Engineering Commons^™

Rock Response In A 12-M Tunnel Through A Zone Of Low Strength, R. D. Prager, G. S. Grainger, R. L. Butts

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

At the Rocky Mountain Pumped Storage Project a 12 meter diameter power tunnel was excavated through sedimentary rock for 760 meters. Approximately 10% of this tunnel was through Pennington shale that is described as a dark gray massive organic shale. This paper will describe the methods of testing .and rock characterization, the results of instrumentation and monitoring, and the post-construction testing program for the excavation, and conclude with a discussion of the observed rock response in relation to the measured strength and deformation properties. This particular zone of the tunnel required the addition of longer rockbolts, and a discussion of …

Prediction And Field Performance Of An Instrumented Road, Robert Brian Smith, William Otho Yandell

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Performance of a surface-treated crushed rock pavement, 250 mm thick and placed over a weak subgrade, is predicted using mechano-lattice analysis and the results are compared with actual performance after the passage of the equivalent of 800 000 standard axles. Input is in terms of the deformation characteristics determined from repeated loading triaxial testing. Performance is measured in terms of pavement profile, roughness and permanent deformation or rutting. Predicted straight-edge rutting was within the range of values measured in the field. The measured profile index and roughness count were consistent with a pavement showing little deformation over its initial six …

Slope Stability Problems Related To A Semi-Bridge Construction, St. Christoulas, E. Gassios, N. Kalteziotis, G. Tsiambaos

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

In the area of "AKTEA", a summer-housing estate 36 Km away from the city of Athens, a great landslide affected the stability of a semi-bridge, constructed in 1980 for the widening of the nearby national road. Preliminary studies carried out before the semi-bridge construction and after the observed damage of most of the houses in the uphill area, favoured the existence of a very superficial creep affecting however the one or two storey buildings of the summer-housing estate. After the semi-bridge construction, instability phenomena continued in an increasing rate and a more systematic geotechnical investigation revealed definite landslide movements (instead …

Correlation Between The Actual And Predicted Settlements Of Structures At Nsukka, Nigeria, H. O. Chukweze

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The paper compares the measured and calculated settlements of two buildings and one concrete water tank founded on the red-weathered soils of Nsukka, Nigeria. Prior to actual construction of the structures the three sites were investigated, soil samples were collected and tested in the laboratory and the data collected were used to predict the total and differential settlements of the structures. Then permanent concrete slabs were established as bases at each of the three sites for observing other points. The theodolite was used at each of the sites to monitor the movements of each of the structures, starting from the …

Design, Construction And Performance Of A Deep Excavation In Soft Clay, Richard Riker, David Dailer

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A deep internally braced excavation in soft clay was performed for a pump station at a sewage treatment plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The design was influenced by the limited site area; potential for bearing capacity failure and/or hydrostatic blowout in the bottom of the excavation; and the necessity to limit ground deformation outside the excavation to protect existing structures and utilities. A performance specification and design was prepared by the owner's engineer. The design included minimum earth and hydrostatic lateral loading conditions to be used by the contractor, a minimum depth of penetration for the earth support system, and a …

Drilled Pier Load Test, Fort Collins, Colorado, J. B. Hummert Jr., T. L. Cooling

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A full-scale compressive load test was conducted on a drilled pier in the Pierre Shale Formation near Fort Collins, Colorado, to verify design parameters. The test pier was designed based on presumptive design criteria for both end-bearing and skin friction in the shale. The maximum test load of 6.7 MN (750 tons) resulted in a deflection of approximately 230 mm (9.0 in.). Instrumentation within the pier allowed determination of the actual end-bearing and skin friction values at various applied loads. Based on results of the test, production piers were redesigned for skin friction only and shear rings were added to …

Gbs Platform Evaluation Using Field Instrumentation, Joseph M. Keaveny, Per Magne Aas, Farrokh Nadim

