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Obtaining Parameters for Geotechnical Analysis

Increasingly powerful personal computers combined with user friendly numerical analysis software are giving rise to greater emphasis on numerical analysis in geotechnical design. For the ongoing transition from empirically to numerically based design to continue engineers will need to ensure appropriate parameters are adopted. However, obtaining appropriate parameters is not just a matter of getting results from standardised tests. There is an over-riding need to ensure that any set of parameters adopted adequately reflect complex field behaviour. If the soil parameters are not obtained to a sufficiently high degree of accuracy then the subsequent numerical analyses will be of little value and potentially lead to the wrong design decisions.The main objective of this book is to provide guidance on all stages of obtaining geotechnical parameters for numerical analysis, from selecting constitutive models,to planning and specifying the site investigation, interpreting data and deriving soil parameters, and assessing the reliability of soil parameters in a numerical model.

For specific discussions and worked examples, five common constitutive soil models are used throughout this book: linear elastic perfectly plastic model with Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion (M-C), Modified Cam Clay (MCC), Hardening soil model (HS), Hardening soil model with small-strain stiffness (HSsmall) and Jardine et al small strain model (JSS). However, the guidance provided in this book is still largely applicable to all constitutive soil models.

Target Audience:

  • This book is aimed at readers with various backgrounds. It can be used by experienced geotechnical analysts as a reference tool for obtaining and validating geotechnical parameters, but also by novice analysts in order to develop their competences in all aspects of obtaining geotechnical parameters.

  •  It can also be used by those involved in all stages of site investigations for numerical analysis, even if they have no involvement in numerical analyses themselves, since this book provides extensive guidance and references on advanced site investigation techniques and, furthermore, helps site investigation specialists to understand the needs of numerical analysts.


Book Content:

While a novice geotechnical analyst could benefit enormously from reading this book from cover to cover, it has also been arranged as an easy-to-use reference tool for analysts at work. For instance, to perform a particular analysis, Section 2.3 highlights appropriate constitutive models and critical parameters, and readers can quickly find the relevant parts on soil testing and parameter derivations by then referring to Tables 4.2, 4.4 and 5.2. Site investigation specialists will benefit in particular from reading Chapter 2 which describes how real soil behaviour needs tobe idealised in some way in numerical analyses, while the other chapters will also serve as a useful reference source for the advanced techniques and parameter derivation methods often used for numerical analysis.

In summary, the contents of this book consist of Chapter 2 which covers analysis planning, including selection of constitutive models and other factors to consider when modelling soil, as well as useful quick reference guides on the constitutive model input parameters and appropriate models for particular applications. Chapter 3 provides guidance on specifying and obtaining high quality soil samples for laboratory testing, as well as groundwater monitoring. Chapter 4 provides extensive guidance on all the main types of in situ and laboratory tests used to measure soil parameters for numerical analysis, and planning site investigations. Chapter 5 provides guidance on deriving parameters from the measured values in accordance with Eurocode 7 and has 17 worked examples on deriving parameters from various in situ and laboratory tests for the five common constitutive models. There is also guidance on the important step of validating the derived values of parameters. Chapter 6 provides some guidance on how to manage the all too common situation of having insufficient site investigation data. Finally, Chapter 7 describes how to assess the reliability of soil parameters in the numerical analysis and how to manage potential errors arising from analyses when they do not match field conditions.


Contents

1. Introduction 

2. Analysis planning 

2.1 Overview of soil models 

2.2 Some factors to consider 

2.3 Typical applications 

3. Soil sampling and groundwater measurement

3.1 Soil sampling 

3.2 Groundwater monitoring

3.3 Case studies 

4. Soil testing

4.1 Test planning 

4.2 Laboratory testing

4.3 In situ testing 

4.4 Case studies

5. Parameter derivation and validation 

5.1 Parameter derivation 

5.2 Parameter validation 

5.3 Case studies 

6. Other sources of parameters 

6.1 When there is insufficient site investigation data 

6.2 Case studies 

7. Reliability of parameters 

7.1 Assessment of soil model accuracy 

7.2 Managing potential errors 

7.3 Case studies

8. Standards 
9. References


Document Details

ReferenceR0105
AuthorLees. A
LanguageEnglish
AudienceAnalyst
TypePublication
Date 1st September 2012
RegionGlobal

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