Hector U Levatti
London South Bank University, School of the Built Environment & Architecture, Associate Professor and Senior Fellow in Higher Education
I am Dr Hector U. Levatti and currently an Associate Professor in Structural Analysis, Design and Geotechnics/Fluids at London South Bank University. I have worked at the School of the Built Environment and Architecture since February 2017. I have been the Course Director of the BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering Course at BEA, LSBU since 2018.
I am an EPSRC Peer Reviewer College Member and an EPSRC Engineering Early Career Forum member. I am a PhD, MSc, and Senior Fellow in Higher Education (SFHEA) and a graduate member of ICE.
I have received my degree in Construction Engineering from the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE), in Argentina, in 1999; my Master of Science in Numerical Methods from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Spain, in 2010; and my Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from UPC, in Spain, in 2015. I have recognized my degree in Construction Engineering from Argentina in Spain with a Technical Civil Engineering degree from 2005. I am a Civil Engineer in Spain after obtaining my degree in Civil Engineering from UPC in 2013. I have been recognized for my qualifications by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in the UK.
I have worked in Argentina in a self-employment initiative, first in the 90s, doing architectural and structural design for buildings, as well as in Education at the UNNE, Faculty of Engineering (1999-2001) teaching structures, and later in the private sector (2000-2003) in Education and in the Construction Industry doing Structural Analysis and Designs.
After moving to Europe in 2004, I was working in research and teaching, mainly, in Geotechnical Engineering and Strength of Materials respectively, in the UPC, Spain (2004-2012). From 2012 until 2016, I worked as a project officer in the project ASTUTE (Advanced Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies) and ASTUTE 2020 at Swansea University doing Structural Analysis and Optimisation.
While I have been involved in several multidisciplinary research projects in my career, my research interests lie mainly in the areas of Geotechnical Engineering, Numerical Methods, Structural Analysis and Design, Structural Optimisation, Manufacturing Technologies, Education, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics in Construction.
I am an EPSRC Peer Reviewer College Member and an EPSRC Engineering Early Career Forum member. I am a PhD, MSc, and Senior Fellow in Higher Education (SFHEA) and a graduate member of ICE.
I have received my degree in Construction Engineering from the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE), in Argentina, in 1999; my Master of Science in Numerical Methods from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Spain, in 2010; and my Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from UPC, in Spain, in 2015. I have recognized my degree in Construction Engineering from Argentina in Spain with a Technical Civil Engineering degree from 2005. I am a Civil Engineer in Spain after obtaining my degree in Civil Engineering from UPC in 2013. I have been recognized for my qualifications by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in the UK.
I have worked in Argentina in a self-employment initiative, first in the 90s, doing architectural and structural design for buildings, as well as in Education at the UNNE, Faculty of Engineering (1999-2001) teaching structures, and later in the private sector (2000-2003) in Education and in the Construction Industry doing Structural Analysis and Designs.
After moving to Europe in 2004, I was working in research and teaching, mainly, in Geotechnical Engineering and Strength of Materials respectively, in the UPC, Spain (2004-2012). From 2012 until 2016, I worked as a project officer in the project ASTUTE (Advanced Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies) and ASTUTE 2020 at Swansea University doing Structural Analysis and Optimisation.
While I have been involved in several multidisciplinary research projects in my career, my research interests lie mainly in the areas of Geotechnical Engineering, Numerical Methods, Structural Analysis and Design, Structural Optimisation, Manufacturing Technologies, Education, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics in Construction.
