Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Volume 57, Issue 12, Page v-vii, December 2020.

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print.

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print.

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print.

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print.

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The deformation of soft clays under cyclic loading is controlled by microfabric changes. Cyclic triaxial tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) were conducted to investigate the deformation and the corresponding micromechanism under cyclic loading. The correlations between the microparameters and deformation

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, e-First Articles.

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Volume 57, Issue 8, Page 1263-1263, August 2020.

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Volume 57, Issue 10, Page 1453-1471, October 2020. This study compiles a broad database containing 312 measured maximum soil nail loads under operational conditions. The database is used to re-assess the prediction accuracies of the default Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) nail load model and its modified version previously reported in the literature. Predictions

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Volume 57, Issue 8, Page 1261-1262, August 2020.

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Volume 57, Issue 8, Page 1256-1260, August 2020.

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The cone penetration test (CPT) has been widely used in many geotechnical engineering applications, including soil identification and classification, and evaluation of different soil properties. However, the uncertainties associated with site variation are typical characteristics of subsurface soil conditions that cannot be ignored. Therefore, the effect

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Due to seismic response, accumulation of permanent ground deformation (lateral spreading) is an important mechanism of much practical significance. Such deformations typically occur near a ground slope, behind retaining structures such as sheet-pile and quay walls, and in mildly sloping ground. In conducting a shake table test, the generation of permanent

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Volume 57, Issue 10, Page 1595-1610, October 2020. This paper presents a thermohydromechanical framework to model frost heave and (thaw) consolidation simultaneously, in which effective and total stresses are taken as the stress variables for unfrozen and frozen soils, respectively. “Effective (total) stresses – void ratio – permeability” relations are proposed to interpret

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Several piezocone penetration test (CPTu)-based soil behaviour classification systems (SBCs) have been developed for standard sites, where clays, silt, and sand dominate. However, problems can occur when applying the SBCs to offshore sites, where the marine soils may be decomposed from rocks or mixed with artificial fills. This study evaluates the accuracy

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Cavity expansion is a fundamental theoretical problem in geomechanics. For the cylindrical cavity expansion problem, derivations of solutions are usually based on the assumption that the soil is subject to the plane strain condition. However, this is untrue for cavity expansion in pressuremeter tests. This study first derived the equilibrium equation for

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Dams are structures designed primarily for water containment. They usually are found in areas with special transportation needs, either for mining purposes or for transporting heavy equipment, and with limited road infrastructure available. Heavy traffic over dams is discouraged, due to the damage this can cause to the integrity of the structure. The possible

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Estimation of the preconsolidation stress and overconsolidation ratio (OCR) in uniform cohesive soils using a field vane is variably impacted by the combined effects of soil type and plasticity, geologic history, structured vs. unstructured behavior, and the presence of sand or organic matter. Published empirical correlations for cohesive soils consider

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The devastating effects of natural hazards due to the propagation of mass flows, such as landslides, debris flows, and avalanches, can be avoided, or at least reduced, by placing protective barriers or catching dams in the runout zones. Such structures can store the whole mass and finally stop the flow before it may reach vulnerable infrastructures. Their

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The innovative carbonation technique based on reactive MgO and CO2 has been identified as an environmentally friendly and efficient method in the improvement of weak soils. Previous laboratory studies have indicated that carbonated MgO-admixed soils had significant improvement in mechanical properties. However, there are to date limited investigations

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Workers are often required to enter unsupported trenches during the construction process, which may present serious risks. Trench failures can result in death or damage to adjacent properties; therefore, trenches should be excavated with extreme precaution. Critical height (i.e., maximum depth that can be excavated without failure) is the most important

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The influence of co-disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) and incinerator ash used as daily cover on the clogging of leachate collection systems (LCSs) from landfills is examined. The “BioClog” model is used to simulate the fate and transport of the nine leachate constituents most responsible for clogging the LCSs as they move through the porous media

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. This paper presents an experimental study on the influence of initial water content on unsaturated shear strength of compacted bentonite. Isotropic loading and triaxial shear tests were conducted on compacted GaoMiaoZi (GMZ) bentonite specimens with different initial water contents. Isotropic loading test and triaxial shear test results show that the compression

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. This paper presents laboratory testing procedures and key results on the consolidation of tailings from hard rock mines under positive or negative pore-water pressures (PWP). Specific experimental protocols have been developed and applied to assess the behaviour of low-density tailings (slurry) using compression tests in instrumented columns. The testing

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The coefficient of restitution (COR) is an important input parameter in the numerical simulation of granular flows, as it governs the travel distance, the lateral spreading, and the design of barriers. In this study, a new custom-built micromechanical impact loading apparatus is presented along with impact experiments on engineered and natural materials

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Bio-mediated soil improvement methods (those that use biological processes) have potentially low cost and environmental impact, but can be difficult to control to ensure effective results, especially if engineered bacteria are used. A novel application of using agarose gel as a soil analogue is proposed, which can enable development of advanced bio-mediated

