ISSMGE Bulletin

Volume 8, Issue 6 December 2014

International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering If the quality of the distributed file is not satisfactory for you, please access ISSMGE website and download an electronic version. T ABLE OF CONTENTS www.issmge.org

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1 Research Highlights Research Highlights  University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) University of Western Australia

23 Major Project - The Chacao Bridge project The Centre for Offshore Foundation 31 Report from VP for Africa Systems (COFS) 33 Report from VP for Europe

38 Report from Czech and Slovak Society (CSS) Introduction 42 Reports from ISSMGE Foundations Recipients The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS), at the th th  COBRAMSEG Conference (9 – 13 Sep 2014) University of Western Australia, was established in 1997 as an th  The 10 International Conference on Australian Research Council Special Research Centre, and has st th Geosynthetics (21 – 25 Sep 2014) continued since 2006 as a self-supporting research unit of  The XIV Colombian Geotechnical Conference and significant size, with around 45 research and support staff, ~30 the IV South American Young Geotechnical PhD students, and an annual budget of around $10 million. COFS th th Engineers Conference (15 – 18 Oct 2014) is now one of the world’s largest concentrations of specialist th  The 7 International Congress on Environmental researchers and facilities in geomechanics, and is established as th th Geotechnics (10 – 14 Nov 2014) the world’s leading research group in offshore geotechnical 49 Hot News engineering. COFS is one of the three nodes in the Australian  New Asian Technical Committee (ATC-6) Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical  The Portuguese Environmental Geotechnics Science and Engineering. Commission (CPGA)  New journal – International Journal of COFS currently has 4 main research streams: offshore sediments, Geosynthetics and Ground Engineering offshore geohazards and seabed mobility, offshore foundation 56 Obituary – Prof. Milan M. Maksimović systems, and offshore engineering science (Figures 1 and 2). Throughout these 4 streams we employ numerical modelling 58 Event Diary technology, physical modelling technology and georisk 64 Corporate Associates techniques. The mission of COFS is to use this expertise to serve 68 News from Corporate Associate the offshore industry in building more economic and safer  GHD and Conestoga‐Rovers & Associates (CRA) developments. Since 1997 COFS has produced over 1300 69 Foundation Donors conference and journal papers, and more than 10 book chapters and books.

E D I T O R I A L B OARD COFS research outputs are disseminated broadly through our annual report (http://www.cofs.uwa.edu.au/about/annual- Choudhury, Deepankar (Editor for Asia) report), numerous publications in journals and conferences Frank, Roger (Ex-officio) (http://www.cofs.uwa.edu.au/publications), participation in learning societies and standardisation committees, and various Gomes, Antonio Topa (Editor for Europe) outreach initiatives with the academic and industry engineering Gonzalez, Marcelo (Editor for South America) communities. Leung, Anthony Kwan (Editor for Europe) Ng, Charles Wang Wai (Editor-in-Chief) COFS hosts the Lloyd’s Register Foundation Chair for Ooi, Teik Aun (Editor for Asia) Offshore Geotechnics since 2010, the Shell EMI Professorial Rujikiatkamjorn, Cholachat (Editor for Australasia) Chair in Offshore Engineering since 2012, and the Fugro Chair in Geotechnics since 2014. Sakr, Mohamed (Editor for Africa) Sanchez, Marcelo (Editor for North America) Sfriso, Alejo O (Editor for South America) Take, Andy (Editor for North America) Taylor, Neil (Ex-officio) ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 2

Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Figure 1. COFS organisation structure

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 3 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Figure 2. COFS main research, funding sources and industry engagements

Facilities COFS currently operates the only geotechnical centrifuge facility in Australia, comprising a 1.8 m radius fixed beam centrifuge (Figure 3) and a 1.2 m diameter drum centrifuge (Figure 4). A third 10 m beam centrifuge is currently being built and will be installed in 2015. The centrifuge team works closely with our in-house workshop to design and test scale models of offshore infrastructure components. We are currently handling over 50 research and industry projects each year.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 4 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Figure 3. The UWA beam centrifuge and associated equipment

Figure 4. The UWA drum centrifuge

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 5 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

In 2009, COFS, in conjunction with the UWA School of Civil Environmental and Mining Engineering, established an award-winning O-Tube program. The large (Figure 5) and mini O-Tubes are revolutionizing research on pipeline stability design and sediment transport. By forcing 60 tonnes of water through the 1.5 m2 working section with a 16 meter long bed of natural seabed soil, researchers are able to use the large O-Tube to track the impact of wave and current loading on underwater infrastructure. The mini O- Tube, at a 1:5 scale of the larger O-Tube, allows for rapid turn-a-round on smaller scale experiments and has been instrumental in studying in-situ soil erosion.

Figure 5. The large O-Tube at UWA’s Shenton Park campus

The COFS geotechnical testing laboratory provides access to one of the best geotechnical testing facilities (e.g. Figures 6 and 7) available in the world to both our industry clients and academic users. One of the main goals of the laboratory is to allow assessments of the mechanical behaviour of geomaterials under conditions that are representative of the soils state in situ. This ranges from being able to test undisturbed soil samples to allowing soil fabric and anisotropy analyses to be carried out, whenever reconstituted samples must be used.

Figure 7. New resonant column apparatus at COFS

Figure 6. New generation of UWA simple shear apparatus

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 6 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Stream 1: Offshore Sediments

The main goal of the Offshore Sediments research stream is to identify the key mechanisms at a micro- structural level that dictate critical aspects of behaviour, and quantify that behaviour through scientifically sound models.

