Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics (ICTG) 2024, Volume 6
Fundamentals of Road, Rail, and Harbour Geotechnics
- 2025
- Book
- Editors
- Cholachat Rujikiatkamjorn
- Jianfeng Xue
- Buddhima Indraratna
- Book Series
- Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Singapore
About this book
This book presents select proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics (ICTG 2024). It includes papers on ground improvement methodologies, dynamics of transportation infrastructure, and geotechnical intricacies of mega projects. It covers topics such as underground transportation systems and heights of airfields and pavements. This book discusses diverse thematic landscapes, offering profound explorations into sensor technologies, data analytics, and machine learning applications. The publication highlights advanced practices, latest developments, and efforts to foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable solutions for transportation infrastructure worldwide. The book can be a valuable reference for researchers and professionals interested in transportation geotechnics.
Table of Contents
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Selected Issues of Recycled Unbound Aggregates in Earthworks Applications
Katarzyna Ria Zamara, Paul Stowell, Jacek KawalecThe chapter delves into the critical issues surrounding the use of recycled unbound aggregates in earthworks applications, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable materials in the construction industry. It discusses the mechanical and physical properties of recycled aggregates, emphasizing the need for standardization and quality control. The study presents the results of large-scale triaxial testing on aggregates from various sources, revealing significant performance variability that is not accurately indicated by particle size distribution. The findings underscore the importance of further research into other index properties and the potential use of geogrids to enhance the performance of poor-quality recycled aggregates. The chapter concludes by highlighting the challenges and proposing solutions to ensure the safe and effective use of recycled aggregates in construction projects.AI Generated
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AbstractGlobal consumption of aggregates is expected to exceed 60 billion metric tons by the end of 2024. The construction industry contributes to over half of this volume annually. The majority of it consists of natural quarried material; however, due to depleting resources of natural aggregates, cost, and high carbon footprint of the quarrying operation, recycled aggregate is becoming a popular alternative. In many applications, the specifications for the use of recycled aggregate are tight and there are no issues with the quality of recycled material when it arrives onto the construction site. However, in some applications problems with maintaining the quality of recycled aggregates appear. The consequence of poor-quality recycled aggregates being used with reduced geotechnical properties, compared to the design, is such that failures and accidents on sites can occur, that in a worst-case scenario can lead to serious H&S matters on the sites. The authors of this paper were involved in laboratory testing of poor-quality recycled aggregate that satisfies national standards for the specific class of aggregate. This exercise was undertaken to understand the variability of geotechnical properties of recycled aggregates and general performance. It was discovered that relying solely on particle size distribution, which is commonly used as acceptance criteria on construction sites for recycled aggregates, is not a good indicator of its geotechnical properties. Large-scale triaxial compression apparatus was utilized to investigate geotechnical properties of five different aggregates, which were sourced from various locations and countries. This paper describes the results of the study. -
Development of Design Charts for Pavement Thickness Design of Unsealed Mine Access Roads Subject to High Volume Heavy Vehicle Traffic
Alex PettyThis chapter focuses on developing design charts and a spreadsheet for the thickness design of unsealed mine access roads subject to high traffic volumes. It addresses the limitations of current empirical methods, which are only applicable to lower traffic volumes and specific pavement layers. The methodology incorporates mechanistic design methods to account for high traffic volumes and single-layer pavements. The design charts and spreadsheet provide a quick and practical tool for engineers, offering a unique solution for designing unsealed roads in challenging mining conditions. The chapter also highlights the importance of suitable pavement materials and the need for careful estimation of Design Equivalent Standard Axles (DESA) and gravel loss. By using mechanistic methods, the chapter presents a novel approach that can be used for early concept design and preliminary cost estimations, making it a valuable resource for professionals in the field.AI Generated
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AbstractAustroads Guide to Pavement Technology Part 6 Unsealed Pavements (AGPT6) provides recommended design processes and a thickness design chart based on empirical methods. The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) Unsealed Roads Best Practice Guide also provides guidance on pavement thickness design and provides a similar design chart. However, the empirical design charts are only applicable to design Equivalent Standard Axles (DESA) of less than 5 × 105. Often unsealed roads in Western Australia are designed based on a single pavement layer constructed from locally available gravel material. This study aims to provide some design charts and an associated design spreadsheet for pavement thickness design along with some practical guidance to enable concept or budget level designs to be completed for heavily trafficked unsealed pavements. The design methodology incorporates an assessment of the DESA and uses mechanistic design processes, dependent on whether the proposed pavement is a combined basecourse and wearing course or has a separate wearing course, to provide a recommended pavement profile including accounting for gravel loss. The methodology, assumptions and calculation methods are outlined, and the design charts and spreadsheet output examples are provided. -
