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Books in Earth and planetary sciences

Elsevier's Earth and Planetary Sciences collection brings together pioneering research on the complexities of our planet and beyond. Covering topics from Earth's structural dynamics and ecosystems to planetary exploration, these titles support advancements in geoscience, environmental science, and space studies, offering essential insights for researchers, professionals, and students.

BooksJournals

  • Rock and Soil Mechanics

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 48
    • W. Derski + 3 more
    • English
    Although theoretical in character, this book provides a useful source of information for those dealing with practical problems relating to rock and soil mechanics - a discipline which, in the view of the authors, attempts to apply the theory of continuum to the mechanical investigation of rock and soil media. The book is in two separate parts. The first part, embodying the first three chapters, is devoted to a description of the media of interest. Chapter 1 introduces the main argument and discusses the essence of the discipline and its links with other branches of science which are concerned, on the one hand, with technical mechanics and, on the other, with the properties, origins, and formation of rock and soil strata under natural field conditions. Chapter 2 describes mechanical models of bodies useful for the purpose of the discourse and defines the concept of the limit shear resistance of soils and rocks. Chapter 3 gives the actual properties of soils and rocks determined from experiments in laboratories and in situ. Several tests used in geotechnical engineering are described and interconnections between the physical state of rocks and soils and their rheological parameters are considered.The second part of the book considers the applications of various theories which were either first developed for descriptive purposes in continuum mechanics and then adopted in soil and rock mechanics, or were specially developed for the latter discipline. Chapter 4 discusses the application of the theory of linear viscoelasticity in solving problems of stable behaviour of rocks and soils. Chapter 5 covers the use of the groundwater flow theory as applied to several problems connected with water movement in an undeformable soil or rock skeleton. Chapter 6 is a natural expansion of the arguments put forward in the previous chapter. Here the movement of water is regarded as the cause of deformation of the rock or soil skeleton and the consolidation theory developed on this basis is presented in a novel formulation. Some new engineering solutions are also reported. The seventh chapter is devoted to the limit state theory as applied to the study of the mechanical behaviour of soils and rocks. It presents some new solutions and methods which include both static and kinematic aspects of the problem, and some original effective methods for investigating media of limited cohesion. The final chapter gives a systematic account of the mechanics of highly dispersed soils, commonly called clays.

  • Underground Structures

    Design and Instrumentation
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 59A
    • R.S. Sinha
    • English
    This book presents the most up to date information relevant to the design and instrumentation of underground structures. The structure might be a tunnel, shaft, cavern, or pressure unit, or a combination thereof.Empirical, rational, numerical, convergence and confinement, and discontinuity analysis methods are treated comprehensively. Special chapters are devoted to underground structures in rock burst, swelling, squeezing, and seismic zones. Water control, instrumentation, and tunneling through soft ground are also treated extensively. Sections on the design of pressure tunnels, shafts, caverns, shotcreting, water control, and soft ground tunnels are informative and authoritative. Worked examples are included on the design of rock tunnels, soft ground tunnels, and the treatment of underground structures through difficult ground.Extensive references are provided, and figures, sketches and photographs aid presentation. Important tables on planning, and case histories, allow the reader to build confidence in his design of underground structures.The book will be beneficial to civil, structural, geotechnical and mining engineers, geologists, and planners and managers associated with the design and construction of underground structures.

  • Probabilistic Solutions in Geotechnics

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 46
    • L. Rétháti
    • English
    This is the first monograph to consider the possibility of utilizing probability theory in all essential fields of geotechnics. It deals in detail with in situ and laboratory tests, the evaluation of soil physical characteristics, the preparatory phase and the individual problems of design, including load bearing capacity, prediction of settlements, dimensioning of slopes and retaining walls, and quality control of earthworks.Numerous possibilities for, and examples of, the parallel utilization of deterministic and stochastic methods are given in the book, creating a connection between conventional and new, modern methodologies. It demonstrates by examples that the only possibility of meeting technical and economic requirements simultaneously is by using the methods of probability theory.The book also gives an account of new geotechnical and mathematical results of the author (post-evaluation of settlements and tilts, plotting of statistical bore profiles, elimination of the asymmetry of distribution by transformation, etc.). The book enables practitioners and to acquire new, modern design methods and research to develop methods. It will also be useful for undergraduate and postgraduate training.

