INTRODUCTION TO SOFT SOIL GEOTECHNIQUE

Content, Context and Application

INTRODUCTION TO SOFT SOIL GEOTECHNIQUE

Content, Context and Application

Frans B. J. Barends Technical University Delft / Deltares May 2011

IOS Press

Deltares provided financial sponsorship for this publication

2011 The author and IOS Press. All rights reserved ISBN 978-1-60750-788-8 (print) ISBN 987-1-60750-789-5 (online)

Publisher
IOS Press BV Nieuwe Hemweg 6b 1013 BG Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel: +31-20-688 3355 Fax: +31-20-687 0019 Email: info@iospress.nl www.iospress.nl LEGAL NOTE The author and the publisher are not responsible for the use that might be made of the information in this book. PRINTED IN THE NETHERLANDS

FOREWORD
All over the world, habitable space in deltas and river basins is under increasing pressure from economic expansion, growing populations, subsidence and the impacts of climate change. It is expected that, within 40 years from now, about 80 percent of all people will live in deltaic regions. The Netherlands is a typical example of such an area. The geological stratification consists of typical soft to very soft soils, especially in the western part of the country. More than half of the country is located below sea level, the surface of the land is flat, and the groundwater table is extremely high. In these areas particularly it is important to understand the complex behaviour of the subsoil, consisting of soft soils, like organic clays, loose sand deposits and peat. Keeping the water separated from the land is a continuous challenge. It is important to search for solutions that draw on the potential of the coastal system, that enhance safety in densely populated coastal areas, and that minimise the ecological impact. Building and maintaining infrastructure in these areas is quite challenging. Expert knowledge of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering is essential to reduce the risks inherent to construction on and in deltaic areas. Soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. Theory and practice. Both are equally important in order to create a safe and sustainable living environment for us and our (grand)children. Both theory and practice can be found in this publication. In the first part, starting from the fundamental side, the ins and outs of the complicated multi-phase material which we call soil, are explained and summarised. In the second and third part this theoretical knowledge is further developed and used to analyse a large number of specific soil-related problems, like slope stability, earth retaining structures, foundations, ground improvement, environmental impact, underground construction, coastal engineering, dike technology and so on. The author has been active in this field for the past 40 years, well connected on the one hand to the scientific world of soil mechanics and on the other hand to the (geotechnical) engineering practice. With this book, the author has left a legacy of his wide knowledge and expertise to the younger professionals. It is particularly valuable for the geotechnical engineer of the 21st century, living and working in deltaic areas.

Peter van den Berg Deltares, Director Geo-Engineering

CONTENTS

CONTENTS
Introduction

PAGE
1

PART I
1 2

FUNDAMENTALS AND CONCEPTS

A history of geotechnical achievements Characteristics of soils a Geological data b Gravimetric-volumetric data c Atterberg limits d Structure of granular soils e Strength and stiffness aspects Applications Soil investigation a Site investigation b Laboratory testing c Physical model testing strategy Applications Soil and groundwater a Vertical soil stress b Groundwater flow c Boiling, heave and piping Applications Uniaxial stress and strain a Stress and strain b Strain concept c Uniaxial compressibility Applications Creep and consolidation a Time-dependency b Creep c One-dimensional consolidation d Multi-dimensional consolidation e Method of the transient leakage factor Applications Triaxial stress and strain a Continuum mechanics b Mohr-Coulomb model c Coefficient of earth pressure d Triaxial cell e Undrained strength f The A and B factor Applications

5 25 26 28 30 32 32 37 42 46 50 51 52 59 62 69 70 72 73 77 78 80 84 86 88 93 96 97 99 101 102 104

VII

CONTENTS

PART II
8

METHODOLOGY AND TOOLS

Uncertainty and reliability a Uncertainty in geotechnical engineering b Partial safety factors c Eurocode 7 and the observational method d Risk approach and visualising the unseen e Risk management process: GeoQ f Expertise and experience: GeoBrain Applications Observation and prediction a Physical simulation b Constitutive models c Aspects of numerical simulation d A visco-plastic analytical element method Applications
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

109 116 119 121 124 126 129 133 135 143 149 157

PART III

10 Stability of slopes a Limit analysis b Slide on long slopes (micro-stability) c Slide on short slopes (macro-stability) Applications 11 Stability of earth-retaining structures a Gravity walls b Embedded walls c Slurry walls d Reinforced walls Applications 12 Footings and pile foundations a Bearing capacity of footings b Bearing capacity of pile foundations c Deformation of foundations d Dynamic soil response Applications 13 Methods of ground improvement a Gravity displacement methods b Replacement methods c Mass improvement d Stiff inclusions e Bio-chemical treatment Applications
VIII

163 164 167 171 176 179 182 183 184 189 193 199 201 207 211 212 213 218 223 224

CONTENTS

14 Environmental engineering a Physical-chemical characteristics of soil b Physical-chemical processes in soil c Bio-chemical processes in soil d Heat / cold transport in soil e Land subsidence Applications 15 Underground engineering a Deep building pits b Soft ground tunnel-boring techniques c A cylindrical cavity in a uniform infinite soil d A horizontal cylindrical cavity in a uniform semi-infinite soil e Tunnel boring design and construction f Unseen leakage Applications 16 Coastal engineering a Hydro-geodynamics b Waves on seabed c Waves on breakwaters d A liquefaction model e Squeezing Applications 17 Dike engineering a Deltas in the world b History of Dutch dike engineering c Philosophy of water defence d State of the art e Latest developments

227 230 233 234 239 247 249 252 254 258 260 263 264 267 271 281 286 290 290 295 297 301 309 312

ANNEX
I II III IV V VI Answers to the applications Recommended literature About the author Symbols, standards, units, keywords Name index Subject index 321 337 339 345 347 351

IX