GeoPrac.net All Headlines

Keller forecasts good results for 2013

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:56:29 +0100

Keller, the world's largest independent ground engineering specialist has seen better than expected first quarter results and is optimistic that the outlook for the rest of 2013 is good as well, according to company statements reported by NCE. Keller works primarily in Europe, Australia, and the US with increasing presence in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. In the US, the Keller group of companies includes GeoPrac sponsor Hayward Baker, Suncoast, McKinney, Case and HJ. [Source: Read more at The New Civil Engineer. Image: Keller]

Extraction of Layer Properties from Intelligent Compaction Data

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:43:51 +0100

The TRB/NCHRP has a new publication out:

TRBâ€™s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Final Report for NCHRP-IDEA Project 145: Extraction of Layer Properties from Intelligent Compaction Data examines a methodology that was developed to extract layer elastic modulus/stiffness from composite soil stiffness and global positioning system-based location provided by currently available vibratory intelligent compaction rollers.

[Source: TRB. Image: TRB]

London's Crossrail Cores Going to Salt Mine

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:23:25 +0100

London't mega-project known as Crossrail that involves the construction of 118 km (73 mi) of new rail line with 42 km (26 mi) of new tunnels. The geotechnical investigation for Crossrail included rock coring, and some 561 pallets of core are going to be stored inside the mined out portion of a salt mine in Cheshire. The temperature and humidity levels remain consistent year-round making it an ideal place to store the core. According to the NCE article, this material is less than half of the core drilled during the investigation phase of the project. [Source: New Civil Engineer. Image: New Civil Engineer]

Unconservative designs with AASHTO LRFD for deep excavations

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:15:41 +0100

Dimitrios at Deep Excavation LLC wrote this article a couple of months ago for his monthly newsletter. He contends that for multi-level braced excavations, the AASHTO LRFD code could produce unconservative results. From his article:

The currently adopted design methods for AASHTO (2010) LRFD appear to produce inconsistent and possibly unsafe designs for many multi-level braced excavations. Limit-equilibrium analyses combined with LRFD methods appear to severely underestimate benchmarked wall bending moments. For this reason, analyses in this paper suggest that limit-equilibrium methods should not be used to design the wall bending resistance for multi-level-braced excavations.

[Source: Read the full article at Deep Excavation LLC. Image: NTT Stroy]

Weekend CUP for May 10, 2013

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:23:02 +0100

Happy Friday! If you need a break today, here are some interesting stories from the past month or so that I didn't get to blogging about. Enjoy!

A call for landslide photos for the USGS library archive - Source: The Landslide Blog
Massive landslide stops production at Bingham Canyon Mine - Source: Deseret News
Caltrans Completes Devil’s Slide Tunnel Construction - Source: Caltrans News Release
ASFE Becoming GBA - Source: ASFE: The Geoprofessional Business Association
Subway Sea Wall Of Steel Rising Between A Train And Jamaica Bay - Source: Transportation Nation via AGC SmartBrief
Nicholson Part of Award-Winning Team for Chevron Science Center - Source: Nicholson Construction Company
BNSF railway has plans to mitigate rising landslide risks - Source: NWCN.com
ADOT's geotechnical investigation on US 89 landslide enters final stages - Source: ADOT
NYC's subway, still under construction - Source: CBS News Video via ASCE SmartBrief
Uphill tunnel breakthrough in Switzerland - Source: New Civil Engineer
Utah mine landslide brought 165 tons or rock, dirt - Source: Businessweek
East Side Access Project Passes Major Milestone as Blasting Concludes Under Grand Central Terminal - Source: Tunnel Business Magazine
Pile Buck Magazine Issue 29-2 Has Arrived! - Source: Pile Buck Magazine
Judge chides Army Corps of Engineers over ‘tragically flawed’ levees that failed in Katrina - Source: The Washington Post via ASCE SmartBrief
BNSF railway has plans to mitigate rising landslide risks - Source: KING5.com Seattle
Notes on Importing DXF Files in gINT - Source: Be Communities by Bentley
GeoComp CEO, Marr, provides pivotal expert witness testimony in Hurricane Katrina litigation - Source: GeoComp
Landslide Hazard Maps for California - Source: California Geological Survey via Geology.com
Salt Lake town hall to explore seismic risks and readiness - Source: The Salt Lake Tribune via AEG Insider
Geotechnical Activity Index April Update - Source: Deep Excavation
URS Wins IDIQ Contract with K.C. District of the Corps for Dams and Levee Work - Source: CE News
Free Downloadable Simulator for Seismic CPT Data Acquisitio - Source: Baziw Consulting Engineers Ltd. via LinkedIn Geotechnical Data Hub
Exposing the Wasatch Fault – A Source of Large Earthquakes along the Wasatch Front - Source: Utah Geological Survey via AEG Insider
Old landslide delays dam, leaves SF sans water source - Source: SFGate Blog
Wolf Creek Dam Project Delivers Peace of Mind Ahead of Schedule - Source: National Driller
Time-lapse video shows digging of Crossrail tunnels - Source: London - ITV News via LinkedIn Geotechnical Engineers group
California Engineering Geologists Urged to Take Survey - Source: California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists via AEG Insider
Homeowners Insurance and Geologic Hazards - Source: Geology.com via AEG Insider
Mapping Voids, Debonding, Delaminations, Moisture, and Other Defects Behind or Within Tunnel Linings - Source: SHRP2 via TRB
Crossrail Photo Gallery in the Independent - Source: See the gallery at The Independent (UK) via LinkedIn
Alaska Hydropower Dam on Susitna River Moving Forward - Source: Alaska Dispatch via ASCE SmartBrief
Tunnel-boring machine Bertha will be felt under Seattle;... - Source: www.kirotv.com

