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This research work had the aim of developing a procedure for back-calculating accurate and precise parameter values, describing the mechanical behaviour of the materials built in an existing road structure. After reviewing the existing testing techniques, a new device was designed and assembled at the IGT, Institute for Geotechnical Engineering (ETH Zürich) for measuring the three dimensional deflection bowl under a standard axle load (SAL). Particular attention was paid for obtaining precise and accurate significant measurements for inverse analysis. Three field tests on different locations and road structures were carried out: a flexible pavement type built in a concrete pit (indoor facil...
Knowledge of the performance of river dykes during flooding is necessary when designing governmental assistance plans aimed to reduce both casualties and material damage. This is especially relevant when floods have increased in their frequency during the last decades, together with the resulting material damage and life costs. Most of previous attempts for analyzing dyke breaching during flooding have neglected to consider the soil mechanics component and the influence of infiltration and saturation changes on the failure mechanisms developed in the river dyke. This research project aimed to fill that gap in knowledge by analyzing, in a comprehensive manner, the effect of transient water co...
Squeezing conditions in tunnelling are characterized by the occurrence of large deformations of the opening or high rock pressure that may overstress the lining. Squeezing is associated with poor quality rock. Tunnelling in squeezing ground involves great uncertainties. It is therefore very important to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Triaxial testing is the main source of information in order to understand the mechanical features of squeezing ground. Despite the complexity of the squeezing mechanism and the behaviour observed under relatively simple loading conditions, most of previous research work and engineering design practice considers the ground as a linearly...
Double porosity soil is characterised by a soil continuum containing two distinct porosities. Typically, this consists of macro-grains (lumps) of soil that have an internal porosity defined as the intragranular porosity. The spaces between lumps are identified as intergranular voids that give rise to the intergranular porosity. Human activities such as land reclamation or mining can give rise to large areas of land with subsoil that exhibits double porosity. The need to build in, or on, these areas is increasing, due to demand for land for industrial usage, infrastructure, and residence. However, the engineering properties of such soils are challenging, and often difficult to predict due to ...
This PhD thesis investigates the effectiveness of drainage measures with respect to two particularly important problems associated with tunnelling through water-bearing, weak ground: the stability of the tunnel face and the stability and deformation of grouting bodies. Water is an adverse factor with respect to the stability and deformation of underground structures due to the pore water pressure and the seepage forces associated with seepage flow towards the tunnel. Drainage boreholes reduce the pore water pressure and the seepage forces in the vicinity of the cavity. Furthermore, loss of pore water pressure increases the effective stresses and thus the shearing resistance of the ground (...
The main goal of this introductory text is to demonstrate how basic concepts in Soil Mechanics can be used as a “forensic” tool in the investigation of geotechnical failures. This, in turn, provides a good opportunity to show how to use available procedures in the formulation of useful simple models. Geotechnical failure is understood here in a broad sense as the failure of a structure to function properly due to a geotechnical reason. Some of the geotechnical failures selected are well known for their impact on the geotechnical community. Others are closer to the author’s experience. They have been organized into three main topics: Settlement, Bearing Capacity and Excavations. They co...
GSP 127 contains 15 papers highlighting the use of recycled materials in geotechnics presented in sessions of the ASCE Civil Engineering Conference and Exposition, held in Baltimore, Maryland, October 19-21, 2004.
GSP 154 contains 36 papers describing the latest advances in pavement mechanics and performance that were presented at sessions of the GeoShanghai Conference, held in Shanghai, China, June 6-8, 2006.