Date of Award
2007
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Engineering Science
Program
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Supervisor
Dr. Sean Hinchberger
Second Advisor
Dr. Tim Newson
Abstract
This thesis presents the results of an experimental investigation of the effects of strain on the hydraulic conductivity of plastic concrete. This experimental investigation was performed using a state of the art Global Digital System (GDS) computer controlled triaxial machine according to ASTM D2166. The GDS Triaxial machine was used to investigate the hydraulic conductivity and strength of plastic concrete at a variety of strain levels and confining pressures. A FLAC (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua) finite difference analysis was also performed to evaluate the working strains in plastic concrete walls during the construction and impoundment (i.e. rising of the reservoir) of an embankment dam. The FLAC analysis was performed to determine the factors that have the greatest influence on shear strain in a plastic concrete cut-off wall. The experimental program demonstrates that as plastic concrete is strained, the hydraulic conductivity increases. Using the laboratory results in conjunction with analytical results, from FLAC, graphs were developed to evaluate strain and hydraulic conductivity values of plastic concrete cut-off walls for a variety of dam heights, foundation depths, foundation stiffness and concrete strength and stiffness. The research presented in this thesis is considered to be of interest to construction engineers and contractors involved in the design and construction of embankment dams.
Recommended Citation
Weck, Jason, "MECHANICAL AND HYDRAULIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PLASTIC CONCRETE" (2007). Digitized Theses. 4978.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4978