Abstract
A visual experimental system was developed to investigate the interaction mechanism of underground
granary embedded in sandy soil considering the rising of groundwater level. The results show that the buoyancyinduced
failure process of the granary-soil system can be divided into two stages: floating and instability failure (or
tilting). Higher soil relative compactness enhances embedding capacity and deformation resistance, significantly
improving system stability when exceeding 0.501. The retaining wall earth pressure theory explains their interaction,
and granary tilting is caused by soil shear-slip-induced stress deviation. This study provides support for promoting
underground granary popularization in groundwater-rich areas.
Address
Yang Han, Zhijun Xu, Zhaoxiang Guo, Yuanyuan Ma: School of Civil Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Mengyang Zhang: Key Laboratory of Engineering Material & Structure Reinforcement in Fujian Province College,
Sanming University, Sanming 365001, China;
School of Architectural Engineering Institute, Sanming University, Sanming 365001, China
Abstract
In this work, a novel single-variable parabolic shear deformation beam theory (SPSDBT) is employed to
examine the mechanical response of advanced composite sandwich beams with homogeneous isotropic core
materials. The proposed approach is based on a new high-order model in which the displacement field is optimized
over other existing high-order shear deformation beam theories (HSDBTs), as it is formulated with fewer unknowns
than those required in the classical Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The axial displacement field is modeled using cubic
polynomial functions with respect to the thickness coordinate, enabling a precise presentation of transverse shear
deformation effects. Four types of advanced composite sandwich beams are examined, incorporating both hard and
soft isotropic cores. The mechanical properties of the face sheets are assumed to vary gradually through the thickness
direction according to the volume fraction of the constituents, whereas the core is made of a homogeneous material
(either ceramic or metal). The governing equations are systematically derived from Hamilton''s variational principle
and analytically solved for simply supported boundary conditions via the Navier solution technique. The robustness
and versatility of the proposed model are confirmed through a comprehensive numerical study, targeting both
buckling and free vibration responses of sandwich beams. These simulations explicitly account for transverse shear
deformation effects and assess the influence of various parameters, such as the material gradient index and the lengthto-
thickness ratio, on the non-dimensional natural frequencies and critical buckling loads. The numerical
computations were compared and showed excellent agreement with those obtained from alternative higher-order
shear deformation beam models, thereby, validating the accuracy of the proposed theory.
Address
Mohamed Fellouh: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Tiaret, BP 78 Zaaroura, 14000 Tiaret, Algeria;
Laboratory of Geomatics and Sustainable Development, University of Tiaret, Algeria
Kada Draiche: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Tiaret, BP 78 Zaaroura, 14000 Tiaret, Algeria;
Material and Hydrology Laboratory, University of Sidi Bel Abbes, Faculty of Technology,
Civil Engineering Department, Algeria
Hadj Bekki: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Tiaret, BP 78 Zaaroura, 14000 Tiaret, Algeria
Abdelouahed Tounsi: Material and Hydrology Laboratory, University of Sidi Bel Abbes, Faculty of Technology,
Civil Engineering Department, Algeria;
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, 31261
Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed A. Balubaid: Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Ghazi Alsoruji: Department of the Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
S.R. Mahmoud: GRC Department, Applied College, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the displacement characteristics and buckling behavior of Functionally
graded carbon nanotube (FG CNT) beams resting on an arbitrary orthotropic variable elastic foundation (AOVEF)
using a micromechanical Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka approach with an extended rule of mixture. Four material
distributions are introduced to describe the variation of carbon nanotube (CNT) volume fractions throughout the
beam's thickness. Additionally, the influence of the porosity factor is considered, and a comparison between the
Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka and extended rule of mixture is presented. To account for shear deformation and stretching
effects, a Quasi-Three-Dimensional higher-order shear deformation beam theory (Quasi-3D HSDT) is employed.
The novelty lies in the simultaneous consideration of: (i) an arbitrarily orthotropic variable elastic foundation
(AOVEF) with four Winkler variations (parabolic, sinusoidal, exponential, and constant); (ii) a quasi-3D HSDT
including stretching effects; (iii) a comparative micromechanical analysis (Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka vs. extended rule of
mixture); and (iv) the combined influence of porosity, orthotropy angle, and CNT distributions. The governing
equations for the FG-CNT beam with simply supported ends are derived using Hamilton's principle and solved via
Navier's method. A comprehensive investigation into the critical buckling load is conducted, considering the
influence of various factors including mode shapes, aspect ratio (L/h), as well as angle and porosity variations.
