Geotechnical Engineering Commons^™

Down Drag On An Instrumental Bored Pile In Soft Clay, R. K. Bhandari, M. R. Soneja, Devendra Sharma

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The paper reports result of a comprehensive full scale field study expressly undertaken to monitor negative drag on a large diameter, bored cast-in-place reinforced concrete pile installed to rock in a deep deposit of soft marine clay of pleistaceae to recent origin. The pile was instrumented with load cells and the ground around the pile with piezometers and settlement gauges. The negative drag was generated by loading the ground around the pile in stages. The ground settlements were accelerated by providing vertical sand drains. The observational data were utilized in figuring out the influence of surcharge on the depth of …

Dynamic Precompression Treatment - A Case History, F. J. Leon

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

An unusual case history of a condominium apartment building, originally designed for eleven storeys, to which four additional floors were added after the footings had already been constructed and was successfully completed to fifteen storeys in height . The use of rather high soil-bearing values, from 7 ksf ( 350 kPa) in the original design to over 12 ksf ( 600 kPa) . The project site , underlain by erratic soil profiles containing layers of soft fine-grained soils to about 20 ft (6 m) below the surface, had been effectively improved with an intense application of the Dynamic Precompression Treatment …

Effect Of Foundation Deformations On The Damage Of A Masonry Villa (Case History), S. A. Abo-El Magd, H. M. Hosny, M. Mashhour

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Cracks in the masonry walls of a one storey villa due to foundation deformations are investigated in this paper. In spite of the fact that the soil formation in the site was found to be almost uniform, hogging deformation profile took place in the strip foundation due to unequal loading. Analysis of the walls together with their supporting soil, as one integrated system, showed that very small foundation deformation can produce tensile stresses in the wall higher than its tensile strength. Repair of the cracks was proposed and carried out successfully.

Field Consolidation Of A Moderately Organic Hetrogeneous Deposit, P. D. Deo, A. S. Mehta

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Very little technical information is available in literature about the compressibility characteristics of peat and organic soils. The problem of estimating consolidation settlements is even more complex for moderately organic hetrogeneous soils, such as mixtures of organic and inorganic soils.

Two known factors affecting compressibility characteristics of organic soils are: natural moisture content and consolidation pressure. From several sites, natural moisture content and compressibility data was collected for organic soils. The data is presented graphically for low and moderate consolidation pressures.

On the basis of the above mentioned data, coefficient of compression index for a moderately organic deposit was estimated. …

Field Observation Of Pore Pressure In Soft Clay, R. L. Wei

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Pore pressure measurements made during the preloading of a large oil tank on a deep deposit of soft clay are reported and analyzed. The piezometer data show that the excess pore pressure at a point in the subsoil increases linearly with the increasing surface load until a certain critical load is reached. Then the induced shear stress at that point reaches the shearing strength of the soil, and local yield occurs. Henceforth there is a pronounced increase in the observed rate of pore pressure built-up.

Foundation Heave At Asco Ii Nuclear Power Plant, R. B. Fallgren, C. R. Mcclure

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Excavation of 75m of claystone at Asco Unit II resulted in foundation heave in excess of anticipated elastic rebound. The heave was found to be caused by expansive clay minerals in the rock swelling in the presence of water. Upper-bound estimates of future heave were made based on past trends, and structures analyzed to demonstrate their capacity to resist heave-caused deformations. The primary factor in controlling heave is the amount of water available to the bedrock.

Foundation Problems And Solutions At The Bridge River, Powerhouse No. 1, H. Taylor, A. P. Joseph

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The Bridge River Powerhouse No. 1 was constructed between 1946 and 1950 on the north shore of Seton Lake near Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada. The Powerhouse contains four Pelton wheel (impulse) turbines generating a total of 200 MW of electrical power. When the powerhouse was completed and the first units placed in operation severe and extensive ground cracking occurred behind and beyond the powerhouse. The ground movement shifted the powerhouse slightly toward the lake, and cracked the concrete penstock tunnels. As a result of this the foundation under the powerhouse was thoroughly investigated and instrumentation installed to record and assess …

