Geotechnical Investigations and Improvement of Ground Conditions
By Anjan Patel
()
About this ebook
Geotechnical Investigation and Improvement of Ground Conditions covers practical information on ground improvement and site investigation, considering rock properties and engineering geology and its relation to construction. The book covers geotechnical investigation for construction projects, including classic case studies with geotechnical significance. Additional sections cover soil compaction, soil stabilization, drainage and dewatering, grouting methods, the stone column method, geotextiles, fabrics and earth reinforcement, miscellaneous methods and tools for ground improvement, geotechnical investigation for construction projects, and forensic geotechnical engineering. Final sections present a series of site-specific case studies.
- Dedicated to ground improvement techniques and geotechnical site investigation
- Provides practical guidance on site-specific geotechnical investigation and the subsequent interpretation of data
- Presents site-specific case studies with geotechnical significance
- Includes site investigation of soils and rocks
- Gives field-oriented information and guidance
Anjan Patel
The Author is currently working as an Associate Professor in Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur which is recognized as an institute of National Importance by the Govt of India. He has completed his PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay in 2009 and he has over 13 years of experience in teaching, research and consultancy. He was involved as a geotechnical engineer during the subsurface exploration for the expansion of SSR International Airport in Mauritius. This investigation was one of the special cases in geotechnical engineering which includes the exploration of volcanic voids and subsurface cavities. Further, he has gained sufficient experience in geotechnical investigations because of his involvement in various consultancy jobs as well as research projects. Recently in 2019, Dr. Patel has authored a book entitled “Geotechnical Investigations and Improvement of Ground Condition, published by Elsevier in 2019. The author has guided 04 PhD and 22 MTech students, and currently some more students are working for their Master's and PhD degree under his supervision. He has got 3 patents and has about 50 technical papers published in different journals of national and international repute.
Related authors
Related to Geotechnical Investigations and Improvement of Ground Conditions
Titles in the series (40)
Finite Element Techniques in Structural Mechanics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIntroduction to Structures Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Analysis of Engineering Structures Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Applied Elasticity: Matrix and Tensor Analysis of Elastic Continua Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPlasticity for Engineers: Theory and Applications Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsElastic Beams and Frames Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Composite and Reinforced Concrete Beams Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMacro-Engineering: MIT Brunel Lectures on Global Infrastructure Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMechanics of Solids Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Macro-Engineering and the Earth: World Projects for Year 2000 and Beyond Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFinite Element Programs in Structural Engineering and Continuum Mechanics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRail Infrastructure Resilience: A Best-Practices Handbook Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDesign and Optimization of Metal Structures Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Increasing the Durability of Paint and Varnish Coatings in Building Products and Construction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMoisture and Buildings: Durability Issues, Health Implications and Strategies to Mitigate the Risks Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGeotechnical Investigations and Improvement of Ground Conditions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSustainable Construction Materials: Sewage Sludge Ash Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRock Mechanics and Engineering: Prediction and Control of Landslides and Geological Disasters Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsResearch and Application of Hot In-Place Recycling Technology for Asphalt Pavement Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMechanics of Civil Engineering Structures Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMasonry Construction in Active Seismic Regions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDesign of Steel-Concrete Composite Structures Using High-Strength Materials Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRethinking Building Skins: Transformative Technologies and Research Trajectories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsScale-Size and Structural Effects of Rock Materials Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDesign of Marine Risers with Functionally Graded Materials Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShield Construction Techniques in Tunneling Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEco-efficient Rendering Mortars: Use of Recycled Materials Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsConcrete-Filled Double-Skin Steel Tubular Columns: Behavior and Design Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBuilding Automation and Digital Technologies Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAnalytical Approaches for Reinforced Concrete Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related ebooks
