Dynamic Response of Variable Height Retaining Walls
A full-scale dynamic test was conducted on a 140 ft long reinforced concrete retaining wall. The observed resonant configurations were similar to those of a cantilever plate and showed...
Analysis of the Seismic Records of a Suspension Bridge
A well-instrumented suspension bridge in Los Angeles, was shaken by the October 1, 1987 Whittier earthquake (ML = 5.9). This study addresses the...
Ambient Vibration Survey: Sunshine Skyway Bridge
An ambient vibration survey of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was performed. The goal of this survey was to provide field data on the dynamic characteristics of the structure to corroborate...
What is Optimization?
Basic concepts of optimization are described using design of a plate girder as an example. First, a way to formulate the problem as an optimization problem is presented. Then basic terminologies...
How to Optimize Steel Frameworks
This paper presents the details of a design synthesis strategy to conduct computer-automated design of least-weight structural steel frameworks, where members are automatically sized using...
How to Optimize Prestressed Concrete Systems?
Three common problems of prestressed concrete optimization, that involve only a single structural analysis and can readily be solved by available programs, are presented: 1. The problem...
How to Include Reliability Constraints in Structural Optimization
Structural optimization is a complex process made of design cycles aimed at finding the best possible solution. At each design cycle ultimate and/or serviceability limit states must be...
Structural Analysis for the Student
The transition from student to practicing structural engineer can be a very 'eye-opening' experience. From the classical right-wrong classroom solutions of well-defined indeterminate structures,...
Numerical and Centrifuge Modeling of an Arch Dam on Jointed Rock
This paper addresses the stability of an arch dam built on highly fractured argillite. A large concrete thrust block combined with a wing dam forms the left dam abutment. The last FERC...
Software Applications for Monitoring Instrumentation Data
The initial program for reducing instrumentation data, used by the Geotechnical Branch of the Louisville District Corps of Engineers, was written in 1969. This program did not allow for...
General Design and Construction Considerations for Remedial Seepage Control
All earth and rock-fill dams are subject to seepage through the embankment, foundation and abutments. Methods for remedial seepage control include storage restriction, grouting, upstream...
Sensitivity Analyses for Total-System Performance Assessment
As a follow-on to Sandia's 1991 preliminary total-system performance assessment of the Yuc1ca Mountain site, this paper presents results of some sensitivity analyses that were done using...
Rainfall and Net Infiltration Probabilities for Future Climate Conditions at Yucca Mountain
Performance assessment of repository integrity is a task rendered difficult because it requires predicting the future. This challenge has occupied many scientists who realize that the...
Numerical Methods for Fluid Flow in Unsaturated Heterogeneous Tuff
A numerical approach for modeling unsaturated flow is developed for heterogeneous simulations of fractured tuff generated using a geostatistical method. Cross correlations of hydrologic...
Assessment of Volcanic and Tectonic Hazards to High Level Radioactive Waste Repositories
Golder Associates Inc. (GAI) has developed a computer program (RIP) for performing probabilistic total system performance assessment and site characterization strategy evaluation which...
A Computer-Generated Film of Repository Operations
For the past fifteen years, the same types of questions concerning nuclear waste repository operations have kept coming up over and over again. What should be the average throughput for...
Modeling Gas and Brine Migration for Assessing Compliance of the WIPP
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is developing the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in southeastern New Mexico as a facility for the long-term disposal of defense-related transuranic...
A Note on Physical Modeling Approach for Assessment of Excavation Techniques
With the growing interest in utilizing underground space, the need for quantitative and qualitative assessment of excavation techniques to dictate the best choice for mining is now becoming...
Application of Monte Carlo Neutron Photon to Hanford Waste Vitrification Plant Design Analysis
The Monte Carlo Neutron Photon (MCNP) computer program ('MNCP - A General Monte Carlo Code for Neutron and Photon Transport, Version 3A') (in PC and mainframe versions) has been used for...
Preliminary Characterization of Materials for a Reactive Transport Model Validation Experiment
The geochemical properties of a porous sand and several tracers (Ni, Br, and Li) have been characterized for use in a caisson experiment designed to validate sorption models used in models...
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