Effect of spatial variability on probability-based design of excavations against basal-heave

Zhe Luo, Sez Atamturktur, C. Hsein Juang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of spatial soil variability, modeled as a twodimensional (2-D) random field, on the computed probability of basal-heave failure in a braced excavation in clay. The random field modeling (RFM) of clay is realized using a framework that combines Cholesky decomposition method and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Considering that the horizontal and vertical scales of fluctuation are generally unequal for clay, various combinations of the horizontal and vertical scales of fluctuation are examined within this framework. The effect of 2-D RFM of undrained shear strength of clay in a braced excavation is demonstrated with a case study that focuses on a simple probability-based design. The results show that negligence of the 2-D spatial random effect could yield a basal-heave design that is unduly over-conservative: at an acceptable or target failure probability level, the required factor of safety in a limit equilibrium analysis is unreasonably high.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGeoCongress 2012
Subtitle of host publicationState of the Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering
Pages2876-2884
Number of pages9
Edition225 GSP
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventGeoCongress 2012: State of the Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering - Oakland, CA, United States
Duration: Mar 25 2012Mar 29 2012

Publication series

NameGeotechnical Special Publication
Number225 GSP
ISSN (Print)0895-0563

Other

OtherGeoCongress 2012: State of the Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOakland, CA
Period3/25/123/29/12

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Building and Construction
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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