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Elsevier

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Laterite Soil Engineering

    Pedogenesis and Engineering Principles
    • 1st Edition
    • M Gidigasu
    • English
    Laterite Soil Engineering is one of a few books about solving engineering problems with the help of engineering pedology. This book presents the latest information on the laterite soils’ geotechnical characteristics and engineering behavior. It shows that laterite soils are different from natural soils and that most laterite soils can be evaluated for engineering purposes using accepted theories and well-known test procedures for temperate-zone soils. This book also shows that modern concepts based on pedological considerations are very useful and take a logical approach to the identification and evaluation of laterite soils for engineering purposes. The first four chapters focus on reviewing information about the processes of tropical weathering and laterization. Chapter five summarizes information about the location, morphology and composition of laterite soils. Chapter six highlights the geotechnical implications of the pedogenic processes of tropical weathering, and it emphasizes the contribution of the results of these pedogenic processes to the deviations of engineering behavior of the problem of laterite soils. In addition, chapter seven discusses the influence of laterite soil genesis on the physic-chemical characteristics based on comparing the properties of three genetic soil groups formed under three different weathering conditions. Chapters eight through nineteen discuss the geotechnical characteristics and evaluation of laterite soils, and the effects of pedogenesis and soil-forming factors on the geotechnical and stabilization characteristics of laterite soils. The last chapter discusses the little information that exists on the application of laterite soils in engineering problems.

  • Analytical Geochemistry

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 5
    • L Brealey
    • English
    Analytical Geochemistry is the fifth book in the Methods in Geochemistry and Geophysics series. This book serves as an introductory manual, presenting techniques that are frequently required in the analysis of rocks and minerals. After a broad introduction to geochemistry, the book explores qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. It then focuses on the chemical analysis of the minor elements, such as antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, boron, bromine, cadmium, carbon, cerium, chlorine, chromium, cobalt, columbium and tantalum, copper, fluorine, gallium, germanium, gold, hydrogen, indium, iodine, iridium, lead, lithium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, nitrogen, osmium, oxygen, palladium, platinum, rhenium, rhodium, rubidium and cesium, ruthenium, scandium, selenium and tellurium, silver, strontium, sulfur, thallium, thorium, tin, titanium, tungsten, uranium, vanadium, zinc, and zirconium and hafnium. The remaining chapters of the book illustrate different laboratory instruments, including emission spectrography, flame photometry, X-ray diffraction, fluorimetry, and chromatography. This book serves as a guide for geologists especially those who did not study chemistry as undergraduates.

  • Styles Of Folding

    Mechanics And Mechanisms Of Folding Of Natural Elastic Materials
    • 1st Edition
    • Arvind Johnson
    • English
    Styles of Folding: Mechanics and Mechanisms of Folding of Natural Elastic Materials, Developments in Geotectonics 11, provides an introduction to theoretical underpinnings of folds in rocks. The book begins with a review of studies which have been most significant to the development of current understanding of folds. It then turns to the development of a theory of folding of multilayered elastic materials. It presents the derivation of linearized equations that describe the incremental deformation of materials with memory; these equations are then used to solve for wavelengths of sinusoidal folds in single layers and multilayers. A theory of kink folding in elastic multilayers is introduced based on the mechanism of plastic yielding between layers. The chapters also include analyses of folds in the Carmel Formation at Arches National Monument in Utah; asymmetric folds in interbedded cherts and shales of the Franciscan Complex; and some folds in Tertiary rocks in the Coast Ranges of California. Finally, the most important mechanisms of folding recognized thus far are summarized for multilayered materials with a wide range of properties.

  • Ground Freezing

    • 1st Edition
    • Hans L. Jessberger
    • English
    Developments in Geotechnical Engineering Volume 26: Ground Freezing presents the proceedings of the First International Symposium on Ground Freezing, held in Bochum, Germany on March 8-10, 1978. It summarizes progress in the application of the ground freezing technique in geotechnical engineering, with a focus on engineering with frozen soils and related frost research problems. It includes papers that discuss phase transformation of water, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and mathematical models. The laboratory and theoretical studies of thermophysical and mechanical properties are discussed as well. Organized into 43 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the freezing and thawing of soils, earth, and rock, and the engineering applications of the favorable properties of frozen ground. It then discusses the mechanical properties of artificially frozen soil for construction purposes, the principles of mechanical and thermal behavior of frozen soil, and the design and calculation of frozen soil-structures. Furthermore, it explains the calculation and dimensioning of refrigeration plants and monitoring of frost penetration. The methods and instrumentation for determining the locations of boundaries of frozen soils and the factors affecting the formation of soil cryogenic textures upon artificial active and passive soil freezing are described. The book also details the influence of salts in the pore water in freezing soils and explains how clay microstructure affects the amount of unfrozen water. In addition, it presents the physicomechanical and thermomechanical properties of frozen coarse-grained soil with sandy clay aggregate. This book will be a valuable source of information for scientists and engineers.

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