Geotextile deformation analysis of geosynthetic clay liners with fem

This paper provides information on placing geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) as a lining material over coarse-grained soils in cover systems or irrigation ponds. The effects of the hydraulic head acting over the GCL and the void size of the subgrade material on deformation behavior of the GCL were analyzed by using finite element method (FEM) and a relation between the deformations and failure of the GCL was established by comparing the results with those obtained from an experimental study. Based upon these results, recommendations for the use of GCL as a barrier over coarse materials are given

Value and Vulnerability Assessment of a Historic Tomb for Conservation

Monumental tombs reflect various social, cultural, architectural, religious, economic, and engineering features of a community. However, environmental weathering, natural disasters, poor maintenance, vandalism, and misuse unfortunately pose serious threats to these cultural assets. Historic monuments are often exposed to the highest risk due to their vulnerability. The Ottoman-style Nişancı Hamza Paşa tomb located in Karacaahmet Cemetery, Istanbul, the largest and oldest public cemetery in Turkey, is a case in point. The tomb consisting of six granite columns and a brick dome supported by six arches was constructed in 1605. Cracks, material loss, and decay as a result of adverse environmental effects and past earthquakes are evident. Therefore, this paper analyses the overall value of the tomb with respect to its historical, communal, evidential, and aesthetic aspects. Using the finite element approach and data on the tomb’s material properties, a structural analysis under the self-weight and a time history analysis based on the earthquake ground motion data recorded in Duzce, Turkey, in November 1999 were conducted to encourage the conservation of this tomb and similar cultural heritage assets all over the world. The damage observed in the structure is congruent with the analysis results

Measuring shear strength parameters of polymer-added bentonite-sand mixtures in laboratory experiments

In order to evaluate the shear strength parameters of an anionic polymer-added bentonite-sand mixture that was permeated with tap water, Proctor compaction tests and direct shear tests were performed on the mixture with a bentonite content of 15% by mass. The polymer content in the polymer-bentonite mixture was chosen as 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20% by mass, respectively. According to the results, maximum dry unit weight (Vdmax) first decreased as the polymer content was increased to 1% and then, increased. Vdmax of 20% polymer-added mixture and the mixture without polymer addition was measured as 17.55 and 17.28 kN/m3, respectively. Test results indicated that cohesion (c) increased and internal friction angle (ø) decreased due to polymer addition. 2% polymer addition caused an increase of 42 kPa in c but a decrease of 4.2° in ø. As the polymer content increased, maximum shear strength of the mixture (τmax) increased. τmax increased from 171.8 to 197.8 kPa as the polymer content was increased from 0 to 2%. As a result, 2% anionic polymer-added bentonite-sand mixture provided sufficient increase in the shear strength of the mixture