Engineering Commons^™

Smw Wall For Seepage Control In Levee Reconstruction, D. S. Yang, U. Luscher, I. Kimoto, S. Takeshima

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

An SMW wall was installed as a cutoff wall for seepage control during high floods in a narrow levee constructed in the early 1900's using sandy soils. After part of the wall was installed, difficulties were encountered in evaluating the permeability of the as-built cutoff wall according to the project specifications. Methods used to evaluate the permeability of the cutoff wall included laboratory tests on bulk samples and core samples and in-situ permeability tests. Significant differences in test results were caused by various sample preparation and handling procedures, sampling disturbance, and different testing methods. The difficulties were resolved by performing …

Tailing Dam Zelazny Most Environmental Hazard, M. Werno, B. Dembski, B. Juszkiewicz-Bednarczyk, Z. Mlynarek, W. Tschuschke

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The factors governing the geotechnical stability of copper tailing dam Żelazny Most, the largest in Europe, have been discussed. The efficiency of pumping wells barrier against outflow of contaminated ground water has been predicted for a period of next 15 years.

The Agua Prieta Powerhouse Slope Instability, F. Gonzalez-Valencia, S. Herrera-Castañeda

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The slope instability that endangered seriously the powerhouse of the Aqua Prieta Hydroelectric Project and involved about one million cubic meters of soils and breccias is described. The evolution of the geotechnical instrumentation measurements done from October 1987 to date, the geomechanic analysis performed and the stabilization works are discussed.

Time Prognosis Of Landslide Based On Unstable Creep, Wang Jianguo

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The fundamental characters at each of three stages of creep deformation of rock masses are discussed. A model, a friction element and a dashpot element connected in parallel, suitable for middle and short time prognosis is suggested--landslide happens at accelerated creep stage and its mechanism may be described by progressive deterioration (assuming linear decrease with time) of material parameters which denote the friction and the dashpot of rock masses. The verification for the model is carried out by comparing theoretical results with measured results of three typical landslides.

Leakage At Upper Mun Dam, Nibondh Saihom, Ruongrit Ammawat, Mondhian Kangsasitiam

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The Upper Mun Dam located In Nakom Ratchaslma, the Northeastem Province of Thailand, intercepts a catchment area of 454 sq. kms. It is a zone earth dam with 32.7 meters of maximum height and 880 meters in length. The foundation strata comprises alluvial deposits overlying sandstone and siltstone. The chute spillway is designed for probable maximum flood of 950 m³/sec. and the outlet conduit is 1.84 by 1.84 meters caters for a maximum outflow of 11.2 m³/sec. No foundation treatment was carried out except cement grouting beneath the spillway and the outlet. The dam was completed …

Residual Strength Parameters From A Slope Instability, P. Carrubba, N. Moraci

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The study attempts to determine the in situ shear strength parameters of a stiff clay from a back analys1s of a well documented landslide. The relatively small extension of the instability, as well as the homogeneity of the clay formation and the defined slip surface, allows a consistent evaluation of shear strength parameters. The study is also supported by ring shear tests, and microscopic analysis performed on undisturbed thin sections, by means of scanning electron microscopy. The results of back analysis are in good agreement with laboratory tests and microscopy observations.

Earthquake Induced Landslides In Columbia, J. A. Rodriguez, C. J. Poran

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The paper presents a case study of landslides associated with the 1983 Popayan earthquake in Colombia. It includes a systematic parametric study of the effect of earthquake characteristics and soil properties on slope behavior. Earthquake induced slope displacements are computed based on the sliding block concept. Computed results from two and three-dimensional analyses are compared with field observations. Conclusions are drawn in regard to the adequacy of analysis procedures, validity of slope deformation-critical acceleration curves, and effect of vertical acceleration on slope stability.

Earthquake Response Of 30-Story Building During The Loma Prieta Earthquake, T. Kagawa, M. A. Al-Khatib

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A 30 story building supported by 828 piles had been subjected to the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The building was heavily instrumented by strong-motion devices. This study analyzed and compared computed and recorded responses of the building by using the state-of-the-art techniques for dynamic pile-group interaction. Computed results were in good agreement with recorded ones.

Earthquake-Induced Parameter Automation, Gregory L. Hempen, James L. Keim, James L. Mayo

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

An operating automated system has been developed for Wappapello Dam. The system allows periodic reading of foundation pore pressure sensors. Upon sensing strong ground shaking the system reads rock and foundation triaxial acceleration. The acceleration readings cause the system to collect pore pressure rise in a loose, saturated sand. The data is available over telephone lines in real time. In addition to reducing maintenance piezometer reading labor, the automation performs earthquake triggering notification and remote data evaluation. The engineering use for dam safety review is considered invaluable.