Ground Improvement Case Histories: Compaction, Grouting and Geosynthetics Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Piezocone and Cone Penetration Test (CPTu and CPT) Applications in Foundation Engineering Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSoil Investigation and Foundation Design Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Soil Improvement and Ground Modification Methods Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Designing with Geosynthetics - 6Th Edition Vol. 1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Pile Design and Construction Rules of Thumb Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Geotechnical Engineering: Testing Manuals Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Concrete Structures: Protection, Repair and Rehabilitation Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Earth Reinforcement and Soil Structures Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Highway Engineering: Planning, Design, and Operations Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Field Book for Quality Control in Earthwork Operations: Project Construction Management Book Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsConcrete Portable Handbook Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Asphalt Materials Science and Technology Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Concrete Structures: Repair, Rehabilitation and Strengthening Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFoundation Design: Theory and Practice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Geotechnical Problem Solving Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFoundations on Expansive Soils Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Engineering Properties of Soils and Rocks Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Cone Penetration Testing: Methods and Interpretation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Methods of Foundation Engineering Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Grouting Theory and Practice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Stabilized Earth Roads Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPhysical Characteristics of Soils, Plasticity, Settlement Calculations, Interpretation of In-Situ Tests Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Methods of Treatment of Unstable Ground Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Foundation Engineering in Difficult Ground Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Engineering Geology and Geotechnics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSlope Analysis Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Clay in Engineering Geology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGroundwater and Seepage Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Construction For You
Inkle Loom Design & Construction Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Home and Saving Thousands on Your New House Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Everything Woodworking Book: A Beginner's Guide To Creating Great Projects From Start To Finish Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Homeowner's DIY Guide to Electrical Wiring Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Building Construction Technology: A Useful Guide - Part 1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The E-Myth Contractor: Why Most Contractors' Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Managing Construction Projects Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Basic Machines: The U.S. Navy Training Manual Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Starting Your Career as a Contractor: How to Build and Run a Construction Business Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Essential Light Straw Clay Construction: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Essential Cordwood Building: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tiny House Builder: How to Build a Simple Wooden House - Step By Step Guide With Over 100 Pictures and Plans Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Build a Tiny Portable House: With Plans and Instructions Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Building Construction Technology: A Useful Guide - Part 2 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Audel HVAC Fundamentals, Volume 3: Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps and Distribution Systems Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Plumbing ABC's Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5HVAC Principles And Systems Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Complete Book of Framing: An Illustrated Guide for Residential Construction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Build a Pole Barn Chicken Coop: Instructions and Plans Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMiller's Guide to Home Wiring Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWelding for Beginners in Fabrication Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Newnes Workshop Engineer's Pocket Book Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Built: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Structures Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5An Architect's Guide to Construction-Second Edition: Enduring Ways in the Age of Immediacy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An Architect's Guide to Construction: Tales from the Trenches Book 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsConstruction Calculations Manual Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Plumbing Licensing Study Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeginner's Guide to Japanese Joinery: Make Japanese Joints in 8 Steps With Minimal Tools Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Reviews for Geotechnical Investigations and Improvement of Ground Conditions
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Geotechnical Investigations and Improvement of Ground Conditions - Anjan Patel