Video: NY Second Ave Subway Project on CBS News

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:29:09 +0100

This news story aired a few weeks back. It has some great views of the tunneling process but also focuses on some of the social issues, such as complaints about Rats, as well as noise and dust. I guess you can’t please everyone. Check out the video below.

Norway wants to build world's first tunnel for ships

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:28:52 +0100

The Norwegian government wants to build a tunnel linking two fjords that would be large enough to pass 16,000 tonne cargo and passenger ships. The treacherous stretch of waterway has seen 46 accidents and 33 deaths since World War II. The 1.7 km Stad maritime tunnel would cost about 1.6B kroner ($274M USD). [Source: The Courier-Mail via ASCE SmartBrief. Image: AFP]

International Collaboration Delivers Pioneering Geotechnical Carbon Calculator

Fri, 03 May 2013 06:04:57 +0100

Foundation Industry Launches Standardized Open Source Tool to Compare the Sustainability of Different Foundation Techniques

Hawthorne, NJ (May 1, 2013): The European Federation of Foundation Contractors (EFFC) and the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) are urging the geotechnical sector to make immediate use of their jointly-developed, pioneering carbon calculator tool, the Geotechnical Carbon Calculator.

Developed using internationally recognized standards, the Geotechnical Carbon Calculator is believed to be one of the construction industry’s first standardized and collaboratively produced carbon calculator tools at the European and international level.

Carbon measurement is at the core of the construction industry’s approach to sustainability. The Geotechnical Carbon Calculator uses a standardized emission factors database to make the analysis of the carbon footprint of a foundation project consistent and comparable across the foundation industry.

[Editor] Click through for the rest of this interesting press release from the Deep Foundations Institute! [/Editor]

Landslide Insurance Very Rare

Thu, 02 May 2013 06:27:53 +0100

There were just a few sentences in this article/blog post about landslide insurance. Most geoprofessionals realize that home-owners insurance does not cover landslides, floods or most other geologic hazards. But what I found interesting in this article was a quote from an insurance agent that gave a rough estimate of the cost of "very rare" landslide insurance. He gave an estimate of $1,000 per year for a $300,000 house. I'm sure it depends on lots of factors, but at least that could get you in the ballpark. [Source: Central Illinois Proud. Image: USGS Landslides Page]

Kurt R. Fraese, L.G. Is New ASFE/GBA President

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:24:58 +0100

ASFE, The Geoprofessional Business Association has elected a new president, Kurt R. Fraese, L.G. Kurt is the CEO of GeoEngineers, Inc. Click on over to the ASFE/GBA website to read more about him and the other officers for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. [Source: ASFE: The Geoprofessional Business Association. Image: ASFE/GBA]

Keynetix Expands KeyLAB Functionality for Concrete Testing, ATSM and Australian Standards

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:18:15 +0100

22nd April 2013, Redditch, UK - Keynetix are pleased to announce that an upgrade to KeyLAB has been released today that includes a number of new features requested by users to help them manage their geotechnical and concrete laboratory. The new build expands the functionality of the system to assist laboratory managers who are conducting concrete testing, working in a NATA accredited laboratory or with the ASTM standards and is available free of charge to all users who have an in-date maintenance agreement.

As well as the new features in this release, KeyLAB have produced a large number of free test definitions and input and report sheets for companies who are implementing KeyLAB within a laboratory, conducting tests to BS or ASTM standards. These worksheets and reports have been designed by Peter Keeton from Keynetix, who has over 30 years experience of managing large geotechnical laboratories.

