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Instructor: Naresh Samtani, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE
Purpose and Background
In the construction of highway embankments, earth dams, retaining walls, structural foundations, and many other facilities, loose soils must be compacted to increase their densities. The principal objectives in compacting soil are normally to create fill of high strength and low compressibility, and, in the case of water-retaining fill, of low permeability. The ultimate goal is to construct safe earth structures that can provide the desired serviceability over their design lifetimes and minimize long-term maintenance. This workshop discusses the conventional (e.g., Proctor) methods of compaction and alternative methods of compaction based on soil air voids and shear strength (SAV&S) principles. It evaluates applicability of compaction procedures for various soil landforms (e.g., residual vs transported) soils. It also discusses implications of laboratory tests on field compaction specifications and properties of compacted soils such as shear strength, volume change, and permeability. It evaluates the concept of cohesion component of shear strength in compacted soils.
Primary Discussion Topics
Day 1
- Terminology and Basics of Compaction
- Effect of Unit Weight, Voids, and Fabric/Structure
- Field Compaction Procedures
- Relative Density and Relative Compaction
- Practical Issues and SAV&S Field Control Method
- Choice of Field Compaction Control Method
Day 2
- Shear Strength Characteristics of Compacted Soils
- Volume Change Characteristics of Compacted Soils
- Permeability Characteristics of Compacted Soils
- Proof-rolling
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the principles of soil compaction
- Compare laboratory compaction method with field compaction processes
- Identify appropriate soil compaction control methods for different soil forms
- Define characteristics of compacted soils
- Shear strength
- Volume
- Permeability
- Assess area-wide compaction using proof-rolling
- Explain the basics of compaction of soils
- Explain the effect of compaction on performance characteristics of soils (strength, volume changes, and permeability)
- Identify and choose appropriate compaction control method
- Explain the importance of proof rolling
- Specify and construct compacted soil structures that minimize long-term maintenance and serviceability issues
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed through a short post-test (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).
Who Should Attend?
- Geotechnical specialists
- Structural Engineers
- Inspectors
- Agencies/owners
- Contractors
Outline
Using a collaborative and interactive learning approach, this virtual workshop will help learners understand challenges associated with specification and construction of safe and serviceable compacted soil structures that will also help long-term maintenance needs. Learn new concepts of soil compaction that builds upon your prior knowledge and through active participation you will integrate the new knowledge into your understanding. You will also generate new ideas through brainstorming and discussion and develop a better understanding of the practical methods and processes of soil compaction, learn about real-world problems that your peers encounter on projects, and solutions they have implemented, and receive real-time expert feedback. In between the two live sessions, attendees will independently work on an application (e.g., exercises) or a reflection (e.g., reading) assignment.
Day 1
- Introductions
- Terminology and Basics of Compaction
- Effect of Unit Weight, Voids, and Fabric/Structure
- Field Compaction Procedures
- Relative Density and Relative Compaction
- Practical Issues and SAV&S Field Control Method
- Choice of Field Compaction Control Method
- Review of Day 1
- Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session
- Assignment of homework
- Adjourn
Day 2
- Review of homework assignment
- Recap of Day 1
- Roadmap for Day 2
- Shear Strength Characteristics of Compacted Soils
- Volume Change Characteristics of Compacted Soils
- Permeability Characteristics of Compacted Soils
- Proof-rolling
- Review of Day 2 and full workshop
- Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session
- Adjourn
How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
This course is worth .4 CEUs/4 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.