Finite element analysis of fractured rock mass with PLAXIS 2D using different discontinuity constitutive models

The stability of rock engineering projects is tightly related to the mechanical behaviour of rock discontinuities. Although the mechanical behaviour of a discontinuity is often associated with shearing (sliding), experimental data have shown that it can be accompanied by more complex phenomena such as dilation and post-peak strength reduction....

On the role of intrinsic soil properties in flow liquefaction susceptibility

Soil liquefaction is a phenomenon in which an otherwise stiff, loosely packed, cohesionless soil loses its strength and behaves behaves like a viscous liquid in response to a change in stress conditions. This study focuses on liquefaction under monotonic load (i.e. static liquefaction) and not cyclic liquefaction. While the role of state...

A Reliability-Based Design Optimization Method for Geotechnical Engineering Problem Based On Active-Learning Kriging Metamodeling

Using an expensive-to-evaluate numerical model, such as a finite element method (FEM) model, is deemed unavoidable in solving modern geotechnical engineering problems. At the same time, the application of reliability analysis in dealing with uncertainties (e.g. soil properties) is increasing rapidly. This could pose a time-wise problem for an...

Verification, Validation and Application of the NorSand Constitutive Model in PLAXIS: Single-stress point analyses of experimental lab test data and finite element analyses of a submerged landslide

As the construction of sub-aerial and submarine geotechnical structures increase in amount, rate and size, so do their associated risks. Often, with use constitutive models, finite element analyses (FEAs) are performed in order to identify and mitigate these risks. NorSand, which is a consti- tutive model based on critical state soil mechanics...

Probabilistic analysis of slope stability in spatially variable soils using Monte Carlo simulation

Soil properties are spatially variable due to the natural deposition process. Because of this inherent spatial variability, a slope can actually fail along any potential slip surface. A single value of Factor of safety cannot account for this variation dominated the slope stability problem. Probabilistic analysis considering the spatial...

Numerical Modelling of Liquefaction Under Embankments Subjected To Cyclic Loads By Wind Turbines

Recent development have caused that the policy regarding the installation of onshore wind turbines on embankments has changed to 'Yes, provided that ...' in the Netherlands. (Simplified) approaches are available within professional practice to analyse the risk of liquefaction, but are considered to be conservative. In this thesis, a methodology...

Modeling Potential Liquefaction during an Earthquake under a Breakwater with PM4Sand

The stability of breakwaters in seismically active areas is not always guaranteed. A new approach to model a breakwater subjected to an earthquake is with PM4Sand. The goal of this research is to find if breakwaters subjected to earthquakes can be correctly modelled with PM4Sand.<br/>To investigate PM4Sand a breakwater subjected to an earthquake...

Evaluation of the PM4Sand Constitutive Model for the Prediction of Earthquake-Induced & Static Liquefaction in Hydraulic Fills

The earthquake-induced liquefaction is a high-risk phenomenon for dredging industries, which need to set strict requirements in order to avoid potential disastrous effects for the project. Different types of liquefaction exist which can be triggered over a wide range of soil types and for different loading conditions. The liquefaction triggering...

Experimental Investigation of Submarine Landslide Induced Tsunami Waves

This MSc thesis was initiated as part of an interdisciplinary project researching post-disaster coastal reconstruction in the Tohoku region of Japan. On March 11, 2011, a highly destructive earthquake induced tsunami hit the north-eastern part of Honshu island, causing enormous damage to numerous small towns along the coast. Since 2011 various...

Liquefaction Modelling using the PM4Sand Soil Constitutive Model in PLAXIS 2D

The phenomenon of earthquake-induced soil liquefaction has been a major issue among geotechnical engineers mainly due to the dramatic consequences this could have on civil structures. Basically, earthquakes propagate shear waves generating excess pore pressures and thus weakening the effective shear resistance of granular soils to their minimum...

Reliability assessment of corroded reinforced concrete structures: The effect of using random fields and nonlinear finite element analysis

One of the most severe deteriorations in reinforced concrete structures is associated with reinforcement corrosion, where the corrosion distribution shows considerable spatial variability. In the existing investigations of spatial variability of corrosion on the reliability of reinforced concrete structures, symbolic expressions are used for the...

Piping in the Maasvallei: A possibility or far-fetched scenario?

One of the failure mechanisms for water retaining structures is piping. Piping is an internal erosion<br/>mechanism creating hollow spaces (pipes) underneath, for example, a dike as a result of the transport<br/>of soil particles due to seepage. The formation of pipes can cause collapse of the structure once the<br/>erosion process reaches the...