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Conference Papers by Hector U Levatti
Nowadays, it is common practice to use a set of software tools to deal with these kinds of problems, namely Computer Aided Design (CAD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and optimisation packages. The adequate use of these tools results in an increase in efficiency and quality of the final product. In this paper, a case study was undertaken consisting of a turbine bracket from a General Electric challenge. A computational methodology is used, which consists of a topology optimisation considering an isotropic material at first instance, followed by the manual refinement of the resulting shape taking into account the manufacturability requirements. To this end, we used SolidWorks®2013 for the CAD, Ansys Workbench®14.0 for the FEA, and HyperWorks®11 for the topology optimisation. A future methodology will incorporate the automation of the shape optimisation stage, and perhaps the inclusion of the manufacturability restriction within the optimisation formulation.
to achieve more sustainable product designs. This study looks at the recent General Electric
challenge, a competition to minimize the mass of a titanium jet engine lifting bracket, to
illustrate the benefits that can be accrued. In the light of current literature the benefits and
challenges of crowdsourcing have been considered. Samples of the entrants to the
challenge have been compared to identify critical characteristics for interpreting sustainable
designs for additive manufacture. Focusing initially on topological optimisation and
orientation of the additive manufacture build, critical features have been highlighted. The
availability of many CAD designs has been most useful and has potential for future
developments. Crowdsourcing as an innovation approach can also be beneficial for both
companies and individuals particularly if the entries are open source.
using a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system to detect cracks that form and propagate
inside a soil specimen during desiccation. Although GPR devices have been used for
multiple applications, their use in the detection of small cracks (few millimeters wide), has
not been demonstrated yet. The experiments and the methodology used to test the accuracy of
a small commercial GPR device for crack identification are described. The main objective
was to identify what type of signals and what crack width can be detected using the GPR device.
The results indicate that cracks of one or two millimeters wide can be detected depending
on its position and shape. On the other hand, sub-millimeter cracks are undetectable with
the currently existing devices in the market. In spite of the limitations the GPR method can be
useful to find time-related bounds of when the cracks appear, and to point at their location.
Because the GPR systems are in constant evolution this technique could become a very versatile
and convenient method to scan soils under different kinds of processes both in the laboratory
and in the field.
humedad inducida por la evaporación del agua contenida desde la superficie del suelo. Estos
fenómenos son muy complejos debido a la interacción que tienen lugar entre las variables
mecánicas e hidráulicas. El proceso de desecación gobernado principalmente por
propiedades altamente no lineales, influyen sobre el comportamiento mecánico del suelo
haciendo que este se contraiga, se deforme formando rizos o eventualmente se agriete
dependiendo de las condiciones de contorno, del grado de heterogeneidad en su interior y de
la relación de dimensiones de la porción de suelo sometida a dicho proceso. A pesar de que
los cambios de temperatura pueden influir fuertemente en el desarrollo de estos fenómenos,
planteamos aquí solo el problema hidromecánico y se establece por hipótesis que se
estudiará solo el caso isotermo.
En este artículo se presenta una formulación matemática hidromecánica que intenta modelar
el complejo fenómeno de desecación. El modelo ha sido implementado en el entorno Matlab y
se exponen algunos resultados preliminares de dicho código que capturan el típico rizado
cóncavo o convexo que experimentan delgadas muestras de suelos al secarse, así como
también distintos resultados obtenidos para diferentes condiciones de contor
This paper presents an analysis of cracking during drying of soils using a computer code de-veloped within the framework of the finite element and finite differences methods. A study of the influence of crack initiation and propagation in the desiccation process is also undertaken, with a comparative analysis of the phenomenon both with and without crack generation that allows some preliminary conclusions about the desiccation problem.
The computer code has been implemented within the MatLab environment. The formulation is based on the principles of the unsaturated soil mechanics and the mechanics of a continuum medium. The partial differential equations that govern the problem are solved using the finite element (Galerkin) method in space and the finite differences method, using the Crank-Nicholson scheme, in time. Further developments of the code will include fracture mechanics principles to simulate crack propagation.
induced by evaporation from the soil surface. The desiccation process, mainly governed by
very nonlinear hydraulic properties, has an influence on the mechanical behaviour of the soil
because the material tends to shrink, thus inducing changes in the stress fields. To
understand this process one needs to solve the coupled hydraulic-mechanical problem. In this
paper the formulation (including the unsaturated soil equilibrium and the mass balance
equations) and some initial results of a numerical finite element code that solve the boundary
value problem are presented. The state variables used in the model are the net stress (total
stress) and the suction (negative pore water pressure). For the mechanics part, a non-linear
elasticity model based on the state surface concept is chosen, while for the hydraulics
problem, Darcy’s law, including unsaturated flow, is used. To relate negative pore water
pressure to the degree of saturation the van Genuchten equations are used.
