A Practical Model for Advanced Nonlinear Analysis of Earthquake Effects in Clay Slopes

Presented in this paper is an effort in providing an advanced yet practical tool with a reasonable level of complexity for modeling of clays in realistic geotechnical engineering problems. SANICLAY model is a Simple ANIsotropic CLAY plasticity model that has been developed by Dafalias et al. (2006). The SANICLAY model provides successful simulation of both undrained and drained rateindependent behavior of normally consolidated clays, and to a satisfactory degree of accuracy of overconsolidated clays. An associated flow rule extension of the SANICLAY model has been employed in the present study, trading simplicity for some accuracy in simulations. The model requires just three constants more than those of the Modified Cam-Clay model, all of which can easily be calibrated from well-established laboratory tests. In order to make the model applicable to practical problems in geotechnical engineering, this simple version of SANICLAY model has been efficiently integrated in FLAC3D program. An illustrative example describing earthquake behavior of saturated clayey slope using the simple form of the SANICLAY model is presented and discussed

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Goal 9

With the spread of neoliberalism, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and private governance have become integral parts of corporate behavior. This entry discusses the aspects of Goal 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in relation to CSR. Goal 9 emphasizes sustainability, resilience, and equity of corporations, industries, and other social and economic actors in the processes of innovation and advancement of infrastructures. Although the concept of CSR, which represents positive social and environmental influences of corporations, is not explicitly mentioned in Goal 9, it is an important mechanism in accomplishing the objectives of the goal

Culture and low-carbon energy transitions

How does culture influence low-carbon energy transitions? How can insights about cultural influences guide energy planners and policymakers trying to stimulate transitions, particularly at a time of rapid technological change? This Review examines the influence of culture on a selection of low-carbon technologies and behavioural practices that reflect different dimensions of sustainability. Based on a typology of low-carbon technology and behaviour, we explore the cultural dimensions of four specific cases: eco-driving, ridesharing, automated vehicles and whole-house retrofits. We conclude with recommendations for those seeking to analyse, understand, develop, demonstrate and deploy low-carbon innovations for sustainable energy transitions

Numerical modeling of natural soft soil using a robust rotational hardening law

Fundamental features of soft soil behaviour such as anisotropy, inter-particle bonding and destructuration, and strain-rate dependency make the design and construction on soft soils a challenging geotechnical task. To model the effect of fabric anisotropy on the soil behaviour, a number anisotropic elastoplastic soil models have been proposed using inclined yield surfaces. Since the soil fabric orientation varies under plastic strains, these models usually contain a “rotational hardening law” that allows yield surface inclination to change under various loading conditions. Hence such models provide more realistic predictions compared to isotropic models. A latest version of the SANICLAY model, in which the aforementioned features of anisotropy, destructuration and rate-dependency are accounted for, is used in this study to investigate the stress-strain behaviour of natural soft soils. A novel rotational hardening law is applied to the model which guarantees the uniqueness of the critical state line, prevents excessive rotation of yield surface under special loading condition and is particularly simple that makes it very useful for practical applications. To consider strain-rate dependency of the soil behaviour, Perzyna’s overstress theory is employed. The model predictions are then evaluated by exploring its performance against measured data of a test embankment boundary value problem. Numerical modeling of natural soft soil embankments using a robust rotational hardening law (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305986899_Numerical_modeling_of_natural_soft_soil_embankments_using_a_robust_rotational_hardening_law [accessed Nov 30 2017]

Multiagent spatial simulation of autonomous taxis for urban commute : travel economics and environmental impacts

202209 bcfcAccepted ManuscriptRGCPublishe