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A case history of the foundation behaviour of an offshore gravity base structure (GBS) is presented. The platform rests on an overconsolidated fissured clay, bounded, top and bottom, by pervious sand layers. Sixteen piezometers have been placed within this 30 m layer. Based on one-dimensional consolidation theory, independent analyses using both settlement and pore pressure measurements indicated a high degree of consolidation had occurred much sooner than was estimated in the initial design phase. These analyses indicated that laboratory oedometer tests underpredicted the coefficient of consolidation by one to two orders of magnitude. Updated settlements and stability analyses yielded 50% …

Pressure Injected Footings – A Case History, M. R. Lewis, M. M. Blendy

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A specialty contractor installed high-capacity pressure-injected footings (PIFs) for foundations in a congested area of an existing coal-fired power plant. Some concrete cylinders broke at strengths significantly lower than the minimum specified strength. Initial coring of some of the PIFs uncovered voids and deleterious matter at the junction of the shaft and the end-bearing base of the PIFs. Subsequent load tests and additional coring substantiated the load-transfer problem. A field testing program was initiated to verify the load-carrying capacity of all the completed PIFs. Wave equation analyses optimized the testing program, established the field testing criteria, and predicted ultimate capacities …

Axial Load Capacities Of Steel Pipe Piles In Sand, Roy E. Olson, Khalil Al-Shafei

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The 1986 API method was used to predict the capacities of steel pipe piles, in predominantly cohesionless soils, for thirty three axial load tests. The ratio of calculated to measured capacities (QC/QM) was found to range from 0.15 to 3.0 with a mean QC/QM of 0.74. Reconsideration of the soil properties in terms of standard penetration resistances, made it possible to reduce the scatter to the range of 0.65 to 1.23 with a mean value of 0.93. The large errors previously existing for short piles were eliminated. Analyses were equally accurate for piles in compression and tension. The factor of …

Vertical Excavation Below Footing Solved By Compaction Grouting, Harry Grice, Ernest T. Mosley, Richard M. Berry

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

One of the problems regularly facing engineers in designing additions to buildings or other structures is dealing with excavating for footings directly adjoining existing footings but at a deeper level. This was accomplished in sandy soils economically and quickly for a noted Conference Center in 1983 by using compaction grouting. Compaction piles were utilized to pick up existing loads as well as the horizontal loads which would normally allow the building to tip, settle and crack. We believe this was the first use of compaction piles as "anchor" piles to pick up horizontal loads. By using this process, the sandy …

Design And Construction Of A Soil Bentonite Slurry Wall Around An Operating Facility Superfund Site, A. S. Burgess, G. S. Laird, M. S. Leonard

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A soil bentonite slurry wall was designed for an NPL site to stop further migration of chemicals in a complex aquifer system, and to facilitate the removal of possible chemical sources from saturated zones beneath the site. Pumping from within the slurry wall will maintain inward and upward hydraulic gradients and thus stop further lateral or vertical migration of chemicals from the contained area. The slurry wall was constructed under an exceptionally detailed Quality Assurance; Quality Control review by the Contractor and two independent consulting firms. Ground movements, vibration levels and opacity of dust produced during construction were monitored for …

Evaluation Of Remedial In-Waste Leachate Head Reduction, Denise E. Mills, Donald A. Cordell

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Water quality monitoring at Cedar Hil.ls Regional Landfill, in King County, Washington has indicated that shallow ground water perched in lodgement till has been impacted by solid waste disposal. A leachate mound to 50 feet in thickness was identified in the refuse which overlies the low permeability till. The leachate head over the till is sufficient to cause downward flow of leachate through the till to shallow ground water, and may contribute to water quality impacts at the site. Lowering the leachate head, therefore, may reduce the potential for impacts on water quality. A study was conducted to obtain estimates …

On A New Problem Of High-Speed Landslides, Hu Guangtao

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This paper has discussed the problem proposed about multiple stroke of high-speed landslides its multiple strokes 1 change of energy, and overstepping gas billows spattered with mud.