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Physically based numerical simulation models have been developed to predict hazard area relating to debris flows. Since fine sediments are expected to behave as a part of the fluid rather than solid phase in stony debris flows, several models have recently included this process of the phase shift from solid to fluid in the context of fine sediment. However

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The establishment of correlations between the small-strain shear modulus (Go) and other soil parameters (such as the oedometer constrained modulus, Moedo) at large deformations constitutes an important step toward more precise modeling of soil deformation behavior. In this study, the shear wave velocities (Vs) of 22 different granular soils of various

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Determining shear wave velocity is a critical technique in bender element tests, as it can be readily affected by near-field effects, wave reflection, and other factors. This study proposes a new method based on the dyadic wavelet transform modulus maxima. Combining the local modulus maxima of dyadic wavelet transform approximate coefficients at fine decomposition

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The use of monolayer covers combined with an elevated water table (EWT) is a promising reclamation method that relies on the low gas-diffusivity of water to limit oxygen ingress into potentially acid-generating tailings. A monolayer cover is installed over the sulfidic material and the water table level is controlled to maintain the tailings close to saturation

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Volume 57, Issue 10, Page 1617-1621, October 2020. This note presents results of stability analyses of two-layer undrained slopes by the finite element method. The study focuses on the circumstances under which either deep or shallow failure mechanisms occur, as a function of the strength ratio of the layers, slope angle, and foundation depth ratio. Improved knowledge

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. In this study, a weight-control bender element system has been developed to investigate the impact of matric suction equalization on the measurement of small strain shear modulus (Gmax) during an air-drying process. The setup employed is capable of measuring the shear wave velocity and the corresponding Gmax of the soil sample in either an open system

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Under appropriate temperature conditions, vacuum preloading can effectively accelerate the rate of soil consolidation. If the temperature is low (30 °C), vacuum preloading is less effective at consolidating the soil. If temperature is extremely high, vacuum preloading is less efficient at consolidating the soil due to the consummation of excess energy

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Rainfall-induced landslides have caused significant damage to structures and casualties in the past decades, and it is of great importance to assess the post-failure behavior of slopes. This study proposes a probabilistic framework to evaluate the hazards associated with landslide runout arising from loose-fill slope failures. The failure process is simulated

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. On 25 November 1988, after the Saguenay earthquake, a landslide occurred in the municipality of Saint-Adelphe. The soil profile indicated that the deposit was composed of a stiff clay crustal layer overlying sensitive plastic clay with a soft-to-stiff consistency. A geotechnical investigation was carried out in situ and in the laboratory and included the

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Le glissement rocheux de 1889 le long de la rue Champlain est celui qui a causé le plus de décès dans cette partie de la ville de Québec au cours du 19e siècle. Cet article présente une rétrospective historique des événements qui ont mené à celui de 1889, et cela en commençant par un autre glissement rocheux survenu en 1841 dans le même secteur, événement

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Covers with capillary barrier effects (CCBEs) are multi-layered oxygen barrier covers used in humid climates to reclaim reactive mine tailings and limit the generation of acid mine drainage. Once constructed, CCBEs are colonized by surrounding plants. Roots modify water storage and respire oxygen. The performance of CCBEs could evolve over time due to

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a naturally driven biological process that harnesses the natural metabolic action of bacteria to induce the precipitation of calcium carbonate and alter soil engineering properties. This paper presents the results of using MICP to improve the monotonic undrained yield and critical strengths of Fraser

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Understanding the time-dependent deformation behaviour of backfill coral sand is important to the long-term stability of engineering facilities built on reefs and reclaimed land. A series of one-dimensional compression tests (with no lateral strain) were carried out on crushed coral sand with a variety of grading and relative densities (50%, 70%, and 90%)

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. A case study is presented of the Adige River embankment, a segment of which experienced instability of the landside slope due to the development of uplift pressures. Soil profile and hydromechanical properties of the embankment and foundation materials have been assessed via site investigation, laboratory testing, and field monitoring for two cross sections

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The effect of technological voids on the swelling pressure of compacted MX80 bentonite–Callovo-Oxfordian (COx) claystone mixture was investigated by simulating the technological voids with a pre-defined space between the compacted disks of the mixture. Both axial and radial swelling pressures were monitored. After the tests, the microstructure of samples

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Municipal mud consists of organic matter naturally deposited in a microbial-rich environment, and its common pre-treatment in the laboratory is normally different from that in situ. In this study, an improved pre-loading method and the common pre-treatment method (by air or oven drying) were first applied to investigate the effect of microorganisms within

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Pore fluid chemistry can significantly influence the shear strength characteristics of a clayey soil. To explore the underlying mechanisms, a series of ring shear experiments are performed on two natural clays, which represent two typical types of clayey minerals, i.e., expansive montmorillonitic clay and low-plasticity kaolinitic clay. The effects of