Geotechnical Investigations and Improvement of Ground Conditions
First Edition
Anjan Patel
Table of Contents
Cover image
Title page
Copyright
1: Introduction
Abstract
1.1 Introduction
2: Soil compaction
Abstract
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Compaction theory
2.3 Effect on soil properties
2.4 Instruments and methods
2.5 Vibro-techniques for compaction
2.6 Dynamic compaction
2.7 Blasting
2.8 Field compaction and its control
3: Soil stabilization
Abstract
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Mechanical stabilization
3.3 Chemical stabilization
3.4 Scope
4: Drainage and dewatering
Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Methods of dewatering
5: Grouting
Abstract
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Equipments
5.3 Grouting methods and applications
6: Stone column method
Abstract
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Mechanism
6.3 Stone column installation methods
6.4 Stone column design parameters
6.5 Field inspection and execution
7: Soil reinforcement
Abstract
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Geosynthetic materials
7.3 Soil nailing
7.4 Soil anchoring
7.5 Micropiling
8: Miscellaneous methods
Abstract
8.1 Thermal stabilization
8.2 Bioengineering treatment
8.3 Geopolymerization
8.4 Nano particles additives and carbon nanotubes
8.5 Use of waste materials
8.6 Weight reduction method
9: Geotechnical investigation
Abstract
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Planning of investigation programme
9.3 Methods of site investigation
9.4 Field identification of soils and rocks properties
9.5 Sampling techniques, preservation, and transportation of samples to laboratory
9.6 Borehole and trial pit logging
9.7 Assessment of ground water table
9.8 Geotechnical specification writing
9.9 Geotechnical report writing
9.10 Geotechnical risk and hazards
10: Forensic geotechnical engineering
Abstract
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Procedure of forensic geotechnical investigation
10.3 Case examples
11: Case examples of some geotechnical applications
Abstract
11.1 Liquefiable soil
11.2 Expansive soil
11.3 Land reclamation
11.4 Karst topography
11.5 Landfilling
11.6 Landslide and slope failures
11.7 Sports field engineering
Index
Copyright
Woodhead Publishing is an imprint of Elsevier
The Officers’ Mess Business Centre, Royston Road, Duxford, CB22 4QH, United Kingdom
50 Hampshire Street, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, OX5 1GB, United Kingdom
© 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Details on how to seek permission, further information about the Publisher's permissions policies and our arrangements with organizations such as the Copyright Clearance Center and the Copyright Licensing Agency, can be found at our website: www.elsevier.com/permissions.
This book and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by the Publisher (other than as may be noted herein).
Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.
Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.
To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors, assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-0-12-817048-9 (print)
ISBN: 978-0-12-817049-6 (online)
For information on all Woodhead publications visit our website at https://www.elsevier.com/books-and-journals
Publisher: Matthew Deans
Acquisition Editor: Glyn Jones
Editorial Project Manager: Ana Claudia Garcia
Production Project Manager: Debasish Ghosh
Cover Designer: Victoria Pearson Esser
Typeset by SPi Global, India
1
Introduction
Abstract
Ground improvement is required, wherever problematic soils/rocks are encountered. The basic purpose is to make the subsurface conditions suitable for construction purposes. There are various methods of ground improvement available and the selection of a technique or a combination of techniques depends upon several factors. The different purposes of ground improvement and a brief description of the different methods and their selection criteria is presented in this chapter.
Keywords
Ground improvement; Bearing capacity; Lateral stability; Environmental control; Compaction; Consolidation; Soil reinforcement
1.1 Introduction
Ground improvement is required, wherever problematic soils/rocks are encountered. The basic purpose is to make the subsurface conditions suitable for construction purposes. There are various methods of ground improvement available and the selection of a technique or a combination of techniques depends upon several factors. The different purposes of ground improvement and a brief description of the different methods and their selection criteria is presented in this chapter.
1.1.1 Purpose of ground improvement
Ground-improvement methods are those that are capable of improving certain characteristics (e.g. increase in bearing capacity, reduction in total as well as differential settlement, reduction in permeability, slope stability, prevention of soil erosion caused by piping and seepage, reduction of uplift pressure, decrease in liquefaction potential of soil, reduction of swelling and cracking of soils, identification of suitability of site to facilitate construction works, etc.) of poor ground for civil engineering constructions and various infrastructure developments. So a ground improvement method or technique is required to alter the state, nature, or mass behaviour of ground materials in a controlled manner in order to achieve an expected and satisfactory response to existing or projected environmental and engineering actions.
There are alternate options to ground improvement as well. These are
a.to remove and replace the soil mass with another type of soils or other geomaterials of a suitable quality for the construction work
b.to bypass the poor soil with the help of a suitable technique like pile foundation
c.to alter the design (height and configuration) of structures to overcome the ground limitations
d.to change the construction site and look for a new one.
