Sunday, February 25

Full Day Course

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m

Characterization and Dynamic Performance of Gravelly Soils

Instructors: Jason DeJong, Ph.D.; Rambod Hadidi, PhD, PE, GE, P. Eng.; Tom Westover, P.E., MBA; Trevor Carey, Ph.D.

Gravelly soils, both natural and anthropogenic, are frequently encountered in infrastructure projects such as embankment dams and bridge foundations. Accurate prediction of the response of gravelly soils during static or dynamic loading conditions is critical for the evaluation and design of infrastructure. However, the characterization and engineering analysis of these materials is both challenging and highly uncertain due to their composition, where the influence of large particles and wide gradations are often conflated. 

This short course, presented by academics and practitioners, aims to cover the state-of-practice and state-of-art advances in the evaluation of gravelly soils. Topics covered, include formation processes, index properties and engineering behaviors, estimation of engineering properties, in situ penetrometer methods, liquefaction triggering, centrifuge modeling of embankment slopes, and numerical modeling of embankment dams. Coverage of these topics will use existing literature, results from recent research projects, and case histories of recent/ongoing projects in industry. 

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m

Introduction to Coastal Geotechnics

Instructors: Navid H. Jafari, Ph.D.; Nina Stark, Ph.D.

The short course will provide an overview of (1) geotechnical engineering applications and problems in coastal environments including environmental challenges specific to coastal environments , (2) current methods for in-situ testing, sample collection and laboratory testing , and complementary geophysical methods suitable for deployments in coastal environments, and (3) example applications from three case studies. Attendees will learn basics of coastal processes relevant for geotechnical site characterization and assessment. Special attention will be given to sediment dynamics in coastal environments and associated impacts on coastal engineering applications. Coastal environments introduced in this short course will include barrier islands, beaches/dunes , wetlands , along with navigation channels , nearshore zone , and estuaries. The course will touch briefly on continental shelf applications and challenges in high latitude and subtropical coastal environments. Attendees will also learn about modern strategies of data collection in coastal environments including penetrometers for in-situ testing, grab sampling and coring techniques, geoacoustic surveying, and remote sensing techniques. This will include an introduction to measuring principles, discussion of pros and cons of methods, deployment strategies, and data examples. Case study examples will also introduce applications with regards to data collection after extreme coastal and flood events.

Morning Course

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Best Practices for Characterizing Cyclic Response of Silts

Instructors: Armin W. Stuedlein, PhD, P.E. (WA); Dharma Wijewickreme, PhD, P.Eng.

This half-day short course provides a comprehensive suite of modules on the characterization of the cyclic and dynamic response of silts and tools for assessing cyclic failure of silts in seismic events. Topics include considerations for field sampling and laboratory testing of silts, assessments of liquefaction susceptibility based on the cone penetration test and hysteretic behavior, and observations on the cyclic and post-cyclic response of silts based on data from laboratory testing. New empirical models to estimate cyclic resistance are presented along with worked examples for assessing cyclic failure for various earthquake scenarios, with a focus on subduction zone events. Comparison of in-situ dynamic and laboratory-based cyclic responses are presented. Examples of observed dynamic and cyclic behavior drawn from experiments and case histories are woven throughout the short course.

Afternoon Courses

1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Design of Ground Improvement in Seismic Areas

Instructor: James R. Gingery, PhD, PE, GE

Over the past 30 years design ground motions amplitudes have increased, and in turn, the extent and severity of seismic hazards have worsened. At the same time seismic hazard mitigation design using ground improvement techniques has shifted to a more performance-based approach. This has created challenges and opportunities for geotechnical engineers tasked with developing mitigation strategies, and it has impacted ground improvement type selection and design. This presentation will review ground improvement technologies for seismic hazard mitigation and how they are selected based on site conditions and design requirements. Information will be provided to help consulting geotechnical engineers identify effective ground improvement methods and specify effective design criteria to obtain competitive bids for design-build contracting. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of ground improvement analysis and design for mitigating seismic hazards such as liquefaction/cyclic softening, lateral spreading/seismic slope stability and surface fault rupture, with illustrations from project case histories. The presentation will include a retrospective on how things have changed from past practice and a view to the future of ground improvement for seismic hazard mitigation.

Numerical Modeling of Dams and Seismic Response with Emphasis on Liquefaction

Instructors: Michael H. Beaty, PhD, PE, GE; Jack Montgomery, PhD; Katerina Ziotopoulou, PhD, PE

This half-day short course focuses on estimating the seismic response of embankment dams using advanced numerical models, including discussion of procedures and common constitutive models used for liquefaction analyses. An overview of modeling approaches and common tools is provided with an emphasis on practical requirements, best practices, and modeling limitations. This includes a discussion of relevant theories underlying these tools along with recommendations for documentation and review. The workshop is targeted at consultants, regulators, educators, and owners with involvement or interest in analyses of seismic stability and deformations of embankment dams. 
Participants in this short course will gain an understanding of the approaches and available tools to analyze seismic-induced deformations of embankment dams. Topics include general modeling approaches for dynamic problems, selection of boundary conditions and loading stages, constitutive model calibration, common sources of uncertainty, and recommendations for documentation. The short course will also include hands-on exercises emphasizing the impacts of various modeling choices. The course will also encourage interactions between instructors and attendees including opportunities for sharing individual modeling experiences during informal discussion periods.