bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are Your Students Working Creatively Together? Automatically Recognizing Creative Turns in Student e-Discussions
Authors: McLaren Bruce M.  , Wegerif Rupert  , Mikšátko Jan  , Scheuer Oliver  , Chamrada Marian  , Mansour Nasser
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques might be brought to bear in automatically recognizing “creative reasoning” in student e-discussions. An AI-based graph-matching algorithm was used to find instances of deepening and widening, interactional categories that provide evidence of, respectively, explicit argumentation and creative reasoning. A deepening occurs when students provide further argumentation for an on-going perspective. A widening occurs, on the other hand, when a student (or students) attempts to diverge from the current perspective by either questioning it or presenting a new perspective or new idea. Given examples of deepening and widening from real e-discussions, the AI algorithm was able to successfully find similar events within new e-discussions and did so within realistic run-time expectations. Our ultimate aim is to provide a software tool for teachers that will support them in recognizing a range of important dialogic aspects of student e-discussions, such as deepening and widening.
Bringing Qualitative Reasoning Models into the Classroom for Scientific Education of Deaf Students
Authors: Salles Paulo  , Feltrini Gisele M.  , de Sá Isabella G.  , Resende Mônica M.P.  , Lima-Salles Heloisa
Published: February 2025

Regarding the education of deaf students (in Brazil), three conditions have to be met in order to bring qualitative reasoning (QR) models into the classroom: (a) a bilingual education should be provided, the Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) being the first and Portuguese the second language; (b) in the absence of scientific vocabulary in LIBRAS, it has to be created; (c) given the aural impairment, which is cognitively compensated through an over-developed visual ability, a visually oriented pedagogy is needed. This paper describes how qualitative reasoning may provide an adequate scenario to create a vocabulary in sign language for representing scientific concepts while offering support for the integration of visually-oriented models and simulations, and written Portuguese in educational activities.
‘Your half is bigger than mine’: motivating children to understand fractions
Authors: Aytac Arife B.  , Yuill Nicola
Published: February 2025

Children have difficulties in understanding and applying fractions because of the multiple representations of fractions and abstract nature of the subject and in switching between representations. Children with special needs experience more difficulties which may lead to increased feelings of frustration. One way to overcome this is to use a motivating game framework which encourages collaboration among peers. This initial study looks at how pairs/small groups work together and how technology can be adapted to make most use of the benefits of collaboration among children with special needs.
Demonstrating Empathy in a Learning Mentor Agent
Authors: Allan Geoffrey  , Good Judith
Published: February 2025

The paper presents a case for investigating the ability of companion agents to demonstrate cognitive empathy and describes planned research.
Evaluation of differential settlement following liquefaction using Piezo Drive Cone
Authors: Sawada S.  , Yoshizawa D.  , Hiruma N.  , Nagase M.  , Sugano T.  , Nakazawa H.
Published: February 2025

Full scale field experiment by blast-induced liquefaction for the observations of liquefaction phenomena was carried out at coastal reclaimed area in Japan of fine sand and silt subsoil including. This paper discusses verifications between pre-blast evaluations of differential settlements following liquefaction using Piezo Drive Cone which is a new developed dynamic penetrometer with pore pressure transducer that measures pore pressure of the ground generated during dynamic penetration at the cone tip and post-blast measured ground surface settlements. This validation clearly shows that pre-blast estimating differential settlements are qualitatively in agreement of post-blast measured data. Based on this verifications obtained from full-scale field experiments, the evaluation procedure of differential settlements on the ground surface following liquefaction is proposed.
Model tests for bearing capacity in a lateritic soil and implications for the use of the dynamic cone penetrometer
Authors: Ampadu Samuel I.K.  , Dzitse-Awuku D.
Published: February 2025

For simple structures in developing countries, the standard methods of site investigation are considered uneconomical. The dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) has the potential of becoming a simple, rapid, reliable and inexpensive tool that can be used for determining the bearing capacity for foundation design. This study seeks to contribute towards the search for a reasonable correlation by measuring the bearing capacity of a model ground for shallow foundation in the laboratory and correlating it to the DCP test results. A model footing with a rough base was loaded on the surface of a bed of compacted lateritic soil in a Perspex box. The bearing capacity was determined from the stress-penetration curve for different densities ranging from 1.3 Mg/m3to 1.8Mg/m3. The DCP test was then performed in the mould to obtain the resistance to penetration. Samples were also obtained from the mould and subjected to undrained triaxial compressive test to obtain the strength properties, c and φ. The bearing capacity values obtained from the model tests were correlated with the corresponding cone penetration index values for different densities. The relationships obtained are then compared with the bearing capacity computed using Terzaghi bearing capacity equation. The results are discussed with other correlations available in the literature.
Barretted raft design for high-rise building applying 3D numerical tool
Authors: Leszczynski Mariusz
Published: February 2025

