Documents published in Scipedia

• Stratification identification and prediction of missing CPT data by Mixture of Gaussian Processes

  M. Durmaz*, A. van den Eijnden, M. Hicks

  ISC2024.

  
  

  Abstract

  Stratification identification and spatial interpolation play a fundamental role in geotechnical site characterization. A unified approach is needed to perform these two tasks simultaneously to reduce overall uncertainty in site characterization. This paper explores the applicability of the Mixture of Gaussian Processes (MoGP) to address this gap, with a specific focus on characterizing and completing missing CPT data. The investigation encompasses both synthetic and real-world field CPT datasets and includes a comparison of the MoGP's interpolation accuracy with the use of a single GP for entire datasets. Additionally, the study examines the sensitivity of the model's performance with respect to the number of training data points. Although the interpolation performance of the MoGP model is promising with synthetic data, limitations appear in its application to real-site CPT data.

  Abstract
  Stratification identification and spatial interpolation play a fundamental role in geotechnical site characterization. A unified approach is needed to perform these two tasks [...]

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• SDMT VS profiles in heterogeneous granular soil deposits

  F. Totani*, V. Tomei

  ISC2024.

  
  

  Abstract

  Many urbanized areas of the Apennines, in Italy, have complex soil stratifications. A typical example is the historical center of L'Aquila and its outskirts, founded on layers of significantly heterogeneity and struck by a strong earthquake in 2009. Under these conditions, shear wave velocity profiles (VS) obtained from in-situ measurements using SDMT techniques allow reliable analyses of local seismic response. In the soil of L'Aquila, the use of SDMT tests in sand-filled boreholes, following the procedure described by Totani et al. (2009), allowed VS to be measured at considerable depths. This article presents the results of local seismic response analyses conducted to characterize the soil foundation of the hospital complex and adjacent university buildings in L’Aquila before their seismic retrofitting. The authors developed a soil model based on the Vs profiles retrieved from the SDMT tests. This approach provided a detailed understanding of the soil seismic behaviour, essential for the proper characterization of seismic action and consequently, the design of seismic interventions. The study emphasises the importance of accurate soil characterisation prior to seismic upgrades especially in deposits where there are multiple shear wave velocity inversions. The seismic demand coming from the Italian Building Code of 2018, based on the so-called soil categories from equivalent velocity of shear wave, was compared to the results of the local seismic response analysis conducted by using the real Vs profiles from SDMT, which are extended to a much greater depths than those generally required by the regulations.

  Abstract
  Many urbanized areas of the Apennines, in Italy, have complex soil stratifications. A typical example is the historical center of L'Aquila and its outskirts, founded on layers [...]

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• Compacted Landfill Quality Based on DMT

  A. Penna*, A. Macedo, G. Freitas, L. Melo

  ISC2024.

  
  

  Abstract

  For the last 25 years we have been using DMT tests to check the quality of landfill compaction. In several situations of large areas subject to earthmoving, significant pathologies were observed associated with the occurrence of settlements, determined by poor compaction of landfills. These settlements affect the internal floors of buildings, external floors, and sometimes the foundations also. With the intense use of the DMT test as an usual geotechnical investigation practice, it was possible to group the results of these tests, separating them into cases of good, average, and bad behavior. With these systematic observations, it was possible to adapt the traditional graphical representation proposed by Silvano Marchetti and David Crapps, relating the material index "Id" with the dilatometer modulus "Ed", creating regions that represent well-compacted landfills, those with medium compaction and poorly compacted landfills. This system makes it easy to predict the settlement behavior of compacted landfills and represents an appropriate method for checking the quality of compaction.

  Abstract
  For the last 25 years we have been using DMT tests to check the quality of landfill compaction. In several situations of large areas subject to earthmoving, significant pathologies [...]

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• Site Exploration for Anchoring of Wave Energy Converters

  T. Evans*, T. Tran

  ISC2024.

