Reliability-Based Partial Factors Considering Spatial Variability of Strength Parameters

The stability of six regional dyke cross-sections in the Netherlands was re-assessed using the random finite element method (RFEM), which explicitly accounts for the spatial variability of strength parameters. The RFEM assessments of the cross-sections were shown to result in significantly narrower response distributions than those obtained...

Spatial Variability of Gas Composition and Flow in a Landfill Under In-Situ Aeration

In-situ aeration of landfills accelerates biodegradation of waste organic matter and hence advances waste stabilization. The spatial outreach of aeration greatly affects stabilization efficiency. This study analyzed the spatial variability of gas composition and flow in 230 wells spread over four compartments of a Dutch landfill which is...

Organic matter pools in sediments of the tidal Elbe river

Anaerobic sediment organic matter decay generates methane, delays sediment consolidation, reduces sediment density, viscosity and shear strength, all impacting the sediment rheological parameters and the navigable depth. This study quantifies the share of anaerobically and aerobically degradable sediment organic matter (SOM) in a depth...

Evaluating residual dyke resistance using the Random Material Point Method

Due to a lack of large deformation dyke assessment models, primary failure mechanisms, such as inner slope failure, are often used as a proxy to assess the probability of failure of a dyke. However, a dyke continues to fulfil its main function unless, or until, flooding occurs. The Random Material Point Method (RMPM) is used here to investigate...

Geotechnical installation design of suction buckets in non-cohesive soils: A reliability-based approach

This study presents a probabilistic analyses of suction bucket installation in cohesionless soils. The spatial variability of soil properties is quantified using a representative survey dataset from practice. Vertical random field modelling is used to model cone resistance variability and probability density functions are fitted using drained...

Sequential reduction of slope stability uncertainty based on temporal hydraulic measurements via the ensemble Kalman filter

A data assimilation framework, utilising measurements of pore water pressure to sequentially improve the estimation of soil hydraulic parameters and, in turn, the prediction of slope stability, is proposed. Its effectiveness is demonstrated for an idealised numerical example involving the spatial variability of saturated hydraulic...

Probabilistic examination of the change in eigenfrequencies of an offshore wind turbine under progressive scour incorporating soil spatial variability

The trend for development in the offshore wind sector is towards larger turbines in deeper water. This results in higher wind and wave loads on these dynamically sensitive structures. Monopiles are the preferred foundation solution for offshore wind structures and have a typical expected design life of 20 years. These foundations have strict...

Combined effect of hysteresis and heterogeneity on the stability of an embankment under transient seepage

The stability of most earth embankments is strongly influenced by the water content of the soil. The water content directly influences the suction or pore pressure in the soil, as well as the mass of material, thereby affecting the stress state and strength, and leading to changes in the stability. These aspects are coupled by the so-called soil...

Uncertainty reduction and sampling efficiency in slope designs using 3D conditional random fields

A method of combining 3D Kriging for geotechnical sampling schemes with an existing random field generator is presented and validated. Conditional random fields of soil heterogeneity are then linked with finite elements, within a Monte Carlo framework, to investigate optimum sampling locations and the cost-effective design of a slope. The...

Spatial Variability of Soil-Rock Interface in Chennai using Geophysical and Geotechnical data

Mapping surficial and subsurface conditions play an important role in analysis and design of geotechnical structures and facilities. Spatial distribution of depth to soil-bedrock interface has a prime significance in developing input ground motion at the surface and estimating damage potential of an earthquake. This paper deals with the...