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INSTRUCTOR:  Jerry A. DiMaggio, P.E., D.GE, M.ASCE

Purpose and Background

When difficult ground conditions are encountered there are a number of alternatives that can be employed to achieve project objectives. These alternatives include: (1) completely abandoning the project; (2) bypassing the poor soil through relocation of the project to a more suitable site or through the use of a deep foundation; (3) removing and replacing the unsuitable soils; (4) designing the planned structure to accommodate the poor/marginal soils; or (5) modifying (improving) the existing soils, either in-place or by removal, treatment and replacement of the existing soils. Through a wide-variety of modern ground improvement and geoconstruction technologies, marginal sites and unsuitable in-situ soils can be improved to meet demanding project requirements, making the latter alternative an economically preferred solution in many cases. In essence, the modern constructor has the option to fix the poor ground conditions and to make them suitable for the project needs. A variety of terms are used to describe this suite engineering techniques and materials: soil improvement, ground improvement, ground treatment, or ground modification. It has been noted that the process of altering the ground is ground treatment, while the purpose of the process is ground improvement, and the result of the process is ground modification. For better or worse the treatment has modified the ground’s performance properties.

Within this course, ground improvement is defined as the alteration of site subsurface geomaterial or project earth structures to provide better performance under design and/or operational loading conditions. Ground improvement objectives can be achieved using a large variety of geotechnical technologies and materials that alter and improve poor ground conditions where soil and rock replacement is not feasible for environmental, technical or economic reasons. Ground improvement has one or more of the following main functions, to:

• increase shear strength, bearing resistance and overall stability
• increase density
• decrease permeability
• control deformations (settlement, heave, lateral distortions)
• improve drainage
• accelerate consolidation
• decrease imposed load
• provide lateral stability
• increase resistance to liquefaction
• transfer embankment loads to more competent layer

The instructor presents the critical knowledge and skills you need in order to take advantage of the technically effective and cost effective use of ground improvement methods in infrastructure projects.

Ground improvement Methods have been found to provide benefits in the following five major areas:

• Utilization of less costly foundation system
• Reduction in right-of-way acquisition
• Less environmental disturbance
• Reduction in construction time
• Improved traffic control through construction zones

The impetus for ground improvement has been both the increasing need to use marginal sites for new construction purposes, reduce contract disputes and to mitigate risk of failure or potential poor performance. During the past several decades, ground improvement has come of age and reached a high level of acceptance in the geotechnical community. Its use is now routinely considered on most projects where poor or unstable soils and rocks are encountered, especially on sites underlain by suspect or highly variable conditions and uncontrolled fills. From the design engineer's point of view, ground improvement means the increase in shear strength, the reduction of compressibility, and the reduction of permeability “the modification of the relevant engineering property. From the constructor’s point of view, ground improvement may mean a reduction in construction time and/or a reduction in construction costs. Both points of view are valid reasons to consider the use of ground improvement techniques.

During this one-day program the instructor presents a logical sequence of topics and activities to allow participants to enhance their knowledge and skills. These activities include: lecture, instructor lead example problems and lively discussion periods. All participants will receive a PDF copy of the lesson PowerPoint files.

The course material provides direct standard of practice design and construction guidance for all Civil Engineering applications required for application on structural foundations, engineered earthworks, and earth retaining structure for new and rehabilitated facilities.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Recognize potential applications for Ground Improvement Methods used in civil engineering applications
• Select the most technically appropriate and cost-effective Ground Improvement Method for your application
• Examine and select appropriate material properties, soil/rock design and construction parameters
• Evaluate and review contractor submitted designs and construction installation plans
• Select appropriate specification/contracting method(s) and prepare contract documents
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of Ground Improvement Methods construction, inspection and preservation

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Learning objectives are achieved through class participation, discussion, and short post-test.

Who Should Attend?

• Geotechnical Specialists
• Generalist Civil Engineers
• Construction Engineers
• Constructors
• Structural engineers
• Owners
• Professionals involved in the design, construction, inspection, testing and specification for buildings, energy and transportation facilities

Outline

Day 1 Thursday, September 23, 2021 | 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

• Learning Outcomes and Course Overview
• Introduction to Ground Improvement Methods, their Functions, Applications and Selection
• Soil and Rock Parameters (tests and soil and rock parameter selection)
• Prefabricated Vertical Drains
• Lightweight Fill Materials

Day 2 Friday, September 24, 2021 | 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

• Dynamic Compaction
• Stone Columns and Controlled Modulus and Load Transfer Platforms
• Deep Soil Mixing
• GeoTechTools (www.GeoTechTools.org)
• Course Summary and Closure

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs

This online course is worth .8 CEUs/8 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 60 days of the course.