Fundamental studies focus on the rigorous characterisation, both in situ and in the laboratory, and analysis of various aspects of the mechanical behaviour of offshore sediments. A few innovative snapshots are given below.

Solutions for improved site investigation capabilities A cone or ball penetrometer equipped with a pore pressure transducer can be used to obtain in situ consolidation characteristics of a seabed soil. Theoretical solutions exist to derive consolidation parameters from piezocone dissipation tests, but no such solution yet exists for the newer piezoball penetrometer. The large deformation effective stress finite element method, RITSS, has been used to benefit interpretation of the dissipation test, especially for piezoballs (Figure 8). An advanced, coupled pore-fluid stress, critical state soil model has been incorporated into our existing in-house developed large deformation capability to model piezocone and piezoball penetration and dissipation. Normalised times based on the operative coefficient of consolidation, for piezocone and piezoball respectively, have been proposed to unify dissipation curves following undrained penetration. This study provides insight for estimating the permeability of offshore sediments in an efficient and economical way. Ultimately, a piezoball test will be able to provide information on strength, remoulding and consolidation characteristics in a single test.

Figure 8. Dissipation around a piezoball for determination of consolidation characteristics – measured in the centrifuge and predicted with LDFE

For assessing consolidation characteristics at shallow depths, a new concept, operation and interpretation of a new simple tool has been introduced. The tool is a large diameter cylindrical penetrometer with a hemispherical tip, which is embedded statically under self-weight, for example from a winch (Figure 9). After embedment, the tool is parked – not requiring support from a drill-string – and the pore pressure dissipation is monitored. The operation of the tool has been simulated using large deformation finite element analysis with the Cam Clay plasticity soil model. Results in the form of the normalised undrained penetration response and pore water pressure dissipation-time history are presented (Figure 10). ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 7 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

A novel penetrometer, toroid, based on the similar concept has also been introduced mainly to characterise the axial pipe-soil interaction forces.

Figure 10. Fields of initial excess pore pressure at one diameter penetration

Figure 9. Seabed-based site investigation system and parkable piezoball

Characterising stratified seabed sediments is critical for the accurate prediction of foundation response and in determining the potential for geohazards. Extensive investigations on ball, T-bar and cone penetrometers in layered soils consisting of both clay and sand layers were carried out through large deformation finite element analyses (e.g. Figure 11). Sand layers have been modelled using the recently developed critical state Mohr-Coulomb (CSMC) model. The Mohr-Coulomb model has been extended utilising the critical state concept to define the variation in friction and dilation. Separately, a systematic statistical analysis of normalised CPTu data (tip resistance, sleeve friction and pore pressure) and soil classification charts were used. Frameworks were proposed for identification of layer boundaries and interpretation of soil type and design strength parameters for each identified layer from measured raw data from in-situ penetrometer tests. The resulting stratigraphies were compared with borehole logs for several case histories encompassing a range of soil types, and good agreement was obtained.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 8 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

(a) (b)

(d) (c)

Figure 11. Soil flow mechanisms at different stages of cone penetration in soft-stiff-soft clay deposit

Solutions for improved site investigation capabilities Free-fall piezocone and peizoball have been tested in centrifuge, and the results have been interpreted to estimate the undrained shear strength and coefficient of consolidation of normally consolidated kaolin clay. The model penetrometers were highly instrumented. For instance, the model piezocone instrumentation included tip and sleeve load cells, a pore pressure transduce located just behind the cone shoulder (u2 position), and a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer. The data from dynamic embedment tests were compared with equivalent data from quasi-static piezocone and peizoball penetration tests. Back-analysed undrained shear strengths from the measured acceleration trace of the free-fall penetrometers were found to be in good agreement with that derived from (static) piezocone and peizoball penetration tests (Figure 12). Free-fall penetrometers were also found to produce identical pore pressure dissipation behaviour as for statically penetrated penetrometers, despite of the negative excess pore pressures generated during dynamic penetration, and a significant rise in the pore pressure at the start of the dissipation phase (Figure 13).

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 9 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Figure 13. Static and free-fall piezocone dissipation test results

Figure 12. Comparison between undrained shear strength profiles estimated from free- fall piezocone and static piezocone and T-bar tests

Stiffness degradation and damping of carbonate and silica sands The large quantity of tests conducted in the COFS Geotechnical Testing Laboratory on carbonate soil samples over the past few years has triggered interest in investigating the behavioural difference between carbonate and silica sands. For example, a state-of-the-art resonant column apparatus has been used to assess the stiffness degradation and damping of a carbonate sand from the North West Shelf of Australia. A silica sand with particle size distribution identical to that of the carbonate sand was also tested to evaluate the effect of soil fabric and mineralogy on the test results. While the carbonate sand was typically stiffer than the silica sand at similar states, stiffness degradation in the carbonate sand was more pronounced and generally took place at smaller strains than in the case of silica sand tested (Figure 14).