The formulation includes the unsaturated soil equilibrium equation and the mass bal-ance equation of continuum mechanics and then by means of fracture mechanics criteria the initiation and propagation of the cracking mechanism is simulated. The re-meshing technique permits to model the time evolution of cracking in form of discrete fissures and update the mesh at each time step. The change of geometry and boundary condi-tions is also considered when the cracks initiate or propagate.
Initially, two state variables are adopted in this model: net stress and suction. With the assumption that atmospheric pressure is constant and equal to zero, the state varia-bles become the total stress and the negative pore water pressure. The model is hydro-mechanically coupled: for the mechanics part, a non-linear elasticity based model is chosen, while for the hydraulics problem, Darcy’s law, including unsaturated flow, is used.
The theoretical formulation has been made in the most general manner thinking in solving 3D problems; however, only a 2D implementation for simulating tests has been made so far, because the main purpose of the current research is to establish solid basis for the finite element code that will be a tool capable to approach a complex phenomena like drying cracks in soils. Full 3D implementation is left for subsequent work.
Conference Presentations by Hector U Levatti
LSBU offers an interesting possibility in terms of education for Argentinian candidates which is practical, accredited and short (3-year) to became civil engineer. On the other hand, it offers a market that still needs engineers for the construction industry.
Argentina has more than 180 technical schools in construction that produce potential candidates to study civil engineering (UG). This technical schools should be contacted to offer our courses showing the ways of studying in London coming from South America.
It is necessary to think about self-funded students but at the same time to students that can access to scholarships or students that will study and work to support their studies.
The first step was to organise a series of talks to let students know about LSBU, BEA and the Civil Engineering Department.
In the next slides, the activities around internationalisation in Argentina 2019 are summarised.
Nowadays, it is common practice to use a set of software tools to deal with these kinds of problems, namely Computer Aided Design (CAD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and optimisation packages. The adequate use of these tools results in an increase in efficiency and quality of the final product. In this paper, a case study was undertaken consisting of a turbine bracket from a General Electric challenge. A computational methodology is used, which consists of a topology optimisation considering an isotropic material at first instance, followed by the manual refinement of the resulting shape taking into account the manufacturability requirements. To this end, we used SolidWorks®2013 for the CAD, Ansys Workbench®14.0 for the FEA, and HyperWorks®11 for the topology optimisation. A future methodology will incorporate the automation of the shape optimisation stage, and perhaps the inclusion of the manufacturability restriction within the optimisation formulation.
Moreover, desiccation is complex because start from the saturated state to highly unsaturated state, that is to say, along the two extremes of one highly nonlinear phenomenon.
We present here both formulation and preliminaries results of a numerical finite element code that solve the boundary value problem.
The formulation includes the unsaturated soil equilibrium equation and the mass balance equation of continuum mechanics.
Initially, two state variables are adopted in this model: net stress and suction. With the assumption that atmospheric pressure is constant and equal to zero, the state variables become the total stress and the negative pore water pressure. The model is hydro-mechanic: for the mechanics part, a non-linear elasticity based on state surface concept is chosen, while for the hydraulics problem, Darcy’s law, including unsaturated flow, is used. To relate negative pore water pressure and degree of saturation we use the Van Genuchten retention curve (1980).
The theoretical formulation has been made in the most general manner thinking in solving 3D problems; however, only a 2D implementation for simulating tests has been made so far, because the main purpose of the current research is to establish solid basis for the finite element code that will be a tool capable to approach a complex phenomena like desiccation in clayey soils.
