Numerical simulations and predictive models of undrained penetration in soft soils
Abstract
There are two aspects in this study: cylinder penetrations and XBP (Expendable
Bottom Penetrometer) interpretations. The cylinder studies firstly investigate the
relationship between the soil resisting force and penetration depth by a series of rateindependent
finite element analyses of pre-embedded penetration depths, and validate
the results by upper and lower bound solutions from classical plasticity theory.
Furthermore, strain rate effects are modeled by finite element simulations within a
framework of rate-dependent plasticity. With all forces acting on the cylinder estimated,
penetration depths are predicted from simple equations of motion for a single particle.
Comparisons to experimental results show reasonable agreement between model
predictions and measurements.
The XBP studies follow the same methodology in investigating the soil shearing
resistance as a function of penetration depth and velocity by finite element analyses.
With the measurements of time decelerations during penetration of the XBP, sediment
shear strength profile is inferred from a single particle kinetic model. The predictions
compare favorably with experimental measurements by vane shear tests.
Citation
Shi, Han (2005). Numerical simulations and predictive models of undrained penetration in soft soils. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /2555.