Key Words
CFD simulation; complex terrain; surface roughness length; topography; typhoon wind field
Address
Kenza Djilali Djebbour,Hassen Ait Atmane,
Riadh Bennai: Laboratory of Structures, Geotechnics and Risks, Department of Civil Engineering,
Hassiba Benbouali University of Chlef, Algeria;
Department of Civil Engineering, Hassiba Benbouali University of Chlef, Algeria
Mokhtar Nebab: Laboratory of Structures, Geotechnics and Risks, Department of Civil Engineering,
Hassiba Benbouali University of Chlef, Algeria;
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology,
University of M'Hamed BOUGARA Boumerdes, Algeria
Abstract
Underground power distribution cables are typically installed using multi-conduit systems, in which the
minimum spacing between adjacent conduits is prescribed primarily for electrical and thermal safety. However, such
considerations are less critical for medium-voltage distribution systems and do not reflect the geotechnical behavior
of closely buried conduits. This study presents a full-scale laboratory investigation to evaluate how conduit spacing
affects soil-structure interaction and mechanical response under static and repetitive loading. Two configurations, a
conventional spaced arrangement and a non-spaced arrangement, are constructed in a large instrumented soil
chamber. Miniature cone penetration tests are conducted prior to loading to verify that the prepared backfill satisfied
the target compaction level. Measurements of vertical soil pressure and conduit deformation reveal clear behavioral
differences between the two configurations. The non-spaced configuration shows stress redistribution behavior
consistent with the formation of a continuous arching mechanism, which is associated with reduced deformation
under both static and cyclic loading. In contrast, the spaced configuration develops localized arching above individual
conduits and exhibited greater deformation accumulation during repetitive loading. Supplemental uniaxial
compression testing confirms that the stress levels mobilized in the full-scale experiments remain well within the
elastic range of the polyethylene conduit, indicating minimal risk of structural yielding regardless of spacing. Overall,
the results indicate that eliminating spacing does not compromise structural safety and produces favorable stress
redistribution and deformation responses under the tested installation conditions. These findings suggest the need for
further geotechnical evaluation of configuration requirements in medium-voltage distribution conduits.
Key Words
full-scale chamber test; multi-conduit systems; repetitive loading; soil pressure; underground
power cable
Address
Jun-Beom An: Department of Geotechnical Engineering Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building
Technology (KICT), Goyang 10223, Republic of Korea
Song-Hun Chong: Department of Civil Engineering, Sunchon National University, Sunchon 57922, Republic of Korea
Gye-Chun Cho: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
(KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
Abstract
Simple drained, undrained and partially drained shear tests are frequently performed in soil mechanics
laboratories. However, the test that simulates field conditions in which surface soil undergoes water infiltration
followed by short- and long-term loading is rarely performed. Considering the fact, two series of tests have been
performed in the present study. Series-1 replicates field conditions in which the surface layer of the soil experiences
water infiltration followed by quick/sudden loading; the tests performed in this series are termed as pre-infiltration
shearing tests. Whereas Series-2 replicates field conditions in which the surface layer of the soil experiences water
infiltration followed by long term/slow loading and the tests performed in this series are termed as shearing
infiltration tests. Water in these series was injected by reducing matric suction and conducted shearing in constant
matric suction plane. The pore water pressure remained undrained in Series-1, during the shearing process, while in
Series-2, it was maintained in a drained condition. The results indicated that reducing matric suction from 20 kPa to
0 kPa increased water infiltration by up to 37.5 cm, raised the degree of saturation by approximately 30%, and
reduced peak deviatoric stress from about 28 kPa to 5 kPa. The soil behavior transitioned from dilation to
compression, resulting in decreased stiffness and shear strength. Furthermore, matric suction effect on the stress path
within the stress state space is examined and analyzed.
Key Words
matric suction; pore-water pressure; pre-infiltration shearing test; shearing infiltration test;
unsaturated soil; water infiltration
Address
Ali Murtaza Rasool: National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), Lahore 54700, Pakistan
Mubashir Aziz: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia;
Interdisciplinary Research Center for Construction and Building Materials,
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of micro-disturbance grouting on highly sensitive silt and bridge
substructures through in-situ tests, theoretical analysis, and numerical simulation. A calculation method for the
average volumetric strain of silt is proposed based on cavity expansion theory, and the residual displacement
differences between soils and structures are interpreted. The results indicate that larger grout volumes enhance soil
consolidation and reduce post-grouting displacement of both soil and bridge piers, whereas smaller volumes result in
greater residual deformation. By analyzing soil responses with the effective stress principle, the displacement
evolution of soils and piers can be interpreted as a three-stage process, with post-grouting displacement governed by
the relationship among effective stress, pore pressure, and soil pressure. Furthermore, fluid–solid coupled discrete
element simulations reveal that pore pressure in sandy soils stabilizes rapidly with distance from the injection point,
while silt exhibit a cumulative effect and require longer to reach peak values. The findings provide valuable
references for the design and construction of similar engineering projects.
Key Words
discrete element method; effective stress; micro-disturbance grouting; pore water pressure
dissipation; soil displacement
Address
Zhijie Peng: Guangzhou Municipal Engineering Testing Co., Ltd, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, China
Liangyi Cai, Tingjin Liu: School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology,
Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, China
