Mechanics of Unsaturated Geomaterials /

This book provides a sound basis in the challenging area of the mechanics of unsaturated geomaterials. The objective is to supply the reader with an exhaustive overview starting from the basics and covering the most recent theories and applications (i.e. natural disasters, nuclear waste disposal, oi...

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Bibliographic Details
Online Access: Full text (MCPHS users only)
Other Authors: Laloui, Lyesse
Format: Electronic eBook
Language:English
Published: London : Wiley, 2013
Series:ISTE.
Subjects:
Local Note:ProQuest Ebook Central
Table of Contents:
  • Cover; Mechanics of Unsaturated Geomaterials; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Preface; PART I. FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS; Chapter 1. Basic Concepts in the Mechanics and Hydraulics of Unsaturated Geomaterials; 1.1. Water retention mechanisms in capillary systems; 1.1.1. Surface tension, contact angle, and water tension; 1.1.2. Hysteresis of contact angle; 1.1.3. Evaporation from capillary systems and geomaterials; 1.2. Water retention behavior of geomaterials; 1.3. Water retention mechanisms in geomaterials and the concept of suction.
  • 1.3.1. Water equilibrium through the liquid phase and the matric suction1.3.2. Water equilibrium through the vapor phase and the total suction; 1.3.3. Measurement of matric and total suction; 1.4. Water flow in capillary systems; 1.5. Mechanical interactions at the microscale; 1.6. Microscopic interpretation of volumetric "collapse" and shear strength; 1.7. Bibliography; Chapter 2. Mechanics of Unsaturated Soils; 2.1. Introduction; 2.2. Stress states; 2.3. Thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils; 2.3.1. Effects of suction on the stress-strain behavior of unsaturated soils.
  • 2.3.2. Soil water retention behavior2.3.3. Non-isothermal conditions; 2.4. Effective stress in unsaturated soils; 2.5. A coupled THM constitutive framework for unsaturated soils; 2.5.1. Mechanical model; 2.5.2. Water retention model; 2.5.3. Numerical simulations; 2.6. Conclusion; 2.7. Bibliography; Chapter 3. Desiccation Cracking of Soils; 3.1. Introduction; 3.2. Physical processes involved in desiccation cracking of soils; 3.2.1. Drying; 3.2.2. Shrinkage; 3.2.3. Air entry; 3.2.4. Cracking; 3.3. Experimental characterization of desiccation process in soils and its controlling variables.
  • 3.3.1. Desiccation tests3.3.1.1. Desiccation tests on 1D bars; 3.3.1.2. Desiccation tests on 2D slabs; 3.3.2. Drying shrinkage; 3.3.3. Desiccation cracking initiation conditions in soils; 3.4. Scenarios of soil desiccation crack pattern formation; 3.4.1. Interpretation of desiccation of bars (1D case); 3.4.2. Interpretation of desiccation of slabs (2D case); 3.4.3. Further considerations; 3.5. Conclusion; 3.6. Bibliography; PART II. EXPERIMENTAL CHARACTERIZATION; Chapter 4. Experimental Techniques for Unsaturated Geomaterials; 4.1. Introduction; 4.2. Techniques for controlling suction.
  • 4.2.1. Axis translation technique4.2.2. The osmotic technique; 4.2.3. Suction control through vapor equilibrium; 4.3. Techniques for measuring suction; 4.3.1. Tensiometers; 4.3.2. The filter paper method; 4.4. Mechanical testing devices; 4.4.1. Introduction; 4.4.2. Control suction oedometers and direct shear boxes; 4.4.3. Controlled suction triaxial devices; 4.4.3.1. Testing rates; 4.4.3.2. Volume-change monitoring; 4.4.3.3. Other controlled suction triaxial devices; 4.4.4. Other suction-controlled devices; 4.5. Concluding remarks; 4.6. Bibliography.