  • Clay in Engineering Geology

    • 2nd Edition
    • Volume 41
    • J.E. Gillott
    • English
    Engineering geology is an interdisciplinary subject concerned with the application of geological science to engineering practice, and it is therefore important for the engineering geologist to recognize the boundary between engineering application and purely scientific enquiry. Much research in applied clay science results from imperfectly understood engineering behaviour. Engineering geology is most closely allied to the geotechnical and materials areas of civil engineering. The scope of the present book is limited to the influence of clay but because clay is almost ubiquitous in earth materials the subject still remains broad. In soil and rock, clay is the smallest size fraction, but it is that very fact which often determines its major influences on engineering behaviour.In this book the author reviews the importance of clay in engineering geology and summarizes present knowledge in this field. The plan of the book has remained unchanged since the first edition was published in 1968 but the text, diagrams and reference lists have all been extensively updated. The first 5 chapters review the classification, origin, composition, fabric and physical chemistry of clays. Behavioural aspects, covered in the following 4 chapters, include moisture interaction, strength and rheology, soil stabilization and the use of clays as materials. The final 3 chapters describe methods of analysis of clays and soils.Clay in Engineering Geology contains material drawn from a wide variety of sources and, together with its literature review and indexes, will provide much of value to geologists, mineralogists, civil and geotechnical engineers concerned with applied clay science.

  • Subsidence

    Occurrence, Prediction and Control
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 56
    • D.J. Reddish + 1 more
    • English
    Surface subsidence is recognised as a problem in most countries, particularly those with significant mining and other underground resource extraction industries. This book addresses the problems relating to subsidence whether caused naturally, or arising from mining or other forms of underground extractive activity.The main purpose of this book is to bring together subsidence knowledge, experiences and research findings in many countries and rationalise such information especially in respect of its particular field of application. Emphasis has been given to collating field data on subsidence from different countries in order to make direct comparisons. Prediction of subsidence, particularly its occurrence and general characteristics has been seen as an important area where the book can contribute significantly in terms of reviewing available knowledge, methods, scope of application and orders of accuracy achieved. The book also examines methods of controlling subsidence and discusses the response of surface structures to and protection against subsidence.

  • Modelling of Soil-Structure Interaction

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 58
    • V. Kolár + 1 more
    • English
    Distributed in the East European countries, China, Northern Korea, Cuba, Vietnam and Mongolia by Academia, Prague, CzechoslovakiaThis book is based on the efficient subsoil model introduced by the authors in 1977 and applied in the last ten years in the design of foundations. From the designer's point of view, the model considerably reduces the extent of the calculations connected with the numerical analysis of soil-structure interaction. The algorithms presented are geared for use on mini- and personal computers and can be used in any numerical method. A special chapter is devoted to the implementation of the model in the NE-XX finite element program package, illustrated with diagrams, tables and practical examples.Besides presenting the energy definition and general theory of both 2D and 3D model forms, the book also deals with practical problems such as Kirchhoff's and Mindlin's foundation plates, interaction between neighbouring structures, actual values of physical constants of subsoils and natural frequencies and shapes of foundation plates.Today, researchers and engineers can choose from a wide range of soil models, some fairly simple and others very elaborate. However, the gap which has long existed between geomechanical theory and everyday design practice still persists. The present book is intended to suit the practical needs of the designer by introducing an efficient subsoil model in which the surrounding soil is substituted by certain properties of the structure-soil interface. When a more precise solution is required, a more sophisticated model form can be used. Its additional degrees of deformation freedom can better express the behaviour of layered or generally unhomogeneous subsoil. As a result, designers will find that this book goes some way towards bridging the above-mentioned gap between structural design theory and day-to-day practice.