Figure 14. Stiffness degradation of silica and carbonate sands (with similar particle size distribution) tested at similar states in a resonant column apparatus

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 10 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Key recent publications Carraro, J.A.H. and Bortolotto, M.S. (2015). Stiffness degradation and damping of carbonate and silica sands. Proc. 3rd Int. Symp. on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics (ISFOG), Oslo. Chatterjee, S., Randolph, M.F. and White, D.J. (2014). A parkable piezoprobe for measuring cv at shallow depths for offshore design. Géotechnique, 64(1), 83-88. Chow, S.H., O’Loughlin, C.D. and Randolph, M.F. (2014). A centrifuge investigation of free-fall piezocone in clay. Géotechnique, 64(10), 817-827. Ma, H., Zhou, M., Hu, Y. and Hossain, M.S. (2014). Large deformation FE analyses of cone penetration in single layer non-homogeneous and three-layer soft-stiff-soft clays. Proc. 33rd Int. Conf. on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, OMAE2014-23709. Mahmoodzadeh, H. and Randolph, M.F. (2014). Penetrometer testing - the effect of partial consolidation on subsequent dissipation response. J. of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, 140(6): DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001114. Mahmoodzadeh, H., Wang, D. and Randolph, M.F. (2014). Numerical simulation of piezocone dissipation test in clays. Géotechnique, 64(8), 657–666; 64(10), 848-850 [DOI: 10.1680/geot.14.P.011]. Yan, Y., White, D.J. and Randolph, M.F. (2014). Cyclic consolidation and axial friction on seabed pipelines. Géotechnique Letters, 4, 165-169. Zhou, M., Hossain, M.S., Hu and Liu, H. (2014). Behaviour of ball penetrometer in uniform single- and double-layer clays. Géotechnique, 64(1), 83-88.

Stream 2: Offshore Geohazards and Seabed Mobility

The Offshore Geohazards and Seabed Mobility research stream represents an important interface between geotechnical engineering, which has been the traditional core of COFS’ activity, and the neighbouring disciplines of hydraulics, sediment transport, geomorphology and geology.

The most active trans-disciplinary interface in this stream is ocean-seabed interaction, particularly through research using UWA’s unique O-tube facilities. The O-Tube flume concept is a UWA innovation. An O-Tube is a recirculating water tunnel, driven by an inline propeller, which can be used to create flow kinematics that mimic seabed conditions during storms, tides, solitons or simply ambient conditions.

Since 2008 UWA has been developing the O-Tube concept, to support research into new techniques for the stability design of subsea pipelines as well as research on other fluid-soil-structure interaction topics. The O-Tube program was initiated by UWA in partnership with Woodside, Chevron and the Australian Research Council. This industry involvement has underpinned the applied research focus of the O-tube facilities.

Numerical modelling highlights A meshless method, material point method (MPM), has been used to tackle extremely large deformation problems in offshore geomechanics. Although the large deformation finite element analysis approach RITSS, developed in COFS, is versatile to cover many practical large deformation boundary value problems, the MPM takes advantage in reproducing high-velocity scenarios such as submarine sliding and subsequent slide impact on the pipeline (Figure 15). A modified total stress analysis model considering softening and rate-dependency of soil strength has been incorporated into the MPM codes. The run-out of sliding predicted by the MPM agrees well with centrifuge test results. The MPM codes with GPU parallelisation can achieve 20-fold speed-up of calculation times on an ordinary laptop.

Figure 15. Modelling a submarine slide through the meshless MPM - soil softening in mass sliding along a gentle slope ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 11 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Work on on-bottom stability of pipeline is being continued. The recent inclusion is the investigation of drainage and consolidation around a partially embedded pipe, which may have a marked effect on the vertical penetration and horizontal breakout resistance. A large-deformation finite element methodology coupled with the modified Cam clay plasticity soil model has been developed to study the coupled consolidation behaviour of soil around partially embedded seabed pipelines. Simulations of penetration show that after laying, subsequent consolidation leads to further embedment by an amount dependent on the level of drainage that occurred during laying. Also, if the pipe is embedded under undrained conditions, the waiting period between laying and operation allows the soil around the pipe to consolidate under the pipe self-weight (e.g. Figure 16). The consolidation process results in an increase in the strength of the soil. The lateral breakout resistance and the direction of pipe movement on breakout thus depend on the consolidated strength of the soil around the pipe, as well as the applied loading. The envelopes of vertical–lateral combined loading bearing capacity differ markedly from those predicted assuming undrained behaviour throughout.

Figures 16. Contours of ratios of consolidated shear strength to the original shear strength (smooth pipe, 200 kPa surcharge)

Physical modelling highlights Geotechnical design considerations for offshore pipelines, foundations, and submarine slides involve assessment of the strength of fine-grained soils and the degradation of that strength with disturbance and remoulding. For offshore pipelines and slides, the relevant strength may be very low (a few kilopascals or lower), relating to near-surface soils and high levels of remoulding including the entrainment of additional water. To address how the degradation properties vary with liquidity index, a series of centrifuge tests were carried out on kaolin samples consolidated from slurries with an initial voids ratio of 4.0. Cyclic T- bar tests were conducted in samples with shear strengths ranging from 0.08 to 1.7 kPa (reflecting different stages of consolidation and in situ total stresses). Large-strain consolidation numerical analyses were used to assist the interpretation of the T-bar test results. The results demonstrate that the soil ductility (a parameter controlling the rate of strength degradation) can be linearly correlated to the liquidity index (Figure 17). The proposed ductility–liquidity index correlation is subsequently coupled with a previously published sensitivity–liquidity index relationship for natural clays to establish a model for the strain-softening behaviour observed in a T-bar test as a function of consolidation (Figure 18). In turn, because the sensitivity is a function of the liquidity index, the intact soil strength is linked to the remoulded strength obtained from laboratory (e.g., fall cone or miniature vane test) and simple index tests. These provide an improved basis to characterize softening effects for inclusion in simulations of submarine slide runout and models for soil–structure interactions that involve intense remoulding. ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 12 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Figure 17. Relationship of ductility from T-bar Figure 18. Relationship of sensitivity with tests and liquidity index (LI) liquidity index (LI) for natural clays

Centrifuge modelling was also used to simulate pipeline-laying in soft fine-grained soils. The simulations comprised different combinations of isolated or concurrent vertical and horizontal lay effects, which represent varying degrees of realism relative to the pipe-laying process occurring in the field. The results of the centrifuge tests are used to calibrate a model for calculating the dynamic embedment of a subsea pipeline. The model uses elements of plasticity theory to capture the effects of combined vertical and horizontal loading, and incorporates the softening of the surrounding soil as it is remoulded due to the pipeline motions. Influences from the lay rate, lay geometry, and sea state are included in the calculation process. This study was awarded the RM Quigley Award for the best paper published in 2013 in the Canadian Geotechnical Journal#.

