation, expansion, and fracture of cracks at weak points are described, and a cohesive element insertion program is developed. Subsequently, using the results of direct shear tests, the material parameters for the cohesive elements in the soil matrix and at the soil-rock interface are determined. A mesoscopic numerical method for soil-rock mixtures based on the cohesive model is then established. Based on this, biaxial compression numerical tests on soil-rock mixtures with varying mesoscopic structures were conducted. The influence of different mesoscopic factors on mechanical properties was clarified by analyzing the failure state of cohesive elements. Results indicate that the maximum nominal stress in shear direction of cohesive elements can be determined by the peak shear stress of the load-displacement curve in direct shear tests. The maximum effective displacement is determined by one-fifth of the maximum shear displacement, and the tangential friction coefficient is calculated by the ratio of residual shear stress to normal stress. The numerical method based on cohesive elements can effectively describe the mechanical properties and deformation behavior of soil-rock mixtures, particularly for the strain softening behavior under low confining pressure.

The stability of a slope located between the Belen and El Espejo sectors, Merida, Venezuela with high seismic hazard, due to the presence of the active Bocono Fault, which together with high rainfall and steep slopes, represent triggering factors where the slopes are prone to landslides. Through the Limit Equilibrium (LEM) and the Finite Element (FEM) Methods, we seek to identify the area's most prone to damage in the event of a landslide. The slope studied is located in an area unfavourable geomorphological zone, due to the erosive action of the Chama river that undermines it, generating gullies with detrital flows that affect its stability. The study of slope stability began with the compilation and review of bibliographic, the collection of soil samples for laboratory tests and the calculation of its properties and geomechanically parameters. The data obtained are used for the study of soil behavior and the calculation of the safety factor through of the Slide and Plaxis programs. It was determined that the slope is more unstable for the saturated pseudo-static condition in both programs. It is recommended to implement bioengineering as slope stabilization methods, in the upper zone of the slope, where there is damage to houses that are in danger, suggesting the biomantle, double torsion mesh and passive anchors, as a proposal of recommendation for the stabilization of the slope studied.

This paper presents a study of the hydraulic response of an infinite unsaturated slope exposed to a perturbation of the ordinary seasonal climatic cycle. The ground flow is modelled via a simplified one-dimensional finite difference scheme by decomposing the two-dimensional slope seepage into antisymmetric and symmetric parts. The numerical scheme incorporates two distinct hysteretic and non-hysteretic soil water retention laws, whose parameters have been selected after a preliminary sensitivity analysis. Results indicate that, in the hysteretic case, the memory of the perturbation takes a long time to fade, and the ordinary soil saturation cycle is only restored after several years of normal weather. Instead, in the non-hysteretic case, the recovery of the ordinary saturation regime is almost immediate after the perturbation. In contrast with the markedly different predictions of degree of saturation, both hysteretic and non-hysteretic slope models predict virtually identical evolutions of negative pore water pressures, with an almost immediate restoration of the ordinary cycle after the perturbation.

The mechanical properties of agricultural materials influence not only the loads occurring inside agricultural silos, but also the design of several types of post-harvest machinery. The loads generated by these materials inside silos can be predicted with silo calculation methodologies from their mechanical properties. It has been known for many years that these properties are highly dependent on the moisture content of the material. However, to date, there are not many studies focused on its determination. The goal of this research is the determination of the internal friction angle, apparent cohesion, angle of dilatancy and apparent specific weight of maize when different moisture contents are applied. The equipment used for this study consisted mainly of direct shear and oedometer assay apparatus. The maize samples used were moistened using a climatic chamber. Moisture contents applied to maize samples ranged from 9.3% to 17.4%. Results similar to those provided by other authors were obtained for the internal friction angle, apparent cohesion and apparent specific weight. On the other hand, the values obtained for the dilatancy angle of maize as a function of moisture content could not be compared because nothing has been published so far. The values obtained for this parameter overlap with those published for this material under ambient conditions. In addition, for the samples tested, these results did not allow confirming the existence of a direct relationship between the dilatancy angle and the moisture content. Finally, the increase in moisture content led to an increase in apparent specific weight, which differed from that published in the literature. The values provided here can be used for the optimization of storage and handling structures for granular agricultural materials.

This paper focuses on investigating the one-dimensional thermal consolidation of unsaturated soil. Through the utilization of the Laplace transformation, decoupling method, and inverse Laplace transformation, the semianalytical solutions for excess pore pressures and ground settlement are deduced, particularly in the context of a single-sided semi-permeable boundary. To further investigate the thermal consolidation characteristics in unsaturated soils, numerical modeling is employed, encompassing both single-sided semi-permeable and symmetric semi-permeable boundaries. Consequently, the proposed solution is subjected to a rigorous comparison and analysis against existing published solutions and numerical results, thereby establishing a remarkable degree of consistency. A comprehensive parametric analysis is conducted to discuss the thermal consolidation behavior, revealing the temperature effect can lead to negative pore-water pressure at the end of dissipation and a rebound phenomenon of the ground settlement. Notably, the variation in temperature affects the final settlement of the soil. Furthermore, alterations in top permeability parameters influence the dissipation of excess pore pressures within specific depth ranges, wherein the influence depth increases as the boundary permeability strengthens. Of particular interest is the applicability of the current solution, which accommodates the one-dimensional thermal consolidation model for unsaturated soils characterized by varying permeability topsides and depth-dependent linear initial conditions.