  • The Penetrometer and Soil Exploration

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 1
    • G. Sanglerat
    • English
    The Penetrometer and Soil Exploration: Interpretation of Penetration Diagrams—Theory presents the many uses of the penetrometer for investigating soil conditions. Testing methods include the following: (1) in situ load tests on full-scale foundations; (2) laboratory testing of undisturbed samples, and (3) in situ testing of soils. The book regards the advantages of using the penetrometer as a handy tool in drilling and sampling. The text emphasizes that the investigator should never rely entirely on the analogy or the extrapolation of information pertaining to a nearby site. The text describes the different shapes of the penetrometer diagrams obtained from tests in homogeneous cohesionless soil, as well as the significance of the embedment of a pile into the bearing stratum for deep foundation designs. The paper discusses the De Beer theory, Kerisel's theory, and the theory developed at the Delft Laboratory of Soil Mechanics. The laboratory determines the maximum soil pressure and the corresponding embedment of the pile. According to Professor L'Herminier, "the bearing capacity of a pile may be determined...from laboratory tests on soil samples, the other by extrapolating penetrometer data." The book is suitable for structural engineers, civil engineers, geologists, architects, and students of soil mechanics.

  • Rock Grouting and Diaphragm Wall Construction

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 55
    • J. Verfel
    • English
    The foundation of structures and the construction of underground railways in urban areas would be impossible without the use of diaphragm walls, grouting, anchors, micropiles, slender retaining walls, etc. Based on the author's own experience and taking into account the findings of various other authors, this book explains these methods in an intelligible manner, enabling the reader to judge for himself their suitability in construction practice.The aim of the book is to instruct experts in the correct application of grouting methods, and the correct choice of drilling systems and tools. It provides mainly practical information, and describes the most suitable, up-to-date technology available. Grouting applications in Czechoslovakia and abroad are illustrated by a series of practical examples.The book is designed for students of civil engineering faculties specializing in structural foundation, specialists of building companies, and experts in structural foundation. It will also be appreciated by experts in underground railway and tunnel construction, in structural engineering and urban development (landslides), as well as by manufacturers of the respective technology.

  • Limit Analysis in Soil Mechanics

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 52
    • W.F. Chen + 1 more
    • English
    During the last ten years, our understanding of the perfect plasticity and the associated flow rule assumption on which limit analysis is based has increased considerably. Many extensions and advances have been made in applications of limit analysis to the area of soil dynamics, in particular, to earthquake-induced slope failure and landslide problems and to earthquake-induced lateral earth pressures on rigid retaining structures. The purpose of the book therefore is in part to discuss the validity of the upper bound work (or energy) method of limit analysis in a form that can be appreciated by a practicing soil engineer, and in part to provide a compact and up-to-date summary of recent advances in the applications of limit analysis to earthquake-induced stability problems in soil mechanics.

  • Finite Element Techniques in Groundwater Flow Studies

    With Applications in Hydraulic and Geotechnical Engineering
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 61
    • I. Kazda
    • English
    The finite element method (FEM) is one of those modern numerical methods whose rise and development was incited by the rapid development of computers. This method has found applications in all the technical disciplines as well as in the natural sciences.One of the most effective applications of the finite element method is its use for the solution of groundwater flow problems encountered in the design and maintenance of hydraulic structures and tailing dams, in soil mechanics, hydrology, hydrogeology and engineering geology.The stimuli to write this book came from the results obtained in the solution of practical problems connected both with the construction and maintenance of fill-type dams and tailing dams and the utilization of groundwater in Czechoslovakia, and on the other hand from the experience gained in teaching hydraulic structures theory at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Technical University of Prague. All the experience so far obtained shows markedly the advantages of the finite element method and the great possibilities of its further development as well as its considerable demands on the algorithmization, programming and use of computer possibilities. The reader will find an explanation of the fundamentals of the finite element method directed mainly toward isoparametric elements having an exceptional adaptability and numerical reliability. The finite element method application to groundwater flow concerns mainly two-dimensional problems, which occur most frequently in practice. Considerable attention is given to non-linear and non-stationary problems, which are most important in application.A computer program (based on the eight-noded isoparametric elements) is included and fully documented.The book will be useful to civil engineers, hydrogeologists and engineering geologists who need the finite element method as a solution tool for the complex problems encountered in engineering practice.

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