Getting the basic ground model right in engineering practice

2020 ◽  
pp. qjegh2020-055
Author(s):  
G. J. Hearn
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Engineering Geology ◽  
Site Investigation ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Ground Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analytical Skills ◽  
Engineering Problems ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
Geomorphological Processes

The approach to ground modelling should be devised to suit the geological and geomorphological challenges that pertain and the context and manner in which the model is to be used. Several case studies are examined where problems experienced during works construction and operation are associated with complex ground conditions and geomorphological outcomes not fully anticipated from the site investigation and ground modelling. Other cases reflect situations where either important existing information was ignored or no apparent consideration was given to the potential for ground engineering problems. Insufficient attention to geomorphology, and especially geomorphological processes, has been the cause of several construction difficulties and continues to pose a significant source of risk in many terrains. The observational and analytical skills of a carefully-chosen geo-team will be paramount if these challenges are to be overcome. However, such considerations become largely academic if institutional shortcomings serve to limit or exclude engineering geological assessment in the first place.Thematic collection: This article is part of the Ground models in engineering geology and hydrogeology collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/Ground-models-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology

Development of the ground model in an area of significant faulting and periglacial legacy: case study from Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. qjegh2020-076
Author(s):  
M. R. Groves ◽  
J. S. Birnie ◽  
M. P. Creighton ◽  
D. P. Giles
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Engineering Geology ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Site Investigation ◽  
Ground Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depositional System ◽  
Ground Investigation ◽  
A Site

This case study describes a proposed commercial redevelopment at Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The site, located on the Tunbridge Wells Sand and Wadhurst Clay formations, has been affected by major structural faulting as well as by periglacial conditions during the Quaternary. A key aspect of the project was the development of a geological model to inform the engineering design. This study presents the ground model development process, starting with an appreciation of the macro geological setting, understanding the Quaternary landsystem, to focusing on the data from the intrusive ground investigation. The understanding of the primary sedimentary depositional system is critical to the development of a site geological conceptual model. Sediments from highly variable environments of deposition, such as were present in the Early Cretaceous, will present geotechnical and geohazard challenges to a site's development and this first-principles understanding is important in this process. The link from these fundamental geological principles to engineering design, communicated through the ground model, as demonstrated in this paper, is the requirement of the engineering geological appraisal. Locally complex geology demanded a phased site investigation approach, responding to an evolving design and to construction demands, and to meet defined programme requirements for a second-stage tender, to ultimately de-risk key areas with regard to the dynamic ground and groundwater conditions.Thematic collection: This article is part of the Ground models in engineering geology and hydrogeology collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/Ground-models-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology

An explainable prediction framework for engineering problems: case studies in reinforced concrete members modeling

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amirhessam Tahmassebi ◽  
Mehrtash Motamedi ◽  
Amir H. Alavi ◽  
Amir H. Gandomi
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Learning Models ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Engineering Problems ◽  
Machine Learning Models

PurposeEngineering design and operational decisions depend largely on deep understanding of applications that requires assumptions for simplification of the problems in order to find proper solutions. Cutting-edge machine learning algorithms can be used as one of the emerging tools to simplify this process. In this paper, we propose a novel scalable and interpretable machine learning framework to automate this process and fill the current gap.Design/methodology/approachThe essential principles of the proposed pipeline are mainly (1) scalability, (2) interpretibility and (3) robust probabilistic performance across engineering problems. The lack of interpretibility of complex machine learning models prevents their use in various problems including engineering computation assessments. Many consumers of machine learning models would not trust the results if they cannot understand the method. Thus, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) approach is employed to interpret the developed machine learning models.FindingsThe proposed framework can be applied to a variety of engineering problems including seismic damage assessment of structures. The performance of the proposed framework is investigated using two case studies of failure identification in reinforcement concrete (RC) columns and shear walls. In addition, the reproducibility, reliability and generalizability of the results were validated and the results of the framework were compared to the benchmark studies. The results of the proposed framework outperformed the benchmark results with high statistical significance.Originality/valueAlthough, the current study reveals that the geometric input features and reinforcement indices are the most important variables in failure modes detection, better model can be achieved with employing more robust strategies to establish proper database to decrease the errors in some of the failure modes identification.