The longitudinal seismic response characteristics of a shallow-buried water-conveyance tunnel under non-uniform longitudinal subsurface geometry and obliquely incident SV-waves was studied using the numerical method, where the effect of the non-uniform longitudinal subsurface geometry due to the existence of a local one-sided rock mountain on the seismic response of the tunnel was focused on. Correspondingly, a large-scale three-dimensional (3D) finite-element model was established, where different incidence angles and incidence directions of the SV-wave were taken into consideration. Also, the non-linearity of soil and rock and the damage plastic of the concrete lining were incorporated. In addition, the wave field of the site and the acceleration response as well as damage of the tunnel were observed. The results revealed the following: (i) a local inclined subsurface geometry may focus an obliquely incident wave due to refraction or total reflection; (ii) a tunnel in a site adjacent to a rock mountain may exhibit a higher acceleration response than a tunnel in a homogeneous plain site; and (iii) damage in the tunnel in the site adjacent to a rock mountain may appear in multiple positions, and the effect of the incidence angle on the mode of compressive deformation and damage of the lining is of significance.

To ensure the safe performance of deep-sea mining vehicles (DSMVs), it is necessary to study the mechanical characteristics of the interaction between the seabed soil and the track plate. The rotation and digging motions of the track plate are important links in the contact between the driving mechanism of the DSMV and seabed soil. In this study, a numerical simulation is conducted using the coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) large deformation numerical method to investigate the interaction between the track plate of the DSMV and the seabed soil under two working conditions: rotating condition and digging condition. First, a soil numerical model is established based on the elasto-plastic mechanical characterization using the basic physical and mechanical properties of the seabed soil obtained by in situ sampling. Subsequently, the soil disturbance mechanism and the dynamic mechanical response of the track plate under rotating and digging conditions are obtained through the analysis of the sensitivity of the motion parameters, the grouser structure, the layered soil features and the soil heterogeneity. The results indicate that the above parameters remarkably influence the interaction between the DSMV and the seabed soil. Therefore, it is important to consider the rotating and digging motion of the DSMV in practical engineering to develop a detailed optimization design of the track plate.

Shored Mechanically Stabilized Earth (SMSE) walls are types of soil retaining structures that increase soil stability under static and dynamic loads. The damage caused by an earthquake can be determined by evaluating the probabilistic seismic response of SMSE walls. This study aimed to assess the seismic performance of SMSE walls and provide fragility curves for evaluating failure levels. The generated fragility curves can help to improve the seismic performance of these walls through assessing and controlling variables like backfill surface settlement, lateral deformation of facing, and permanent relocation of the wall. A parametric study was performed based on a non-linear elastoplastic constitutive model known as the hardening soil model with small -strain stiffness, HSsmall. The analyses were conducted using PLAXIS 2D, a Finite Element Method (FEM) program, under plane -strain conditions to study the effect of the number of geogrid layers and the axial stiffness of geogrids on the performance of SMSE walls. In this study, three areas of damage (minor, moderate, and severe) were observed and, in all cases, the wall has not completely entered the stage of destruction. For the base model (Model A), at the highest ground acceleration coefficient (1 g), in the moderate damage state, the fragility probability was 76%. These values were 62%, and 54%, respectively, by increasing the number of geogrids (Model B) and increasing the geogrid stiffness (Model C). Meanwhile, the fragility values were 99%, 98%, and 97%, respectively in the case of minor damage. Notably, the probability of complete destruction was zero percent in all models.

The loads generated inside agricultural silos under static and dynamic conditions depend on the mechanical properties of the materials stored inside them. Silo calculation methodologies are based on these mechanical properties. Although it is known that moisture content greatly influences the values reached by these mechanical properties, only a few studies have been conducted to determine them. The present work determines the angle of internal friction, the apparent cohesion, the dilatancy angle and the apparent specific weight of wheat when subjected to different moisture contents. Direct shear and oedometer assay devices were used. In addition, a climatic chamber was used to moisten the wheat samples used in this work. From the different assays conducted, it could be observed that the values of the angle of internal friction, the apparent cohesion and the apparent specific weight were like those found in the literature. However, no values of the dilatancy angle of wheat as influenced by moisture content were previously reported. The values obtained here for this parameter are within the range of those specified for dry wheat samples. Finally, higher apparent specific weight values were observed as moisture content increased up to 13.4%, then decreasing at a moisture content of 15.5%. This was not expected according to the results stated by some authors, although others reported a similar tendency. The values here provided can be used in silo load calculations involving numerical methods for modeling technological processes.

Wind-driven rain, resulting from the combination of rainfall and wind, can cause several issues to buildings. These issues range from occupant discomfort and wall soiling to electrical equipment failure and structural damage caused by water infiltration, frost, or dirt accumulation. This paper introduces a methodology devised to assess the exposure of urban structures to wind-driven rain across extended periods, encompassing a range of temporal scales from annual to seasonal time frames. For this purpose, a set of numerical tools has been developed, reducing the need for multiple raindrop transport simulations. Specifically, the method relies on meteorological data derived from the meso-scale WRF-ARW model, which are carefully selected to conduct the transport simulations. Techniques of model reduction and interpolation are also used to effectively analyze the simulation data. The robustness of the method is tested across different scales, extending from an individual building to an entire neighborhood in Paris. Potential biases are identified, and solutions are proposed to reduce errors that may arise during the simplification process. Finally, a practical case study validates the applicability of the methodology for engineering applications.