Discrete Element and Experimental Investigations of the Earth Pressure Distribution on Cylindrical Shafts
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 14, Issue 1
Abstract
Experimental and numerical studies have been conducted to investigate the earth pressure distribution on cylindrical shafts in soft ground. A small-scale laboratory setup that involves a mechanically adjustable lining installed in granular material under an axisymmetric condition is first described. The earth pressure acting on the shaft and the surface displacements are measured for different induced wall movements. Numerical modeling is then performed using the discrete element method to allow for the simulation of a large soil displacement and particle rearrangement near the shaft wall. The experimental and numerical results are summarized and compared against previously published theoretical solutions. The shaft-soil interaction is discussed, and conclusions regarding soil failure and the earth pressure distributions in both the radial and circumferential directions are presented.
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Acknowledgments
This research is supported by a research grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The financial support provided by the McGill Engineering Doctoral Award (MEDA) to the first author is greatly appreciated. The authors also wish to acknowledge Tatiana Tobar for the experimental work done at McGill University.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 14 • Issue 1 • February 2014
Pages: 80 - 91
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 2, 2012
Accepted: Dec 4, 2012
Published online: Dec 6, 2012
Published in print: Feb 1, 2014
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