Observational Method in Geotechnical Engineering

Robert J. Werner, P.E.

FAILURE PLANE

Design Based on Most Probable Conditions Identify Worse-Case Eventualities Develop Reliable Monitoring Plan Predict Monitoring Outcomes Establish Action Plan (In Advance) Monitor & Report Promptly Modify Design / Implement Action Plan

Peck 1969 Ninth Rankine Lecture Advantages and Limitations of the Observational Method in Applied Soil Mechanics

LOUISIANA SITE

Design Based on Lower-Bound Conditions Identify Worse-Case Eventualities Continue Monitoring Plan Predict Monitoring Outcomes Establish Improvement Plan Monitor & Report Implement Improvement Plan if Warranted

Pleistocene

Session 67 Wednesday 10:00-11:45 Room 2

Robert J. Werner, P.E.

I-20 & US-80 BRIDGES

BRIEF HISTORY

1929 RR BRIDGE SLOPE FAILURE

U.S. 80 BRIDGE TOWER 1 PEDESTALS

FAILURE PLANE US-80 BRIDGE

NB-10

NEW INCLINOMETER BORING

IPI-10R

IPI-10R

I-20 BRIDGE MOVEMENT

West East F E F E F PP15 PP15 F E F E

Simple Span
426 W-3 W-2

Anchor Span
423 W-1

Suspended Span
870

Anchor Span
423 E-1 E-2

Simple Span
426 E-3

Cantilever Spans

SUMMARY OF I-20 PIER MOVEMENTS

Summary of I-20 Bridge Pier Movements (+ direction is west)
Top of Pier E-2 Estimated Time or Time Period
(in) (arc-sec) (in) (arc-sec)

Top of Pier E-1

1. Prior to 5/2001 1. 1999 and 2000

2. 2003 Feb 3. 2005 Aug 4. 2005 Nov 5. 2006 Aug - Sep 6. 2007 Sep - Dec 7. 2009 Sep - Dec 8. 2010 Nov 9. 2011 Oct 10. 2012 June - Sep

Prior to 5/2001 2/5/2003 to 2/6/2003 8/2/2005 11/17/2005 8/13/2006 to 9/21/2006 9/21/2009 to 12/19/2007 0/28/2009 to 12/22/2009 11/7/2010 to 11/22/2010 10/20/2011 to 10/24/2011 6/29/2012 to 9/21/2012

6.00 0.50 0.75 0.25 0.50 0.50 0.20 0.20 0.25 1.25 50 0 0 50 50 25 25 0 75

6.50 0.50 0.50 0.25 0.75 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.25 1.00 0 50 0 75 25 20 10 25 75

Total Movement (+/-)

10.50

300

10.25

300

GENERALIZED PROFILE

Peak Shear Strength = 5.4

MOVEMENTS at I-8 (PIER E-2)

3/31/11 BATHYMETRY

SAA at I-8 (PIER E-2)

INCLINOMETER I-12 at PIER E-1 (2003)

I-12 Inclinometer Reading on March 11, 2012

El. -63

0.25 Additional Displacement Since Last Reading in Oct. 2007 Inclinometer Displacement is About 1/3 of Measured Top of Pier E-1 Movement

Calibrate Stability & Deformation Models Based on Measured / Observed Conditions (Over the Past 84 Years) Identify Worse-Case Eventualities Develop Improvements That Do Not Alter Fundamental Site Behavior Predict Monitoring Outcomes Establish Action Plan (Warning System, Structural Modifications) Continue Monitoring (Real-Time) Implement Additional Improvements, if Warranted

COMPLETE SCOUR HOLE FILLING

STABILIZATION DRAINS
US-80 DRAIN (1940s)

I-20 DRAIN (1972)

SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE

QUIZ