Geotechnical design process of a barretted raft foundation for a high-rise building in Warsaw is presented with the emphasis on comprehensive site and laboratory investigation allowing for precise assessment of geotechnical design parameters. The new development is being constructed at the location of former structure comprising two level basement surrounded by diaphragm walls along the site perimeter. The existing diaphragm walls and part of the original foundation raft are re-used in the new foundation scheme with new foundation raft cast onto the remaining section of the former one. Barrettes are designed as settlement reducing members below the core of the structure with application of base pre-stressing. The ground profile comprises made ground, two series of boulder clays underlain by a very dense sandy formation resting upon Tertiary subsoil represented by high plasticity clays. Soil-structure interaction analysis of the entire foundation system with application of 3D numerical analysis is described and results analysed. A thesis is formulated that adequately utilised sophisticated analysis methods when supported by high quality geotechnical investigation may lead to time and cost savings during the design process. Such sophisticated approach utilising numerical methods shall become a standard approach for types of development like high rise buildings, complicated and deep excavations, tunnels.
Load testing of a steel pipe pile 13 years after installation
Authors: Føyn T.  , Rongved J.L.
Published: February 2025

Minnesund Bridge is part of E6 in eastern Norway and is situated 65 km north of Oslo. The existing bridge is a two lane bridge, with a length of 532 metres. The bridge was opened for traffic in 1993.
Design Considerations for Offshore Structures in the Dead Sea
Authors: El-Mossallamy Y.  , Ghalayini I.  , Demerdash M.  , Hammad W.
Published: February 2025

Exploitation of the Dead Sea minerals using a solar evaporation system is a major industrial enterprise in Jordan that has been in operation since 1982. The process involves the pumping of brine from the Dead Sea to the solar evaporation ponds via a transfer canal. Because of the continual reduction in the Dead Sea water level at a rate of about 1.1 m per annum, a new intake pumping station has been recently commissioned by the Arab Potash Company. The area of interest is located in a vast tectonic depression that is part of the Dead Sea Jordan Rift valley system. The subsoil consists mainly of laminated soft clay followed by crystalline salt formations. The new intake's pumps are supported on a piled steel deck platform and are connected to two twin steel pipelines that convey the brine to the existing brine transfer canal. This paper deals with the geological and geotechnical aspects involved in the design of the new brine intake deep foundations taking into consideration the complex and dynamic environment of the Dead Sea, foreshore. The numerical analyses applied to consider the soil structures interaction of the complex system while considering the horizontal loads on the piles due to lateral movement of the soft clayey layers are emphasized. Different types of piles are deployed to support the structural loads. Results of a load test of a steel tubular pile provided with a reinforced concrete socket in the salt formation are also presented.
Large scale shake table lateral earth pressure experiments
Authors: Wilson P.  , Elgamal A.
Published: February 2025

An experimental investigation is conducted in a large soil container in order to measure static and dynamic earth pressure. The soil container is placed on a large outdoor shake table. Well graded silty sand with some fines is compacted in the container behind a 1.7 meter tall vertical wall section. The wall is first displaced laterally to record the peak passive earth pressure, which agrees well with the Log Spiral theory prediction. Dynamic lateral earth pressure is recorded next, during a series of shake table excitations with amplitudes in excess of 1g. Test results are presented, including the input and surface accelerations, the pressure at different depths and the total lateral force. In the stiff compacted backfill, earth pressure remains close to the static value for low to moderate input excitations. For larger input acceleration levels, the backfill shear strength is progressively mobilized, and the change in the measured earth pressure becomes significant.
A combined supporting system for a rock cut stabilization at the Soffeh subway station and parking shaft in Esfahan, Iran
Authors: Taheri A.  , Mansoori Boroujeni H.  , Zarei Darki M.
Published: February 2025

The Soffeh station and parking is located at southern end of the Line 1 of the Esfahan mass rapid transit system. To construct this metro station and parking, a long shaft has been excavated with 460 m length, 18-50 m width and 16-18 m depth in a rock mass comprise of Jurrasic aged shale, interbedded with some sandstone layers (Shemshak Series).
Portuguese steel slags. A new geomaterial
Authors: Gomes Correia A.  , Ferreira S.  , Roque A.  , Cavalheiro A.
Published: February 2025

The engineering properties of Portuguese processed steel slags (ISACs) are tested to evaluate the appropriateness of their use in transportation infrastructures and geotechnical works. The laboratory results are compared with values specified in the Portuguese standards for natural aggregates and with values found for natural aggregates of various geological origins. The elastic modulus is carefully evaluated in order to compare the two ISACs with two standard base coarse materials (granite aggregate 0/31.5mm and limestone aggregate 0/19mm). All laboratory results show that the national processed steel slags could be used in geotechnical works, and particularly in transportation infrastructures. The two ISACs demonstrated better mechanical properties than the standard, unbound, granular base, coarse materials.
Validation of numerical model components of LTP by means of experimental data
Authors: Slaats H.  , van der Stoel A.E.C.
Published: February 2025

