Limit analysis solutions for spherical cavities in sandy soils under overloading
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Limit analysis solutions for spherical cavities in sandy soils under overloading Suraparb Keawsawasvong1 Received: 30 July 2020 / Accepted: 31 October 2020 © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Abstract An investigation on the stability of spherical cavities in sandy soils under overloading at the ground surface is carried out in this study. By using finite element limit analysis, a spherical cavity is numerically simulated under an axisymmetric condition, and the lower and upper bound solutions of the stability of spherical cavities can be obtained. For practical use, the results of the overload are displayed in the form of the dimensionless load factor, where the effects of three dimensionless parameters including the cover depth ratio of the spherical cavity, the dimensionless overburden factor, and the friction angle of the soil are taken into account. The influences of three dimensionless parameters on the failure mechanisms of collapsed spherical cavities in sandy soils under overloading are comprehensively studied and discussed. From the results, it can be observed that these three parameters have significant influences on the magnitude of the dimensionless load factor as well as the dimensions of the plastic shear zones of the failure mechanisms of collapsed spherical cavities. Note that there is no investigation regarding the effect of the friction angle on the stability of spherical cavities in the past, but many applications of the effect of the friction angle have concerned about tunnel problems; however, for spherical cavities, this type of shape is not really representative for practice applications of the friction angle. The results of the load factors and the predicted failure mechanisms can be used for several practical works dealing with the sinkhole problems under drained conditions. Keywords Limit analysis · Spherical cavity · Sinkhole · Overload · Sandy soils
Introduction A cavity under the ground surface, which can cause a collapse of a surface layer, is generally known as a sinkhole. Several natural processes can induce the formation of sinkholes. For instance, the processes of erosion or gradual removal of slightly soluble bedrocks result in sinkhole formations that probably lead to the collapse of the ground surface as demonstrated in Fig. 1 [1]. Furthermore, the collapse of a cave roof during mining or tunneling as well as a lowering of the water table can also cause the formations of sinkholes. In addition, such cavities are not only formed Suraparb Keawsawasvong acquired methodology, software and contributed to investigation, data curation, conceptualization, writing—original draft. * Suraparb Keawsawasvong [email protected] 1
Department of Civil Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
in calcareous soils due to natural processes but also happened due to manmade such as cavities for hazard waste and gas storage. It is evident that the sinkhole collapses are extremely dangerous threats to humans and can pr
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