[Editor] Click through for the rest of the press release from Keynetix. [/Editor]

Geophysics successfully detects void beneath Missouri Taxiway

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:54:19 +0100

Airport authorities at the Charles B. Wheeler airport in Kansas City, MO were concerned about a leaking CMP joint 22-feet beneath the taxiway. The sand that was coming through the joint was detected on a video inspection of the culvert. They were concerned about possible voids above the leak and commissioned a geophysical survey. Two geophysical methods were used, ground penetrating radar and multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW). The void was detected using the methods, and subsequent excavation of the airport taxiway confirmed the presence of the voids with about the same dimensions as what was indicated by the geophysics. The work was performed by the St. Louis office of Geotechnology, Inc. [Source: CE News. Image: CE News]

Is the Bingham Canyon copper mine landslide the most expensive single mass movement in history?

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:53:54 +0100

Dr. Dave has some financial analysis of the Bingham Canyon Mine Landslide in Utah. His interpretation of some of the financial data being thrown around is a financial loss of $770M, ouch! [Source: Read the full post at The Landslide Blog. Image: The Landslide Blog]

Amazing aerial photos of the Bingham Canyon Landslide

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:53:27 +0100

There is a great collection of aerial photos and other photos from last week's Bingham Canyon Mine Landslide at Kennecott Utah Copper's Flickr Photostream. Thanks to my colleague Wolfgang Knudson at Golder for sending the link. There's a great couple of shots of the radar monitoring equipment that allowed the mine to monitor the slide with great accuracy, and safely evacuate the areas prior to its triggering. [Source: Kennecott Utah Copper's Flickr Photostream. Image: Flickr Page of Kennecott Utah Copper]

Video: Accelerated bridge construction Iowa DOT project

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:50:45 +0100

This video for the Massena Lateral Bridge Slide from Iowa DOT shows a very nice 3D rendering of the entire accelerated bridge construction process. They are using a lateral slide method to construct the bridge adjacent to the existing one and then slide it into place within 9 days. From a geotechnical perspective, this bridge will be founded on driven piles, and then pre-cast abutment caps with CMP block-outs will be placed over the piles and the block-outs grouted up. The wingwalls will also be precast with the CMP block-outs and supported on driven piles as well. There will also be a driven pile temporary support structure, and driven piles will be used for the reaction frame to attach the threaded anchor rod used to jack the bridge into place.

Source: Iowa DOT via Rebuilding America's Infrastructure via ASCE SmartBrief. Image: Iowa DOT

Massena Lateral Bridge Slide from Iowa DOT on Vimeo.

DC Water Christens TBM "Lady Bird"

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 06:34:07 +0100

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) recently christened a new Tunnel Boring Machine 'Lady Bird' in honor of former first lady Claudia Alta 'Lady Bird' Taylor Johnson. The roughly 23-ft diameter TBM will tunnel a total of over 24,000 feet at a depth of 100 feet below the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers as part of a DC Water project aimed at reducing combined sewer outfalls. I first posted about this project, including a Google Map of the route a few years back. [Source: More at Tunnel Business Magazine. Image: Tunnel Business Magazine]

Video: WSDOT Rock Blasting on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:26:39 +0100

This is a great video montage of rock blasting for Washington State DOT's I-90 Snoqualmie Pass project. It's not clear from the description if this blasting actually occurred on this project or its from other projects meant to give Washington drivers a preview of what will be going on this summer on the project. All that's missing is a little classical music, perhaps 1812 Overture?

Guidelines for Geofoam Applications in Slope Stability Projects

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:03:16 +0100

A new publication was released from the TRB's NCHRP program on Geofoam Applications in Slope Stability Projects.

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research Results Digest 380: Guidelines for Geofoam Applications in Slope Stability Projects explores the use of expanded polystyrene-block geofoam for slope stabilization projects. For the purpose of the report, slope stabilization projects include new roadways as well as repair of existing roadways that have been damaged by slope instability or slope movement.

[Source: Download the PDF from TRB. Image: Syracuse Geofoam Research Center]

Massive landslide at Bingham Canyon Mine, Utah

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 05:55:44 +0100

A large landslide last week at Kennecott Utah's Bingham Canyon copper mine has stopped poduction and could result in furloughs or layoffs. The landslide occured on April 10, 2013 at around 9:30 pm in the northeast pit wall. The slide had been actively monitored for some time, and prior to the failure, the rate of movement did increase significantly and all employees were safely evacuated. No word on volume estimates at this point, but the flow of ore has stopped until the cleanup has taken place. Work resumed in another part of the mine, but that involved removing overburden material. [Source: Deseret News. Image: Ravell Call, Deseret News]

Weekend CUP for April 12, 2013

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:19:29 +0100

It's time for a little spring cleaning! Here are some articles I didn't get to posting about over the last month or two. Have a great weekend!

