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

Instructor:  Robert M. Koerner, Ph.D., P.E., BC.GE, Dist. M.ASCE

Course Length: 90 Minutes

Purpose and Background

PVDs (also called wick drains) have become the most cost competitive method for consolidating deep deposits of saturated fine-grained foundation soils. For their proper utilization one must understand their installation, requisite theory, remaining issues and the opportunity of strengthening (not only dewatering) the soil mass. This webinar provides this specific knowledge.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Overview of PVDs
• Description of installation, including the stresses mobilized during installation
• Successive design theories of Terzaghi, Barron and Hansbo
• Description of several issues and concerns that still remain
• Discussion on the possibility of soil strengthening by PVD inclusions
• Description of a new generic specification for PVDs

Learning Outcomes

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

• Know what PVDs are, do, and how they behave
• Determine the installation process and stresses that are involved
• Recognize the analytic background required in the design process
• Describe the remaining PVD issues and concerns
• Be exposed to the soil strengthening capabilities of PVDs
• Identify the tests and issues included in a generic PVD specification

Webinar Benefits

• Gain an understanding of PVD consolidation and strengthening of soft, saturated fine-grained soil deposits
• Recognize that there are issues to be overcome such as kinking, soil smear and reduction factors, all of which will be considered
• Learn about a new, generic specification that is offered for use by owners and consulting engineers

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, transportation, geo-environmental and geosynthetic engineers
• Private and municipal land developers, architectural and landscape designers
• General and specialized civil consulting engineers
• Testing laboratories servicing these organizations
• Manufacturers and representatives of geosynthetic materials
• Contractors and installers of geosynthetics
• Academic and research groups
• Others desiring technically related information on this important aspect of soil consolidation and strengthening

Webinar Outline

• Background and overview
• Installation of PVDs
• Mobilized stresses during installation
• Terzaghi-barron-hansbo consolidation theories
• Remaining PVD issues and concerns
• Generic PVD material specification

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]