This paper presents an analysis of cracking during drying of soils using a computer code developed within the framework of the finite element and finite differences methods. A study of the influence of crack initiation and propagation in the desiccation process is also undertaken, with a compar-ative analysis of the phenomenon both with and without crack generation that allows some preliminary conclusions about the desiccation problem. The study is two-fold: first, the evolution of water content, relative per-meability, saturation degree and pore water pressure is analyzed within the framework of the hydraulic problem; second, the stress state induced by desiccation is analyzed. Plane strain numerical simulations carried out on soil samples under desiccation are presented and discussed.
The computer code has been implemented within the MatLab environ-ment. The formulation is based on the principles of the unsaturated soil mechanics and the mechanics of continuum medium. The partial differen-tial equations that govern the problem are solved using the finite element (Galerkin) method in space and the finite differences method, using the Crank-Nicholson scheme, in time. Further developments of the code will include fracture mechanics principles to simulate crack propagation.
The formulation includes the unsaturated soil equilibrium equation and the mass bal-ance equation of continuum mechanics and then by means of fracture mechanics criteria the initiation and propagation of the cracking mechanism is simulated. The re-meshing technique permits to model the time evolution of cracking in form of discrete fissures and update the mesh at each time step. The change of geometry and boundary condi-tions is also considered when the cracks initiate or propagate.
Initially, two state variables are adopted in this model: net stress and suction. With the assumption that atmospheric pressure is constant and equal to zero, the state varia-bles become the total stress and the negative pore water pressure. The model is hydro-mechanically coupled: for the mechanics part, a non-linear elasticity based model is chosen, while for the hydraulics problem, Darcy’s law, including unsaturated flow, is used.
The theoretical formulation has been made in the most general manner thinking in solving 3D problems; however, only a 2D implementation for simulating tests has been made so far, because the main purpose of the current research is to establish solid basis for the finite element code that will be a tool capable to approach a complex phenomena like drying cracks in soils. Full 3D implementation is left for subsequent work.
Nowadays, it is common practice to use a set of software tools to deal with these kinds of problems, namely Computer Aided Design (CAD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and optimisation packages. The adequate use of these tools results in an increase in efficiency and quality of the final product. In this paper, a case study was undertaken consisting of a turbine bracket from a General Electric challenge. A computational methodology is used, which consists of a topology optimisation considering an isotropic material at first instance, followed by the manual refinement of the resulting shape taking into account the manufacturability requirements. To this end, we used SolidWorks®2013 for the CAD, Ansys Workbench®14.0 for the FEA, and HyperWorks®11 for the topology optimisation. A future methodology will incorporate the automation of the shape optimisation stage, and perhaps the inclusion of the manufacturability restriction within the optimisation formulation.
to achieve more sustainable product designs. This study looks at the recent General Electric
challenge, a competition to minimize the mass of a titanium jet engine lifting bracket, to
illustrate the benefits that can be accrued. In the light of current literature the benefits and
challenges of crowdsourcing have been considered. Samples of the entrants to the
challenge have been compared to identify critical characteristics for interpreting sustainable
designs for additive manufacture. Focusing initially on topological optimisation and
orientation of the additive manufacture build, critical features have been highlighted. The
availability of many CAD designs has been most useful and has potential for future
developments. Crowdsourcing as an innovation approach can also be beneficial for both
companies and individuals particularly if the entries are open source.
using a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system to detect cracks that form and propagate
inside a soil specimen during desiccation. Although GPR devices have been used for
multiple applications, their use in the detection of small cracks (few millimeters wide), has
not been demonstrated yet. The experiments and the methodology used to test the accuracy of
a small commercial GPR device for crack identification are described. The main objective
was to identify what type of signals and what crack width can be detected using the GPR device.
