Woodward J. An Introduction to Geotechnical Processes

Spon Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2005. – 342 p. – ISBN: 0-203-50488-7Nowadays geotechnical processes are used in a range of civil engineering projects to assist in construction by stabilising ground or to improve the load-carrying capacity of foundations. Although numerous specialist publications and state-of-the-art dissertations exist on the wide variety of topics involved, it is difficult to find one text dedicated solely to bringing together for the non-specialist the most commonly used ground treatment techniques. I have therefore endeavoured to address this gap and provide in this book a concise and basic compendium of the essential practical information for as wide a readership as possible at minimal cost. It is not a comprehensive design manual, but rather a review of practical answers to questions raised by the non-specialist when faced with making a decision on ground treatment—‘What bearing capacity can I expect following treatment?’, ‘Can this soil be frozen and what about heave?’, ‘Will dynamic compaction cause problems in the adjacent buildings?’, ‘Must I spend all this money on ground investigation?’ and so on.
In offering guidance, as a practitioner rather than a theorist, on such diverse subjects, I have had in mind the general civil and structural engineer who would like to be better informed when turning to geotechnical specialists for assistance in dealing with difficult ground conditions; also the developers, estimators and procurement personnel who need to be familiar with the concepts when dealing with proposals from specialists and pricing such works. In addition I hope this book will provide those civil engineering students and engineering geologists who may be considering specialising in this interesting area of construction with an introduction to practical foundation engineering.
‘Geotechnical processes’, for the purpose of this book, cover ground treatments and improvements, generally undertaken by specialists, which use:
• extraction and exclusion of groundwater—typically by wells and cut-offs
• compaction techniques—by vibration and dynamic pounding and
• drilling and grouting techniques—by injecting self-setting fluids into ground
to stabilise ground, improve the support of structures and control settlement.
The complex subject of piling has not been considered as a geotechnical process for this Introduction, except briefly where piles are used to form cut-off barriers. Reinforcing of soils using geofabrics has not been included as this is usually undertaken directly by the civil engineering contractor.
The text is based on the notes provided for a regular series of lectures given by the author to post-graduate engineering geologists at Imperial College, London, and to practising civil engineers over the past 10 years. These lectures were in turn based on data collected, derived and researched from many sources during my career as a geotechnical contractor and consultant, and these sources are acknowledged in the text and fully referenced.Introduction
Ground Investigation
Decision-Making Charts
Groundwater Control—General Considerations
Groundwater Control—Removal Methods
Groundwater Control—Exclusion Methods
Ground Improvement
Ground Improvement by Grouting
Cavity Stabilisation
Ground Anchors
Pile Grouting
Plant for Geotechnical ProcessesSelected Bibliography