Geologic Considerations In Civil Constructions - Malaysian Case Studies, Boon K. Tan

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The need for adequate geologic input into civil engineering projects is common knowledge to all. However, quite surprisingly, in many construction projects in Malaysia geologic input is either totally lacking or highly inadequate. An indicator of the extent of neglect of geologic input into civil constructions in Malaysia is the fact that many soil investigation reports for these projects in this country do not contain a section or even a brief write-up on the site geology. This paper presents several case studies of civil engineering projects where geologic factors have been overlooked, thus resulting in the delay in the completion …

Ground Heave Due To Pile Driving, J. P. Dugan Jr., D. L. Freed

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The factors which influence ground heave due to pile driving outside the construction site are discussed. Elevation survey data are presented for nine case studies in the Boston area where the subsoil conditions consist of an insensitive clay deposit in the range of 60 to 110 feet thick. Curves of heave vs. normalized distance exhibit a trend of increasing heave with increased volumetric displacement ratio. Patterns of ground heave typically occur as radially shaped contours decreasing in magnitude away from pile driving. Building and ground movements observed several years after completion of pile driving indicate that the heave is temporary, …

Grouting To Control Deep Foundation Settlement, B. Mcclelland, E. J. Ulrich

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

An 18-story reinforced concrete building under construction in South Florida reached 16th floor level when significant differential settlement presented an unanticipated foundation problem. The foundation consisted of a structural mat supported by 14-in. concrete piles 24 to 75 ft long. Surprisingly, the longest piles were within the area of greatest settlement. Investigation revealed a previously undisclosed semi-cavernous zone from 120 to 175 ft below ground surface, and level surveys using deep benchmarks confirmed that zone to be the source of movement. Injection grouting first accelerated and then controlled the settlement, allowing the building to be completed on schedule. Temperature probes …

Lakeview Tower: Case History Of Foundation Failure, K. R. Peaker

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The 14 storey Lakeview Towers apartment building in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada began with the site investigation in 1972 and ended 10 years later by demolition. During this interval settlements of over 400 mm occurred in one section of the structure. The reasons for the settlement revolved around a change in foundation design from piles to spread footings on improved ground, complicated by an unexpected layer of highly compressible clay. While the building may have been able to tolerate the settlement depending on the reader's interpretation of the results, it was demolished after legal disputes. A final structural analysis indicated a …

Lateral Pile Response From Model Tests In A Large Centrifuge, Y. O. Barton, R. H. G. Parry, W. D. Liam Finn

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Lateral loading tests on instrumented model piles in saturated sand in a centrifuge are described. Piles were tested in isolation and in groups of two, three and six piles. Data were obtained on deflections and bending moments in single piles and on interaction factors between piles. Response of single piles compared favourably with data from Mustang Island field tests. Experimental interaction factors generally differed from those commonly used which are derived from elastic theory. The difference depends on pile spacing.

Moisture Induced Damages To Building Foundations, S. S. Bandyopadhyay, R. Reuss

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The effect of moisture on foundation soils is a very important factor in the design of building foundations especially when the foundation soils are expansive in nature. The variations in subgrade moisture, with corresponding change in volume and strength characteristics of foundation soils may cause severe damage to the building. Two case histories are described where excess moisture in foundation soils caused damages to the building in distinctly different ways. In one case, moisture increase in the expansive foundation soils caused considerable swelling of the clays resulting in severe damage to the building. In the other case, excess moisture caused …

Monitoring And Performance Of A Bridge Abutment, G. Y. Felio, G. R. Bauer

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The performance of a bridge abutment founded on spread footings was monitored. The construction sequence, the instrumentation and the results of the bridge behaviour over several years is discussed.

Observation And Analysis Of Settlements Of Oil Tanks On High Compressive Saturated Soft Clay, Yongjun Zhang

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This paper summarizes the experiences obtained in the design and construction of oil tank foundations on untreated high compressive saturated soft clay. Through the study and analysis of the various data collected from long-term observation, the author has proposed a number of suggestions on the designing of the foundation of oil tanks, the calculation of the deformation of tank floors, allowable differential settlement and the spacing of tanks. In addition, the paper also gives an account of the behaviour of the site and the deformation of tanks resulting from the Tangshan Earthquake.

