Introducing a Dutch guideline on using the Observational Method

In the Netherlands research has been performed on the Observational Method, aiming at a wider use of the method in the design of underground and infrastructural construction works. This paper summarizes the guideline that was output of the research, providing a clear definition, an overview of obstacles and pre-conditions, practical...

Evaluation and Application of Characteristic Values Based on Eurocode 7 Design Methodology

With the prescence of Eurocode 7 standards the reliability-based design appeared and it is still spreading in geotechnics. In geotechnical design it is essential that we know the physical parameters of the soils as accurately and safely as possible. Therefore experiments and series of experiments are carried out and characteristic values are...

Design of Deep Supported Excavations: Comparison Between Numerical and Empirical Methods

This paper focuses on the derivation of design prop loads for supported excavations in stiff clay with increasing excavation depth and number of prop levels. For multi-propped walls there are a number of empirical graphs to obtain the design prop forces. CIRIA C517 (Twine & Roscoe, 1999) enhancing Terzaghi & Peck's work (Terzaghi & Peck (1967)...

Geotechnical Ultimate Limit State Design using Finite Elements

Displacement-based finite element calculations are primarily used for serviceability limit state (SLS) analysis, but the finite element method also offers possibilities for ultimate limit state (ULS) design in geotechnical engineering. The combined use of SLS and ULS calculations with partial safety factors according to the different design...

Geotechnical Reliability Analysis Involving Spatially Autocorrelated Soil Properties

Spatial autocorrelation arises in geological material by virtue of its formation by natural processes acting over long geologic time (millions of years). This endows geomaterial with some unique statistical features (e.g. spatial variability) not commonly found in structural material manufactured under strict quality control. For example, by the...

Safety assessment of a shallow foundation using the random finite element method

In this paper, the reliability assessment of the bearing capacity of a shallow strip footing was conducted using a reliability index β. In applicable standards (Eurocode 7) there is not presented any explicit method of an evaluation of characteristic values of soil parameters. Therefore some approaches of an estimation of characteristic values...