Probabilistic Stability Design Charts for Shallow Passive Trapdoors in Spatially Variable Clays
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 23, Issue 6
Abstract
Geotechnical engineers are faced with great uncertainty with regard to the stability design of soil structures such as retaining walls, foundations, and slope stability. Instead of using a deterministic approach by replacing the design parameter with a single mean number, Monte Carlo simulations could be used to provide better decisions by considering all possible outcomes under parametric uncertainty. This paper studies probabilistic failures of classical passive trapdoors in shallow depths with spatially random soils. The effects of soil strength variability are investigated for various spatial correlation lengths and trapdoor depths using the latest adaptive finite-element upper-bound limit analysis with second-order cone programming. In addition, probabilistic stability results are compared with those published in renowned literature, and a comprehensive probability of design failure (PF) charts is developed for a practical range of deterministic factors of safety. The extensive results reported in this paper would be of great interest to engineering practitioners because better decisions can be made in the design process and design confidence improved.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fundamental Fund fiscal year 2023. We would like to thank Dr. Thanh Son Nguyen at the Mientrung University of Civil Engineering for his valuable discussions and assistance throughout this research journey.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 23 • Issue 6 • June 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 6, 2022
Accepted: Jan 3, 2023
Published online: Apr 11, 2023
Published in print: Jun 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Sep 11, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Foundation design
- Foundations
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Mathematics
- Motion (dynamics)
- Parameters (statistics)
- Probability
- Retaining structures
- Shallow foundations
- Soil dynamics
- Soil mechanics
- Soil stabilization
- Soil structures
- Solid mechanics
- Statistics
- Structural engineering
- Structures (by type)
- Uncertainty principles
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