Conditions for the onset and progression of scour processes that lead to pipeline self-burial in calcareous sediments representative of Australian conditions have been quantified. The study was coupled with the changing pipe-soil resistance forces as the seabed morphology around a pipeline is altered by sediment transport. Work in the mini O-Tube has yielded experimental data to validate methods for assessing erosion and backfilling around the seabed trenches, with and without a pipeline present. The scour mechanisms observed in the O-Tubes are now also being compared to a unique dataset of field observations recovered during annual pipeline surveys on the North West Shelf of Australia, in collaboration with Woodside. New image analysis techniques have been developed to reinterpret archive footage from visual inspections of pipelines, in order to quantify the changing burial state (Figure 19).

Figure 19. Automated interpretation of historic pipeline survey video footage, to reveal temporal and spatial variations in burial state ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 13 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Key recent publications An, H., Luo, C., Cheng, L. and White, D.J. (2013). A new facility for studying ocean-structure-seabed interactions: The O-Tube. Coastal Engineering, 82, 88-101. Chatterjee, S., White, D.J. and Randolph, M.F. (2013). Coupled consolidation analysis of pipe-soil interactions. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 50, 609-619. Leckie, S.H., Draper, S., White, D.J., Cheng, L. and Fogliani, A. (2015). Lifelong embedment and spanning of a pipeline on a mobile seabed. Coastal Engineering, 95, 130-146. Ma, J., Wang, D. and Randolph, M.F. (2014). A new contact algorithm in the material point method for geotechnical simulations. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, DOI: 10.1002/nag.2266. Sahdi, F., Gaudin, C. and White, D.J. (2014). Strength properties of ultra-soft kaolin. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 51, 420-431. #Westgate, Z.J., White, D.J. and Randolph, M.F. (2013). Modelling the embedment process during offshore pipe-laying on fine-grained soils. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 50, 15-27.

Stream 3: Offshore Foundation Systems

The Offshore Foundation Systems research stream has been the core of the COFS activities since its creation and remains a large part of our activities, along with the three other research streams. It mobilises most of the COFS academics, technicians and students and initiates and generates most of the physical and numerical modelling developments.

COFS can take pride in having produced major breakthroughs over the years related to offshore foundation systems that are now established as best practice and are widely disseminated in industry. This notably includes, among others, the assessment of cavity stability during spudcan penetration and conditions for spudcan punch through, the development of vertical, horizontal and moment yield envelopes to establish the combined capacity of shallow and skirted foundations, the establishment of bearing capacity factors for a wide range of anchoring systems, the development of yield envelopes to predict trajectory of a wide range of drag and dynamically penetrated anchors, the development of an energy based model to predict dynamically penetrated anchors embedment and the establishment of analytical models to predict SCR and pipeline embedment during laying, lateral buckling and walking.

Building on the accumulated knowledge and expertise, COFS is pursuing significant developments in these areas.

Numerical modelling highlights Combining the capabilities of the commercial software Abaqus with the in-house developed RITSS approach has enabled numerical analyses of complex problems: the discontinuous installation of the spudcan footing of a jack-up platform being one example where the complex footing geometry and the soil-footing interface further challenges. The complete installation process, including a pause that allows consolidation to occur and further penetration capturing the increase in post- consolidation resistance, has been simulated with the new coupled large deformation technique (e.g. Figure 20), and the numerical results agree favourably with experimental results obtained from centrifuge testing. The numerical technique offers insights far beyond experimental results, which will be advantageous in developing predictive models. It also opens up new avenues of research, particularly when paired with advanced constitutive models, for example detailed investigation of footing response under cyclic loading. Figure 20. Excess pore pressures accumulated during spudcan penetration

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 14 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

COFS’ numerical modelling technology stream has recently developed a simple Large Deformation Finite Element approach, which falls within the established Remeshing and Interpolation Technique with Small Strain (RITSS) framework (developed in-house). Early realisations of RITSS were built around the finite element program AFENA and recent implementations employed commercial packages, such as ABAQUS and LS-DYNA. However, all available RITSS implementations require users to write in-house code for mapping field variables from the old to new mesh, which has been the largest barrier to wider application of the RITSS approach. This is especially challenging for the inexperienced user, as inappropriate or less rigorously coded subroutines can lead to unacceptable errors or numerical instabilities. A simple but practical approach has been proposed to avoid user coding for mapping of stresses and material properties from the old to new mesh. This was accomplished by adopting the ABAQUS built-in technique ‘mesh-to- mesh solution mapping’. This significantly reduces the coding work and makes the RITSS approach accessible for non-programmers. Figure 21 shows a model for simulating the large strain, three dimensional anchor keying process and the failure mechanism at completion of the keying process using the new method.

