strength parameters

MC parameters in terms of total stresses (only undrained conditions!)

τ τ = c′ + σ ′ tan ϕ ′ total stresses

Cu
τ = cu
⎡ σ 1′ − σ 3′ ⎤ ⎡σ1 − σ 3 ⎤
⎢ 2 ⎥ ⎢ 2 ⎥
⎣ ⎦F ⎣ ⎦F
σ ′, σ

-Cu
Effective stresses

 Soil behaves as if it was purely cohesive (zero friction)

 cu ( = su ) : undrained shear strength

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 1/36

 modeling undrained behavior / effective stress analysis

uf
u
TSP
cu ESP

s, s’

– single set of parameters in terms of effective stress (consistent)

– realistic prediction of pore pressures (if model is appropriate)
– the undrained analysis can be followed by a consolidation analysis
– Cu is a consequence of the model, not an input parameter!!

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 2/36

 modeling undrained behavior / total stress analysis

• analysis in terms of total stress

• u does not change (in fact, u does not exist!)

• constitutive equations are formulated in terms of σ

total strength parameters c = cu, ϕ = 0, ψ = 0

total stiffness parameters Eu, νu = 0.5

Δσ = D Δε

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 3/36

 modeling undrained behavior / total stress analysis

TSP=ESP
cu
s, s’

– parameters in terms of total stress

– no prediction of pore pressures (only total stresses are obtained)
– the undrained analysis can not be followed by a consolidation analysis
– Cu is an input parameter!!

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 4/36

 undrained shear strength from the Mohr Coulomb model

effective stress analysis (c’, φ’ input parameters)

tanα’ = sinφ’

(σ1 − σ 3 ) Effective Stress

2 Path, ESP B’
a’ = c’cosφ’

cu
A’

(σ' 1 +σ' 3 ) , (σ 1 + σ 3 )
2 2
1
cu = c 'cos φ '+ s 'sin φ ' = c 'cos φ '+ {σ vo′ + σ ho
′ } sin φ '
2
cu c 'cos φ ' 1
= + {1 + K 0 } sin φ '
σ 'v 0 σ 'v 0 2

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 5/36

 Nicoll Highway Collapse, Singapore

24/3/04

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 6/36

 Nicoll Highway Collapse, Singapore

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 7/36

 Nicoll Highway Collapse

15:33, 20 April 2004

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 8/36
 Nicoll Highway Collapse

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 9/36

 Nicoll Highway Collapse

• Undrained stability problem. Effective stress analysis + Mohr

Coulomb constitutive model used for design analysis

cu A

cu real
s, s’

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 10/36

 Nicoll Highway Collapse
0.21σ'v0 Section M3
Piezocone Data 100
100 NKT = 14
Profile: ABH-32 Cu (Mohr-Coulomb)
Best Estimate Line Test
AC-3 95 Cu (Geotechnical Design Parameter Table)
Upper Marine Clay

AC-2
3007
3008

90
90
Reduced Level, RL (m)

85

Elevation, RL (m)
F2
Method A
80
80
Lower Marine Clay

75
Original
Design Used in
FE Analyses
70
70

65

F2
60
OA
60 0 20 40 60 80 100
0 20 40 60 80 100
Undrained Shear Strength, s u (kPa) Shear strength (kPa)

Overestimation of shear strength: 43%-62.1%

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 11/36
 Nicoll Highway Collapse

Method A Method B
Underestimation of wall displacements (about a factor of 2)
Course “Computational Geotechnics” 12/36
 Nicoll Highway Collapse

Method A Method B
Underestimation of bending moment (about a factor of 2)
Course “Computational Geotechnics” 13/36
 Nicoll Highway Collapse

Method A
(no collapse)

Predictions
(backanalysis)

Method B
(collapse)

Course “Computational Geotechnics” 14/36