In Situ Investigation of the Dynamic Response and Settlement in the Expressway Culvert–Subgrade Transition Section Using a Vibration Exciter

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The topic of study is interesting and it benefit practical engineers. However, major revisions need to perform to improve quality of manuscript.

1.     Please provide clear objective in the abstract and introduction of manuscript.

2.     Originality is one important aspect in the publication of journal paper. Please provide originality of study in the introduction

3.     The study in the soil involve so many uncertainty. Please provide plausible explanation on the effect of uncertain parameters on the result of the study. The Authors should review the following article related to the influence of uncertain parameters on settlement.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-021-00588-7

4.     The study was carried out on the unsaturated zone. Provide the explanation on the influence of unsaturated soil properties on the results of the study. The Authors should review the following article to understand the effect of unsaturated soil on pile capacity.

https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063968

5.     The field instrumentation is important for verification of the results of study especially related to unsaturated soil. Please provide review on the following paper on the application of field instrumentation for unsaturated soil.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2022.01.007

6.     The quality of all figures is low. Please improve it.

7.     Provide legend in Figures 3, 4, 6.

 

8.     Provide justification in the selection of load and velocity used in the study

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The topic of the paper is attractive and fits well to the journal scope. In this article, a gradient pile-reinforced concrete slab composite foundation was implemented within an expressway culvert-subgrade transition section. The in-situ vibration tests were conducted through the SBZ30 exciter to comprehensively understand the vertical dynamic responses in the culvert-subgrade transition section under various axle loads and speed conditions. Continuous monitoring was conducted to track the long-term settlement of the roadbed.

This research has important value. However, before publication, there are still some areas in the article that need to be improved. Below is my comment.

The research design is appropriate. The methods and results are adequately described. The results are clearly presented. The conclusions are supported by the results. The data are presented in tables, figures and equations correctly valued and interpreted in the paper. The references are properly indexed and recorded.

The quality of the Figures needs to be improved, because the texts are illegible everywhere, with the exception of Figure 5.

Figure 23. is written as 16.

Future research directions may also be mentioned. This section may be combined with Results.

There are editing gaps in the article, related things are not on the same page.

In general, the article makes a good impression, is devoted to an interesting and topical problem.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Presented study is interesting, but need to revised addressing the comments indicated in the document

All figures are in the form of images. not readable.

Pl resubmit with high resultion images.

Authors can avoid description of instrumentation and processing/acquisition. A brief statement to this effect shall suffice

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

It is fine, with minor corrections

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Revised articile is OK