Performance Of Some Tunnels In Squeezing Rocks Of Himalayas, T. Ramamurthy, V. M. Sharma

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Data regarding the performance of three tunnelling projects in the Himalayan region has been collected. It is seen that rock loads or deformations calculated on the basis of Barton, Bieniawski or RMR approach do not match the field data. A mathematical model has been developed incorporating modifications in the approach of Brown et.al of rock-support interaction, using elastic-strain softening-plastic ground characteristics. A non-linear relationship between radial and tangential strains around the tunnel has been considered and the method of calculation of stresses and deformations altered to incorporate exact integration of the governing differential equation for a thin cylindrical annulus replacing …

A Finite Element Analysis Of The Utah "Thistle" Failure, Blaine D. Leonard, Joseph M. Olsen

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

In the Spring of 1983, a large landslide occurred near the town of Thistle, Utah which blocked major transportation routes and impounded the Spanish Fork River, inundating the town with 200 feet of water. While much attention has been given to the slide and its impact, very little has been directed toward a quantitative understanding of its causes. An analysis was performed of the Thistle landslide using the SEEPSLOPE finite element system in order to evaluate the mechanisms, factors, and causes of the failure. An elastic, perfectly-plastic stress-strain curve was employed in the analysis to model the behavior of the …

Performance Of A Harbor Embankment, D. G. Anderson, J. G. Dehner, T. B. King

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

An instrumentation program to monitor deformations and pore pressures in foundation soils during construction of a container wharf and backlands fill at the Port of Los Angeles is described in this paper. Inclinometers, vertical settlement systems, and pneumatic pore-pressure transducers were used to monitor the performance of a silty clay during various phases of container wharf and backlands construction. Results of the monitoring program and their impacts on wharf construction are presented and discussed. Instrumentation program refinements that were required during data gathering and interpretation are also noted.

Reliability Of A Wave Equation Analysis In The Estimation Of Static Bearing Capacity Of A Vertical Pile--A Case Study, S. Bandyopadhyay, M. K. Gupta, A. S. Arya

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Application of wave equation, in the analysis of pile behavior, under dynamic loading has started with Smith [9]. This paper presents a modified explicit numerical scheme, based on Smith's approach, which retains the simplicity and minimum storage requirement of Smith's scheme but offers a faster and more accurate solution near critical time step. Bearing capacity of pile is estimated through Poulos [8) scheme, after evaluating dynamic properties of soil from set value through this modified scheme. Observed load test results establish a good promise for this analysis.

Existing Pile Load Capacity Evaluation, Alan Kropp

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

An evaluation of the capacity of piles supporting an existing five-story building became necessary when heavy new shear walls were proposed for the structure. Data regarding these piles was obtained from the soil investigation report for the project, from two pile load tests at the site, and from driving records for 229 production piles. Additional information was derived from soil borings and pile load tests for two adjacent buildings. Calculations were made of the anticipated pile capacities of piles at load test locations, and empirical correction factors developed to modify the calculated values to match the load test results. The …

Ground Response To Sheet Pile Installation In Clay, Richard J. Finno, Dimitrios K. Atmatzidis, Steven M. Nerby

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The effects of sheet pile installation on an adjacent cohesive soil mass are described herein. Observations indicate that driving sheet pile caused pore pressures to double at some locations. These pore pressures extended further than reported in previous studies concerning driven piles. Initially pore pressures rapidly dropped, but dissipation slowed after this initial adjustment. Inclinometer and extensometer data indicate that the clay was laterally displaced up and away from the sheeting causing the ground surface to heave. The impact of this behavior on subsequent stress changes during excavation is discussed.