Symmetry plane

y x z B

3

B

6 B p e e Padeye

8 B B 3

Figure 21. Keying of a plate anchor using the new RITSS method

Dynamically installed anchors (DIAs) are increasingly considered for mooring floating facilities in deep water clay and silt, and for mooring wave energy converter in both clay and sand. Challenges associated with dynamically installed anchors include prediction of the anchor embedment depth, which dictates the anchor’s holding capacity. Three-dimensional dynamic finite element analyses have been undertaken to provide insight into the behaviour of torpedo anchors during dynamic installation in non-homogeneous clay. The large deformation finite element (LDFE) analyses were carried out using the coupled Eulerian- Lagrangian approach, modifying the simple elastic-perfectly plastic Tresca soil model to allow strain softening, and incorporate strain-rate dependency of the shear strength using the Herschel-Bulkley model. The results (e.g. Figure 22) were validated against field data and centrifuge test data prior to undertaking a detailed parametric study, exploring the relevant range of parameters in terms of anchor shaft length and diameter; number, width and length of fins; impact velocity; and soil strength, sensitivity and rate dependency. ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 15 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Capacity of dynamically embedded plate anchor (DEPLA) under monotonic loading conditions in clay has been studied using a three-dimensional large deformation finite element approach based on frequent mesh regeneration. The effect of anchor embedment depth, anchor roughness, fluke (or plate) thickness, plate inclination, and DEPLA geometry were investigated in a parametric study where soil was prescribed to remain attached to the DEPLA base. The findings indicate that for a horizontal anchor subjected to vertical loading, most DEPLA geometries exhibit deep behaviour at an embedment ratio of 2.5 (Figure 23), but that this embedment ratio is dependent upon the plate inclination, with vertical plates requiring the highest embedment depth for a deep localised failure mechanism. A simple means of approximating the anchor capacity factor for breakaway conditions is proposed by summing the capacity factor in weightless soil (which is unique for a given DEPLA geometry) and the normalised overburden pressure.

Figure 22. Instantaneous velocity plot with dynamically penetrating anchors embedment

Figure 23. Contours of incremental soil displacements for a half circular DEPLA at an initial plate embedment of 1 and 2.79 diameters ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 16 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Physical modelling highlights Offshore wind turbines supported piles and suction caissons are being investigated. The displacement accumulation of large diameter piles in sand under cyclic loading of varying directions, used for offshore wind turbines, has been investigated. Variations in the loading direction are shown, for the first time under relevant stress levels, to significantly increase the pile head displacement for all multi-directional tests on both loose and dense sand (Figure 24). Suction caissons are shown to be a promising option to anchor floating energy devices assembled is array so anchoring systems may be shared to reduce their numbers and the associated foundation cost. This however results in multidirectional cyclic loading for which no design guidelines have been established yet. Preliminary centrifuge tests demonstrated that detrimental effect on the caisson displacement and rotation of a second loading direction if the peak cyclic load was significant compared to the monotonic capacity.

Figure 24. Normalised displacement path differentiating main and transverse directions and normalised totals displacement for a 90 test with a continuously changing direction in dense sand

Increasing demands on subsea infrastructure coupled with soft seabed conditions in deep water are resulting in the size and weight of subsea shallow foundations exceeding capabilities of conventional installation vessels. One innovation to reduce foundation footprints involves designing foundations to move tolerably to absorb applied load rather than being engineered to resist all applied loads and remain stationary. New research at COFS is investigating mat foundations that are designed to move tolerably across the seabed under applied loading, resulting from thermal expansion of connected pipelines. The study addresses the potential of tolerable foundation mobility to reduce foundation footprints. The design challenge is to engineer a foundation that can undergo controlled and limited sliding across the seabed to relieve the applied loads, whilst not damaging the connection points through unwanted rotation or settlement. The study involves centrifuge model tests of a mudmat foundation on soft clay and complementary large deformation finite element analysis. Figure 25 shows the model foundation and loading arm, which is capable of controlling the vertical load, horizontal and moment load and allowing movement in six degrees of freedom.

Changes in resistance, settlements and rotation of the foundation during sliding cycles and intervening periods of rests have been observed for varying operative vertical loads, rates of foundation movement and duration of reconsolidation between foundation movements. Figure 26 shows the increase in foundation resistance to sliding following periodic monotonic cycles of remoulding and reconsolidation.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 17 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Actuator attachment

Vertical load Loading cell Roller Model foundation Horizontal load cell Hinge

Laser targets Laser targets

Base plate Hinge

Figure 25. Foundation and loading arm set up in centrifuge tests. The laser targets on the corners of the foundation enable foundation displacements to be determined in-flight.

Sliding resistance Sliding

Sliding distance Sliding distance

Figure 26. Increased sliding resistance of mobile foundation from centrifuge testing (left, during pipeline heating and expansion in a start-up event and right, during pipeline cooling and contraction in a shut- down event)

Installation and pullout of torpedo anchors have also been investigated through centrifuge model tests. The tests were carried out in lightly overconsolidated calcareous silt and kaolin clay, varying the drop height and consequently the impact velocity, and the consolidation period prior to anchor pullout (Figure 27). The mudline load inclination was also varied to encompass various mooring configurations. The centrifuge model test data are used to calibrate (a) an analytical dynamic embedment model, based on conventional bearing and frictional resistance factors but with strain rate dependent undrained shear ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 18 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued) strength for the soil; and (b) an analytical quasi-static vertical pullout capacity model, accounting for reverse end bearing and frictional resistance. Total energy based expressions, appropriate for calcareous silts and clays, are proposed for predicting anchor embedment depth for a given anchor geometry, mass and impact velocity (Figure 28). For assessing anchor vertical holding capacity, a piezocone based direct design approach is also proposed, deriving anchor end bearing and frictional resistance from cone tip resistance and sleeve friction, respectively. Anchor capacity under inclined loading is presented as failure envelopes expressed in terms of dimensionless vertical and horizontal components of anchor net resistance, which agrees well with a finite element based envelope developed for embedded foundations. The regain of anchor capacity is found to be in good agreement with predictions based on the cavity expansion framework.