However, due to the scarcity of land in present conditions, heavy loading structures, competitive design, the need for speedy construction, and various political and economic issues, a ground-improvement technique may be the only feasible option for civil engineering constructions. This situation is outlined in Fig. 1.1, which demonstrates that when the ground is problematic in most of the cases we need to improve the soil mass by selecting a proper ground-improvement technique(s). The selection of ground-improvement techniques depends upon various factors like the cost and time available to complete the project, reasons for improving the ground, extent and depth of ground to be treated, geotechnical properties of the existing in situ soils/rocks, accessibility to the project site, availability of materials, equipments and manpower required to improve the ground, environmental factors, local experience, and preference of contractors and engineers.
Fig. 1.1 Necessity and selection of ground-improvement techniques for construction projects.
1.1.2 Preliminary evaluation for ground improvement
As mentioned previously, the requirement for and selection of various ground-improvement techniques are purely site and project specific. It is essential that the site characterization is completed before implementation of the ground-improvement process. First, it needs to be decided whether ground improvement is required for the specific project at the particular site or not? In order to decide this we need to analyze the various parameters related to the ground that affect the stability and serviceability of the structures. A simple example of a preliminary evaluation for ground improvement to construct a building has been presented as a flow chart in Fig.1.2. Similar matrices can be formed for different structures to be constructed in different sites to evaluate the necessity of ground improvement.
Fig. 1.2 Necessity of ground-improvement: preliminary evaluation.
1.1.3 Methods of ground improvement
A classification of various ground-improvement techniques can be done based upon their basic principles and this is presented in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1
All of the techniques mentioned in Table 1.1 have one or more than one of the following main functions:
a.To increase the bearing capacity
b.To control deformations and accelerate consolidation
c.To provide lateral stability
d.To form seepage cut-off and environmental control
e.To increase liquefaction resistance
f.To facilitate the working site conditions.
Depending upon the specific project requirements, it is necessary to select one, or more than one, of the ground-improvement techniques for a particular site by considering other factors like time and cost, volume and depth of work, etc., as mentioned in the previous section. Some of the common methods along with their basic purposes are summarized in Table 1.2.
Table 1.2
It is worth mentioning that a particular ground-improvement technique can be used only for a particular type or a group of soils, as shown in Fig. 1.3.
Fig. 1.3 Various ground-improvement methods as per their applicability to different soil mass. Based on Mitchell, J.K., 1981. Soil improvement: state of the art report. In: Proceedings of 10th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Stockholm, 4, pp. 509–565.
Similarly, the maximum effective depth and the economical size of the treatment area varies from method to method, as summarized in Table 1.3.
Table 1.3
1.1.4 Scope
•Developing new machinery to execute the work in less time, particularly for deep compaction
•Automation of equipment for in situ monitoring and quality check
•Development of proper guidelines so as to enhance the effectiveness of different ground-improvement techniques. Also, the regular revision of the existing guidelines is required, based upon new site condition, climatic conditions, and new challenges
•Innovating new construction materials, particularly from different wastes
•Development of new cost-effective techniques to replace the expensive ones, like freezing, electro-osmosis, vacuum consolidation, etc. Interdisciplinary work to explore new methods like nanotechnology and microbial geotechniques, bio rock formations, invention of catalyst and enzymes that can convert soil into rocklike materials, etc.
•To make these technologies more environmentally friendly
•Analysis of the effect of climate change on performance of different soil stabilizers, etc.
2
Soil compaction
Abstract
Compaction is the process of applying mechanical energy to a soil mass so as to rearrange the particles and making it dense through the expulsion of air from the voids between the soil grains. The main objectives of soil compaction are to improve the engineering properties of an existing soil or to facilitate the work during placing of fills. In this chapter the objectives of soil compaction and the different methods of compacting soil in the field are discussed.
