Weekend CUP
Weekend CUP for May 19, 2014
It was time to clear the queue a bit and get rid of some old links I didn’t get around to posting about. I hope you enjoy. 1001 Papers on Geotechnical Case Histories Made Available […]
Articles by rockman
Geologic Hazards
Magnitude 9.2: The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake
It’s been 50 years since the Magnitude 9.2 Great Alaskan Earthquake so dramatically altered people’s perceptions of the power of earthquakes. Check out this short video from the USGS: [Source: YouTube via AEG Insider. Image: […]
Project Related
WSDOT Denies $125M Change Order for Seattle Tunnel Partners
The WSDOT announced recently that the Seattle Tunnel Partners Joint Venture has requested a total of $188 million in change orders so far, and that the Department has denied $157 million of those, with $31 […]
Articles
Review of GeotechTools.org – Geo-Construction Information and Technology Selection Guidance
I first heard about Geotech Tools through a TRB Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) publication titled Geotechnical Solutions for Soil Improvement, Rapid Embankment Construction, and Stabilization of the Pavement Working Platform. The final version of the report was released in February of this year. The report is one of the project deliverables for the SHRP 2 Project R02.
The primary deliverable of the project and the subject of this review is Geotechtools.org, a web-based tool for geotechnical engineers, structural engineers and pavement engineers. This website is a “toolkit of geotechnical information to address all phases of decision making from planning to design to construction.” What does that mean exactly? Great question. In this article I will give you an overview of the site and its resources and how it might help you on your next project.
Articles
The Curious Case of No. 57 Stone
The American Society for Testing and Materials, or ASTM, No. 57 stone is often used as sub base fill material below road surfaces and buildings. It is a fragmented stone with angular edges and is regularly utilized as a drainage layer when used with geotextile fabric. Although the material is touted by many as "self-compacting," excess voids left from zero compactive effort in locations with little confinement may not eliminate the possibility of future settlement. What happens when the environment above the No. 57 stone causes it to settle?
[Editor] Read on for the answer to this interesting question in the case of settlement of a structure at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The contributed article by Katherine Witt describes how URETEK Mid-Atlantic used their high-density polyurethane resin to stabilize the No. 57 stone beneath a settled foundation as well as lift the surrounding slab back into place. [/Editor]
Failures
Baltimore Retaining Wall Failure Caught on Video
A dramatic retaining wall failure and subsequent landslide last week damaged several cars and shut down a rail line in Baltimore, Maryland. The final failure was caught on video by a bystander. The landslide forced […]
Miscellaneous
Joseph Welsh of Hayward Baker Receives 2014 Opal Award from ASCE
Former Hayward Baker Vice President Joseph Welsh received the ASCE Opal Award for his ‘lifetime accomplishments of noteworthy advancements in construction, and the many contributions he provided the civil engineering industry over the past 50 […]
Available Resources
Keynetix Geotechnical Data Hub is 4 Years Old!
The Geotechnical Data Hub group on Linkedin recently turned 4 years old. Founded by Keynetix, this group is home to over 3,000 members with discussion topics covering all range of geotechnical data management. [Source: Read […]
Software Updates
Keynetix Release Standalone Data Entry Module for HoleBASE SI
GeoPrac sponsor Keynetix has released a stand alone data entry module for their HoleBASE SI geotechnical software program. The module is roughly 1/3 of the cost of the full HoleBASE SI license and has a […]
Software Updates
Settle3D 3.0 by Rockscience Adds New Features
Rockscience has been busy soliciting feedback from their user base on news features for their settlement analysis software program, Settle3D. After receiving all of the feedback in the beta program, many of the user suggestions […]