The concept of a vertical barrier embedded in soil to protect from seismic waves of the Rayleigh type is discussed. Horizontal barriers are also analyzed. The principle idea for such a barrier is to reflect and scatter energy of an oncoming wave by the barrier, thus decreasing the amplitude of surface vibrations beyond the barrier. Numerical FE simulations of a plane model are presented and discussed.

Engineering practice shows that the design of modern structures and technical components requires adapting existing methods for testing materials to dynamic load conditions. This work discusses the experimental and theoretical basis for determining and predicting critical stresses in quasi-brittle materials (such as concrete, rock, organic glass, etc.) over a wide range of loading rates provided by different test methods and equipment. Standard tests for compression, splitting and bending are presented. The incubation time approach is...

Experimental creep curves and long-term strength curves for viscoelastic compressible materials have been obtained at room temperature for a wide range of stresses. The residual density change (loosening) of the material is considered as the main damage factor. A modified creep equation for the loosening medium is proposed, which can describe the second and third regions of the creep curve. Based on proposed equation the criterion of long-term strength is formulated. It is shown that...

Polymers and polymer-based materials are intensive implemented in many areas of engineering practice. These applications frequently have a very high performance demand, which makes their long-term characteristics of paramount importance. These materials were subject to degradation due to environmental factors, including light, temperature, stress, and others. Because of aging process, the physical and mechanical properties of these materials are significantly changed. This paper is devoted to the experimental investigations of this problem. The research program...