  
  

  Abstract

  Wave energy converters (WECs), a form of marine hydrokinetic (MHK) energy device, transform the mechanical energy of water waves into electricity. They are typically held on station using anchoring systems embedded into the seafloor sediments (as opposed to, e.g., concrete gravity anchors). The design of WEC anchors is particularly challenging for two primary reasons: (1) WECs are often deployed in previously undeveloped areas of the ocean, so the engineering properties of the seabed are largely unknown; and (2) the economic margins on wave energy are quite thin, so heavily overdesigned anchor systems in response to data sparsity are not feasible. This paper describes the planning, execution, and outcomes from a dedicated in-situ testing campaign informed only by limited geophysical data a priori. A series of 22 cone penetration tests (CPTs) were performed at a 7-km2 site approximately 11 km off the United States’ west coast. Water depth was up to approximately 75 m and the target depth for the cone soundings was 10.5 m below the seafloor. Measurements indicated that much of the site subsurface consisted of dense sand and gravel, though tests identified an overlying softer layer in some parts of the site. A summary of lessons learned and recommendations for future explorations at similarly unexplored sites are provided.

  Abstract
  Wave energy converters (WECs), a form of marine hydrokinetic (MHK) energy device, transform the mechanical energy of water waves into electricity. They are typically held [...]

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• Continuous Medusa DMT tests in a very soft clay

  F. Danziger*, G. Jannuzzi, A. Pinheiro, J. Souza

  ISC2024.

  
  

  Abstract

  The dilatometer test (DMT) has been shown very useful in providing a number of geotechnical parameters, in different types of soils. The test is regularly carried out every 0.20 m, i.e., it is a discontinuous test. Therefore, its capability of detecting variations in the geotechnical profile is conditioned by the tests interval. The Medusa DMT, however, is able to obtain continuous measurements of the A-pressure reading, thus providing a much better picture of the soil stratigraphy. Medusa DMT tests have been carried out at Sarapuí II very soft clay deposit around Guanabara Bay, in Rio de Janeiro, and a detailed soil profile was obtained. A comparison was made with piezocone tests. The stratigraphy of the deposit obtained by both tests was almost the same.

  Abstract
  The dilatometer test (DMT) has been shown very useful in providing a number of geotechnical parameters, in different types of soils. The test is regularly carried out every [...]

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• Soil liquefaction assessment of Ecuadorian coastal region using SDMT test (Puerto Baquerizo site)

  C. Ramirez, F. Arias, D. Besenzon*, S. Amoroso, K. Chunga

  ISC2024.

  
  

  Abstract

  On March 18, 2023, a Mw6.6 earthquake hit the South Guayas coastal region (Ecuador), resulting in human fatalities and extensive structural damage. The event triggered widespread soil liquefaction evidences by significant volume of ejected material, which persisted several weeks following the event, marking the epicentral area prone to liquefaction. To assess the susceptibility to seismic-induced soil liquefaction, we performed one seismic dilatometer test (SDMT) in an area where the phenomenon clearly manifested. This study aims to evaluate and compare various established SDMT methods for predicting soil liquefaction potential under the specific 2023 seismic event. The findings are expected to enhance the understanding of liquefaction and contribute to improve seismic hazard assessment in areas along the Ecuadorian coast, which are often interested by earthquakes, as well as to the development of mitigation strategies in this earthquake prone coastal region.

  Abstract
  On March 18, 2023, a Mw6.6 earthquake hit the South Guayas coastal region (Ecuador), resulting in human fatalities and extensive structural damage. The event triggered widespread [...]

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• Characterisation of Carse Clays Using Seismic DMT

  A. O'Brien, I. Murray*

  ISC2024.

  
  

  Abstract

  The estuarine sediments around the head of the Forth estuary deposited during and after the Flandrian interglacial are an important, economically productive regional soil horizon in Scotland. The soil has been extensively studied locally (Hight et al., 1992) at the Bothkennar EPSRC site however, to the authors’ knowledge seismic dilatometer testing using Marchetti’s Medusa apparatus has never been used to characterise the material. Taking data from a number of sites and using an automated Medusa seismic dilatometer apparatus, a complementary contribution to the characterisation of the site which includes some comments on spatial variability of the material and other observations are presented.

  Abstract
  The estuarine sediments around the head of the Forth estuary deposited during and after the Flandrian interglacial are an important, economically productive regional soil [...]