The results indicate that cracks of one or two millimeters wide can be detected depending
on its position and shape. On the other hand, sub-millimeter cracks are undetectable with
the currently existing devices in the market. In spite of the limitations the GPR method can be
useful to find time-related bounds of when the cracks appear, and to point at their location.
Because the GPR systems are in constant evolution this technique could become a very versatile
and convenient method to scan soils under different kinds of processes both in the laboratory
and in the field.
humedad inducida por la evaporación del agua contenida desde la superficie del suelo. Estos
fenómenos son muy complejos debido a la interacción que tienen lugar entre las variables
mecánicas e hidráulicas. El proceso de desecación gobernado principalmente por
propiedades altamente no lineales, influyen sobre el comportamiento mecánico del suelo
haciendo que este se contraiga, se deforme formando rizos o eventualmente se agriete
dependiendo de las condiciones de contorno, del grado de heterogeneidad en su interior y de
la relación de dimensiones de la porción de suelo sometida a dicho proceso. A pesar de que
los cambios de temperatura pueden influir fuertemente en el desarrollo de estos fenómenos,
planteamos aquí solo el problema hidromecánico y se establece por hipótesis que se
estudiará solo el caso isotermo.
En este artículo se presenta una formulación matemática hidromecánica que intenta modelar
el complejo fenómeno de desecación. El modelo ha sido implementado en el entorno Matlab y
se exponen algunos resultados preliminares de dicho código que capturan el típico rizado
cóncavo o convexo que experimentan delgadas muestras de suelos al secarse, así como
también distintos resultados obtenidos para diferentes condiciones de contor
This paper presents an analysis of cracking during drying of soils using a computer code de-veloped within the framework of the finite element and finite differences methods. A study of the influence of crack initiation and propagation in the desiccation process is also undertaken, with a comparative analysis of the phenomenon both with and without crack generation that allows some preliminary conclusions about the desiccation problem.
The computer code has been implemented within the MatLab environment. The formulation is based on the principles of the unsaturated soil mechanics and the mechanics of a continuum medium. The partial differential equations that govern the problem are solved using the finite element (Galerkin) method in space and the finite differences method, using the Crank-Nicholson scheme, in time. Further developments of the code will include fracture mechanics principles to simulate crack propagation.
induced by evaporation from the soil surface. The desiccation process, mainly governed by
very nonlinear hydraulic properties, has an influence on the mechanical behaviour of the soil
because the material tends to shrink, thus inducing changes in the stress fields. To
understand this process one needs to solve the coupled hydraulic-mechanical problem. In this
paper the formulation (including the unsaturated soil equilibrium and the mass balance
equations) and some initial results of a numerical finite element code that solve the boundary
value problem are presented. The state variables used in the model are the net stress (total
stress) and the suction (negative pore water pressure). For the mechanics part, a non-linear
elasticity model based on the state surface concept is chosen, while for the hydraulics
problem, Darcy’s law, including unsaturated flow, is used. To relate negative pore water
pressure to the degree of saturation the van Genuchten equations are used.
The formulation includes the unsaturated soil equilibrium equation and the mass bal-ance equation of continuum mechanics and then by means of fracture mechanics criteria the initiation and propagation of the cracking mechanism is simulated. The re-meshing technique permits to model the time evolution of cracking in form of discrete fissures and update the mesh at each time step. The change of geometry and boundary condi-tions is also considered when the cracks initiate or propagate.
Initially, two state variables are adopted in this model: net stress and suction. With the assumption that atmospheric pressure is constant and equal to zero, the state varia-bles become the total stress and the negative pore water pressure. The model is hydro-mechanically coupled: for the mechanics part, a non-linear elasticity based model is chosen, while for the hydraulics problem, Darcy’s law, including unsaturated flow, is used.
The theoretical formulation has been made in the most general manner thinking in solving 3D problems; however, only a 2D implementation for simulating tests has been made so far, because the main purpose of the current research is to establish solid basis for the finite element code that will be a tool capable to approach a complex phenomena like drying cracks in soils. Full 3D implementation is left for subsequent work.