4 Etotal/kDp 0 10000 20000 30000 40000 0 Calcareous silt: this study Calcareous silt: Hossain et al. (2014) 5 Clay: O'Loughlin et al. (2013) Clay: Lieng et al. (2010) 10 Clay: Brandão et al. (2006) Clay: Medeiros (2002) Clay: Zimmerman et al. (2009) 15

p Equation 6: p = 3.24 D

/ 20

e,t d

25

30 Equation 6: p = 3 35

40

Figure 28. Total energy–normalised embedment Figure 27. Experimental arrangement for shooting response of dynamically penetrating anchors in dynamically penetrating anchors calcareous silt and clay

Georisk highlights The natural variability in geological deposits, coupled with the existing uncertainty in loading conditions and limited on-site data, make the determination of risk a challenging problem for government authorities and engineering practice. The current study on understanding the failure mechanism of a foundation in natural variable soils is seen as the first step towards the risk management. The natural variability of soils was integrated with both limit analysis method and finite element method through working with the University of Newcastle. The statistical bearing capacity factors and failure mechanisms of foundations in spatially variable soils were revealed (Figure 29). Safety factors were proposed for foundations embedded at various depths at different levels of failure probability. When coupling with combined vertical, horizontal and moment loading the risk of foundation is expressed using probabilistic failure envelopes. These research results shed light on future works, such as sampling schemes of natural soils, stochastic modelling of wave-structure-soil interactions, as well as risk-based prediction of foundation failure, slope stability, and landslides. The research outcomes will strengthen reliability-based design of offshore foundations and support cost-effective decision-making in engineering practice.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 19 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

In random soils In uniform soils

Figure 29. Bearing capacity of a strip footing using RFEM

Significant interest of the offshore industry has resulted in a continual investigation on spudcan penetration in layered soils. Identification of the likelihood and severity of spudcan punch-through during installation and preloading (Figure 30), and during set-up and subsequent preloading (Figure 31) have been of particular interest. Combining centrifuge model test data and numerical results, novel as well as improved ISO design approaches are proposed. The approach provides estimation of the depth and bearing capacity at punch-through, and the depth of leg plunge during the incident prior to become equilibrium by the bearing capacity of the bottom layer. In addition, a robust CPT-based direct design approach is proposed, which is a discrete unified calculation method applicable to any seabed layering system. The predictions are validated against field data. The measures for mitigating punch-through and spudcan- footprint interaction issues, such as perforation drilling or skirted foundations, are optimised. For spudcan retrieval, a novel concept of easing spudcan extraction by placing a localised sand layer in between the base of the spudcan and the surface of clay sediments is justified (Figure 32). One of these works was awarded the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Publication Award – Offshore for 2013#.

Figure 30. Mechanism of punch-through for Figure 31. Increase in bearing resistance with spudcan penetration in soft clay-carbonate consolidation time: 0.5D penetration sand-stiff clay deposit ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 20 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

0.8

Without sand layer 0.7  = 0.6~0.8

0.6

Spudcan B 0.5

With  0.4 sand layer 0.3

0.2 This study: localised loose sand-clay Lee et al. (2013a): dense sand-clay 0.1 Safinus (2014): medium dense sand-clay This study: clay Hossain and Dong (2014): clay 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Effective sand layer thickness, tr/D

Figure 32. Effect of effective sand layer thickness and sand density on easing spudcan extraction

Key recent publications Bienen, B. and Cassidy, M. (2013). Set up and resulting punch-through risk of jack-up spudcans during installation. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 139(12), 2048–2059. Cocjin, M., Gourvenec, S.M., White, D.J. and Randolph, M.F. (2014). Tolerably mobile subsea foundations: observations of behaviour. Géotechnique, http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/geot.14.P.098. Hossain, M.S. (2014). Experimental investigation of spudcan penetration in multi-layer clays with interbedded sand layers. Géotechnique, 64(4), 258-277. Hossain, M.S., O’Loughlin, C.D. and Kim, Y. (2015). Dynamic installation and monotonic pull-out of a torpedo anchor in calcareous silt. Géotechnique, accepted 13 November, 2014. Hossain, M.S., Safinus, S. and Cassidy, M.J. (2015). Using a thin sand layer to ease spudcan extraction in clay. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, accepted in 5 November, 2014. Hu, P., Wang, D., Cassidy, M.J. and Stanier, S.A. (2014). Predicting the resistance profile of a spudcan penetrating sand overlying clay. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 51, 1151-1164. #Lee, K.K., Cassidy, M.J. and Randolph, M.F. (2013). Bearing capacity on sand overlying clay soils: experimental and finite-element investigation of potential punch-through failure. Géotechnique, 63(15), 1271-1284. Li, J.H., Cassidy, M.J., Tian, Y., Huang, J.S., Lyamin, A.V. and Uzielli, M. (2014). Comparative study of bearing capacity of buried footings using random limit analysis and finite element method. Proc. 14th Int. Conference of the Int. Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics (IACMAG), Kyoto, Japan. O’Loughlin, C.D., Richardson, M.D., Randolph, M.F. and Gaudin, C. (2013). Penetration of dynamically installed anchors in clay. Géotechnique 63(11), 909-919. Rudolph, C., Bienen, B. and Grabe, J. (2013). Effect of variation of the loading direction on the displacement accumulation of large-diameter piles under cyclic lateral loading in sand. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 51, 1196-1206. Tian, Y., Cassidy, M.J., Randolph, M.F., Wang, D. and Gaudin, C. (2014). A simple implementation of RITSS and its application in large deformation analysis. Computers and Geotechnics, 56, 160-167. Wang, D. and Bienen, B. (2014). Large deformation analysis of consolidation underneath spudcan footing. Proc. 14th Int. Conf. International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, Kyoto, Japan. Wang, D. and O’Loughlin, C.D. (2014). Numerical study of pullout capacities of dynamically embedded plate anchors. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 51, 1263-1272.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 21 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

