Determination of characteristic values for marine clay
Recently, limit state design (LSD) in geotechnical engineering has been developed through LRFD in North America and Eurocode 7 in Europe. LRFD is an approach that estimates resistance by design model and that multiplies resistance factor by calculated resistance to reflect the uncertainty of materials and design models. Whereas, Eurocode 7 employs the partial resistance factor applied directly to each variable in resistance equation that individual soil properties such as cohesion and angle of internal friction are applied. Current methods of estimating characteristic value were discussed with the marine clay of Korea within the framework of characteristic value which has globally argued during the processing of development of Eurocode 7 for geotechnical design. Estimation of characteristic value, an issue of this dispute, affects not only determination of design value applied directly to design of geotechnical structures, but also economic feasibility and stability following results of design. In this paper, the characteristic values for main marine clay were calculated and compared with using some methods proposed. As a result, it was appeared that most of the computed values were close to mean value and less conservative in the order of Student/Ovesen, Schneider and EN 1990. In case of EN 1990 approach, however, it was inappropriate to assess geotechnical design value being calculated less than zero with statistical variability. Also, it was found that current methods have trend of estimating more conservative characteristic values when larger in ground variability.
Evaluating rolling shear strength properties of cross-laminated timber by short-span bending tests and modified planar shear tests
This paper presents an experimental study on rolling shear (RS) strength properties of non-edge-glued cross-laminated timber (CLT) made out of New Zealand Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) structural timber. CLT specimens with 35 and 20 mm thick laminations were studied to evaluate the influence of lamination thickness on the RS strength of CLT. Short-span three-point bending tests were used to introduce high RS stresses in cross layers of CLT specimens and facilitate the RS failure mechanism. Modified planar shear tests from the conventional two-plate planar shear tests were also used to evaluate the RS strength properties. It was found that two test methods yielded comparable RS strength properties and the lamination thickness significantly affected RS strength of the CLT specimens. The test results also indicated that the recommended characteristic RS strength values of CLT products in Europe and Canada might be over conservative. Also, it might be more efficient to specify different RS strength values for CLT with different lamination thickness given the minimum width-to-depth ratio of laminations is satisfied.
Factors Likely to Influence Tort Litigation in the European Union
As the European Union moves towards harmonization in a variety of business, political, and regulatory settings, an opportunity exists to influence the form of tort liability found in these nations. The opportunity should not be missed, with rising concern that U.S. influences will set into motion costly litigiousness, particularly as EU member nations pull back on the level of social programmes available to cover costs typically included in tort claims. To assist policymakers in their deliberations about European Union tort directives, this paper provides discussion of the frequently cited key differences between the U.S. tort systems and what is found in most EU member nations. The discussion is focused on available evidence regarding the influences of these differences as well as important areas of future research. The most important areas seem to be (1) the need to enforce European Law when no defined regulatory body exists for this purpose; (2) the connection between government social programmes and the need for tort liability compensation; (3) and the influence of rules governing payment of legal costs and lawyer fees.