https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl/handle/2250/20336 \([0-9]{4}\) Fri, 08 May 2026 07:23:59 GMT 2026-05-08T07:23:59Z https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl:443/bitstream/id/6dbe5b94-3cc8-4b7e-86ec-5b97c1699301/ https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl/handle/2250/20336 https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl/handle/2250/251242 Potential implementation of the woody biochar waste as an eco-friendly soil stabilization material in sandy environments This experimental analysis aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the geotechnical properties of soils treated with an organic material named biochar. In this context, an experimental protocol was set using the Casagrande shear box apparatus to effectively demonstrate the combined influence of the biochar fraction (Fbio=0%, 5%, 10% and 15%), the initial relative density (Dr = 20%, Dr = 54%, and Dr = 90%), and the initial normal stress (σn = 100, 200, and 300 kPa) on the mechanical behavior of Chlef sand. The obtained results clearly show that biochar has a significant influence on the mechanical behavior of the tested materials. Additionally, the shear strength decreases with increasing biochar content up to a threshold value of (Fbio = 10%). Beyond that, the shear strength increases with the increase of biochar content up to the value of (Fbio = 15%) for all the considered parameters. The observed trend of increasing shear strength with the addition of the biochar content (Fbio = 15%) can be attributed to the amplification of the particle interlocking due to the presence of biochar particles between the large particles of Chlef sand, inducing an increase in the dilative character of the tested materials; offering implications for various geotechnical applications. Moreover, pertinent correlations were obtained between the residual shear strength and the grain size characteristics of the sand-biochar mixtures. https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl/handle/2250/251242 https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl/handle/2250/251227 Investigation of the earthquake behavior of the historical Adana great clock tower using FEM updated based on environmental vibration data In this study, the historical Adana great clock tower's dynamic characteristics (natural frequencies and mode shapes) were determined using the operational modal analysis (OMA) method. The finite element model (FEM) of the Clock Tower was updated based on the experimentally obtained dynamic characteristics. The update process was performed manually using the material properties of the Clock Tower. Linear dynamic analyses of the structures under earthquake loadings were performed using its updated finite element model. The acceleration records of the 1998 Adana-Ceyhan earthquake, scaled according to the horizontal elastic design spectrum defined in TBEC (2018) were used for dynamic input. The displacements, maximum and minimum principal stresses of the Clock Tower were obtained and evaluated. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that there was a potential for damage to the Clock Tower due to exceeding the tensile strength of the walls, but the potential for damage to the Clock Tower due to exceeding the compressive strength of the walls is weak. https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl/handle/2250/251227 https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl/handle/2250/251228 Numerical estimation of the subgrade reaction modulus of a horizontally loaded piled raft A horizontal full-scale test was executed in a piled raft with a single pile. Later, from those measured experimental results, some numerical simulations were carried out using a commercial software Abaqus 2019 obtaining acceptable approximations. During the numerical analysis, the elastic-plastic behavior of each material comprising the foundation system has been considered, including the soil, the concrete, and the steel. Based on such numerical approximations, a polynomial function  that represent the pile deflections along the pile shaft has been calculated and plotted. Later, from this function the rotation, the bending moments, the shearing forces, and the load intensity along the pile were estimated; also, the subgrade reaction modulus of the soil was computed, and some p-y curves at specific depth points are presented according to the numerical results. Finally, this paper allowed obtaining a clear idea about the behavior and distribution of the internal forces not only in the foundation soil but also in the pile, from a success numerical performance. https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl/handle/2250/251228 https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl/handle/2250/251231 Effective net area of failure in steel plates subjected to tension The current design of plates in tension due to the limit state in tensile rupture according to the requirements outlined in ANSI/AISC 360 (2016) establishes that the effective net area value (Ae), must be the net area value (An), but did not be greater than 0.85 of the gross area (Ag) of the element. The research aim was to evaluate the experimental behavior of the effective net area of failure concerning 0.85Ag of steel plates subjected to tension load conduct to reliable or unsafe design. Thirty-five specimens of A36 steel with different arrangement of holes were tensile tested. Five different plates thicknesses were considered from 3.1 mm (1/8”) up to 9.5 mm (3/8”). The behavior of the effective net area of failure is discussed in term of the slenderness ratio of steel plate, the effective net area of design and analyzed based on current design specifications. The results showed that the effective net area of failure of the undrilled specimens presented a slight tendency to increase with increasing slenderness ratio. In the specimens with two rows of holes and staggered holes this tendency decreased. Whereas for the specimens with one rows of holes the effective net area of failure did not present a clear behavior with respect to slenderness ratio. Moreover, the undrilled specimens of this study developed an effective net area of failure greater than the effective net area of design, satisfying the design specifications. But in the specimens with holes the effective net area of design was greater, generating unreliable designs. In other words, the 0.85Ag value was found adequate for the specimens without holes. Nevertheless, this value was high for the specimens with holes in this experimental research. https://revistaschilenas.uchile.cl/handle/2250/251231