Table Of ContentDevelopments in Geotechnical Engineering
V.V.S. Rao
G.L. Sivakumar Babu Editors
Forensic
Geotechnical
Engineering
Developments in Geotechnical Engineering
Series editors
Braja M. Das, Henderson, USA
Nagaratnam Sivakugan, Townsville, Australia
More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/13410
V.V.S. Rao G.L. Sivakumar Babu
(cid:129)
Editors
Forensic Geotechnical
Engineering
123
Editors
V.V.S. Rao G.L.SivakumarBabu
Nagadi Consultants Pvt Limited Department ofCivil Engineering
Chennai, Tamil Nadu Indian Institute of Science
India Bangalore, Karnataka
India
ISSN 2364-5156 ISSN 2364-5164 (electronic)
Developments inGeotechnical Engineering
ISBN978-81-322-2376-4 ISBN978-81-322-2377-1 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-2377-1
LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2015938088
SpringerNewDelhiHeidelbergNewYorkDordrechtLondon
©SpringerIndia2016
Thisworkissubjecttocopyright.AllrightsarereservedbythePublisher,whetherthewholeorpart
of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations,
recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission
orinformationstorageandretrieval,electronicadaptation,computersoftware,orbysimilarordissimilar
methodologynowknownorhereafterdeveloped.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this
publicationdoesnotimply,evenintheabsenceofaspecificstatement,thatsuchnamesareexemptfrom
therelevantprotectivelawsandregulationsandthereforefreeforgeneraluse.
The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this
book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the
authorsortheeditorsgiveawarranty,expressorimplied,withrespecttothematerialcontainedhereinor
foranyerrorsoromissionsthatmayhavebeenmade.
Printedonacid-freepaper
Springer(India)Pvt.Ltd.ispartofSpringerScience+BusinessMedia(www.springer.com)
Foreword
In my programme of candidature for ISSMGE President, in 2005, I have empha-
sized “that it is my profound desire to bring a better balance and harmonisation of
geotechnical activities for the different regions and more visibility for ISSMGE.
The diversity of all 81 ISSMGE Member Societies, is our great richness and a
source of inspiration. It is our great challenge, but also a unique opportunity, to
rethinkISSMGE,duetothechangesinbasicsocietalneeds,toreachanewmodel.
We need to recognize the importance of dialogue to work together and pursue
perfection to reach optimum solutions for the problems facing us.
It is important to explore a new format of the Technical Committees (TCs) in
order to turn them more attractive not only for academicians, but also for practi-
tioners. Theuniversalityoftheknowledge andtheneedforarecurringdemandon
theTCstoexplorethebest waysforresearch,design,construction andassessment
ofsafegeotechnicalstructures,inordertoreachtheexpectationsandtargetsofour
Society during the third millennium”.
Within this framework I have Dr. V.V.S. Rao’s proposal to create TC 40
“Forensic Geotechnical Engineering”.
During our discussions to prepare the Terms of Reference I have emphasized
that TCs are thespine of ISSMGE,a forum of discussioncontributing towards the
advancement of knowledge in geotechnical engineering and an opportunity to
interactwiththeSociety.Itwasimportanttocommunicate,toshareexperiences,to
compare methodologies and to monitor results. The benefits of an open dialogue
between academicians, researchers, practitioners, contractors and owners are huge.
The TCs should disseminate their work, through ISSMGE conferences, or
workshops and satellite conferences.
Attheendofthetenureof4years,eachTCshouldproduceanISSMGEbulletin
or book.
Engineering is an ambiguous word, in some languages an engineer is a person
masteringengines,inLatin,anengineerisapersonwithgenius,somethinglikeart,
that is, skill plus intelligence. If the Earth is viewed as a big engine, a set of parts
v
vi Foreword
linked into intricatemechanisms, thefirst acceptanceisright,but abit ofgenius is
required to master its complexity.
Bacon (1620) quoted that nature to be mastered, must be obeyed.
