Long, Xiaoyan (2006-08). Prediction of shear strength and vertical movement due to moisture diffusion through expansive soils. Doctoral Dissertation. Thesis uri icon

abstract

  • This dissertation presents an investigation of engineering behavior of expansive
    soils. An analytical study was undertaken for the development and modification of a
    Windows-based two-dimensional finite element computer program FLODEF that
    performs a sequentially coupled flow-displacement analysis for the prediction of
    moisture diffusion and the induced volume change in soils supporting various elements
    of civil infrastructure. The capabilities of the model are illustrated through case studies
    of shear strength envelope forecast and parametric studies of transient flow-deformation
    prediction in highway project sites to evaluate the effectiveness of engineering treatment
    methods to control swell-shrink deformations beneath highway pavements. Numerical
    simulations have been performed to study the field moisture diffusivity using a
    conceptual model of moisture diffusion in a fractured soil mass. A rough correlation
    between field and the laboratory measurements of moisture diffusion coefficients has
    been presented for different crack depth patterns.

publication date

  • August 2006