Modélisation de la consolidation au dégel à grandes déformations

Cette thèse présente le développement d’une méthode d’ingénierie pour la modélisation de la consolidation au dégel non linéaire à grandes déformations. Les travaux qui y sont présentés s’inscrivent à la suite des théories et de modèles de consolidation existants. Les bases de la théorie de consolidation au dégel à une dimension sont donc reprises. En premier lieu, un modèle numérique de consolidation au dégel non linéaire à grandes déformations est formulé en combinant la théorie de consolidation à grandes déformations de Gibson et des équations de transferts de chaleur. Ces deux composantes sont couplées au sein d’un domaine de modélisation défini en coordonnées lagrangiennes qui s’adaptent aux déformations de sol. Il en résulte donc l’introduction d’une seconde frontière mobile à la surface pour la modélisation de la consolidation au dégel en plus de la frontière mobile au front de dégel. Le modèle utilise des relations non linéaires σʹv – e – kv pour définir les propriétés des sols dégelés. Une étude de cas du pipeline expérimentale d’Inuvik est réalisée avec le modèle numérique. Cette étude de cas permet de démontrer l’utilisation du modèle pour un problème pratique et de valider le modèle. Les résultats obtenus sont comparés aux résultats de la théorie de consolidation au dégel linéaire à petites déformations et aux mesures de terrain. Le modèle non linéaire à grandes déformations offre une augmentation importante de la précision lors du calcul des tassements de fonte, du taux de tassement et des pressions interstitielles excédentaires. En second lieu, un modèle conceptuel pour la consolidation au dégel des sols dégelés à grains fins est proposé. Ce modèle permet de définir les caractéristiques des relations σʹv – e – kv utilisées comme intrants au modèle numérique de consolidation au dégel. Le concept de la contrainte résiduelle y est généralisé aux sols riches en glace en spécifiant qu’il s’agit de la contrainte effective au sein des éléments de sol plutôt que de la contrainte effective globale du sol. Ensuite, des relations empiriques sont formulées pour déterminer les caractéristiques des relations σʹv – e – kv à partir de l’indice des vides initial du sol dégelé et de propriétés d’indice du sol.This thesis presents the development of an engineering method for the modelling of large strain nonlinear thaw consolidation. The work presented herein follows existing thaw consolidation theories and models. The foundations of one-dimensional thaw consolidation theory are therefore used. First, a numerical model for large strain nonlinear thaw consolidation is formulated by combining the Gibson large strain consolidation theory to heat transfer equations. The two components are coupled in a modelling domain formulated in Lagrangian coordinates that adapts to the soil deformation. This results in the introduction of a second moving boundary at the soil surface to model thaw consolidation in addition to the moving boundary at the thaw front. The model uses nonlinear σʹv – e – kv relationships to define the properties of thawed soils. A case study of the Inuvik experimental pipeline with the numerical model is presented. The case study demonstrates the use of the model for a practical problem and it is used to validate the model. The modelling results are compared to the results obtained with the small strain linear thaw consolidation theory and with the field data. The results obtained with the large strain nonlinear model for thaw settlement, the rate of thaw settlement and the excess pore pressures compare favourably with the field data. Second, a conceptual model for thaw consolidation of thawed fine-grained soils is proposed. The model is used to define the characteristics of the nonlinear σʹv – e – kv relationships used as input for the numerical modelling of thaw consolidation. The concept of the residual stress is generalized to ice rich soils by specifying that it is the effective stress within the soil element rather than the effective stress of the bulk soil. Then, empirical relationships are formulated to determine the characteristics of the σʹv – e – kv relationships as a function of the initial thawed void ratio and soil index properties

Search costs and adaptive consumers: short time delays do not affect choice quality

Using online price comparison and shopping platforms makes experiencing slow connections, lags and waiting times for information an unfortunate reality. However, little attention has been paid to analyzing the effects of such delayed display of information on product choice behavior. This article explores the effect of time delays in a multi-attribute choice laboratory experiment by not providing information immediately when requested but after short time delays. Increasing these waiting times reduced the amount of information looked-up but did not affect choice quality. Higher time delays made decision-makers use more deliberate search processes, whereas low time delays induced inefficient over-searching

The Empirics of Agglomeration Economies

We propose an integrated framework to discuss the empirical literature on the local determinants of agglomeration effects. We start by presenting the theoretical mechanisms that ground individual and aggregate empirical specifications. We gradually introduce static effects, dynamic effects, and workers' endogenous location choices. We emphasise the impact of local density on productivity but we also consider many other local determinants supported by theory. Empirical issues are then addressed. Most important concerns are about endogeneity at the local and individual levels, the choice of a productivity measure between wage and TFP, and the roles of spatial scale, firms' characteristics, and functional forms. Estimated impacts of local determinants of productivity, employment, and firms' locations choices are surveyed for both developed and developing economies. We finally provide a discussion of attempts to identify and quantify specific agglomeration mechanisms

Using semantic clustering to support situation awareness on Twitter: The case of World Views

In recent years, situation awareness has been recognised as a critical part of effective decision making, in particular for crisis management. One way to extract value and allow for better situation awareness is to develop a system capable of analysing a dataset of multiple posts, and clustering consistent posts into different views or stories (or, world views). However, this can be challenging as it requires an understanding of the data, including determining what is consistent data, and what data corroborates other data. Attempting to address these problems, this article proposes Subject-Verb-Object Semantic Suffix Tree Clustering (SVOSSTC) and a system to support it, with a special focus on Twitter content. The novelty and value of SVOSSTC is its emphasis on utilising the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) typology in order to construct semantically consistent world views, in which individuals---particularly those involved in crisis response---might achieve an enhanced picture of a situation from social media data. To evaluate our system and its ability to provide enhanced situation awareness, we tested it against existing approaches, including human data analysis, using a variety of real-world scenarios. The results indicated a noteworthy degree of evidence (e.g., in cluster granularity and meaningfulness) to affirm the suitability and rigour of our approach. Moreover, these results highlight this article's proposals as innovative and practical system contributions to the research field