San Francisco 49er’s Find EPS Geofoam Useful in Future Home - Source: Insulfoam.com
Technical Paper: 1/18/13 Describing Geopier GP3 System Support of Two 18-Story Buildings - Source: Ground Improvement Engineering
2013 Tunneling Industry Forecast - Source: Tunnel Business Magazine
Video: Sinkhole swallows four buildings in the city of Guangzhou, China; no casualties - Source: Geoengineer.org
Tennessee DOT Repairs Interstate Damage from Landslide Ahead of Schedule - Source: AASHTO Journal
CBE builds world's largest concrete tunnel segment - Source: ConstructionWeekOnline.com via ASCE SmartBrief
Two more Crossrail TBMs bound for London - Source: New Civil Engineer
DFI Educational Trust Appoints New Board Members - Source: Deep Foundations Institute
The DFI Educational Trust (www.trust.dfi.org) recently appointed three new members to the Board of Trustees.
New method for coping with shallow landslides - Source: LinkedIn
LEED® Certification for Pile Dynamics and GRL Engineers building! - Source: Geoengineer.org
Issue 29-1 Pile Buck Magazine - Source: THE BUCK
tunnel boring machine used in crossrail construction project - Source: The Sun via ASCE SmartBrief
ADOT Facebook Photo Gallery of Damage to US 89 - Feb. 20, 2013 - Source: ADOT Facebook
Float-In, Huge Piles And Joint Risk Mark Virginia Bridge Job - Source: ENR: Engineering News Record
Best Online Places for Deep Foundations Discussions - Source: Dan Brown and Associates, PC
Exploring the Grand Canyon on Google Maps - Source: Google Lat Long
Tensar Launches New Website with Enhanced Content for Registered Users - Source: geosynthetica.net
LEED® Certification for Pile Dynamics and GRL Engineers Building - Source: THE BUCK
Bermingham Foundation Solutions - Port of Miami - Source: THE BUCK
Reinforced levees stand strong - Source: Geosynthetics
A test pad guide to substantiate geosynthetic designs - Source: Geosynthetics
Devil's Slide tunnels undergoing final testing - Source: San Francisco Examiner
InspectTech Collector Mobile - Useful for Field Data Collection for gINT? - Source: gINT Users LinkedIn Group
US 89 - Arizona - Source: ADOT
US 89 Landslide (Aerial View February 28, 2013) - Source: YouTube
Geo-Congress 2013 in San Diego, CA, Live! - Source: Geoengineer.org
Nicholson Completes Work at Two City Center in Allentown, PA - Source: Nicholson Construction Company
Official opening for the UK’s National Geological Repository - Source: New Civil Engineer
Crossrail cores to be stored in Cheshire salt mine - Source: New Civil Engineer
Quake-maker shakes Christchurch - Source: NZ Herald News via ASCE SmartBrief
Tunnel boring machine in pieces for voyage to Seattle - Source: KING5.com Seattle via AGC SmartBrief
Kleinfelder selected for major wastewater treatment plant upgrade - Source: CE News
ADOT Receives $2M in Federal Aid to Investigate US 89 Landslide - Source: ENR: Engineering News Record
Damage Control - Source: ASFE: The Geoprofessional Business Association
FHWA/FTA Rule Reduces Environmental Requirements for Emergency Projects - Source: AGC News
Record revenues for Keller in 2012 - Source: New Civil Engineer
Landslide oddities part 3: the ground moves in mysterious ways - Source: The Landslide Blog
Strong geotechnics business supports Fugro growth - Source: New Civil Engineer
Keynetix 2013 Exhibition Calendar - Source: Keynetix
Jacson County NC debates restarting landslide mapping program - Source: Smoky Mountain News via AEG Insider
Geotechnical Engineering RFPs and the Structural Engineer - Source: Ground Improvement Engineering
Slope Repair Problem & Solution - Source: Insulfoam Blog via @InsulFoamGF
Sustainable Stabilization of Sulfate-Bearing Soils with Expansive Soil-Rubber Technology - Source: TRB Geotechnology
Carbon benefits of tunnelling demonstrated by new calculator - Source: NCE
Study: port design, construction flawed - Source: Alaska Journal of Commerce via ASCE SmartBrief
Crux Performs Drilling and Inclinometer Installation for U.S. 89 Failure - Source: Crux
Iran launches construction of world's largest concrete dam - Source: Trend.Az via ASCE SmartBrief
The Rocks of Devil's Slide - Source: KQED QUEST
Cellular Concrete Use in the Tunneling Industry - Source: Tunnel Business Magazine
$14 Billion twin water tunnels planned for Fresno CA Area - Source: CBS San Francisco
Washington DNR releases preliminary report on Whidbey Island Landslide - Source: Washington DNR
Corps assesses danger from big quake at twenty NW dams - Source: KMTR.com via ASCE SmartBrief