On Foundation Treatment For Old Houses And Factory Buildings, Yiji Wang

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This article is for the participation in the discussion on papers under Theme I presented at the International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering and can be regarded as additional information to Theme I. A few cases of foundation treatment for old residential houses and factory buildings are enumerated, whereby engineering problems are studied to find solutions. It is held that a solution that can be suited to a case and also costeffective should be selected in the light of the nature of a building and its foundation. It is of the opinion that the solution with drilled or …

Power Line Foundation Design Using The Pressuremeter, J. L. Briaud, A. J. Pacal, A. W. Shively

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

During the design phase of a 2000-towers electric power transmission line, a load test program was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of new design methods for uplift and lateral capacity of drilled shafts. Seven uplift tests and six lateral load tests were performed in three different soil deposits: a medium clay, a very hard clay and a sand. The shafts were 2 ft in diameter and either 10 or 15 ft long. The pressuremeter test results are used together with existing methods to predict the behavior of the shafts.

Power Plant Construction On A Thick Sand Deposit, A. Arcones, A. Soriano

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The Compañía Sevillana de Electricidad, S.A., is building a fuel power plant near the mouth of the Guadarranque river in the Algeciras Bay, in the South of Spain. The site is flat, with the ground water level close to the surface and occasionally above it, giving the site a marshy aspect. The thickness of the alluvial soils is such that deep foundations have been considered so expensive that an alternative solution has had to be sought. The rather loose and granular characteristics of the soil deposit caused some concern about settlement of shallow foundations in addition to the risk of …

Power Station Foundations In Deep Expansive Soil, G. E. Blight, Lethabo Ad Hoc Foundation Committee

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The site for a large (3600 MW) thermal power station is underlain by deep expansive soils which posed difficult conditions for the design of stable foundations. After describing the soil and ground-water conditions and attendant foundation problems, the paper goes on to describe how the amount and rate of heave were predicted. Most of the foundations are piled, but the piles will be subject to uplift as the soil swells. Large scale tests to acquire information for the prediction of uplift forces are described, as well as measures for reducing the uplift forces.

Prediction Of Axial Pile Capacity Based On Case Histories, R. E. Olson, N. D. Dennis, D. G. Winter

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A data bank containing records from 1000 load tests on driven piles was set up. A computer program was developed to access the data bank and perform capacity analyses using a variety of methods. Analyses using six methods in clay and three in sand are reported here. For piles in clay, the capacities were predicted with tolerable accuracy by all methods, whereas the scatter was large for all methods for piles in sand. Generally, capacities were higher for tapered piles then indicated by the analyses. Tensile and compressive side shear capacities were essentially the same. The capacities of open and …

Raymond Concrete Cylinder Files In Arabian Gulf, P. D. Engeling, R. F. Hayden, R. A. Hawkins

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The primary purpose of this paper is to present a case history of the main events which occurred in the design and construction of the Ju'Aymah Trestle. The load testing program was an essential and very interesting part of that history, and as such it will be discussed in this paper. However, the entire load test results will not be presented as this data has already been published in Foundation Facts, (1979) Raymond International Builders, Inc. periodic technical publication. We will present both the successes and failures which occurred in design and construction and will try to explain the reasons …

Repair And Replacement Of Acid-Damaged Piles, Michael W. Montgomery

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A case history of the investigation and repair of severe foundation damage by sulfuric acid attack to the concrete piles supporting a chemical plant is described. In December 1975, several columns were observed to have settled up to 5 inches (13 cm). Since large quantities of sulfuric acid arc used at the plant, deterioration of concrete piles supporting the structure was suspected. An initial investigation consisting of the coring of numerous floor piles was performed in order to determine the magnitude of the problem. Because many piles were found to be severely deteriorated, underpinning of columns in the area of …