Geotechnical Design Framework for Transportation Projects in New Zealand
Alexei Murashev, Nigel Lloyd, Stuart FinlanThe chapter delves into the intricate geotechnical design framework essential for transportation projects in New Zealand, a country situated on active seismic plates. It discusses the unique challenges posed by frequent earthquakes, liquefaction, and other natural hazards, and how these influence infrastructure design. The text highlights recent advancements in geotechnical standards and regulations, emphasizing the importance of resilience and sustainability in mitigating these risks. It also explores the role of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in developing comprehensive guidelines. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for continuous refinement of design frameworks in light of updated seismic hazard models, ensuring the resilience and sustainability of New Zealand's transportation infrastructure.AI Generated
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AbstractNew Zealand (NZ) experiences approximately one magnitude 7+ and ten magnitude 6+ earthquakes as well as cyclones each decade. Some of the events have caused loss of life, economic damage and severe disruption to the transport network. The recently released new NZ National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM 2022) will result in a further increase of the ground motion parameters for the design of the transport network in some NZ regions. Research and standards development projects initiated by the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (WK) and the NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in recent years have helped to substantially improve the reliability of the geotechnical design for the NZ transport infrastructure. A brief summary of the NZ regulatory and geotechnical design framework is given. The key challenges of the geotechnical design for transportation projects in NZ are discussed. -
Development of Engineering Geological Models on Linear Infrastructure Projects
Sally Roberts-Kelly, Stephanie NellerThis chapter explores the critical role of Engineering Geological Models (EGMs) in the planning, design, and construction of linear infrastructure projects. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing local ground conditions to mitigate project risks. The chapter outlines the development process of EGMs, including conceptual, observational, and project-specific models, and discusses how these models evolve throughout the project lifecycle. It also highlights case studies demonstrating the practical application of EGMs in major road developments, showcasing how they contribute to more informed decision-making and successful project outcomes.AI Generated
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AbstractLinear infrastructure projects pose unique geotechnical challenges as the long narrow corridor often traverses a wide range of topography, geological settings and natural landforms. The early development of engineering geological models (EGMs) can provide invaluable input into a project from pre-tender site investigation through to construction. The early development of a conceptual EGM can inform the site investigation locations, techniques and tools utilized to gather data. Continually updating the EGM throughout the site investigation phase ensures that critical information is gathered where needed to inform the geological, geotechnical and analytical models used throughout the design phase. Confirmation of the EGM during construction allows assumptions made during design to be validated and provides opportunities to re-evaluate the design, if required. The process used to develop the EGM must consider the model’s uses at various stages of the project. The basis of the project geological units and their associated characteristics varies significantly depending on the project type, location, design and analytical requirements. This paper explores an approach to rationally defining the EGM framework for linear infrastructure, including geological and geotechnical unit characterization and definition to assess the range of information required for each design and assessment process required. Unit characterization must consider the range of measurable properties that will affect and are relevant to the specific design outcomes. This context-specific approach ensures that the data collected, categorized and modelled is appropriate and useful throughout the project’s life. Examples of the use of the approach on linear infrastructure projects are provided. -
Evaluation of Ground Deformations to Assess the Impact on Underground Utilities Due to Embankment Construction
Manasi Wijerathna, Weimin Deng, Lilanka KankanamgeThis chapter delves into the critical assessment of ground deformations and their impacts on underground utilities, particularly pipes, during embankment construction. It compares the effects of embankment and tunnel construction on pipe behavior, highlighting the variations in ground movement profiles and their implications for pipe strains and bending moments. The study adopts numerical models to analyze three external loading conditions: new road embankment construction, widening of an existing embankment, and construction of a new road tunnel. The results reveal that while settlement patterns may be similar, axial movement profiles differ significantly, influencing the critical locations of pipe strains and bending moments. The chapter underscores the importance of understanding these variations to accurately predict and mitigate potential disruptions to underground utilities.AI Generated