LSBU offers an interesting possibility in terms of education for Argentinian candidates which is practical, accredited and short (3-year) to became civil engineer. On the other hand, it offers a market that still needs engineers for the construction industry.
Argentina has more than 180 technical schools in construction that produce potential candidates to study civil engineering (UG). This technical schools should be contacted to offer our courses showing the ways of studying in London coming from South America.
It is necessary to think about self-funded students but at the same time to students that can access to scholarships or students that will study and work to support their studies.
The first step was to organise a series of talks to let students know about LSBU, BEA and the Civil Engineering Department.
In the next slides, the activities around internationalisation in Argentina 2019 are summarised.
Nowadays, it is common practice to use a set of software tools to deal with these kinds of problems, namely Computer Aided Design (CAD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and optimisation packages. The adequate use of these tools results in an increase in efficiency and quality of the final product. In this paper, a case study was undertaken consisting of a turbine bracket from a General Electric challenge. A computational methodology is used, which consists of a topology optimisation considering an isotropic material at first instance, followed by the manual refinement of the resulting shape taking into account the manufacturability requirements. To this end, we used SolidWorks®2013 for the CAD, Ansys Workbench®14.0 for the FEA, and HyperWorks®11 for the topology optimisation. A future methodology will incorporate the automation of the shape optimisation stage, and perhaps the inclusion of the manufacturability restriction within the optimisation formulation.
Moreover, desiccation is complex because start from the saturated state to highly unsaturated state, that is to say, along the two extremes of one highly nonlinear phenomenon.
We present here both formulation and preliminaries results of a numerical finite element code that solve the boundary value problem.
The formulation includes the unsaturated soil equilibrium equation and the mass balance equation of continuum mechanics.
Initially, two state variables are adopted in this model: net stress and suction. With the assumption that atmospheric pressure is constant and equal to zero, the state variables become the total stress and the negative pore water pressure. The model is hydro-mechanic: for the mechanics part, a non-linear elasticity based on state surface concept is chosen, while for the hydraulics problem, Darcy’s law, including unsaturated flow, is used. To relate negative pore water pressure and degree of saturation we use the Van Genuchten retention curve (1980).
The theoretical formulation has been made in the most general manner thinking in solving 3D problems; however, only a 2D implementation for simulating tests has been made so far, because the main purpose of the current research is to establish solid basis for the finite element code that will be a tool capable to approach a complex phenomena like desiccation in clayey soils.
This paper presents an analysis of cracking during drying of soils using a computer code developed within the framework of the finite element and finite differences methods. A study of the influence of crack initiation and propagation in the desiccation process is also undertaken, with a compar-ative analysis of the phenomenon both with and without crack generation that allows some preliminary conclusions about the desiccation problem. The study is two-fold: first, the evolution of water content, relative per-meability, saturation degree and pore water pressure is analyzed within the framework of the hydraulic problem; second, the stress state induced by desiccation is analyzed. Plane strain numerical simulations carried out on soil samples under desiccation are presented and discussed.
The computer code has been implemented within the MatLab environ-ment. The formulation is based on the principles of the unsaturated soil mechanics and the mechanics of continuum medium. The partial differen-tial equations that govern the problem are solved using the finite element (Galerkin) method in space and the finite differences method, using the Crank-Nicholson scheme, in time. Further developments of the code will include fracture mechanics principles to simulate crack propagation.
The formulation includes the unsaturated soil equilibrium equation and the mass bal-ance equation of continuum mechanics and then by means of fracture mechanics criteria the initiation and propagation of the cracking mechanism is simulated. The re-meshing technique permits to model the time evolution of cracking in form of discrete fissures and update the mesh at each time step. The change of geometry and boundary condi-tions is also considered when the cracks initiate or propagate.
