Variational Displacement Method for Geosynthetically Reinforced Slope Stability Analysis:II. Global Stability

International audienceThis paper presents the global stability analysis of geosynthetically reinforced slopes. It is a development of the French “displacement method” for geosynthetically reinforced slope stability analysis. The global stability analysis requires the determination of the reinforcement tensions, which is presented in a companion paper. In this paper, the variational limit equilibrium method, formulated by Baker and Garber in the case of unreinforced slopes, is applied to the case of reinforced slopes. This variational analysis has shown that the results obtained by Baker and Garber are still valid in the present case. A parametric study showing the influence of different geometrical parameters on the design is presented and discussed. These results are compared with those of the original “displacement method”, in order to show the improvement of the method

Building block libraries and structural considerations in the self-assembly of polyoxometalate and polyoxothiometalate systems

Inorganic metal-oxide clusters form a class of compounds that are unique in their topological and electronic versatility and are becoming increasingly more important in a variety of applications. Namely, Polyoxometalates (POMs) have shown an unmatched range of physical properties and the ability to form structures that can bridge several length scales. The formation of these molecular clusters is often ambiguous and is governed by self-assembly processes that limit our ability to rationally design such molecules. However, recent years have shown that by considering new building block principles the design and discovery of novel complex clusters is aiding our understanding of this process. Now with current progress in thiometalate chemistry, specifically polyoxothiometalates (POTM), the field of inorganic molecular clusters has further diversified allowing for the targeted development of molecules with specific functionality. This chapter discusses the main differences between POM and POTM systems and how this affects synthetic methodologies and reactivities. We will illustrate how careful structural considerations can lead to the generation of novel building blocks and further deepen our understanding of complex systems