Agoodgeotechnicalengineerisonewhoknowsthelimitsofhisexperienceon
problems and soil conditions comparable with his current assignment and makes
appropriateextrapolations.Heknowswhatheknowsandusesitconfidently.More
importantly,heknowswhathedoesnotknow,seeksavailableknowledge,andthen
proceeds, fully acknowledging his limitations and uncertainties.
Forensicgeotechnicalengineeringistheinvestigationofgeotechnicalmaterials,
productsorcomponentsthatfail(ultimatelimitstate)ordonotoperateorfunction
asintended(serviceabilitylimitstate),causingpersonalinjuryorpropertyloss.The
consequencesoffailurearedealtwithbythelawofstructurereliability.Generally,
thepurposeofaforensicengineeringinvestigationistoidentifythecauseorcauses
offailure with a view to improve performance or life of a structure, or to assist a
court of law in determining the facts of an incident or accident.
This book integrates 35 contributions from experts of all round the world,
namely from the 6 Regions that compose ISSMGE: Africa, Asia, Australasia,
Europe, North America and South America.
In a geotechnical world that is transforming and advancing everyday, we face
new challenges. This book explores new ways, discusses our boundaries of
responsibility, our ethical and legal environment, enhances the appeal of the
ISSMGEtothepractitionerengineers,promotesourSocietytootherprofessionals,
to decision-makers and will be a continuous source of inspiration for today and
tomorrow.
The lessons learned from thecase studiesaddressedinthis bookremindus that
thearroganceof ourconvictions should besubordinated tothestudy ofalternative
solutions,totheefforttorendercompatibledivergentinterestsandopinionsandthe
need to not forget past lessons. Forensic Geotechnical Engineering is simulta-
neously complex and a great challenge, but we need to humbly recognize the
existence of uncertainties, the importance of dialogue and pursue the perfection to
reach the optimum solution.
The purpose of this book to promote a cross-fertilization between academicians
and practitioners was totally achieved. It is my hope that the spirit of cooperation
fostered by this book will encourage additional projects and will contribute to the
advancement of the knowledge in forensic geotechnical engineering, quoting
Goldsmith’s memorable lines:
“Hope, like the glimmering taper’s light
Adorns and cheers the way
And still, as darker grows the night
Emits a brighter ray”.
I would like to express on behalf of the ISSMGE, our deep gratitude to the
Indian Geotechnical Society for the support and cooperation tohost this Technical
Committee, since 2005.
Foreword vii
Lastbutnotleast,IwouldliketoaddresstotheChairmanofTC302,Dr.V.V.S.
RaoandtoallmembersofthisTCawordofpraiseandgratitudefortheirdevotion
and skill to overcome the difficulties and to organise very successfully all the
activities,andalsoamessageofhopethatTC302willallowustodevelopafeeling
of universal responsibility and with the joint cooperation of decision-makers,
general public, researchers, professors, designers and contractors to create the
ambition to serve better our Society, quoting Julia Carney’s memorable lines:
“Little drops of water, little grains of
Sand,
Make the mighty ocean and the pleasant
Land.
So the little minutes, humble though
They be,
Make the mighty ages of eternity”.
Thisjourneywasanunforgettableexperienceforus.Welearnedthatwehavean
enormous amount of choice to create the beautiful lives of our dreams.
We are very grateful. You help us in so many ways that words cannot express.
Prof. Pedro Seco e Pinto
President, ISSMGE (2009–2013)
Preface
Forensic geotechnical engineering is about analysing the causes offailure, under-
standingwhatwentwrong,whyandwhenfromthegeotechnicalpointofview.The
role of a forensic geotechnical engineer is often complex and needs to be com-
prehensive to satisfy technical and legal perspectives. Often, the geotechnical
engineerisrequiredeitherasatechnicalexperttounderstandthefailureorasexpert
witness in the Court of Law. To develop guidelines in Forensic Geotechnical
Engineering,learningfromfailuresisanessential step andisthehallmarkofgood
engineeringpractice.InthiseditedvolumeonadvancesinForensicEngineering,a
number of technical contributions from experts and professionals in this area are
included. The work is the outcome of deliberations at various conferences in the
area by Technical Committee on Forensic Geotechnical Engineering (TC 302) of
International Society for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (ISSMGE).