Keywords
Vibro-compaction; Blasting; Dynamic compaction; Rollers; Density; Field control
2.1 Introduction
Compaction is the process of applying mechanical energy to a soil mass so as to rearrange the particles and making it dense through the expulsion of air from the voids between the soil grains. The main objectives of soil compaction are to improve the engineering properties of an existing soil or to facilitate the work during placing of fills. The objectives are
•to increase the shear strength and therefore bearing capacity of soil
•to increase the stiffness and therefore reduce settlement
•to decrease the void ratio thus making the soil less permeable
•to increase the erosion resistance of geomaterials
•to improve liquefaction resistance of soil by preventing the buildup of large water pressures during earthquakes.
2.2 Compaction theory
In order to explain the theories of soil compaction, it is necessary to first understand the relationships between the dry density and the moisture content (known as compaction curves) as obtained during compaction in the laboratory or in the site. The typical curves obtained from different types of soil have been depicted in Fig. 2.1. With an increase in water content, the dry density keeps on increasing up to a certain point (corresponding to the optimum moisture content (OMC) and the maximum dry density (MDD)) and then it starts decreasing. The zero air void line, also known as the 100% saturation line as shown in Fig. 2.1, is a limiting line corresponding to no air in the soil, i.e. all the voids are filled with water. It can be added here that granular soil typically have fairly steep compaction curves exhibiting large changes in density with small changes in moisture content. On the other hand, highly plastic clays exhibit fairly flat compaction curves. The MDD is higher for coarser soils and corresponds to a lower value of OMC. Some cohesionless soils can exhibit two peaks in the compaction curve (one in very dry conditions, where there are no capillary tensions to resist the compaction effort, and the other at the OMC, where optimum lubrication between particles occurs).
Fig. 2.1 Typical compaction curves in different types of soils.
The compaction in a soil mass can be achieved in various ways, as summarized in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1
The effectiveness of any of these compaction methods depends upon (1) the frictional force between soil particles supported by the capillary action, and (2) the lubrication effect of the moisture film around the soil particle, which in turn depends upon the size, shape, soil mineralogy, and the pore water. At OMC, the amount of water is just sufficient to neutralize the capillary force and the compacting force is fully utilized to rearrange the soil particles making it more dense in comparison with the MDD. Beyond OMC, the thickness of water film increases; as it cannot bind the soil particles into a group the density therefore decreases. It should be noted that whilst obtaining a compaction curve, the soil mass passes through four stages of wetting, i.e. hydration, lubrication, swelling, and saturation, as shown in Fig. 2.2.
Fig. 2.2 Stages of wetting during compaction. (Based on Hogentogler, C.A., 1936. Essentials of Soil Compaction, Proceedings Highway Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, DC, 309–316.)
In the stage of hydration water is just absorbed by the soil particles and sticks to their surface. In the stage of lubrication part of water acts as a lubricating agent enabling the rearrangement of the soil particles into a closer proximity without the expulsion of all the air from the voids. In the stage of swelling, which happens to occur beyond the OMC, the soil mass swells with the air content remaining constant, and with the addition of more water at the saturation stage all air is displaced during compaction and the soil becomes saturated. Moreover, the decreased effectiveness of compaction at higher moisture contents beyond OMC is due to the tapering of air and buildup of pore water pressure. The explanation of compaction theory in terms of physicochemical and soil-structure considerations tends to show that in the dry of optimum the particles are randomly oriented representing flocculated structure, whereas the soil particles are arranged in a dispersed manner in the wet of optimum.
2.3 Effect on soil properties
It can be seen from Fig. 2.2 that the same dry density can be achieved corresponding to two moisture contents, one at the dry of optimum and other at the wet of optimum. Clays compacted dry of optimum have a flocculated fabric, which generally corresponds to higher permeability, greater strength and stiffness, and increased brittleness. On the other hand, clays compacted wet of optimum have a dispersed fabric, which corresponds to lower permeability, lower strength and stiffness, but more ductility.
The change in strength, stiffness, permeability, compressibility, and swelling of soils corresponding to the dry or wet of optimum is summarized in Table 2.2.