Bertha tunnel-boring machine arrives in Seattle

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 06:28:41 +0100

The world's largest Tunnel Boring Machine or TBM just arrived in Seattle last week from Japan. Hitachi Zosen Corp built the 57 foot diameter TBM and tested it before disassembling it for the journey by boat to the Port of Seattle. Bertha will soon begin it's 16 month journey to bore a tunnel to replace the famous Alaskan Way Viaduct along Seattle's waterfront. [Source: Puget Sound Business Journal via ASCE SmartBrief. Image: www.bizjournals.com/]

Geopier ground improvement supports plant to turn cheese byproducts into green energy

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 06:29:26 +0100

Green energy from cheese? That's right, whey is not just for Miss Muffett I guess. In 2011, Foundation Service Corporation, the licensed installer of GeoPier GP3™ systems in Wisconsin installed over 1,600 GeoPier elements to stiffen the poor subgrade soils at a GreenWhey Energy plant under construction in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin.

Upon completion this summer, the plant will take byproducts from cheese production and use it to create biogas, heat and clean water. According to GreenWhey the biogas will eventually generate enough electricity to power 3,000 homes. Renewable energy from cheese.

[Source: Ground Improvement Engineering. Image: Ground Improvement Engineering]

Washington DNR Releases Preliminary Report on Whidbey Island Landslide

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:16:37 +0100

Onsite Visit Leads To Ledgewood-Bonair Landslide Quick Report

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources Division of Geology & Earth Resources has released their quick report on the Whidbey Island “Ledgewood-Bonair” landslide that occurred March 27, 2013. [Editor] Photo Credit: Washington DNR via Flickr [/Editor]

View the full quick report: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/ger_qr_whidbey_island_landslide_2013.pdf

Key Points From The Report Include:

The Ledgewood-Bonair Landslide (LB Landslide) On Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington Occurred Around 3:45 Am On March 27, 2013.
It Is A Small Portion Of A Much Larger Landslide Complex, Approximately 1.5 Miles Long, That Was Prehistoric And May Date Back As Far As 11,000 Years.
The Top Of The Landslide Scarp Averages 200 Feet Above Sea Level.
The Landslide Pushed (Uplifted) The Beach As High As 30 Feet Above The Shore.
The Toe (Front Of Landslide At The Beach) Is Slightly Over 1,100 Feet Long And Extends Approximately 300 Feet Into Puget Sound.
Uplift Of The Beach Is Presumed To Have Been Relatively Slow (I.E., Over A Few Minutes).
Wave And Tidal Action Is Actively Eroding The Toe With Small Sections (1-10 Cubic Feet) Observed Calving With The Rising Tide.
The Volume Of Material Moved Was Approximately 200,000 Cubic Yards (Equivalent To 40,000 Dump Truck Loads).
DNR Geologic Mapping From 2009 Shows The Extent Of The Landslide Complex (Polenz And Others, 2009,Http://Www.Dnr.Wa.Gov/Publications/Ger_gm68_geol_map_camano_24k.Pdf ).
Where observed, the access road has been shifted approximately 80 feet down vertically and to the west.

Photos from geologist site visit are on the agency’s Flickr page. Available for media use with credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/wastatednr/sets/72157633103436975/with/8597313215/

View updates of the landslide event on the agency’s “Ear to the Ground” blog:http://washingtondnr.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/whidbey-island-coupeville-landslide/

DNR: State's Geologists

In addition to managing more than 5.6 million acres of state-owned lands and serving as the state’s wildland fire department, DNR houses the Washington State Geologist. The department regulates surface mining reclamation and provides technical assistance to citizens, industry and government on geologic hazards, forest stewardship, and other issues. Lands managed by DNR provide numerous public benefits, including outdoor recreation, native fish and wildlife habitat, and clean and abundant water.

Media Contact: Jessica Payne, Communications Public Information Officer, 360-584-7760,Jessica.Payne@Dnr.Wa.Gov

# # #

Happy 6th Anniversary GeoPrac!

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:01:01 +0100

Six years ago today I officially launched the GeoPrac.net website! It’s been my honor to try to serve my fellow geoprofessionals over that time, providing news and articles in a format unlike any other site on the internet. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the folks who have contributed content, provided feedback or otherwise helped over the years. I would also like to thank all of my sponsors. Their support compensates me for the considerable time and energy I pour into the site. And of course, thank you to all of my readers and subscribers!

