Earthworks: Theory to Practice – Design and Construction

Target audience

The course is for those involved in the investigation, design, and construction of earthworks. Civil Engineers, Geotechnical Engineers, Project Managers, Site Inspectors and engineers and other construction staff will find this course useful. This 2-day workshop is the “geotechnical edition”.

Prerequisite

A Civil Engineering or geology degree or diploma training (with soil mechanics) or worked for at least 5 years on earthworks related projects.

Benefits as to why someone should attend this course

Theory alone is not enough, and the course evolved from a clear disconnect between theory and practice. Experience alone without relating back to theory can sometimes be misleading if transferred without understanding the fundamentals. The course benefits are:

• Increased awareness of assumptions within common earthwork models
• Case studies to show how theory is applied in practice.
• Fundamental theory and the basics of earthworks designs, practices, and specifications
• The focus is to encourage critical thinking to add value, and not on using numbers in an equation.

Course overview

The course provides an overview of the 2022 book “Earthworks – Theory to Practice: Design and Construction”. This book was derived from “Earthworks” course notes compiled over 10 years of presenting the 2-day course for over 1,000 practicing engineers (mainly civil and project engineers) and benefited from their feedback and issues.

Compaction mechanics is one of the simplest engineering concepts. Success in any project requires getting the simple things right. Yet common misunderstandings are still occurring with the application of this simple concept — from theory to practice. Many measurements have become targets rather than part of a decision-making process. This targeting simplification can lead to either over conservatism or unstable works.

Case studies are used to show how earthworks theory is applied in day-to- day practice. Subgrade and expansive clay assessment and treatment will be covered. Useful design practices as well as the development and application of specifications are outlined. A specification, test, or design in one climatic condition or geology may not apply in another.

The book is provided as part of the cost for this workshop and contain the course notes. There will also be a guest presenter TBC on local earthworks experience.

Course outline

Registration – Day 1:

8.30 – 9.00 AM

INTRODUCTION:

9.00 – 9.15 AM

Overview of the course

SESSION 1:

9.15 – 10.45 AM

Key earthworks elements and a brief history is introduced. Assumptions in various earthworks models. Importance of engineering geology model. Site investigation (SI) testing in practice and its limitations: testing, spatial, and temporary variability. Examples of SI not providing useful or sufficient design data. Safety issues.

MORNING TEA:

10.45 – 11.00 AM

SESSION 2:

11.00 – 12.30 PM

From Field to lab. Soil classification and properties relevant to earthworks. Phase relationships. Soil Strength and characteristics of clay, granular, and rock fills; relevant laboratory and field testing for soil properties and compaction.

LUNCH:

12.30 – 1.15 PM

SESSION 3:

1.15 – 2.45 PM

Principles of compaction mechanics and the compaction model. The laboratory compaction model is the most important reference point but should be factored in field conditions.

Theory behind the compaction practice. Testing nuances that affect quality and useability of results. Testing limitations and applications.

AFTERNOON TEA:

2.45 – 3.00 PM

SESSION 4:

3.00 – 4.30 PM

The influence of factors (and not measured) affecting the field compaction process. Construction controls and testing. Characteristics of the typical heavy compaction rollers and their uses in various material types. Excavatability and bulking. The contractual definition of rock is different from its geological definition. Bulking factors to assess both design of cut to fill balance and the transport volume.

Day 2:

SESSION 1:

9.00 – 10.45 AM

Expansive clays. The volume change (and not the strength) may govern designs. Key indices used in assessment. Equilibrium moisture content. Effect of desiccation cracking. Design and construction considerations using expansive materials.

MORNING TEA:

10.45 – 11.00 AM

SESSION 2:

11.00 – 12.30 PM

Subgrade design strength and CBR considerations. Subgrade assessment. Stabilization with additives; mechanical modification. Geosynthetics applications. Working platforms. Proof Rolling.

LUNCH:

12.30 – 1.15 PM

SESSION 3:

1.15 – 2.45 PM

Slope stability and retaining walls are an important part of earthworks design. A factor of safety is a decision-making tool and varies with the type of project and the consequences of failure. Key principles in practice are shown using case studies. Analysis vs design issues. Analysis must be integrated with design as many gaps occur at this interface area. Discipline interface issues. Predicting, designing, and constructing for movement effects.

AFTERNOON TEA:

2.45 – 3.00 PM

SESSION 4:

3.00 – 4.30 PM

Local geology and climatic conditions affect project specifications. Owner and contractor risks in quality acceptance. Specifications development and material characteristics; quality control and testing requirements; Durability properties; Specifications for Earthworks. Buried Pipes. Differences for rigid and flexible pipes. Earthworks construction.

Actual content will vary based on a survey of interests prior to the workshop to focus content to audience background.

About the speaker

Dr Burt Look, OAM Consultant

Dr Burt Look completed his master’s degree in Soil Mechanics and Engineering Seismology at Imperial College, London, and his PhD part time at The University of Queensland while also working at Queensland Main Roads. He also has a Graduate Certificate in Philosophy from The University of Queensland. Burt has over 42 years professional Engineering experience with his early years in structural and civil works. He was previously the Global Practice Leader in SKM (now Jacobs), and also at Aurecon. He was a previous director at FSG – Geotechnics + Foundations. Burt is the 2014 Queensland Professional Engineer of the year and the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) Practitioner 2018. Burt was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2020. Burt has published 4 geotechnical engineering books and over 100 technical publications focused on industry practice developments.

Registration

Members are required to log in to access the AGS member price, which is not transferable.

More information about logging in to this website can be found here.

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Upon purchase, an email and a tax invoice will be sent to the buyer. Attendees will also receive an email with their tickets attached, as well as a link to download the tickets if they are misplaced.