Acknowledgements G (Lzf(
This work would not have been possible without the help, dedication, and ,f<?;z
support of Professor Ellen M. Rathje. It is a great fortune for me to work for her |"?M 1*g
and I will be forever grateful. !_ "@^?,q
During the research process, Professor K. H. Stokoe has been very FI[A[*fi
generous and is great help to us. He also provides many precious opinions and 9l|@v=gw.
useful suggestions in the instrumentation designs and data interpretations. I really 5k!g%sZ
appreciate his assistances in this research. Also, I am very thankful to my 6TYY
UM"&
committee members, Professor Wilson, Professor Williamson, and Professor * ;- *x6
Wright for their constructive opinions and valuable time. %;cddLQ\xY
In addition, I am very grateful many faculty members at UT-Austin. The p
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list includes: Professor Olson, Professor Gilbert, Professor Rauch, and Professor J{'> uD.@
Wright. I have learned so much from all of you, and I appreciate all you have 7OC#8,
done to prepare me for the future. 3? [dE<
Mostly, I would like to thank my wife Pei-Shan and daughter Alison for 8R2QZXJb-
their tremendous patient during my preparation of this dissertation. My wife in 00'%EYO
particular has had to carry more than her fair share of the duties taking care of our ~F7 -HaQJ
daughter. Also, to my incredible parents, I am so lucky to have you. vY4\59]P
vi _|iSF2f,X
I am indebted to many former and current graduate students in ztnFhJ<a$
geotechnical engineering group at UT-Austin. They had been help me preparing ]@dZ{H|
the specimen, conducting field and laboratory tests, encouraging me in bad days, MPCBT!o4Z
and sharing joys in good days. ?b*s.
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I would also like to thank all the people at Capitol Aggregates for yaD~1"GA'O
providing a test site and concrete both essential to this work.