Settlement Of Three Grain Tanks On Alluvial Soils Exhibiting Desiccation Profiles, S. R. Saye

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A desiccated crust of overconsolidated soil commonly forms at the surface of compressible soil deposits. If a depression of the groundwater level occurs, the desiccation zone penetrates into the soil profile. At sites where the groundwater level has subsequently risen, a net overconsolidation will exist in the soil profile below the crust. Settlements of structures may be affected by the overconsolidation and by the ability of the desiccated layer to distribute surface stresses over the lightly overconsolidated soil below the crust. This paper presents the use of profiles of laboratory test results and observation of color changes within the soil …

Soil Conditions And Foundation Problems In The Desert Region Of The Middle East, A. S. Stipho

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Soil condition in desert regions of the Middle East is discussed according to geological features. Conditions in four different zones are presented. Common geotechnical foundation problems in each of these zones are presented. Some remedies are suggested. Some properties of salt bearing soil (Sabkha) are studied. The influence of Nacl concentration engineering properties of the subsoil in desert regions is singled out. General relations between the unique harsh desert weather and engineering practice are analysed.

Stability Of Suspension Bridge Anchorage System, Gopal Ranjan, Shamsher Prakash, Swami Saran, Bhawani Singh

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The lift side anchor system for a 151 m span suspension bridge over river Alaknanda in Himalayan region was unstable. The gravity type anchor block for the suspension bridge was constructed by cutting the toe of the natural slope. Walls were constructed to retaining the backfill and the anchor block. Slips along the natural slope were frequent. The site lies in an active seismic zone.

The paper presents the details of analysis of anchor block, retaining walls and the natural slopes. The analysis is carried out both under static condition and also by taking seismic coefficients. The already constructed retaining …

Structural Fill Of Steel Slag Caused Heave Of A Building, Janardanan O. Uppot

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The results of an investigation on the cause of damage to a two-story industrial building supported on 5.5m of steel slag fill in the town of Monclova in the north of Mexico are presented. Since six years it was built, the floor slab heaved between 2om and 25om. The columns were raised up between 2 cm and 20 cm. These movements cracked the building. Chemical analysis of slag showed 22% of calcium oxide and 5% of magnesium oxide, which on hydration cause swelling. At a distance of 4m on one side of the building was a hearth-bath, a molten iron …

Tank Farm Construction Over Soft Organic Clays -- A Case History, Syed Ahmed

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A soil improvement program revealed new dimensions of rate of pore pressure dissipation, settlement, creep, and lateral deformation. The program saved a considerable foundation construction cost. A new parameter, pore pressure response ratio (R) is introduced. The case history presents observed results of tank-foundation-soil interaction.

Vertical Load Tests Of Footings On Silt, D. P. Lagatta, T. O. Keller

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Vertical load tests were performed on two shallow spread footings founded on nonplastic silt. Maximum vertical loads of 500 kips were applied to the test footings which were about 24 x 12 x 4 ft in size. Instrumentation was installed to measure footing displacements, footing contact stresses, and soil displacements below the footings. Results of the load tests have been presented in graphic form. Comparisons have been made between measured settlements of the footings and predicted settlements based on standard penetration test results in the silt deposit.

Reinforced Flow Retardation Structure At Henshaw Dam, Dennis S. Tarnay

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The Henshaw Dam is a semi-hydraulic earthfill structure. The seismic studies indicated that the dam could fail by liquefaction during a strong seismic motion. To ensure the integrity of the dam, the reservoir storage was reduced, the old spillway reconstructed, and a new reinforced flow retardation structure was built immediately downstream from the existing dam.

Performance Evaluation Of A Reinforced Earth-Wall For I-95 Philadelphia, Umkant Dash

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A 1630-foot long "reinforced earth" wall varying in height from 5 to 35 feet was constructed for Interstate 95 Project (1980) to serve as a sound barrier for the Society Hill area of Philadelphia. This case history describes the methods of special laboratory testing used for the selection of granular backfill, the details of construction control and the special field pullout testing for the performance evaluation of the wall.