About This Course

This course includes five lectures, by  Cor Zwanenburg (The Netherlands), Samuel Kofi Ampadu (Ghana), Gabriel Auvinet (Mexico), Serge Leroueil (Canada) and Richard Jardine (UK). The titles and the summaries are as follows:

Geotechnical aspects of peats, by Cor Zwanenburg (65 min)

Engineering problems related to peats are introduced. The characterisation and classification of peat soils is proposed through Illustrative field cases. Focus is also made on field-testing to measure the permeability, stiffness and strength of peat soils.

Laterites and lateritic soil and the potential use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer, by Samuel Kofi Ampadu (54 min)

An update is given about laterites and lateritic soils having peculiar properties that need further studies. Then, the dynamic cone penetrometer is introduced as a cost-effective tool of investigation for construction, quality control and planning for design of various infrastructure in low income countries.

Geotechnical Challenges in Mexico City Clay, by Gabriel Auvinet (42 min)

The origin and formation in lacustrine environment of Mexico City clay is detailed. Challenging characterisation of Mexico City clay, extending to big depths, is marked by very high compressibility and low shear strength. The design of piles for high-rise buildings and the construction of tunnels in Mexico City subjected to seismic conditions is analysed from documented case studies.

Compressibility and Consolidation of Clays: From Lab to Field Conditions, by Serge Leroueil (60 min)

The determination of consolidation parameters of clays is carefully analysed from oedometer test and in-situ test results. The importance of those parameters is illustrated both for the predictions of settlement and rate of consolidation by analysing seven Canadian clayey soils. Practical conclusions are formulated to avoid unsuitable consolidation parameters leading to unrealistic estimations.

Advanced laboratory testing to characterise stiff, geologically aged clays, by Richard Jardine (62 min)

The main objectives are to establish the detailed mechanical behaviour of stiff, high over consolidated Eocene to Jurassic London “Mudrocks”. This special category comprises London clay, Gault clay, Kimmeridge clay and Oxford clay. An overview is given about the set-up and use of advanced laboratory testing tools, which enabled suitable geotechnical characterisation of aged clays.