Initially, two state variables are adopted in this model: net stress and suction. With the assumption that atmospheric pressure is constant and equal to zero, the state varia-bles become the total stress and the negative pore water pressure. The model is hydro-mechanically coupled: for the mechanics part, a non-linear elasticity based model is chosen, while for the hydraulics problem, Darcy’s law, including unsaturated flow, is used.
The theoretical formulation has been made in the most general manner thinking in solving 3D problems; however, only a 2D implementation for simulating tests has been made so far, because the main purpose of the current research is to establish solid basis for the finite element code that will be a tool capable to approach a complex phenomena like drying cracks in soils. Full 3D implementation is left for subsequent work.
La formulación es hidro-mecánica tipo u-p (desplazamientos-succión) e incluye una ley constitutiva elástica no lineal.
sedentario y su estudio requiere tener en cuenta muchos factores que en otros
materiales carecen de importancia. Una dificultad característica de los suelos es que
se trata de un sistema multifase, y además algunas de estas fases se pueden
presentar en varios estados de agregación cambiantes a lo largo del tiempo. Si nos
centramos específicamente en los suelos arcillosos por ejemplo, debemos tener en
cuenta que este puede presentarse totalmente seco, saturado o parcialmente saturado
y además pasaremos de un estado a otro con relativa facilidad.
La presente tesina abarca aspectos teóricos y numéricos relacionados con los
procesos de desecación y agrietamiento de suelos de tipo arcilloso debidos a
evaporación del agua que contienen en su interior. Los resultados fueron obtenidos de
la simulación numérica de la desecación y agrietamiento a través de un programa
basado en el método de los elementos finitos implementado en el entorno MATLAB
R2007b.
Trabajos anteriores en el departamento de ingeniería del terreno han caracterizado
varios tipos de suelo que presentan el característico proceso de contracción y
agrietamiento debidos a desecación. Se han establecido parámetros de la mecánica as.
El proceso de contracción debido a desecación se ha estudiado basándonos en la
mecánica de suelos no saturados a través del concepto de superficies de estado en
cuanto a la componente mecánica y de flujo en suelos no saturados para la
componente hidráulica. El método de los elementos finitos ha permitido resolver los
sistemas de ecuaciones en derivadas parciales que emergen de la formulación
hidromecánica del fenómeno.
El desarrollo del modelo numérico propuesto ha permitido comprender, aunque
parcialmente, la implicación de la succión en los procesos de desecación y
agrietamiento. De esta variable dependen los parámetros mecánicos e hidráulicos del
modelo. Ha sido posible capturar de manera cualitativa y cuantitativa el fenómeno de
rizado asociados a este tipo de proceso para el caso de delgadas láminas de suelo. A
través de este trabajo puede comprenderse mejor la interacción hidromecánica
presente durante la retracción del suelo.
Tanto si se estudia el suelo en el campo como en el laboratorio, el contacto entre la
masa adyacente de terreno o el contacto con las bandejas que lo contienen las
condiciones de contorno en desplazamientos son complejas de reproducir en un
modelo numérico. Los contactos entre suelo y suelo y entre suelo y bandeja es un
problema complejo que solo es aproximado mediante las clásicas condiciones de
contorno en desplazamientos propias del método de los elementos finitos.
De los resultados se desprende la gran influencia que tienen las condiciones de
contorno inicial en el comportamiento del suelo y evidencia la necesidad de estudiar
más a fondo este aspecto.
Todas las simulaciones presentadas son en 2D lo cual limita el alcance del estudio y
queda de manifiesto la necesidad de expansión a modelos tridimensionales.
El Covid-19 en forma de pandemia mundial ha acelerado profundamente las crisis y los cambios en el mundo. Este virus nos muestra cuan conectados e interdependientes somos hoy en día.
El mundo cambia a velocidad de vértigo y con él nuestra profesión y nuestras carreras.
La formación continua, resiliencia, flexibilidad y adaptabilidad son las claves del éxito profesional. Hoy, más que nunca participamos de una carrera donde los resultados dependerán, entre otras cosas, de la capacidad de adaptación a los cambios.