The edited volume contains a few selected contributions on the topics relevant to
forensic Geotechnical Engineering viz, (a) Evidence/data collection, (b) Distress
characterization, (c) Use of diagnostic tests (laboratory and field tests), (d) Back
analysis,(e)Failurehypothesisformulation,(f)Roleofinstrumentationandsensor
based technologies, (g) Risk analysis and (h) Technical shortcomings.
ThefirsttwochaptersaregeneralandcoverFrameworkforForensicFoundation
Engineering, by Prof. H.G. Poulos, Forensic Geotechnical Engineering—Theory
and Practice by Dr. Suzanne Lacasse- Høeg and Dr. V.V.S. Rao presents general
guidelines for Forensic Investigation of Geotechnical Failures. Caisson Failure
Induced by Wave Action is addressed by Prof. Alonso and his co-workers.
DataCollectioninForensicGeotechnicalEngineeringInvestigationisaddressed
by Dr. Peter Day, Diagnosis of Geotechnical Failure Causes Using Bayesian
NetworksispresentedbyYaoXuandhiscolleagues.TheroleofBackAnalysesin
GeotechnicalEngineeringisaddressedbyG.L.SivakumarBabu,Prof.Popescuand
Dr. Richard Hwang. The role of instrumentation and monitoring for Forensic
Geotechnical Engineering is presented by Prof. Yoshi Iwasaki.
Analysis of failures such as causes of undue movements of a retaining wall
formingadeepbasementinsandstoneandconsequentdamagetoanadjacentcanal,
failure of anchored retaining wall are studied by Jessep, Kazuya and their
ix
x Preface
co-workers. The role of backwards problems in geotechnical earthquake engi-
neering is examined by Dr. S. Iai and reanalysis of failure of underground con-
struction is presented by Dr. B. Hsiung. Failure Analysis of slope slide as well as
characterisationoffailureatalargelandslidearestudiedbyProf.LeeandStarrand
others. Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman presents a case study of Post-liquefaction Data
Collection and Analyses for Earthquakes in New Zealand Prof. Leung presented
some case studies in Forensics from Singapore.
AcasestudyoffailureduetoPipinginSandunderaDamanditsBackAnalysis
and another failure in Construction of an Underground Station are presented by
P. Sembenelli and Dr. Hwang. Dr. N. Santhosh Rao discussed the Influence of
Vibrations on Installation of Bored Piles.
AcasestudyoffloorheavingofacondominiumRC-Buildingwithsevenstories
byProf.YoshiIwasakiandhisco-workersandfailureCaseStudyofTiebackWall
in Urban Area, Korea by Prof. Jeong and Y.H. Kim are included.
Forensics of pile foundations subjected to earthquake-induced liquefaction and
lateralspreadingbyProf.GopalMadabhushiandhisco-workers,pipingfailureofa
metro tunnel construction by Prof. Lee and his co-workers, forensic analysis of
failure of retaining wall by Sivakumar Babu provide useful information.
Prof. K.K. Phoon and his co-workers discuss the role of reliability in forensic
geotechnical engineering and Prof. Gilbert highlights role using case studies.
Dhirendra Saxena discusses the technical, ethical and legal Issues in forensic
geotechnical engineering using case studies. R.A. Jessep and his co-authors
presented details of technical shortcomings causing geotechnical failures. The
annexure contains the composition of the Technical Committee 302 during
2005–2013.
We wish to place on record our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the
membersofTCcommitteeonForensicGeotechnicalEngineeringandexpertswho
have contributed to the activities of the Committee and only a select contributions
wereincludedinthisvolume.WewishtothankProf.PedroSecoePinto,President
ofISSMFEduring2009–2013for hisencouragementandfor writing theforeword
for this contribution. We also wish to thank Mr. M. Pradeep, Editor in Chief of
Master Builder for his help in organizing the programs and Springer for printing
this important contribution in the area of Forensic Geotechnical Engineering.
Dr. V.V.S. Rao
G.L. Sivakumar Babu