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• Comparative Analysis of DMT, CPTt And DPH for Soil Characterization of Granular Rhine Soil

  J. Labenski, A. Poenaru*

  ISC2024.

  
  

  Abstract

  This paper presents the results of direct and indirect field investigations carried out as part of a detailed soil investigation of granular Rhine soil in Germany. After a brief overview of the project and geological conditions in the project area, the results of the field investigations are shown in a compressed and comprehensive manner. Focus of the presented results are the DMT, which are a novelty for projects in Germany. The presented results clearly indicate the challenges regarding the interpretation of the test results in the mainly dense to very dense sands and gravels, as especially the results of the DMT tend to scatter a lot. Despite the interpretation challenges, a comparative analysis of the CPT and DMT is carried out showing possible relations between dilatometer modulus Ed, friction angle DMT , corrected cone resistance qt and relative density ID. The relations are discussed, and limitations are presented. Afterwards, a strength-based correlation between CPT and DMT to determine the effective friction angle as a function of the cone resistance is presented indicating reasonable results for the investigated soils in the project area. The paper finishes with a discussion of limitations of the DMT and conclusions.

  Abstract
  This paper presents the results of direct and indirect field investigations carried out as part of a detailed soil investigation of granular Rhine soil in Germany. After a [...]

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• A novel strategy to digitalize, integrate and analyse data for the characterisation of landslides in turbiditic deposits

  N. Losacco*, V. Bufano, E. Tabak, F. Santaloia, F. Cotecchia

  ISC2024.

  
  

  Abstract

  A phenomenological interpretation of the slope factors and lanslide mechanism represents the first stage for the assessment of landslide hazard at the slope scale. This requires processing, analysing and integrating a large set of multidisciplinary and heterogeneous data, obtained through diverse activities, among which: geological and geomorphological studies, geotechnical investigations and monitoring, topographic and structural damage surveys. The integration of such a variety of multisource data, to build up a sound conceptual model of the slope, can be particularly challenging, especially in geohydromechanical contexts characterised by a great spatial variability of soil properties and complex hydraulic boundary conditions, such as in the case of slopes composed of turbiditic formations. This paper presents a new methodological approach for the study of landslide hazard at the slope scale, based on the combined use of an open-source GIS platform and an in-house developed dashboard for the interactive visualisation and analysis of geotechnical laboratory data. The details of the GIS project and the potentiality of the data-analysis dashboard are described, highlighting the interoperability between the two digital tools. The proposed methodology is applied to a pilot site, the Pianello area in Bovino, in the souhteastern Apennines, a widely investigated hillslope composed of tectonised clayey turbidite, hosting a complex basin of slow-moving landslides.

  Abstract
  A phenomenological interpretation of the slope factors and lanslide mechanism represents the first stage for the assessment of landslide hazard at the slope scale. This requires [...]

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• Dynamic properties of the Holocene age deposit in the Italian port of Ravenna

  M. Senigagliesi*, P. Alesiani, P. Ruggeri, V. Fruzzetti, G. Scarpelli

  ISC2024.

  
  

  Abstract

  Based on the collection of many data coming from a large survey carried out in the Ravenna Port channel, this paper focuses on the dynamic properties of the 30 m thick soil deposit whose poor geotechnical characteristics make the design of infrastructures in the area particularly challenging. The study included specific seismic in-situ investigations (e.g. Seismic CPTu and CH), laboratory tests on undisturbed bored samples (e.g. Resonant Column Test) and common in-situ testing (e.g. CPTu, DMT). The main objective is the estimate of the very small strain shear modulus and its decay with strain level (i.e. curves G0-gamma) for dynamic characterization. This is a fundamental aspect to consider for numerical modelling of geotechnical engineering problems considering soil-structure interaction under working loads and site response analysis. The availability of direct and indirect measurements of the dynamic soil properties allowed the comparison between the different estimates and an evaluation on the applicability of the correlations between the outcomes from possible in-situ investigations.

  Abstract
  Based on the collection of many data coming from a large survey carried out in the Ravenna Port channel, this paper focuses on the dynamic properties of the 30 m thick soil [...]

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