At Delft University, research was conducted on the validation of the numerical model components of a model to determine the bending moments in slender piles of a Load Transfer Platform (LTP) using the 2D and 3D FEM software PLAXIS. A reliability analysis of PLAXIS was applied on the following five aspects: soil arching, pull-out behaviour of a geogrid, direct shear behaviour of a geogrid, laterally loaded piles by a horizontal force on the pile cap and laterally loaded piles by an embankment. The reliability analysis of PLAXIS for all different aspects is based on an executed laboratory test. The information about the test is obtained from literature.
Stabilisation of a soft fill slope by compacted rockfill – an example of good practice
Authors: Mickovski Slobodan B.  , Smith Martyn J.
Published: February 2025

Remediation was designed for a marginally stable fill slope comprising up to 5 m loose cohesive fill in a residential area adjacent to a deep valley. Excessive ground settlements around a sewage pumping station (SPS) and a tension crack in the vicinity of residential houses in an area near Glasgow were linked to possible burst utilities and gradual washout of fines in the fill. Desk study and ground investigations were carried out to determine the site history and geological setting. Remedial options were considered. In light of confined site space and availability of materials, crushed compacted rock fill was considered the best option for replacement of the soft fill. Topsoil [150mm] was used to cover the rockfill and promote vegetation growth. The advantages of the rockfill over compacted cohesive fill include ease of construction, performance and suitability. Effective drainage including in-slope and contour channel drainage were designed to prevent build-up of pore water pressures in the slope beneath topsoil. Construction sequence including excavation and preparation of temporary cut, installation of drainage layer, deposition and compaction of rockfill material in layers, deposition and seeding of the topsoil layer, construction of permanent surface drainage system and maintenance access was also designed.
Effect of soil saturation changes on pressure on tunnel linings
Authors: de Santos C.  , Ledesma A.  , Lloret A.
Published: February 2025

It is well known that changes in soil degree of saturation have an important influence on mechanical soil properties. Decreasing suction in soil leads to an increase of specific weight and to a decrease of stiffness and strength. These mechanical changes may have an important influence on underground works, particularly on subsurface tunnels. In fact, decreasing soil cohesion due to saturation reduces arching effects above tunnels. Recent developments in unsaturated soil behaviour include numerical models coupling hydro-mechanical phenomena and considering elastoplastic constitutive laws. However, these techniques are seldom used in practical applications. This paper presents a methodology to compute stress and strain changes in a tunnel lining due to changes in soil saturation, using relatively conventional tools. The motivation of this work comes from a real case in Barcelona, where a Metro tunnel received an increment of loading due to loss of cohesion of upper layers after irrigation. The Finite Element programme “PLAXIS” was used. The paper concludes that the effect of soil saturation changes on underground structures can be assessed by using conventional Finite Element codes, if the variation of stiffness and strength with suction is previously known. The analyses presented in the paper show that changes in density and stiffness due to saturation have little influence on the stresses in the sidewalls of a subsurface tunnel. However, reduction of cohesion due to suction changes may reduce arching effects above the tunnel and would generate high stresses in the tunnel lining.
Foundation design for the extension of an existing high-rise building
Authors: Reul Oliver  , Remmel Gerd
Published: February 2025

In Frankfurt, Germany, the existing 97 m high rise building SGZ-Bank has been heightened and extended to become the 111 m high Parktower. Based on foundation design by means of threedimensional elastoplastic finite element analysis, the extension of the high rise has been founded on a piled raft in the Frankfurt clay. The results of geotechnical and geodetic measurements, which are carried out to monitor the performance of the foundation, are presented.
Les ouvrages de soutènement de Troinex sur l'autoroute A41 Nord, un exemple de conception interactive
Authors: Laurent Y.  , Vetillard J.  , Quandalle B.
Published: February 2025

Les ouvrages de soutènement de Troinex font partie de la liaison autoroutière de montagne française A41 Nord, dont notamment la conception et la construction ont été confiées à un concessionnaire privé. Des délais exceptionnellement courts, ainsi qu'un contexte géotechnique et environnemental complexe, ont été des challenges pour une équipe d'ingénierie intégrée au groupement de constructeurs. La solution retenue a consisté en des soutènements par longrines en béton et par remblai renforcé, ancrés au substratum par des tirants précontraints, avec un réseau de tranchées drainantes et de drains subhorizontaux maîtrisant l'eau souterraine tout en préservant une zone humide. Un processus de validation, incluant l'acquisition de données géotechniques complémentaires et le suivi en continu de l'évolution du versant et des travaux, a été associé à la solution. Grâce à une interactivité forte entre concepteurs et constructeurs, elle a ainsi pu être efficacement ajustée aux conditions réelles au fil de la construction. Un dispositif de surveillance du site en service, associé à des seuils d'alerte et des axes de sécurisation en cas de problème, a par ailleurs été mis au point.
Permeability and workability of clay stabilised with small amounts of cement
Authors: Leivo A.  , Ravaska O.
Published: February 2025

After excavation from construction sites Finnish soft clay is normally dumped as waste, because in a disturbed state it behaves more or less like liquid. This paper deals with Finnish soft clay stabilised with small amounts of cement (i. e. Cw≤ 50 kg/m3) which change the clay's properties adaptable to machinery handling. In addition, a necessary requirement for clay to be used e.g. in mineral liners is that its permeability remains low enough. These properties are tested on samples taken from the site and stabilised in a laboratory, from the on site stabilised clay heap and from a compacted structure.
Ground improvement solutions at Sana Vasco da Gama Royal Hotel
Authors: Pinto A.  , Pereira A.  , Cardoso D.  , Sá J.
Published: February 2025

The aim of this paper is to present the main design and execution criteria related with ground improvement solutions, using jet grouting columns as foundation and cofferdam solutions, at the Sana Torre Vasco da Gama Royal Hotel, located next to the Vasco da Gama Tower, at the Tagus river right bank, in Lisbon, Portugal. The hotel building, with two underwater floors and twenty two upper floors, is located at the river, over alluvial soils with a thickness of about 17m, resting over Miocene soils. This complex scenario demanded the use of some unusual ground improvement solutions, related and interconnected with foundation and cofferdam solutions. The main results of the adopted finite element models are presented, as well as of the monitoring and survey plan.
Modelling of combined vacuum and surcharge preloading with vertical drains
Authors: Indraratna B.  , Rujikiatkamjorn C.  , Kelly R.
Published: February 2025

In this study, 2D and 3D numerical analyses were conducted to predict embankment behaviour on soft clay foundations stabilised by Combined Vacuum and Surcharge Preloading. To determine the equivalent plane strain permeability, a revised conversion procedure for plane strain condition considering linear permeability variation in the smear zone is proposed. The equivalent permeability coefficients are then incorporated in finite element codes, employing the modified Cam-clay theory. The advantages and limitations of vacuum application through vertical drains are discussed through two selected case histories from China and Australia and the predictions are compared with the available field data. Apart from realistic 3D numerical modelling, it is demonstrated that the equivalent plane strain analysis can now be used as a predictive tool with acceptable accuracy.
Protection of structures with the SOILFRAC
Authors: Stelte Manuel  , Paßlick Thomas
Published: February 2025

Using two projects as examples, it will be shown that – based on our extensive experiences made with sometimes difficult soils and often with very extensive building deformation requirements – the technology of the compensation grouting process or SOILFRAC®has asserted itself. In spite of using equipment and control techniques especially adapted for carrying out the work, the use of competent engineers and qualified technical staff remains indispensable. The experiences, particularly those made in recent years, have furthermore shown that this process can be used safely and reliably with very high foundation loads that have slight soil cover.
Improvement of subgrade strength and serviceability for new container terminals using geogrid reinforcement
Authors: Heerten Georg  , Klompmaker Jörg  , Partridge Andrew
Published: February 2025

Due to the globalization of the world economy existing ports are being developed and new ports are being built in order to cope with the increasing volume of goods in transit. New container terminals or port extensions are mostly built on reclaimed land from the sea. As the nourishments with their low or medium density of the fill provide insufficient bearing capacity to take up the final loads of the container terminals, the long-term stability and trafficability of the gained land must be improved. An economic measure to improve the bearing capacity of existing and newly developed terminal areas is the use of geogrid/nonwoven composite material as reinforcement and separation layers. As the geogrid can absorb greater tensile stresses than the base course itself, the tension in the reinforced base course is reduced. This leads to a more efficient load distribution within the base course and thus to less vertical deformation (settlement and rutting) at the pavement surface, which thus significantly increases the serviceability of these intensively used traffic areas. This paper will give an overview on the state-of-the-art using geogrid/nonwoven composite materials to increase the bearing capacity of the base course at various international port projects as e.g. in Turkey and the Sultanate of Oman.
Investigations on the behaviour of geosynthetic encased stone columns
Authors: Murugesan S.  , Rajagopal K.
Published: February 2025

Stone column (or granular pile) technique is an ideal ground reinforcement for supporting flexible structures like embankments, storage tanks on soft soils. The axial load capacity of stone columns is mobilized by passive pressure from the surrounding soft soils. In very soft soils, this lateral confinement may not be adequate, which leads to excessive bulging resulting in undue surface settlements. Wrapping the individual stone columns with a suitable geosynthetic would be an ideal remedy for such situations. This encasement, apart from increasing the load capacity significantly, makes the stone column to act as semi-rigid and end bearing element. This paper investigates the improved performance of encased stone columns through laboratory model tests. It is observed that the increase in the axial load capacity is dependent on the modulus of the encasement and the diameter of the stone column. Results from the tests were used to develop guidelines in the form of design charts for the design of geosynthetic encased stone columns.
Deformations of Deep Excavation Walls induced by Construction Processes
Authors: Hettler A.  , Triantafyllidis Th.
Published: February 2025

The calculation of stresses and strains for serviceability limit states is often based on crude simplifications and the excavation walls are assumed “wished in place”. As a common practice the earth pressure at rest is taken as initial state. In reality the construction procedure may be one of the dominant factors for deformations. This topic is investigated by a number of case studies. Although some construction procedures can already be modelled, up to now in many cases a theory is still missing.
On-site verification for installation and permeability of H-jointed SPSPs with H-H joints
Authors: Inazumi S.  , Kimura M.
Published: February 2025

In this research, we conducted field installation and permeability tests for H-jointed SPSPs with H-H joints for their first application in the field; the tests were conducted in December 2006. Through a series of field installation and permeability tests, we verified the various factors considered in the construction field when using SPSP methods. These factors include the field installation and water interception performance of H-jointed SPSPs with H-H joints as well as their performance with regard to construction vibration, construction noise, welding and pullout. In this paper, the field installation and water interception performance of H-jointed SPSPs with H-H joints are reported on the basis of the results obtained from the field installation and permeability tests.
Unconventional seepage control approach for a substructure
Authors: Kibria S.  , Hassan G.  , Masood T.  , Saleem M.
Published: February 2025

The requirement of an effective control of water in underground R.C. structures located below ground water table, poses a big challenge to civil designers and constructors. The advent of a broad range of admixtures and products has heralded new vistas for effective control of seepage in the submerged structures. However, the whole range of measures that can be adopted for the control of seepage in the substructures yet to be constructed is quite different from that to be implemented for the existing substructures.
Design and operation of a large dewatering system in Dubai
Authors: Roberts T.O.L.  , Botha C.P.  , Welch A.
Published: February 2025

The new Terminal 3 works at Dubai International Airport required an excavation of plan size 420,000 m2by 25 m depth immediately adjacent to the existing terminal and control tower in water bearing granular soils. Dewatering was carried out using a perimeter ring of deepwells which was extended progressively to suit the available access and phasing of the works. The design of the dewatering system was undertaken using a 3-D time dependent finite element hydro-geological model which was calibrated using data from the progressive start-up of the dewatering system. Output from the model was used to ensure timely start-up of wells to meet the drawdown requirements for the phasing of the works.
Non linear site response for marine deep soil sites
Authors: Li Destri Nicosia G.C.  , Traverso C.M.  , Parker E.J.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a case history for evaluation of site response of a typical deepwater site offshore the Nile Delta. The soils comprise a thick sequence of normally consolidated highly plastic clay with a change in lithology and strong increase in stiffness profile occurring at variable depth. The non linear behaviour of the soils is examined with respect to strain and yielding of the soft upper sediments showing that deep soil profiles tend to filter out high frequencies ground motion. The procedure to develop at-grade spectra is based on a multi-linear regression model. The data for the regression are developed by propagating a number of earthquake time histories through the soil model, and computing the resulting spectral acceleration at-grade. Multi linear regression of spectral amplification ratio is a practical approach to evaluate site response for these soil conditions, providing an efficient method to develop at-grade design spectra.
A probability based early warning system for rain-induced landslides – a case study of Taipei City
Authors: Lin M.L.  , Kao T.C.  , Chen T.C.
Published: February 2025

On September 15, 2001, Typhoon Nari struck Taiwan with heavy rainfall inducing more than 400 landslides in Taipei City. In order to reduce the landslide hazards, the early warning system is much needed. To develop the warning criteria, the landslide events caused by Typhoon Nari along with events occurred in 2004 were used. Field investigations and documentation of the occurring time of each event were conducted carefully to validate the data. By cross-comparisons of the rainfall records from different rain gauge stations, Taipei City was divided into 3 subzones taking into account the geomorphological condition, distribution of the geological formations, and characteristics of rainfall pattern. Methods for determining the representative and effective rainfall parameters at the landslide sites were determined based on the rainfall records of the rain gauge stations. The probability-based early warning criteria were established using the rainfall intensity and effective cumulative rainfall at the occurring time of the events as the key parameters. The criteria were verified by simulating the landslide event induced by typhoon Crosa on October 7, 2007, and proved to be effective and feasible with satisfactory results. The resulting early warning system for landslide in Taipei City can be used to support decision making during the emergency response and for hazard mitigation of rainfall induced landslide.
Remedial works on landslide in complex geological conditions
Authors: Arbanas Ž.  , Benac Č.  , Grošić M.
Published: February 2025

During the construction of the Adriatic Highway section near Rijeka, Croatia, a landslide occurred on the slope alongside a highway cut. The affected section of the highway route lies on a flysch slope, in a flysch synclinal valley narrowed by limestone rock mass from the Cretaceous Period. Through lateral expansion, the landslide also affected the partly finished highway cut. The landslide occurred on the site formed in layers of Paleogene flysch, a very complex geological material. Complex geotechnical investigation works were carried out for drafting a landslide remediation project. Based on the results of additional investigation works, a landslide remediation project and a new highway cut construction project were made. The basic rock reinforced structure was replaced by an anchored boring pile-wall structure in the toe of the landslide body. The landslide remediation was based on observational methods. The observational methods show the behavior of designed geotechnical structures and allow for potential corrections. This is especially useful in complex geological conditions where site investigation works are not enough to determine the condition of all site features
Creep, stress relaxation, and rate effects in sand
Authors: Lade P.V.
Published: February 2025

Observations of time effects in triaxial compression tests performed on crushed coral sand with constant strain rate, creep tests at different stress levels, and stress relaxation tests initiated at different stress levels are presented. The classic time effects found in most materials, i.e. increasing stiffness and strength with increasing strain rate and corresponding creep and stress relaxation behavior, are not observed in sand. Observations from the experiments show that strain rate effects are negligible for crushed coral sand, unlike for clays in which strain rate effects are significant. Further, the observed stress relaxation behavior was not in “correspondence” with the measured creep behavior. Therefore, the amount of stress relaxation predicted on the basis of model parameters determined from creep experiments is too small. It is concluded that sands do not exhibit viscous effects, and their behavior is indicated as “nonisotach,” while typical behavior of clay is termed “isotach.” Thus, there are significant differences in time-dependent behavior patterns of sands and clays. In another investigation on Antelope Valley sand the measured responses in creep and stress relaxation tests and in constant strain rate tests exhibited similar behavior as the crushed coral sand but with smaller discrepancy between the creep and stress relaxation tests. An explanation for these non-viscous and dissimilar effects for different sands is proposed and relates to the amount of grain crushing that occurs in different sands.
Implementation of Eurocode 1997-1 in Finland
Authors: Gustavsson H.  , Slunga E.  , Länsivaara T.
Published: February 2025

Eurocode 1997-1 Geotechnical design–Part 1: General rules (CEN 2004) has been translated to Finnish language and was officially implemented in Finland November the 1st 2007, with its National Annex (Ministry of the Environment 2007). When designing according to EC7 and its National Annex in Finland, Design Approach 2 is mainly used. Design Approach 3 is used for analyzing overall stability and for stability analyses of slopes and embankments. Finland has adopted the possibility to combine actions using the Formulas 6.10a and 6.10b of EN 1990, as the most of other European countries use the basic Formula 6.10. To preserve the national safety level, comparative calculations have been made to find out the need for adjustment of the safety factors to be used in Finland. A Design Guide including EN1997-1 and its National Annex shall be published in spring 2009. The guide will present nationally important additions needed in geotechnical design and examples how to apply EN 1997-1 and its National Annex in Finland.
Timely owner awareness of the importance of geotechnical engineering in dispute resolution
Authors: Thompson Roger P.
Published: February 2025

Case histories involving backfilled sites on a range of different materials, landslide sites, and a retaining wall demonstrate that problems can arise if there is an inadequate understanding of the ground conditions. Water is a common theme that results in many of the difficulties which occur. The lack of early introduction of geotechnical specialists often leads to costly remedial works followed by legal proceedings. Timely involvement of geotechnical engineers is strongly encouraged so that disputes are avoided.
Construction Processes
Authors: Chu Jian  , Varaksin Serge  , Klotz Ulrich  , Mengé Patrick
Published: February 2025

In this state-of-the-art report, a comprehensive review of the latest developments in geotechnical construction methods and some emerging techniques is presented. The review focuses mainly on four topics: (1) ground improvement, (2) deep excavation and tunnelling, (3) natural hazard mitigation and (4) dredging and land reclamation. Other topics such as grouting and groundwater control are also discussed briefly. Different construction methods for each topic are summarised or classified. The principles and mechanisms of different construction methods are outlined. Applications of some of the most recent construction methods are illustrated using case histories. Many references on the topics discussed are also referred to in the report.
Long-term settlement of railway embankment caused by repeated wetting and creep
Authors: Lee S.J.  , Lee I.W.  , Lee J.U.
Published: February 2025

Recently, the high speed railway has come into the spotlight as important and convenient traffic infrastructure. In Korea, Kyungbu high speed train launched its operation over a 400km-section in 2004, and the Honam high speed railway is scheduled to open in 2015. Since the trains run at high speed (maximum design speed of 300-350km/hr), the differential settlement of trackbed might cause a fatal disaster. Even little settlement of the trackbed, hence, shall be carefully monitored. Particularly in case of concrete trackbed which is extremely difficult repairing the settlement, unlike the traditional ballast trackbed, the measures to prevent the settlement of the trackbed is more important. The settlement of the filling material after the track is installed is usually categorized into the settlement caused by the variation of the loads including traffic load and the settlement resulting from environmental factors such as the variation of temperature and water moisture content or creep occurred as time goes by under the constant surface load. The characteristics of compression of filling materials depend on a number of factors such as soil/rock type, as-compacted moisture, density, stress level and wetting condition. Because of the complexity of these factors, it's not easy to quantitatively predict the amount of compression without carrying out the extensive tests.
General Report of Technical Session 3B Monitoring, Performance and Evaluation
Authors: Van M.A.  , Barends F.B.J.
Published: February 2025

Most geotechnical behavior is unseen, under the ground surface. Monitoring, physical and numerical modeling, and the evaluation of performance in hind cast studies are valuable options to measure and understand the behavior of a structure and its subsoil. It is not sufficiently recognized that a geotechnical design based on simple rules will suffer from lack of safety and excessive expenses. Monitoring and physical modeling should be always part of a design framework in order to convince stakeholders and decision makers to care for realistic geotechnical uncertainties. This general report elaborates on the uncertainties our profession has to deal with and describes a framework to determine and explain the various geotechnical uncertainties and a framework to decrease uncertainties by proper understanding of the behavior of geotechnical structures.
Shear strength of inorganic contaminated sand-fine mixture
Authors: Rabei A.S.  , ElKady T.Y.  , Amer M.I.
Published: February 2025

Due to the lack of environmental awareness and proper monitoring of wastes resulting from industrial facilities in Egypt; it is considered a common practice to dispose inorganic wastes in possibly unsuitable nearby land. This practice results in contaminating large areas of soil which, in turn, affects the construction activities in these regions among other hazardous environmental impacts. Generally, contamination of soil changes its mechanical behavior, specifically, its shear strength. This paper investigates the change in shear strength of soil due to the exposure of sand and sand mixed with fines to inorganic contaminant. Soil samples are prepared with 0%, 20% and 40% of fines. Samples are prepared at different compaction ratios and are mixed with 0%, 2%, 6%, and 10% of contaminant. The contaminant used in this research is an acid produced as waste from industrial detergents plants. Research results showed definite negative impact on the shear strength of the contaminated soil.
Administrative Report for TC-1, Dike Technology and Coastal Engineering
Authors: Van M.A.
Published: February 2025

TC-1 has been active since the Osaka Conference in 2005. This report describes its Terms of Reference, work and achievements
TC 19 Preservation of Historic Sites – Administrative Report
Authors: Tsatsanifos Christos  , Psarropoulos Prodromos
Published: February 2025

The activities of the TC 19 during the period 2005-2009 are presented. The preparation of a set of guidelines on the Geotechnical Aspects of the Preservation of Monuments and Historic Sites has been continued.
TC37 Interactive Geotechnical Design
Authors: Been K.
Published: February 2025

The Observational Method (OM) is not widely accepted in practice, although there have been significant efforts in Europe to promote its use, resulting in very good reference documents, e.g. CIRIA Report 185 (1999), IREX (2005) and Geotechnet (2005). There are both legal and risk barriers to wider implementation of the method in some countries. In addition, there is a recognition that structural engineers have an important role in active design. TC 37 therefore conducted a survey during June – August 2009 to gage the use and practice of Interactive Geotechnical Design / Observational Method around the world. The main findings of that survey are presented here.
Developing a generalized multiple-step loading damage model to predict rock behaviour during multiple-step loading triaxial compression test
Authors: Taheri A.  , Tani K.
Published: February 2025

Multiple-step Loading Triaxial Compression Test (ML-TCT) method is a useful tool to evaluate strength parameters from a single specimen. However, because of accumulated damage in the specimen with repeated cycles of axial loading/unloading, the shear strength is prone to be underestimated. Therefore, considering two models which were previously developed for a siltstone and a mudstone, a generalized Multiple-step Loading Damage (MLD) model was developed to simulate ML-TCTs with various stress paths. Numerical simulations of generalized MLD model indicated that the margin between shear strength parameters determined by Single-step Loading Triaxial Compression Tests (SL-TCT) and ML-TCTs, increase with increasing rock strength. Moreover, the upper bound values for c′and lower bound values for φ′could be resulted for ML-TCTs with confining pressure in increasing manner. Whereas, the upper bound values for φ′and lower bound values for c′can be obtained for decreasing manner tests.
Note on the shearing strength of sand
Authors: Maksimović M.
Published: February 2025

The shearing strength of sand is governed by interparticle friction, dilatancy and grain crushing, main variables being relative density and the stress level at failure. A model of hyperbolic type is used to describe the relationship between these variables. The description is simple, curves are smooth, have no sharp kinks and the analytical expression contains only mathematical operations of addition, and division. Examples of published triaxial test results on four sands are used for justification.
Statistical models for reliability assessment of rock strength
Authors: Look B.  , Wijeyakulasuriya V.
Published: February 2025

The Gateway Upgrade Project in the State of Queensland, Australia, is the largest road and bridge infrastructure project in the state's history. A statistical analysis of intact rock strength properties of the sub-horizontally interbedded sandstone stratum underlying the main river span of the duplication bridge was carried out using pre-construction geotechnical data. These findings were then compared with an analysis based on additional borehole data captured during construction. However, this has been confined to the additional data obtained at the southern pier location of the main span only for this paper. Having a borehole at each socket location at this pier showed that signification variation of ground conditions could occur locally between piles, even for the same pier location.
A model experiment to assess the effects of inclusions on wave propagation in soil media
Authors: Houston T.W.  , Ray R.P.
Published: February 2025

A data acquisition system has been assembled using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology which provides a flexible data gathering capability to support recording accelerations at various locations within a sand filled 5 meter square test pit that has a depth extending into underlying gravelly soils. Dual-axis accelerometers weighing less than 1 gram each, made possible by advances in MEMS technology, are connected to up to 5 data acquisition (PXI modules) boards, each capable of controlling and recording data from 16 separate dual axis accelerometers. This data acquisition system is used to measure and record acceleration data from wave propagations that are generated by the impact of a hammer on a striker plate and are modified by an inclusion or occlusion buried in the soil media. Thirty-four two-axis accelerometers were placed at surface and embedded locations on either side of various inclusions buried in the test pit. This large number of accelerometers permits experimentally obtaining high quality spatial and temporal data that can describe the character of the generated wave-forms and the modification of those wave-forms caused by the inclusion. A number of differing materials and geometric forms are used to create inclusions in order to provide sufficient data to permit ascertaining the ability of the measurements to describe the character of the inclusion. Continuous Wavelet Transforms are used to remove background noise and to aid interpretation of the character of the generated wave-form.
Shaking table tests on model piles in liquefiable sand
Authors: Ueng T.S.  , Chen C.H.  , Tseng Y.C.
Published: February 2025

For the study of the soil-pile interaction in a liquefiable soil under earthquake shakings, lateral load tests and shaking table tests on two model piles, one of stainless steel and another of aluminum alloy, in the large biaxial laminar shear box filled with saturated sand were conducted at the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE), Taiwan. The pile tip was fixed at the bottom of the laminar shear box to simulate the condition of the pile foundation embedded in a firm stratum. Strain gauges and accelerometers were placed on the pile surface to obtain the pile behaviors during shaking. The near- and far-field soil responses, including pore pressure changes, accelerations, and settlements were also measured using mini piezometers, accelerometers and displacement sensors. Lateral load tests from the reaction wall and one- and multi-directional shaking table tests were performed on the model piles in the shear box with and without soil. The test results from the lateral load tests and shaking table tests were analyzed and compared. The responses of the model pile and the soil-pile interactions under shakings for liquefied and non-liquefied soil conditions were evaluated. The performance of the pile foundation was affected by the relation among the dynamic characteristics of the pile and the surrounding soil, and the mass of the superstructure.
Complex engineering geological conditions for civil construction in the Rhodope Mountain (Bulgaria)
Authors: Frangov G.  , Krastanov M.  , Varbanov R.
Published: February 2025

The explored terrain falls within the central parts of the Rila-Rhodope engineering-geological region which has undergone continuous tectonic evolution. The big fault structures manifested in the region were reflected both on relief modeling and on the engineering geological properties of rocks and soils. The studied site is situated on a steep valley slope, inclined to the east and with an average altitude of 1540 m. The terrain is built of deluvial Quaternary deposits situated on pre-Cambrian gneisses and marbles. The geotechnical exploration carried out has proved that site conditions are complex and require special attention when selecting the foundation pattern. The rock substrate is covered by Quaternary deposits of variable thickness, reaching 20.00 m at some places. The conditions are further complicated by the existing zone of vertical karst forms, filled with soft clay of low strength and deformation parameters. The karstified marbles create the prerequisite of significant water inflow in the construction excavation. Unconventional foundation scheme has been accepted due to the predicted irregular subsidence of the Quaternary soils and the expected high water inflow from the karst massif. In the terrains built of old metamorphic complexes weak and karst zones of considerable thickness are encountered, which are the product of tectonic and weathering processes. Various methods of geotechnical explorations, which will guarantee the detailed elucidation of the geological circumstances, have to be applied in order to establish such zones. This will ensure the correct choice of the foundation pattern.