Stream 4: Offshore Foundation Science

The Offshore Engineering Science research stream is a relatively new addition to COFS core research activities. The research stream has been established to focus on a wider range of offshore disciplines, including offshore structural design and hydrodynamics. These activities are often vital to a proper understanding of the full fluid-soil-structure interaction which drives the design of many offshore systems.

At least four areas of engineering science research have grown rapidly since 2013. These include (i) research on deep water risers, (ii) the probabilistic analysis of the failure of offshore platforms in extreme sea states, (iii) hydrodynamics of marine renewable energy and (iv) the hydrodynamics of floating structures. Within these activities, the Engineering Science Stream maintains strong links with the other research stream within COFS, particularly on offshore renewables, subsea pipelines and georisk.

Numerical modelling highlights FLNG facilities are an emerging alternative to develop offshore gas fields. Offloading from a FLNG facility to an LNG carrier is a critical part of the operation and reliable prediction of the hydrodynamics of FLNG facilities is therefore essential for safe operation in real sea states. A numerical model has been developed to predict the coupled responses of the multi-body system in side-by-side configuration (Figure 33), which has been validated through physical model tests. In the new model, the boundary value problem is solved in the frequency domain, to obtain hydrodynamic coefficients; these coefficients are then transferred into the time domain, to facilitate the coupled analysis. The numerical model provides reliable predictions of vessel motions, relative motions, mooring forces, hawser and fender forces by considering the hydrodynamic interactions between the multi-body systems.

Chain#12 Chain#11 Chain#10 Chain#9 LNGC

y FLNG LNGC 8 1 76 5 4 32 Chain#1 Turret F#4 F#3 F#2 F#1 x Chain#20~ Chain#3 FLNG Chain#4

Chain#8 Side-by-side configuration Simulation model Chain#7 Chain#6 Chain#5 Figure 33. Side-by-side offloading of an FLNG system

Significant advancement is being made into the analysis of steel catenary risers (SCRs; Figure 34), which provide a technically feasible and commercially efficient solution for transport of hydrocarbons from the seabed to the sea surface in deep waters. Research within the group on this topic is tackling all aspects of the nonlinear nature of the riser-soil-fluid interaction, including the dynamic response and fatigue design of SCRs in the touch down zone (TDZ), development of new riser-fluid-soil interaction models and simplification of dynamic analysis processes. Research at COFS aims to develop a simple framework for estimation of the failure probability of dynamically sensitive offshore structures considering the effect of the random nature of sea-state in the extreme response and the failure threshold of the structure.

Accurate fatigue design of a SCR requires the use of a nonlinear riser-soil interaction models. A new comprehensive hysteretic model was developed for nonlinear soil behaviour which could be implemented in Finite Element (FE) analysis of SCRs. This model accounts for the main features needed in a riser-soil interaction model in the TDZ. COFS research is focused on better understanding of the effect of nonlinear riser-soil interactions on SCR fatigue performance. Finite Element (FE) analysis has been developed to ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 22 Research Highlights University of Western Australia – The Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) (Continued)

model nonlinear soil behaviour and dynamic response of an SCR (Figure 35). This work builds on research at COFS to understand and subsequently reduced aspects of the complex non-linear behaviour of soils into an equivalent linear soil models that can be used readily in design.

The extreme response of structure is calculated by convoluting the extreme crest height distribution and extreme response distribution statistics. In order to calculate the failure limit state, a novel method has been developed to find maximum deck displacement distribution relevant to overall collapse of the platform. For this aim, a large enough number of random simulations (e.g. 1000 random simulations here) have been constrained in a range of successively decreasing crest heights. This methodology has been used successfully for a sample jack-up platform, located in 106 m of water depth. Effects of wave spreading have also been considered explicitly for this sample jack-up structure. Figure 3 shows a 3D spreading CNW with crest height of 20 m passing through the sample jack-up platform.

Figure 34. General view of a SCR in deep water Figure 35. ABAQUS results for static response analysis of an oscillating SCR

Key recent publications Quéau, L.M., Kimiaei, M. and Randolph, M.F. (2014). Analytical estimation of static stress range in oscillating steel catenary risers in the touchdown zone and its application with dynamic amplification factors. Ocean Engineering, 88, 63-80. Quéau, L.M., Kimiaei, M. and Randolph, M.F. (2014). Artificial neural network development for stress analysis of steel catenary risers: Sensitivity study and approximation of static stress range. Applied Ocean Research, 48, 148-161. Zhao, W.H., Yang, J.M., Hu, Z.Q. and Tao, L.B. (2014). Prediction of hydrodynamic performance of an FLNG system in side-by-side offloading operation. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 46, 89-110. ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 23

Major Project The Chacao Bridge project

The Chacao Bridge project, the largest suspension bridge in South America

(Reported by Marcelo Gonzalez, Editor for South America)

Figure 1. The project consider the construction of about 2.5 km long double suspension bridge, been after its construction, the largest suspension bridge in South America

Introduction The bridge is a planned road connection to link the Island of Chiloé with mainland by crossing the Chacao Channel (Figure 2).

