EFFECTS OF SOIL MODULUS ON THE DEPTH OF SHRINKAGE CRACKS. NUMERICAL MODELS IN GEOMECHANICS. NUMOG III. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 3RD INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM HELD IN NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA, 8-11 MAY 1989

Shrinkage cracks in surficial clayey soils affect the stability of soil masses and the infiltration of water under pavements and foundations. Shrinkage cracks form in response to soil moisture losses to the atmosphere. This paper describes a simulation of the formation and propagation of shrinkage cracks using an iterative finite element algorithm. A sensitivity analysis of the effect that the soil modulus has on the crack depth has been performed. The results indicate that the maximum crack depth is primarily determined by the depth of the soil zone experiencing soil moisture changes and that the soil modulus has a very limited influence on the maximum crack depth. For the covering abstract of this conference see IRRD 824029.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1851664254
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier Science Publishers

  Crown House, Linton Road
  Barking, Essex IG11 8JU,   England 
• Authors:
  • Picornell, M
• Publication Date: 1989

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 759-66
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Elsevier Applied Science Publishers Limited
  • Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Clay; Conferences; Cracking; Depth; Finite element method; Mathematical models; Modulus of elasticity; Moisture content; Shrinkage
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00497978
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• ISBN: 1-85166-425-4
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM