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Forensic - Intro PDF

This document discusses forensic geotechnical engineering and case studies on underpinning. It explains that forensic geotechnical engineering applies engineering principles to investigate soil and foundation failures. Common causes of geotechnical failures include lack of proper soil testing, overloading structures, and natural disasters. Remedies include thorough soil investigation, underpinning, shoring, soil stabilization, and load reduction. Underpinning and soil stabilization techniques are high-risk operations that require proper shoring and precautions.

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Prakash
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136 views16 pages

Forensic - Intro PDF

This document discusses forensic geotechnical engineering and case studies on underpinning. It explains that forensic geotechnical engineering applies engineering principles to investigate soil and foundation failures. Common causes of geotechnical failures include lack of proper soil testing, overloading structures, and natural disasters. Remedies include thorough soil investigation, underpinning, shoring, soil stabilization, and load reduction. Underpinning and soil stabilization techniques are high-risk operations that require proper shoring and precautions.

Uploaded by

Prakash
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FORENSIC GEOTECHNICAL

ENGINEERING
(CASE STUDIES ON UNDERPINNING)

Er.A.KARTHIKEYAN,M.E,MIE.,MIGS
Chartered Engineer (India),
Professional Engineer (ECI),
Structural & Geo-Tech Consultant,
Arumbakkam, Chennai-106.
• What is Forensic?
– Scientific tests or techniques
used in connection with the
detection of crime (failures).
• What is Forensic
Engineering?
– Forensic engineering is the
application of engineering
principles to the investigation
of failures or other
performance problems.
• What is Forensic
Geotechnical Engineering?
– The Forensic Application for
Sub-Soil and foundation
failures.
Why Geo-technical failure happens?
• No soil test
• Improper soil test
• Improper tools
• Improper predictions
• Overloading the structure
• Taking advantage of factor of safety
• Lack of expertise
• Improper Workmanship
• Tree roots penetration and suction
• Pollution
• Natural Calamities
Geo-technical failures and Structural
failures- Comparison
• Structural failures may occur either locally or totally (globally)
• Geo technical failures mostly leads to total failure of the
structure
Unequal settlement and angular
distortion of foundation
Remedies & Rehabilitation
• Proper Soil investigation
• Shoring & Underpinning
• Nailing
• Soil Stabilization
• Load reduction
• Introducing additional structural members
(mostly Columns)
Proper Soil Investigation
• Soil test should be conducted as near as possible
to the sub structure
• Field test viz.,
– Standard Penetration Test, Static Cone Penetration
Test, Dynamic Cone Penetration Test, Plate load test,
Pressure meter test, Field Vane Shear test,
Undisturbed soil sample, Rock Quality Index (RQD)
• Laboratory test,
– Moisture content, Index properties- Sieve analysis and
soil classification, Liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity
index, Free swell test, consolidation test, Direct shear
test, Triaxial test, Soil Permeability, etc.,
Underpinning
• Underpinning is the process of strengthening
the foundation of an existing building or
other structure.
• Underpinning should be done only after
proper shoring.
– Increase the Foundation size
– Additional Foundations along with existing
foundation
– Stabilizing the soil below foundation by grouting
Various type of Shoring
Cont…
Various type of Underpinning
Cont…
Risk involved in Underpinning
• Collapse of Sub soil during excavation
• Collapse of nearby structures
• Collapse of existing structure
• Collapse of services like water supply, sanitary
lines, EB cables, etc.,
• Encounter shallow ground water
Soil Stabilization
• Soil stabilization a general term for any physical,
chemical, mechanical, biological or combined
method of changing a natural soil to meet an
engineering purpose.
– Compaction
– Grouting
– Stone Columns around sub structure (small diameter)
– Heating
– Freezing
– Micro organisms cultivation
Shear strength
Summary
• Forensic Geotechnical Engineering is a well
advanced foundation engineering.
• FGE, requires both strong academic
knowledge and practical exposure.
• FGEngineers should have strong knowledge on
both structural and geotechnical behavior of
the foundation.

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