Z.Q. Yue

Boundary element analysis of crack problems in functionally graded materials

The present study examines the crack problems in a functionally graded material (FGM) whose upper and bottom surfaces are fully bonded with dissimilar homogeneous materials. A so-called generalized Kelvin solution based boundary element method is used in the numerical examination. The multi-region method and the eight-node traction-singular boundary elements are used for the crack evaluation. The layer discretization technique is utilized to approximate the depth material non-homogeneity of the FGM layer. The proposed method can deal with any depth variations in both the shear modulus and the Poisson ratio of the FGMs. Results of the present analysis are compared very well with the exact analytical solutions available in the literature, which demonstrates that the proposed method can accurately evaluate the stress intensity factors (SIFs) for cracks in FGMs. The paper further evaluates the effect of the functionally graded variations in the Poisson ratio on the stress intensity factors. The paper also assesses the elliptical cracks in the FGM system. The paper presents the influence of both the non-homogeneity and the thickness of the FGM layer on the three SIFs associated with the elliptical cracks.

Quantifying topography and closure deformation of rock joints

Abstract This paper presents a study for quantifying both the joint topography characteristics and the load–closure deformation of a rock joint under normal compressive loading condition. The study covers (1) laboratory measurements of rock joint surface profiles using a profilometer designed and fabricated by the research team, (2) development of a mathematical method to identify the waviness and unevenness components in joint surface profiles and the associated composite topography, (3) development of a general load–closure deformation model by using both the waviness and unevenness components in the composite topography, (4) unconfined compressive testing of rock samples with joints for the experimental load–closure deformation of joints and, (5) verification of the general load–closure deformation model by the experimental load–closure deformation results. The study leads to the following four findings: (a) the mathematical method can be used to identify the waviness and unevenness components for joint surface profiles and its composite topography. The height characteristic parameters of the complete surface topography of a joint are mainly determined by the waviness component. The texture characteristic parameters of the complete surface topography of a joint are mainly determined by the unevenness component, (b) joints can be classified into the three contact state cases using the waviness and unevenness components for both the joint surface profiles and the associated composite topography. The load–closure deformation behavior of a joint is determined by the waviness and unevenness components of the composite topography for a specific contact state, (c) the general load–closure deformation model developed in this paper is applicable to the three contact state cases. The general load–closure deformation model uses the composite topography of a joint and can take into account the effects of the contact states, the initial aperture and the waviness and unevenness components; (d) parametric studies and verifications with the uniaxial compression test results show that the general load–closure deformation model gives reasonable estimations of the load–closure deformation behavior of rock joint under compressive loading and can be reduced to those given by other researchers in the relevant literature.

Deformation of the central pier of the permanent shiplock, Three Gorges Project, China: an analysis case study

The central pier (CP) is one of the key structures of the permanent shiplock in the Three Gorges Project on the Yangtze River, China. This paper deals with the study of the rock mass deformation of the CP of the second shiplock under various operation conditions. Numerical simulations using the 2-D distinct-element method and 3-D finite-element method are applied to analyze the rock mass deformation. Also, time-series analysis and gray system theory are used to predict the trends of rock displacements based on in situ measured data. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) the main deformation of the rock mass in the CP occurs after excavation completion, while the shiplock is in operation, the dominant displacements mainly occurring on both sides of the northern chamber, developing generally towards the chamber; (2) the horizontal displacement varies with the process of excavation, and is in a steady state after excavation, and during operation of the shiplock the displacement is slightly decreased; (3) the horizontal displacement parallel to the axial line of the shiplock occurs downstream; and (4) the vertical displacement occurs during excavation, and then subsidence with various values takes place in different parts of the CP for different operation conditions.

Finite Element Analysis of Landslide in Dredged Slope

This paper presents a finite element analysis of a landslide that occurred in a newly dredged submarine slope for port development. The landslide was a multiple retrogressive landslide. The marine slope comprised recent marine and river mouth delta deposits. The landslide occupied a plan area 200 m long and 150 m wide. A volume of about 240,000 m3 soil slipped into a newly dredged open space in the sea. The finite element analysis indicates that the backfill pre-loading significantly increased the failure zone in the dredged slope and the soil lateral displacements toward to the open space in the sea.