Ground Waving And Its Damaging Effect, John G. Z. Q. Wang

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Some unusual patterns of earthquake damages due to ground waving have been described in order to draw attention to further research towards these problems. A brief introduction of relevant theoretical approach to torsional components of ground motion and amplification of seismic surface waves due to local topographic irregularities have been given in this paper to provide a contrast between theoretical approach and practical cases in order to reflect the gap to be filled.

Liquefaction Case Histories From 1990 Manjil, Iran, Earthquake, M. K. Yegian, M. A. A. Nogole-Sadat, V. G. Ghahraman, H. Darai

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The Manjil, Iran, earthquake caused extensive liquefaction and liquefaction-induced damage to residential, commercial and public structures. This paper presents liquefaction case histories as well as the results from our analysis of the data. Based on the field observations made in Iran, liquefaction strength of clean sands for M_s=7.7 is established. The resulting liquefaction resistance versus density relationship is compared with the results published by Seed et al. (1983).

Macrozonation Of Landslides For The Manjil, Iran 1990 Earthquake, M. Zaré

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The macrozonation and classification studies are carried out for the induced landslides in the imprinted area of the Manjil, Iran earthquake of 20 June 1990, in view point of engineering geology. The earthquake induced landslides are classified in 7 classes and all of them are mapped on the seismotectonic map of the region. Landslides of the historic time are considered as well. These studies showed that the most of large earthquake induced landslides are occurred within the earthquake origin zone of this earthquake and in the area which is specified with the earthquake intensity of more than VII (7) MSK. …

Numerical Estimate Of Tangshan Earthquake Damage, H. Y. Loo

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The initial stress is first calculated quasi-statically under various loading conditions by using 3-dimenaional finite element model with double nodes to simulate the locked Tangsban fault. Once the shear stress at the front of fault tip reaches rupture criterion, the accumulated stress is suddenly released accompanying with frictional slip along the fault plane, the new state of stress imposed during faulting is re-calculated by reducing the shearing resistance of the hypocenter with the same boundary condition. Then the stress difference before and during shock is regarded as the driving force to generate ground motion. Numerical results show that both the …

Seismic Qualification Of Mechanical Systems, A. K. Singh, K. G. Bhatia

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Seismic qualification of large and complex mechanical systems is a tedious task in itself. It not only involves high computational cost, but also becomes cost ineffective in case repeated runs are required from safety considerations. Seismic analysis of one bank of Main PHT System of a typical Nuclear Power Plant has been attempted. Besides analysing the complete system, an attempt has also been made to divide the complete system into logical subsystems and analyse the same for the prescribed seismic loads. The results thus obtained have been compared with those of the complete system and a fairly good degree of …

Comments Upon An Earth Dam Severely Damaged By Foundation Liquefaction, A. Popovici, A. Abdulamit, I. Toma, D. Pascu

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The damage of the Draganesti earth dam on lower sector of the Olt river due to foundation liquefaction during 30th May 1990, 0.12 g in site maximum acceleration, Vrancea earthquake is described. The dam is up to 20 m maximum height and border cross-wise and laterally the reservoir with 12.6 km length of the low head hydroelectric power station. The damage consisting of a large slide with about 60 m length at the dam downstream face and some cracks and lift-up of the reinforced concrete slabs at the corresponding upstream toe zone was placed in a zone where any special …

Effects On High Plasticity Clay Deposits On Site Ground Amplification, John M. Ferritto

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This paper reviews the effects of the Lorna Prieta earthquake on Treasure Island and discusses previous studies of site ground motion amplification. An independent study was performed in which it is shown that the site amplification is attributable to the presence of the Bay Mud deposits, a high plasticity silty clay that exhibits higher than normal shear modulus with cyclic strain. There is a similarity with the Mexico City clay deposits in both high plasticity and site amplification. Engineers should be alert to high plasticity clay deposits as a potential source of ground motion amplification.

Discussions And Replies Session 3, Ming-Hung Chen, R. C. Chaney, Wade E. Cooper, John Ferritto, A. Popovici, Shigeru Tani, M. K. Yegian, V. G. Ghahraman, T. P. Stoutjesdijk

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Correlation Of Foundation Vibration Results, R. A. Slabbaert, J. P. Lee, J. A. Bohinsky

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The vibration a paper machine generates during normal operation presents a complicated challenge to engineers of paper machine support structures. The modeling and the analysis procedure inevitably involves many simplifications and assumptions. Therefore, a comparison of the calculated and the measured results is very helpful in assessing the validity of the overall approach. This paper discusses correlation of calculated paper machine vibration with actual field measurements for a specific paper machine installation. A force-response analysis was performed using a commonly accepted industry practice which is generally considered to be conservative in several areas. Subsequently, field vibration measurements were made. The …

Discussions And Replies Session 4, M. R. Svinkin, G. M. S. Manyando, M. R. Lewis, J. R. Davie, X. J. Yang, G. Y. Gao