Esto puede asustarnos o hacernos conscientes de la gran cantidad de oportunidades.
Los ingenieros resolvemos problemas técnicos usando herramientas y conocimiento. Hoy, el acceso a herramientas y conocimientos no tiene límites. Reflexionemos sobre estos temas y veamos en que áreas podemos trabajar siendo ingenieros civiles.
A comprehensive state of the art that defines the background, variants, objectives, variables and factors affecting the process is presented. In addition, existing theoretical models and numerical simulations in the literature to address the problem of soil desiccation and cracking are reviewed.
The experimental study focuses in the first place on auscultation for detecting cracks within a soil mass, which are not visible, with a novel technique in this field: the Ground Penetrating Radar. This technique has been used because of the three-dimensional auscultation requirement and their operational and economic advantages. An experimental study with thin rectangular soil samples is included, that allow studying the influence of the aspect ratio of the samples and the initial size of the soil particles. As part of this thesis, a test has also performed with a cylindrical sample subjected to a rapid desiccation process using the maximum drying capacity available in an environmental chamber at the laboratory, setting the highest possible temperature. The experimental part of the thesis concludes with a comprehensive test of two phases of desiccation and wetting and one phase of flooding on a cylindrical sample of soil, non-existent until now in the literature.
For the theoretical development of the numerical model on which this thesis is based, Unsaturated Soils Mechanics, Classic Strength of Materials and concepts of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) are used to establish the necessary framework for formulating various phenomena such as water flow in deformable porous medium and cracking.
In the body of the thesis, the mathematical formulation of the model and its implementation in a hydro-mechanical coupled program, based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) and Finite Difference Method (FDM) in a MATLAB environment are presented. The ultimate goal of this code is the numerical simulation of the flow in a deformable porous medium and cracking in soils, for which the node release technique is used. A proposal for using the LEFM for describing some of the phases of cracking is included as well.
The code developed in this thesis has been used to perform several numerical analyses. Transversal, radial and diametrical sections of cylindrical and prismatic soil samples subjected to drying processes are simulated. Simulations are made to reproduce numerically theoretical experiments and existing experimental results available in the literature as well as from the tests performed in the context of this thesis. The objective of these simulations is to determine the mechanisms by which the soil shrinks and cracks during desiccation.
As a result of the proposal, the client and the designer agreed that the best solution was to build two twin buildings with symmetry with respect to an axis north-south that divides the parcel in practically in to identical halves. This decision makes the investment more profitable having the alternative of rent or sell the building separately.
The buildings are designed for multiple uses because the activities are not defined. The buildings include rooms and services with the minimum facilities required for the usual activities in the park.
Special attention was taken into account in the analysis of the load-unload areas to achieve functionality and safety.
A precast reinforced concrete structure is chosen in order to reduce the construction time and the cost.
The design includes all the requirements of an industrial facility. However, the level of details necessary for an actual construction is beyond this academic final project.
In this project, the architectural and functional design as well as the construction methodology is presented.
region, is facing a severe shortage of low-income housing. Despite implementing several housing
policies, the deficit continued to grow, especially with the continuous increase in population and
other economic and socio-cultural challenges. The rationale behind this research is to propose
MMC as a solution to address the shortage of low-income housing as well as the challenges that the
Egyptian construction sector is currently facing. A convergent parallel mixed method approach was
adopted for data collection and analysis by merging qualitative and quantitative data to provide
comprehensive results. From the results, a framework to adopt MMC in social housing projects was
established, consisting of seven main pillars that cover the influencing factors on its implementation.
The framework was divided into four phases to ensure successful implementation, including the role
of the involved stakeholders during each stage.
These notes are associated with a YouTube channel that supports learning by combining pre-recorded videos, presentations and notes.
These notes are associated with a YouTube channel that supports learning by combining pre-recorded videos, presentations and notes.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsCcggcueyHyJsa0a0Jq1rA