Performance Of Foundations And Retaining Structures, Daniel P. Gado, George P. Kelley, John J. Mcelroy

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The design, construction, and performance of several building foundations and temporary earth retaining structures located in the downtown area of White Plains, New York are presented in this paper. High rise structures were supported on shallow mat or spread foundations bearing on erratic saturated alluvial silt and sand deposits. Additionally, the construction of two and three level underground parking structures required the use of cantilevered and braced excavation support systems to retain the adjacent streets and utilities. Several assumptions were required to design and predict the performance of the building foundations and retaining structures. The accuracy of these assumptions was …

The Failure Of Oil Storage Tanks And Their Control, Stanislav Dovnarovitch, Yurji Ivanov

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The paper discusses of some results of flexible footings and their models behaviour in the case of loading-unloading cycles applied to them. The revealed effects have been used to explain the causes of some tanks failures. It has been shown that one of the possible causes is the difference between the displacements of the tank bottom and soil under it following unloading and subsequent loading. A simple technique has been proposed to prevent the failures that can be easily applied when constructing the tanks. The application of the technique both eliminates the causes of the failures and greatly reduces the …

Geotechnical Studies Of Foundation Of A Tilted Tank At Parikshatgarh, India, G. C. Nayak, B. Singh, P. K. Jain

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

An overhead tank of 200 KL capacity and 9 m staging was constructed in year 1975 at the ancient historical site at Parikshatgarh, Meerut, India. The depth of foundation is 1.6 m and inner and outer diameters of annular raft is 6.8 m and 10.3 respectively. In year 1978, the overhead tank was observed to be tilted. Detailed geotechnical studies have been conducted in 1987 to find out the causes of tilting of the tank and tilts have been measured every month for last one year. It is interesting to note that in spite of severe tilt of 4.3 cm/meter …

Settlements In A Masonry Villa Caused By Trees, Filippo Ciuffi

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Cracks in the masonry walls of a one storeyed villa due to foundation deformations are investigated in this paper. Particular attention is given to the analysis of the unusual causes of settlement.

Some Case Histories In Urban And Rural Geotechnical Engineering, S. I. Tsien

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This paper presents several aspects of engineering performances including satisfactory, unsatisfactory but later remedied, and failure experiences in the fields of building foundation, underground construction, and slope stability problems. These projects were completed in China in the past decade. Five case records of performance are used as illustrative examples. Further research work are finally suggested.

Designing Geotextile Support For Submarine Power Cables, K. Y. C. Chung

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Six 36 cm diameter submarine pipe-cables were buried in a 1.2 km long, fabric-lined trench in the soft river mud under 17 m average water head across the Hudson River about 4.8 km north of the Newburgh Bridge, New York. This paper describes the design considerations based on geotechnical point of view of using geotextile to support submarine power cables.

Impact Of Tunneling On Two Brick-Bearing-Wall Structures, Marco D. Boscardin

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The responses or a pair or brick-bearing-wall structures to nearby construction or twin, shield driven 21-ft-diameter tunnels in soil are examined. Horizontal and vertical ground displacements are summarized and discussed, as well as, horizontal and vertical displacements, tilting, distortion, and damage sustained by the structures. Transient features or the developing settlement trough and effects on building response are also examined and discussed.

Bulletin - June, 1988, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A four page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

An Application Of Decision Tree Analysis To The Central Provident Fund Board Of Singapore, Danis Ang, S Subba Rao

IIMB Management Review

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Of Pore Volume And Pore Size Distribution To The Development Of Gloss And Scattering Coefficient, John A. Cook

Masters Theses

This study describes in a quantitative manner the relationships between coating structure and optical properties. Gloss, scattering coefficient and void volume were measured after applying different blends of polystyrene spheres to mylar film. Each coating was modeled using large spherical particles of the same size ratios to measure pore size distribution. The coating structure followed well with theoretical packing characteristics of spheres. Optical properties were related to changes in coating structure. Scattering coefficient and gloss correlated better with pore size distribution than particle size. Gloss increased when total void volume was reduced, while the scattering coefficient decreased.

Acuta Enews June 1988, Vol. 17, No. 6

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

President's Message

Party Line

Bits & Pieces

How much stress can fiber take?

AT&T Kills 800 Service