Suicidal Behavior and Alcohol Abuse

Suicide is an escalating public health problem, and alcohol use has consistently been implicated in the precipitation of suicidal behavior. Alcohol abuse may lead to suicidality through disinhibition, impulsiveness and impaired judgment, but it may also be used as a means to ease the distress associated with committing an act of suicide. We reviewed evidence of the relationship between alcohol use and suicide through a search of MedLine and PsychInfo electronic databases. Multiple genetically-related intermediate phenotypes might influence the relationship between alcohol and suicide. Psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, mood disorders and anxiety disorders, as well as susceptibility to stress, might increase the risk of suicidal behavior, but may also have reciprocal influences with alcohol drinking patterns. Increased suicide risk may be heralded by social withdrawal, breakdown of social bonds, and social marginalization, which are common outcomes of untreated alcohol abuse and dependence. People with alcohol dependence or depression should be screened for other psychiatric symptoms and for suicidality. Programs for suicide prevention must take into account drinking habits and should reinforce healthy behavioral patterns

Évaluation des revêtements routiers à albédo élevé en contexte nordique

Les revêtements routiers à albédo élevé peuvent être utilisés afin de réduire la quantité de chaleur absorbée par les surfaces revêtues ce qui permet de limiter la dégradation du pergélisol sous les remblais routiers. Ce projet a pour but de proposer une méthode d’évaluation efficace des revêtements à albédo élevé en contexte nordique. Le premier objectif est de développer des outils permettant de rapidement évaluer les bénéfices thermiques liés à l’utilisation des revêtements à albédo élevé. Un modèle de calcul a été développé afin de calculer les températures superficielles des revêtements routiers en fonction de leur albédo. Ce modèle a été validé en utilisant les données provenant d’une planche expérimentale réalisée à Beaver Creek au Yukon. Enfin, des outils simples de calcul basé sur ce modèle ont été proposés. Le deuxième objectif est d’offrir un cadre d’évaluation de propriétés techniques des revêtements à albédo élevés. Pour ce faire, les propriétés les plus importantes des revêtements à albédo élevé ont été ciblées : la réflectivité solaire, l’adhérence et la durabilité. Des méthodes d’essais ont ensuite été choisies afin de permettre d’évaluer ces propriétés.High albedo surfaces can be used to reduce heat absorption by road pavement for limiting the degradation of the permafrost underlying road embankments. This project aims at proposing an efficient method to evaluate the use of high albedo surfaces in northern environments. The first objective is to provide tools to evaluate quickly the thermal benefits of high albedo surfaces. A model has been developed to calculate surface temperature of pavements as a function of the albedo of the surface. The model has been validated using data from a test section built in Beaver Cree, Yukon. Simple calculation tools based on the model have been proposed. The second objective is to provide a way to evaluate the technical properties of high albedo surfaces. The most important properties targeted are reflectivity, skid resistance and durability. Testing methods have been chosen in order to test these properties. Observations made on the field and in the laboratory allowed to draw recommendations in order to assure a durable, efficient and safe usage of high albedo surfaces

One-dimensional large strain thaw consolidation using nonlinear effective stress–void ratio–hydraulic conductivity relationships

A one-dimensional model for the consolidation of thawing soils is formulated in terms of large strain consolidation and heat transfer equations. The model integrates heat transfer due to conduction, phase change and advection. The hydro-mechanical behaviour is modelled by large strain consolidation theory. The equations are coupled in a moving boundary scheme developed in Lagrangian coordinates. Finite strains are allowed and nonlinear effective stressâ void ratioâ hydraulic conductivity relationships are proposed to characterize the thawing soil properties. Initial conditions and boundary conditions are presented with special consideration for the moving boundary condition at the thaw front developed in terms of large strain consolidation. The proposed model is applied and compared with small strain thaw consolidation theory in a theoretical working example of a thawing fine-grained soil sample. The modelling results are presented in terms of temperature, thaw penetration, settlements, void ratio and excess pore water pressures.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

A multi-scale model for fluid transport through a bio-inspired passive valve

International audienceTillandsia landbeckii is a rootless plant thriving in the hyper-arid Atacama Desert of Chile. These plants use unique cellulose-based microscopic structures called trichomes to collect fresh water from coastal fog. The trichomes rely on a passive mechanism to maintain an asymmetrical transport of water: they allow for the fast absorption of liquid water deposited by sporadic fog events while preventing evaporation during extended drought periods. Inspired by the trichome's design, we study fluid transport through a micrometric valve. Combining Grand Canonical Monte Carlo with Non−Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics simulations, we first analyze the adsorption and transport of a fluid through a single nanopore at different chemical potentials. We then scale up the atomic results using a lattice approach, and simulate the transport at the micrometric scale. Results obtained for a model Lennard-Jones fluid and TIP4P/2005 water were compared, allowing us to identify the key physical parameters for achieving a passive hydraulic valve. Our results show that the difference in transport properties of water vapor and liquid water within the cellulose layer is the basis for the ability of the Tillandsia trichome to function as a water valve. Finally, we predict a critical pore dimension above which the cellulose layer can form an efficient valve