154 research outputs found
Localized deformation in intensely fissured clays studied by 2D digital image correlation
No full textActa Geotechnica June 2013, Volume 8, Issue 3, pp 247-263 Localized deformation in intensely fissured clays studied by 2D digital image correlation C. Vitone, G. Viggiani, F. Cotecchia, S. A. Hall … show all 4 hide Citations 368 Downloads 200 Citations 9 Comments » Download PDF (3,181 KB) » View Article Abstract This paper represents a further step in a longstanding research on the influence of fissuring on the mechanical behavior of natural clays. The results of an experimental investigation into the influence of fissure orientation on the evolution of strain localization in the intensely fissured scaly clay from Santa Croce di Magliano (south of Italy) are reported. The experimental program involved plane strain compression tests where the effects of the combination of different factors, such as the specimen size and the orientation of fissuring, were investigated. A key aspect to this work is that the standard global stress–strain measurements were augmented by full-field displacement and strain measurements through 2D digital image correlation. Access to incremental strain fields provided information about slight details or anomalies as well as the complexity of deformation processes, which is of crucial importance for proper interpretation of test results at the global, macroscopic level
The influence of intense fissuring on the mechanical behaviour of clays
No full text The paper discusses the geological history, intrinsic properties, structural features and mechanical behaviour of three differently fissured clays outcropping within the Apennine chain in southern Italy. Based on a large experimental database, the mechanical behaviour of the clays is investigated in the light of their different fissuring features, which have been distinguished and characterised by means of a new chart. The study assumed the soil to be a continuum, despite the different fissuring features of the clay fabric. Therefore laboratory tests were carried out on both natural and reconstituted clay samples, and the results were compared with those recognised in the literature to be typical of unfissured sensitive clays. Based on these comparisons, a behavioural framework is proposed for clays possessing certain fissure structures. The results of the analysis show that the mini- to mesostructure of clays of fissuring intensity I5–I6 can be modelled as part of the structure variable controlling the clay behaviour. Where the structure variable refers solely to the micro scale for unfissured homogeneous clays, for fissured clays I5–I6 it spans from the micro to the meso scale. As for the microstructure of unfissured clays, this micro- to mesostructure influences the soil response as an internal state variable in addition to specific volume in controlling the mechanical response. In particular, it appears that for clays of fissuring intensity I5–I6, structure is detrimental to strength, so that the material is even weaker than the reconstituted clay. </jats:p
Luca Vitone: Monitoring of Four Living Canvases
No full text“Atmospheric” painting stands as a new frontier in contemporary art, presenting challenges and new considerations in museum practices. This article aims to analyze the possible evolution of four atmospheric paintings created by artist Luca Vitone during their transition from exhibition halls to the storage facilities of the MAXXI museum. The presence of active microbiological consortium raises question regarding the potential interaction these artworks may have with the surrounding environment. The year-long monitoring involved macroscopic and microscopic observation, spectrophotometric analyses, and cell vitality assessments using a bioluminometer. Additionally, the collected data were correlated with the prevailing microclimate within the storage. Indeed, the canvases underwent an evolution during their transfer to the storage; it was mainly the photosynthetic part of the consortium that underwent the greatest changes, resulting in changes in the color tones of the canvases. The viability of the cells in the consortium also underwent changes as indicated by measurements obtained with the bioluminometer. The monitoring has provided invaluable insights into the dynamic evolution of Vitone’s artworks and allowed the authors to hypothesize some strategies for the conservation of these types of artworks
Landslide damage assessment at the intermediate to small scale
No full textThis paper presents an original methodology that has been developed for the landslide damage assessment of either masonry or reinforced concrete ordinary buildings at the intermediate to small scale. After a brief introduction of the Load Path Method used for the analysis of the crack patterns, new survey damage forms are introduced. The forms are completed when a damage grade is assigned to each building within the region under study. Moreover, the analysis of the crack patterns makes it possible to select those buildings that are likely damaged by foundation settlements in order to create a landslide damage geotechnical chart. This chart includes the geomorphological map of the town under study, the damage grade of the buildings and the direction of the possible settlements. The application of the methodology to a territorial cell from the south of Italy is also reported
Methodology for Landslide Damage Assessment
No full textAbstractThis article focuses on an original methodology for landslide damage assessment of either masonry or reinforced concrete ordinary buildings at the urban scale. In the first step of the methodology, an analysis of the crack patterns is quickly performed for all the buildings by means of the Load Path Method [1]. The second step consists in the filling in of new survey damage forms and it ends with the creation of a landslide damage geotechnical chart of the region under study. This chart includes geomorphological data together with both the damage grade of the buildings and the direction of the possible settlements
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