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Measurements Of Seismic Road Vibrations, L. T. Long

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Vibrations from vehicles on adjacent roads can impact sensitive instruments or structures with historic significance. The amplitudes of vibrations (A) from steady traffic in Atlanta, Georgia, were found to decay with distance (r) according to the relation Log[A(mm/s) ]=0.9-1.25Log(r(m)]. Intervening topographic relief reduces the level of vibration. Using this relation, the impact of a proposed highway was estimated to cause an 8 percent degradation in photographic images with telescope. A topographic barrier could reduce, but would not eliminate the impact of highway vibration. In a second application, a freeway access ramp was originally planned close enough for the vibrations from …

Vibrations Due To Pile Driving, M. R. Lewis, J. R. Davie

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Vibrations due to pile installation have long been a concern to owners, contractors, and engineers. Specifically, what levels of vibrations can be assumed for a given pile, hammer, and subsurface conditions and how can these levels be predicted in advance of construction so an assessment of nearby structures can be made? This paper presents the results of vibration monitoring at several sites where various piles and pile hammers have been used, and recommends a conservative method of predicting peak particle velocity at the ground surface near pile installations. Where sensitive structures are involved, a response spectrum analysis is recommended.

Dynamic Response Of Block Foundations, Vijay K. Puri, Braja M. Das

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This paper presents the results of comparison of the computed and observed response of two block foundations made of concrete. The test blocks measuring 3.0m x 1.5m x 0.7m and 1.5m x 0.75m x

0.70m were cast on level ground. The blocks were excited into vertical vibrations using a speed controlled mechanical oscillator. The amplitudes of vibration at different frequencies of excitation were measured in each case using acceleration transducers mounted on appropriate faces of the block. Dynamic shear modulus at this site was also determined b¥ conducting in-situ tests namely the wave propagation test, the cyclic plate load test, …

Dynamic Compaction Test On An Hydraulic Silty Sand Fill, G. Varosio, P. Grimaldi, G. Canepa

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Dynamic compaction resulted to be the most effective method to compact a very loose hydraulic silty sand fill, with a fine content from 25 to 90 per cent. Two levels of compaction energy were tested. The soil settlements enforced by these energies were verified with reference to the concept of saturation energy and by means of a simplified analysis of the physical model.

General Report Session No. 4: Case Histories Man-Made Vibrations, Vijay K. Puri, James P. Lee

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

An Unsuccessful Urban Deep Excavation In Soft Soils, Richard Rodgers, Michael Majchrzak

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This case history presents, from a geotechnical engineer's viewpoint, various technical, budgetary, coordination, staffing and "hidden agenda" issues that contributed to poor performance of a shored deep excavation 10 soft soils. The anticipated and actual construction procedures are discussed and compared. In addition, approaches to stabilize significant movements of the shoring, and the methodology needed to justify a satisfactory future performance of a pile foundation system that was speculated to be damaged are discussed. By highlighting these issues, it is hoped geotechnical engineers will anticipate and better deal with the issues under their influence, understand issues over which they may …

General Report On Session No. 5: Case Histories Of Retaining Structures And Deep Excavations, John T. Christian, Çetin Soydemir, Alan J. Lutenegger

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

A Case History Of The Collapse Accident Of A Temporary Earth Support Structure, Noriyuki Horii, Shigeo Hanayasu, Yasuo Toyosawa, Satoshi Tamate, Takakazu Maruyasu

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This paper presents a case study on the collapse accident of a temporary earth support structure. The examination of the design plans and investigations of the construction site where the accident occurred bas been carried out to throw light on the accident situations. Some causes of the accident occurrence which have been derived from these examinations and countermeasures for prevention of these types of accidents are discussed.

Cut And Cover At Landrückentunnel North, R. Pöttler

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The paper deals with a tunnel structure which has been designed in a very economic way, taking account of best estimate ground parameters and high sophisticated numerical models for simulating the reinforced concrete behaviour. Some changes were made during construction of the tunnel, to speed up the construction procedure. During the backfill of the tunnel higher displacements than calculated occurred.

Discussions And Replies Session 5, Shamsher Prakash, J. N. Gómez, Eyjolfur Arni Rafnsson, Roy E. Olson

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Earth Pressures On Walls Of A Deep Excavation, Z. C. Moh, R. N. Hwang

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This paper reports recorded earthpressures acting on diaphragm walls during a deep excavation carried out in a soft ground and discusses factors affecting the readings. The main theme of the paper is on wall friction and its influence on vertical earthpressures. It can be demonstrated that the assumption normally adopted in the design of the retaining structures for braced excavations that the vertical earthpressures equal to the overburden pressures could be erroneous. As a result, the vertical pressures on the active side are often over- estimated and those on the passive side under-estimated. In conclusion, it is appropriate for soft …