I thought it would be fun to look back at some of my favorite posts and articles over the years. Some of them are contributed and some I wrote. So join me on a trip down memory lane and read on!

Man swallowed by a Sinkhole in Shenzhen city, China

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:08:34 +0100

A frightening moment was captured on video when a security guard in Shenzhen city, China was swallowed by a sinkhole. The video indicated that residents complained of vibrations or tremors from a nearby construction site prior to the accident. The victim was rescued from the sinkhole, but later died from his injuries. The video footage from security cameras is available at the Geoengineer.org website. [Source: Geoengineer.org. Image: CBS via Geoengineer.org]

Drills break through into busy London rail tunnel

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:07:46 +0100

Steel augers reportedly from a piling operation at the ground surface broke through a railway tunnel in East London. Fortunately the train drivers noticed and reported the damage before any serious accident occurred. The busy First Capital Connect route was shut down for several days for an investigation and repairs. [Source: BBC News via ASCE SmartBrief. Image: BBC]

Video: CA Devil’s Slide Bypass Tunnels Finally Open

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:37:56 +0100

California motorists can now avoid a dangerous and landslide-prone stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, Devil’s Slide, through the tunnel bypass. This project has been a fascination of mine since the early days of GeoPrac. It’s fun to see it finally complete!

Study: Port of Alaska Sheet Piles Have Design Flaws

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 06:24:58 +0100

A study by CH2M Hill commissioned by the Municipality of Anchorage found that the partially constructed open-cell sheet pile system is "not adequately designed to meet global stability and seismic displacements based on the design criteria." The results of the $2.2M study by CH2M Hill are documented in two reports and the findings were presented to a March 8 Anchorage Assembly meeting. The Municipality will now hire a third party to review the reports and CH2M Hill's recommendations for how to complete the project. The new design could cost up to $600M to construct. The Municipality took the project over in 2011 from the U.S. Maritime Administration after damage to some sheet piling was encountered. [Source: Alaska Journal of Commerce via ASCE SmartBrief. Image: Andrew Jensen/AJOC]

Calibration of Resistance Factors for Drilled Shafts for the New FHWA Design Method

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 07:16:21 +0100

The Louisiana Transportation Research Center has released a report that presents the reliability-based analyses for the calibration of the resistance factor for load and resistance factor design of axially loaded drilled shafts. Here is the abstract:

The Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) calibration of deep foundation in Louisiana was first completed for driven piles (LTRC Final Report 449) in May 2009 and then for drilled shafts using 1999 FHWA design method (Oâ€™Neill and Reese method) (LTRC Final Report 470) in September 2010. As a continuing effort to implement the LRFD design methodology for deep foundations in Louisiana, this report will present the reliability-based analyses for the calibration of the resistance factor for LRFD design of axially loaded drilled shafts using Brown et al. method (2010 FHWA design method). Twenty-six drilled shaft tests collected from previous research (LTRC Final Report 449) and eight new drilled shaft tests were selected for statistical reliability analysis; the predictions of total, side, and tip resistance versus settlement behavior of drilled shafts were established from soil borings using both 1999 FHWA design method (Brown et al. method) and 2010 FHWA design method (Oâ€™Neill and Reese method). The measured drilled shaft axial nominal resistance was determined from either the Osterberg cell (O-cell) test or the conventional top-down static load test. For the 30 drilled shafts that were tested using O-cells, the tip and side resistances were deduced separately from test results. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the predicted total, tip, and side drilled shaft nominal axial resistance with the corresponding measured nominal resistance. Results of this showed that the 2010 FHWA design method overestimates the total drilled shaft resistance by an average of two percent, while the 1999 FHWA design method underestimates the total drilled shaft resistance by an average of 21 percent. The Monte Carlo simulation method was selected to perform the LRFD calibration of resistance factors of drilled shaft under strength I limit state. The total resistance factors obtained at different reliability index (Beta) were determined and compared with those available in literature. Results of reliability analysis, corresponding to a target reliability index (Beta) of 3.0, reveals resistance factors for side (Phi-side), tip (Phi-tip), and total resistance factor (Phi-total) are 0.26, 0.53, and 0.48, respectively for the 2010 FHWA design method and 0.39, 0.52, and 0.60, respectively for the 1999 FHWA design method. The side and total resistance factors calibrated using the 2010 FHWA design method are less than those calibrated using the 1999 FHWA design method.

