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This webinar was co-sponsored by ASCE's Geo-Institute (G-I) and ASCE Continuing Education

Instructors:
Anand J. Puppala, Ph.D., PE., BC.GE, F.ASCE, F.ICE
Delwyn G. Fredlund, O.C., P.Eng., FEIC

Course Length: 1.5 Hours

Purpose and Background

Many engineered structures that are part of the societal infrastructure are founded near ground surface in unsaturated soils. The unsaturated soils have negative pore-water pressures that are referred to as soil suction. Soil suction becomes the primary variable that needs to be measured and monitored to better understand design protocols used in engineering practice. Ground surface moisture fluxes form a boundary condition that is driven by the surrounding environment. The moisture fluxes produce changes in soil suction over time which, in turn, produces changes in the volume and shear strength of the near-ground-surface soils. This webinar will help participants understand the value of monitoring soil suction, demonstrate how to apply measured to data, provide information on the newest technologies available for the measurement of soil suction, and more.

Primary Discussion Topics

The speaker will discuss:

• Volume changes in expansive soils due to weather conditions
• Volume changes in collapsible soils due to environmental changes
• Monitoring Store and Release (or Alternative) soil cover systems
• Slope instability associated with moisture infiltration
• Monitoring changes in soil suction in highways and airport sub-grades

Learning Outcomes

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

• Determine instrumentation for measuring soil suction in-situ
• Know the operation and calibration of Thermal Conductivity, TC, and sensors
• Identify the installation of Thermal Conductivity suction sensors
• Examine the collection and monitoring of soil suction data
• Interpret and apply of soil suction data

Webinar Benefits

• Learn the newest technologies available for the measurement of soil suction
• Learn the reliability of in-situ soil suction measurements
• Avoid costly mistakes with respect to the installation of suction sensors
• Become aware of the cost-benefits of making soil suction measurements
• Learn of the factors influencing soil suction measurements
• Learn the benefits of monitoring soil suction in-situ
• Learn how to apply measured data to engineering protocols

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

Intended Audience

• Geotechnical engineers in consulting firms and government agencies
• Geoenvironmental engineers in consulting firms and government agencies
• Hydrogeologists involved in regional watershed modeling
• Highways engineers
• University professors teaching geotechnical engineering
• Civil engineers in consulting firms and government agencies

Webinar Outline

• Introductions to In-situ Soil Suction Measurements
• Current Sensors for Field Suction Measurements
• Theory and Operation of Thermal Conductivity Suction Sensors
• Case Study – Texas DOT – Case Study – Saskatchewan
• DOT and Closure
• Questions & Answers

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

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 1 year of purchasing the course.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]