Analysis of maximum arching conditions in active plane-strain trapdoors in sand

Osman, Ashraf S.; Jacobsz, S.W.

Abstract

The trapdoor problem is a useful model to understand the stress distribution around geo-structures. This paper focuses on evaluating the conditions of maximum arching (minimum loads on trapdoors) developing during the lowering of plane-strain active trapdoors in cohesionless granular materials. A parametric study using finite element analysis has been performed to investigate various factors affecting the maximum arching conditions in active trapdoors, with a particular focus on the effect of soil dilatancy. The paper also presents rigorous upper bound limit analysis solutions. Previously published solutions dealing with soil non-associativity have been discussed and compared with the finite element results. The finite element analysis shows that using a Mohr Column model with the associative flow rule and reduced strength parameters, overestimates the load reduction on trapdoors compared with a non-associative model with full soil strength parameters.

Citation

Osman, A. S., & Jacobsz, S. (2019). Analysis of maximum arching conditions in active plane-strain trapdoors in sand. Computers and Geotechnics, 113, Article 103089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.05.004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 5, 2019
• Online Publication Date: May 16, 2019
• Publication Date: Sep 30, 2019
• Deposit Date: May 30, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: May 16, 2020
• Journal: Computers and Geotechnics
• Print ISSN: 0266-352X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 113
• Article Number: 103089
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.05.004