[Source: TRB Geotechnology. Image: ScienceDirect.com]

The Historic Role of Geotextiles in the Dutch Delta Works and the Geosynthetics Field

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 06:33:21 +0100

TenCate geosynthetics was a textile technology company in 1953 when disastrous flooding struck the Netherlands. The company came up with some of the first applications of geosynthetics that allowed the creation of the Oostershelde Flood Barrier, a massive dam supported by 66 concrete pillars, each of which is roughly 40 meters high. TenCate is celebrating the 60 year anniversary of this achievement and Geosynthetica has an infographic showing more about the Dutch Delta Works flood control project and TenCate's role. [Source: geosynthetica.net. Image: Architecture.about.com]

Geoengineer.org's Key takeaways from Geo-Congress 2013

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 06:15:30 +0100

I haven't had a chance to sit down and do something like myself...but the conference was great! So in the mean time, check out what Dimitrios and his team thought about the 2013 Geo-Congress Conference in San Diego a couple of weeks ago. [Source: Geoengineer.org]

The Terrainator

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:11:45 +0100

I came across this interesting website recently. The Terrainator (is that a nod to Phineas and Ferb?) uses digital elevation model data to create a 3-D model that it can export to a site called Shapeways where it will be created using 3-D printing technology. The standard models are less than 3-inches square and a fraction of an inch tall. The cost is computed based on the amount of material needed to generate the model. This tiny model will run you somewhere in the neighborhood of $30. They recently added the capability to create larger models, but the price goes up to nearly $200 for a model roughly 8 or 9 inches square which seems to be about the max. The screen capture at left is of the US 89 Bitter Springs Landslide area in Northern Arizona. Terrainator has 10m USGS DEM coverage of most of the western US, and coarser coverage of the UK and other areas of Europe. Could make a great gift for a geologist or engineer in your life. But you need to pick someplace with pretty good relief to make it look interesting. [Source: . Image: Shapways.com]

Rome Colosseum at risk from subway expansion - activists

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:59:25 +0100

Members of an Italian herritage association claim that tunneling 50 meters below the streets of Rome would put the Roman Colosseum at risk of collapsing. Here is an excerpt from the article I found:

"The Colosseum is at risk," heritage association Italia Nostra said in a statement. "Nobody at the moment can guarantee that the Colosseum's foundations will not be affected by the deep excavation of land just dozens of meters away from the monument," it added.

This is certainly an interesting problem, but as a geotechnical engineer, I'm not so sure that it would be impossible. Certainly any tunneling or excavation would require monitoring and perhaps more active measures to ensure that nothing happens to the Colosseum, but it seems like this is more of a political statement than a technical one. [Source: IOL.co.za. Image: Wikipedia, Jean-Pol GRANDMONT]

Video: Geo-Wall 2013 Competition

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:25:54 +0100

The Geo-Wall competition is a student competition sponsored by the Geo-Institute of ASCE to build a model mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall that must stand up to simulated static, lateral and dynamic loading. The 2013 competition was held at the 2013 Geo-Congress conference on 3/5/2013 in San Diego.

Video: Demo of pLog Tablet Geotechnical Data Collection Software

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:19:40 +0100

This video was taken at Geo-Congress 2013 with Scott Deaton, President of GeoPrac.net sponsor Dataforensics. pLog Tablet geotechnical data collection and data management system runs on a ruggedized tablet with the Android operating system.

Day 2 Geo-Congress Notes

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:50:45 +0100

As I gear up for another great day of technical talks, networking and wonderful San Diego weather, here are a few thoughts from yesterday at Geo-Congress 2013.

The morning started with two great keynote lectures. The first by J. Michael Duncan of Virginia Tech on “Slope Stability Then and Now.” One of the things that jumped out at me was his wit, he had the audience rolling a few times! His lecture was very insightful, and it was interesting to see the comparison between modern day computing capabilities that we take for granted and the punch-card mainframe computers of the early 1970’s. That quantum leap in technology available to us as engineers is something that is easy to forget for people my age and younger.

The second keynote was “Liquefaction Effects on Structures”, the Ralph B. Peck Award Lecture by Jonathan D. Bray of UC Berkeley. He shared his insights into the ever-changing field of earthquake engineering and liquefaction, including studies related to his work studying major earthquakes in Turkey, Japan and Christchurch New Zealand.

The Geochallenge events were held in the afternoon, including the GeoPoster, GeoPrediction, and my favorite, the GeoWall. I really enjoyed watching last year’s event, and even put together a video of the event. I will do the same this year, but it might take me a few days to get it put together, so check back. But the organizers made a few changes to this year’s competition. The walls needed to withstand a static load applied behind the walls, a simulated lateral load applied on vertical pile/shaft type elements and then a dynamic load from a drop weight system. This year’s winners were:

Cal Poly Pomona
University of Kansas
Rensselaer Polytechnic University

Congratulations to all of the participants!