Geological structures beneath the River Thames in London: findings from the Thames Tideway Tunnel investigations

2021 ◽  
pp. qjegh2020-157
Author(s):  
T.G. Newman ◽  
N.W Hadlow
Keyword(s):  
Fault Zone ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Ground Model ◽  
Geological Structures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
Slip Displacement ◽  
River Thames ◽  
Using Data

The Thames Tideway Tunnel is 25 km long and extends west – east through central London, beneath the River Thames for most of its route. A detailed preconstruction ground model has been assembled, using data from borehole and river-borne seismic reflection survey investigations. The two data sets have together delineated several significant geological structures along the route.The investigations have led to an improved understanding of the morphology of some structures, such as the Greenwich Fault, London Bridge Fault Zone, Millwall Anticline and Greenwich-Plaistow Syncline, which were only generally indicated during preliminary desk studies. Other structures, such as the Putney-Hammersmith Fault Zone, Chelsea Embankment Fault Zone and Lambeth Anticline, are entirely new discoveries.Most of the structures described here have characteristics compatible with strike-slip displacement and, although this has been previously widely suspected, this paper presents new evidence towards this. When intersected by the tunnel during its construction phase, they have imposed significant changes in geological strata, leading to changes in the performance of tunnelling plant or creating adverse ground conditions. Their early identification by the ground model has assisted engineering design and planning, for the benefit of construction cost efficiency and, importantly, Health and Safety of underground personnel.Thematic collection: This article is part of the Geology of London and its implications for ground engineering collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/london-basin

Tunnelling, Chalk and turbidity: conceptual model of risk to groundwater public water supplies

2020 ◽  
pp. qjegh2020-032
Author(s):  
P. Burris ◽  
C. D. Speed ◽  
A. E. Saich ◽  
S. Hughes ◽  
S. Cole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contaminant Transport ◽  
Source Term ◽  
Engineering Geology ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Site Investigation ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Public Water Supply ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Content Type

Tunnelling for infrastructure developments within sections of Chalk below the water table creates suspended sediment, which may give rise to turbidity risks where tunnel alignments pass close to abstraction boreholes used for public water supply. In high-transmissivity zones in Chalk it is predicted that groundwater velocities within fractures are high enough to maintain continual suspension and transport of sediment. The assessment of risk from turbidity has been conceptually modelled in a manner akin to a source–pathway–receptor contaminant transport model. Turbidity characteristics in Chalk are described as well as turbidity effects upon public water supplies. Data from a case study of a proposed tunnelling project have been used in this study. Data acquired from the site investigation stage indicated that turbidity levels of over 4000 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) were created from drilling and abrading the Chalk, which may be a proxy for what occurs at tunnelling cutting faces. The sediment generated had a d80 particle passing size value of 10.5 µm and groundwater velocities in fractures were calculated to be c. 0.5 mm s−1; literature values suggest that higher velocities are attainable and therefore these values are considered sufficient for suspending the sediment. The conceptualization used information from hydrogeological, geotechnical, engineering and water-resource assessments. The risk assessment part of the model focuses on how turbidity could be released from tunnelling machinery in specific circumstances (the source term), how the continued suspension of sediment and movement within the aquifer (the pathway) could occur and assessment of consequences at the receptor. The conceptualization concludes that there is a plausible risk of turbidity pollution in the Chalk aquifer from tunnelling, with a discussion on further data acquisition and approaches to quantitative analysis and modelling.Thematic collection: This article is part of the Ground models in engineering geology and hydrogeology collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/Ground-models-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology

Geotechnical Baseline Reports – ground models you can just make up?

2020 ◽  
pp. qjegh2020-019
Author(s):  
J.A. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Geology ◽  
Engineering Geologist ◽  
Objective Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Common Basis ◽  
Construction Risk ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Construction Knowledge ◽  
Pricing Risk

Geotechnical Baseline Reports (GBRs) are a purely commercial form of ground model, used to allocate ownership of unforeseen ground risk in a construction contract. They are used at tender to provide a common basis for pricing risk and they are used during construction to provide an efficient means of managing claims involving potentially unforeseen ground conditions. One of the ways in which GBRs are different from conventional ground models is that they do not necessarily have to present objective data-based truths about the ground. This possibility arises because clients have varying appetites and abilities to take on construction risk. GBRs can be difficult to write because they are focused on encounters with the ground during construction and these experiences are often indirect and significantly different to encounters in ground investigations. This construction knowledge and the commercial nature of GBRs mean a multi-disciplinary approach to writing GBRs is preferred. The profession best able to characterize the risk inherent in the ground is the engineering geologist through knowledge of ground models. GBR ground models can be considered to be a distinct commercial variant and development of the engineering ground models described in the IAEG's CS25 report on the subject.Thematic collection: This article is part of the Ground models in engineering geology and hydrogeology collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/Ground-models-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology

Volume 13 Issue 2 Editorial Note

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Lemnitzer
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Editorial Note ◽  
Soft Ground ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Foundation Construction ◽  
Ground Conditions

We are excited to present the work of five excellent author groups who prepared the research papers and case studies featured in this Issue. Three of the five papers deal with piles and the remaining two papers involve foundation construction on soft ground conditions.

Negotiation and corporate strategy

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-6
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Organizational Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Consistent Approach

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Negotiation is a key tool in delivering competitive advantage but requires a clear and consistent approach closely linked to organizational strategy. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Blending global and regional planning in multinationals

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 16-18
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Regional Planning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Central Planning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Blending global and regional planning is important for multinationals. Within a central framework, local offices should have input. Different regions will approach this in different ways, but regional planning needs to be in-synch with central planning cycles. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Numerical analysis of the shear strength of circular reinforced concrete columns subjected to cyclic lateral loads using linear genetic programming

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 2517-2537
Author(s):  
Mostafa Rezvani Sharif ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Reza Sadri Tabaei Zavareh
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Shear Strength ◽  
Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Genetic Programming ◽  
Linear Genetic Programming ◽  
Rc Columns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Engineering Problems

Purpose The shear strength of reinforced concrete (RC) columns under cyclic lateral loading is a crucial concern, particularly, in the seismic design of RC structures. Considering the costly procedure of testing methods for measuring the real value of the shear strength factor and the existence of several parameters impacting the system behavior, numerical modeling techniques have been very much appreciated by engineers and researchers. This study aims to propose a new model for estimation of the shear strength of cyclically loaded circular RC columns through a robust computational intelligence approach, namely, linear genetic programming (LGP). Design/methodology/approach LGP is a data-driven self-adaptive algorithm recently used for classification, pattern recognition and numerical modeling of engineering problems. A reliable database consisting of 64 experimental data is collected for the development of shear strength LGP models here. The obtained models are evaluated from both engineering and accuracy perspectives by means of several indicators and supplementary studies and the optimal model is presented for further purposes. Additionally, the capability of LGP is examined to be used as an alternative approach for the numerical analysis of engineering problems. Findings A new predictive model is proposed for the estimation of the shear strength of cyclically loaded circular RC columns using the LGP approach. To demonstrate the capability of the proposed model, the analysis results are compared to those obtained by some well-known models recommended in the existing literature. The results confirm the potential of the LGP approach for numerical analysis of engineering problems in addition to the fact that the obtained LGP model outperforms existing models in estimation and predictability. Originality/value This paper mainly represents the capability of the LGP approach as a robust alternative approach among existing analytical and numerical methods for modeling and analysis of relevant engineering approximation and estimation problems. The authors are confident that the shear strength model proposed can be used for design and pre-design aims. The authors also declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Creating a growth mindset

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 155-160
Author(s):  
Ian Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
Cultural Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fixed Mindset ◽  
And Performance

Purpose This paper aims to show that everything a business does is fundamentally reliant on its culture. Culture determines how successful a strategy is and whether that strategy can be executed. If the culture in a business is out of alignment, it is imperative to change it. This paper examines how HR professionals can take ownership of this cultural space and help to create a growth mindset throughout the organisation. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on experience gained through working with several large organisations to transform their people culture and performance by embracing a growth mindset and to help their HR leadership become the early champions of change, thus ensuring the process was successfully delivered. The paper includes case studies of two organisations where successful cultural shaping delivered improved results. Findings Companies with a growth mindset will outperform those with a fixed mindset. Changing mindsets is not overly complex, but it requires flawless implementation with the HR leaders at the forefront. Originality/value As Lou Gerstner, who turned around the computing giant IBM, said “I finally realised that culture is not part of the game, it is the game”. By understanding how individual mindsets impact culture, HR professionals can own and drive their organisation’s culture-shaping efforts.

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