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. This study investigates the flexural deformations of buildings induced by mining-related subsidence. A two-stage solution (previously applied to the tunnelling problem) is used. Buildings are modelled as a beam founded on an elastic continuum that is subjected to ground subsidence. A tensionless soil–structure interface is employed. The effects of both

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The reliability of single vertical pile foundations subjected to seismic loads is assessed and compared with the minimum acceptable reliability level for static load conditions mandated by the Canadian codes. The analysis is executed for a site with a mean shear-wave velocity of the top 30 m of the ground equal to 250 m/s subjected to the ground motion

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Piles are largely back-rotated in sliding slope or subjected to lateral spreading. This paper reveals for the first time that response of these piles (e.g., displacement, rotation, bending moment, and shear force) is amplified against forward rotating piles. In particular, magnification is detrimental, once normalized rotational stiffness (NRS) of the

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. A long-term issue that has hampered the efficient operation of heavy-haul tracks is the migration of fluidized fines from the shallow soft subgrade to the overlying ballast, i.e., mud pumping. This paper presents a series of undrained cyclic triaxial tests where realistic cyclic loading conditions were simulated at low confining pressure that is typical

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. In centrifuge modelling of dynamic events, a common practice is to preserve the inertial effect. This will lead to a loss of similitude in the strain rate between model and prototype. For centrifuge tests of dynamic installation of anchors, such strain rate dissimilarity may give rise to significant discrepancy in the anchor embedment depth between the

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Ground source heat pumps coupled with energy piles operate intermittently, subjecting the piles to temperature cycles throughout their lifetime. The research presented in this paper focuses on studying the thermomechanical behavior of energy piles subjected to heating cycles. Laboratory model tests were performed at the soil-structure interaction (SSI)

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. The small-strain shear modulus and Young’s modulus of dry sand are simultaneously measured by resonant column and bender–extender element tests. Two different methods are adopted to calibrate the resonant column and the results indicate that the conventional calibration method may significantly underestimate the Young’s modulus obtained in flexural excitation

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Florida limestone can be challenging to recover during coring operations, as the rock generally is soft, porous, and often highly weathered. Low recoveries coupled with poor rock quality are common in Florida, which limits the data available for geotechnical design. However, the low recoveries and poor rock quality may be attributable to coring techniques

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Free span refers to a subsea pipeline section that is suspended over the seabed. Such a pipe section is vulnerable to vortex-induced vibration leading to possible fatigue pipe damage. Existing studies on pipe–soil interaction on a free-span shoulder are limited and the methods provided in the commonly used design guidelines appear to rely on either plausible

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. This paper reports the soil flow mechanisms observed in centrifuge tests around full-flow (T-bar and ball) penetrometers in layered clays. The layered clay samples consisted of soft–stiff, stiff–soft, soft–stiff–soft, and stiff–soft–stiff soil profiles. Particle image velocimetry (PIV), also known as digital image correlation (DIC), allowed accurate resolution

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Lateritic clay is widely distributed in tropical areas and used extensively for foundation materials. Compared to other soils, it is rich in iron and aluminum oxides (sesquioxides), which enhance the formation of soil aggregates. The principal objective of this study is to investigate the hydromechanical behaviour of a lateritic sandy lean clay. All specimens

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. Internal erosion (suffusion) is caused by water seeping through the matrix of coarse soil and progressively transporting out fine particles. The mechanical strength and stress–strain behavior of soils within water-retaining structures may be affected by internal erosion. Some researchers have set out to conduct triaxial erosion tests to study the mechanical

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. This paper presents the evaluation of the stiffness and strength anisotropy of overconsolidated (OC) Bootlegger Cove Formation (BCF) clays at the Port of Alaska, formerly known as the Port of Anchorage. The stiffness and strength anisotropic material response was evaluated based on triaxial samples equipped with internal instrumentation including a submersible

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. This paper describes a centrifuge study using novel penetrometer tests (T-bar and piezoball) and model foundation tests to explore through-life changes in the strength of a reconstituted natural carbonate silt. The test procedures include episodic cyclic loading, which involves intervals of pore pressure dissipation between cyclic packets. These loads

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. A single degree of freedom model is presented for calculating the free-field seismic response of bridge embankments due to horizontal ground shaking using equivalent linear analysis and a design response spectrum. The shear wave velocity profile, base flexibility, 2D shape, and damping ratio of the embankment are accounted for in the model. A step-by-step

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Ahead of Print. A well-established analytical model based on spherical cavity expansion and critical state soil mechanics theories is applied to piezocone soundings for profiling the yield stress and overconsolidation ratio of five soft sensitive test sites located in Finland. Yield stress is related to three piezocone parameters: net cone resistance, excess porewater

Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Volume 57, Issue 10, Page 1581-1594, October 2020. Although much effort has been made to develop various frost heave models in the past decades, a simple yet versatile model is still needed for engineering applications. This paper presents a method to estimate frost heave in frozen soil using a macroscopic water flux function that extends the segregation potential to