Video Highlights of Day 1 of Geo-Congress

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:35:01 +0100

By the official videographers of the conference, Magnus Media.

Geo-Congress 2013 Conference Kicks Off in San Diego

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 07:44:43 +0100

I arrived in beautiful San Diego, California today for the ASCE Geo-Institute Geo-Congress 2013 conference. It’s being held at the Town and Country Resort and Hotel located on Hotel Circle, and it’s not the typical conference venue.

The facility has a sprawling feel, with some single story, almost casita-like hotel room buildings mixed with several more conventional hotel towers. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, making the walks between the hotel room and conference venues very relaxing and enjoyable. The smells are out of this world too, jasmine or honeysuckle I think. (Photo Credit: Town and Country)

Tonight was the first of the keynote addresses, the H. Bolton Seed Lecture by Dr. Stephen G. Wright of the University of Texas at Austin. The theme for the conference is “Stability and Performance of Slopes and Embankments III”. The III references the historic 1966 and 1992 conferences on the same topic. So who better to kick off the conference on this topic than Professor Wright, the author of the UTEXAS slope stability program and one of the preeminent experts on the topic?

I won’t share too much about this first lecture, mainly because I know I won’t have the time and/or fortitude to write much about all of the other amazing keynote lecturers lined up this week. But I will mention the key points from his lecture. He relayed two things that he said he learned from Professor Seed. One, he said that before you even start working on a slope stability problem (or maybe geotechnical problem in general) you should already know what is a reasonable answer. His second main point was something he said Seed would always emphasize, that you must know and remember your soil mechanics. Seems simple enough, right?

He showed several examples of slope stability problems, emphasizing how these two important tenets apply. He noted that in addition to the UTEXAS program, the two industry-standard slope stability programs in use are SLOPE/W by Geo-Slope and Slide by Rocscience. And he noted that if you are analyzing the same problem and doing it correctly, these programs should give you the same answer when performing limit equilibrium slope stability analyses. If you come up with different answers, chances are you are not analyzing the same problem.

He provided a few cautions about the software packages and some default settings and tolerances that may not always work in certain circumstances. One of his important summary points that is important for practitioners is that you must always check your work, and that it is not practical to perform hand-calculations or even spreadsheet calculations for checking the slope stability calculations, so you must use another program to check the first.

Things are just getting rolling here in San Diego. Stay tuned to GeoPrac and our twitter and Facebook streams for all of the latest happenings. And if you want even more coverage, check out the live blogging that Geoengineer.org is doing. This is the type of thing you see at tech conferences, but kudos to Dimitrios (and Marietta!) at Geoengineer.org for bring it to Geo-Congress!

Location of Town and Country Resort and Hotel in San Diego

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Sinkhole in Florida opens overnight, swallows and kills man

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:06:22 +0100

This is a horrible and tragic story. A sinkhole opened overnight on Thursday of last week underneath the bedroom of 36 year-old Jeff Bush in Hillsborough County, Florida. The man was swallowed by the sinkhole, pulling him down at least 20 feet. The man’s brother attempted to save him, but was not successful and had to be rescued by firefighters himself. [Photo Credit: USA News via Examiner.com]

Local officials had geophysical surveys performed to determine the size of the sinkhole and evaluate the hazard posed to rescuers and other nearby houses. The sinkhole was determined to pose a serious risk, and some residents were required to leave their homes, some being given only 30 minutes to clear out their things.

The latest estimates are that the sinkhole is up to 50 feet deep and 30 feet wide and still growing. The latest bit of news indicated that the local officials have called off the effort to recover the body of the victim and have begun to demolish the house. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and his friends and family. The accounts of the brother are horrifying, and now the poor family must come to grips that this sinkhole will be his final resting place.

Today Show Video – Home is Being Demolished after Sinkhole

US 89 Bitter Springs Landslide Video Updates

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 04:17:17 +0100

Since I last posted about this landslide, ADOT has added several videos to their YouTube channel. It’s clear that this highway is going to be closed for the long term. ADOT and their on-call geotechnical consultant tasked with this project, Kleinfelder, are currently drilling boreholes to attempt to characterize the failure surface and determine what the geometry of the failure surface is. They are installing at least 10 inclinometers to try to determine the location of the slip plane or planes at depth and they have two extensometers to measure if any additional movement occurs. They are also performing LIDAR surveys as well. Check out the videos below.

Initial ADOT Video Describing the Failure

Click through for the videos!