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AbstractInterrogation of greenfield ground movements to assess impact on buried utility pipes, without explicitly analyzing them, is a common approach adopted by geotechnical engineers. The ground movements due to tunneling works have been notably studied in literature and empirical relationships to estimate the pipe strains based on greenfield ground movements have been proposed. These investigations show that transverse movements as well as the longitudinal movements contribute to the pipe strains. Even though the settlement profiles of a buried pipe due to a tunnel excavation and an embankment construction are similar in shape, the movement profile along the axial direction of a utility pipe is often contrasting for the two scenarios. Therefore, the greenfield ground movements should be accurately interpreted to fully understand the impact on pipes. This paper discusses the discrepancies and similarities in ground movement and hence the impact on utility pipes due to different type of transportation projects such as new road constructions, road widening, and road tunnels. -
Evaluating the Necessity of Sliding Mechanisms in Trapezoidal MSE Wall Design
Ching DaiThis chapter delves into the necessity of sliding mechanisms in the design of trapezoidal Mechanically Stabilised Earth (MSE) walls. It begins with a review of international design codes, including AS4678, R57, BS8006, GEO (2002), and FHWA guidelines, highlighting the varied perspectives on the relevance of sliding mechanisms for trapezoidal MSE walls. The analysis then focuses on a real-world design case in New Zealand, where numerical analyses using Plaxis 2D were conducted to assess the stability of a trapezoidal MSE wall. The study reveals that the factor of safety against sliding is consistently higher than that against global stability, suggesting that sliding mechanisms may not be a critical consideration in trapezoidal MSE wall design. The chapter also compares lateral soil forces between at-rest earth pressure theory and trapezoidal MSE walls, demonstrating that the latter can function with reduced lateral forces due to factors such as geometry and soil arching effects. The findings challenge conventional design theories and encourage a more nuanced, site-specific approach to geotechnical engineering. The chapter concludes with a detailed account of the design, construction, and monitoring of the trapezoidal MSE wall, showcasing its cost-effectiveness and constructibility compared to conventional methods.AI Generated
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AbstractTo optimise constructability and achieve a cost-effective solution, in the design case of this paper, traditional rectangular Mechanically Stabilised Earth (MSE) reinforcement lengths, which require vertical excavation into the existing abutment slope, were replaced with trapezoidal-shaped reinforcement lengths. However, the design methodology for trapezoidal MSE retaining structures located in front of slopes or walls lacks clarity. Specifically, it remains uncertain whether sliding mechanisms should be incorporated into the design of trapezoidal MSW walls. In this paper, a case study was conducted using the finite element method to investigate the lateral earth pressure exerted on trapezoidal walls. The inquiry into the necessity of the sliding mechanism in a trapezoidal MSW has been analysed. Design charts for the sliding mechanism were developed for specific conditions to assist geotechnical designers in making preliminary assessments regarding the necessity of sliding mechanisms for a given design scenario. Based on the thorough analysis conducted on Trapezoidal MSE walls, it is established that the consideration of the sliding mechanism may not be universally necessary in the design approach. In the meantime, a composite trapezoidal MSE-embankment system was designed and implemented to support the embankment widening project at a Highway Bridge. The successful application of this wall is substantiated by stability observations and monitoring conducted during and after construction. -
Calibration and Verification of Methods for Calculating Settlement of Heavily Overconsolidated Foundations
Muliadi Merry, Ramesh GedelaThe chapter delves into the intricate process of calibrating and verifying methods for calculating settlement in heavily overconsolidated foundations, using a real-world case study of an embankment at a motorway upgrade in Western Sydney. It begins by outlining the challenges posed by the nonlinear stress-strain behavior of overconsolidated clays and presents a range of predicted settlement values under embankment loading. The chapter then provides a detailed site-specific soil characterization, including index properties and stress history, revealing that the alluvial clay is heavily overconsolidated. The analysis also covers creep deformation, recompression indices, and creep indices, highlighting the marginal secondary compressibility of the soil. Methods of settlement prediction are discussed, with a focus on primary and secondary consolidation, and internal compression of compacted fill. The chapter further explores the calibration of settlement predictions by considering pre-overburden pressure, which significantly reduces the predicted settlement values. The findings offer valuable insights into the refinement of deformation moduli and the accuracy of settlement predictions in overconsolidated clays.AI Generated
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AbstractThe significance of the pre-overburden pressure in the calculation of settlement of a highly skewed bridge abutment part of a motorway in Western Sydney on a heavily overconsolidated base is evaluated. The uncertainty linked to the linear-elastic moduli considered in the method of layerwise summation is controlled through calibration against settlement monitoring.
- Title
- Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics (ICTG) 2024, Volume 6
- Editors
-
Cholachat Rujikiatkamjorn
Jianfeng Xue
Buddhima Indraratna
- Copyright Year
- 2025
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Singapore
- Electronic ISBN
- 978-981-9782-33-8
- Print ISBN
- 978-981-9782-32-1
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-8233-8
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