The inhabitants of Chiloe island currently reach the mainland by private ferries operating between the town of Pargua and Chacao throughout the year. The ferry service is occasionally disrupted by harsh weather and strong tides, impeding safely ships mooring, loading and unloading of vehicles or crossing the channel.

In addition, at certain periods of the year the increase in demand, fails to be satisfied fully by the operators, causing long delays for users, often exceeding an hour to get a ferry.

The delays and uncertainty in crossing the Channel, affects negatively on the activities of the island as well as its permanent connectivity with the rest of the country. At present, the only way to reach Chiloe is by a 25 to 45 minute ferry trip. With the bridge, the time would be reduced to less than three minutes and the uncertainties would be eliminated.

Given the significance that full connectivity has throughout the national territory and the need to improve conditions for economic and social development of the community of Chiloe, allowing full integration with the rest of the country, the Government of Chile, has decided to carry out the project called “Chacao Bridge”. It will cross the Chacao Channel linking the mainland with Chiloe Island.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 24

Major Project The Chacao Bridge project (Continued)

Figure 2. The Chacao channel, in southern Chile, is the intended location of the bridge´s construction

The Cost In 2005, then-Chilean President Ricardo Lagos proposed the project and put its cost at $650 million, but the administration of his successor, Michelle Bachelet, scrapped it a year later after cost estimates soared to $970 million. After her successor, President Sebastián Piñera, announced plans to greenlight the project once again in April 2011, former Chiloé Governor Juan Galleguillos claimed that the money would be better spent resolving the more “pressing issues” of the island, such as unemployment, education deficit and poor healthcare. In 2014, an international consortium, composed of Korean, Brazilian, French and Norwegian companies, presented a proposal of more than US$680 million for the cost of the Chacao Bridge, over a time frame of 79 months — a more attractive prospect than the MOP’s (Ministry of public construction) original estimated cost of US$740 million over an 84 month period. The construction was scheduled to begin in 2015 and the bridge was projected to be operational by 2019.

The project The project consists of a 2,7km long double suspension bridge with two main spans of 1050m to the south and 1180m to the north, an orthotropic box girder deck, four lanes, one central and two exterior shoulders and a central (A-shape) tower on. The world ranking in suspension bridge in operation would locate the chacao bridge in the first place in South America (Figure 3).

As described by Laursen and Fuglsang (2004), the initial study suggested a bridge consisting of two consecutive suspension bridges sharing a central pylon structure. The suspension cables for each main span were independent and required anchorage on shore and at Roca Remolinos. After, a single main-span suspension bridge was also proposed, spanning 2240 m long, a world record.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 25

Major Project The Chacao Bridge project (Continued)

This solution required a wider bridge deck which is necessary for 4 lanes of traffic in order to ensure aerodynamic stability for the severe wind conditions. A two main-span cable stay bridge was also studied. Placing the end pylons into deeper zones of the channel, the span lengths were sufficiently shortened to fit a cable-stayed solution of 850 and 1100 m span length. In order to achieve global rigidity it was necessary to adopt a relatively rigid central pylon and flexible external pylons and a wider main deck. The 1100 m main-span would be a world record. Figure 3. Ranking of suspension bridges with larger Spans, in operation

The bridge concept which was finally selected was a two main-span continuous suspension bridge. The suspension cables are continuous from anchor block to anchor block, across the three pylons. Both anchorages were gravity based structures buried in the ground. The main cables have a span-to-depth ratio of 9:1. It was sought to make the two main-spans as identical as possible to minimize the size of the main cable, to reduce an unbalanced load, as well as to create a harmonious bridge. This resulted in placing both the north and south pylon foundations in the channel. The A-shaped central pylon provides longitudinal rigidity to the main cable, otherwise vertical deformations of the cable and deck would have been unacceptably large. The rigid pylon leads to the transfer of large longitudinal forces between the main cable and the pylon top, a load transfer that does not apply for conventional suspension bridges.

The North Pylon is founded on piled foundations in shallow water and the South Pylon is directly founded on a low plateau at the shoreline. The steel box girder is suspended from two 580mm diameter main cables by hangers at 20m centres, and carries two 7 meter wide carriageways in each direction. A general design life of 100 years was stipulated.

Construction Challenges The Chacao Channel north of Chiloé Island has extremely severe environmental conditions. Very strong water currents and strong winds present a significant challenge for construction at this remote site where also high intensity earthquakes are relatively common.

 Earthquakes Seismic loading is of major concern for the bridge design because of the proximity of the site to the tectonic plate boundary between the NAZCA and South American plates. Various seismic sources were considered: 1. Inter-plate fault rupture, 2. Intro-plate fault rupture and 3. Volcanic activity.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 26

Major Project The Chacao Bridge project (Continued)

Strong seismic activity due to inter-plate fault rupture was experienced in the Valdivia earthquake of May 22, 1960. The earthquake was assigned a moment magnitude of Mw = 9.5 and was described as probably the largest earthquake ever recorded. It was caused by subduction thrust-type faulting. In fact, the 1960 Great Valdivia Earthquake, occurred near the bridge site with a distance of only 80 kilometers to the fault system.

Figure 4. Seismic history of Chile

Similar earthquakes have occurred in the area and suggest an empirical return period for these events of approximately 400 years (Figure 4). The bridge site is located approximately 200 km from Valdivia but significantly closer to the nearest point of the 900 to 1000 km long fault.

Shallow crustal earthquakes attributed to intro-plate faulting are expected to attain lower magnitudes than the inter-plate ones. Nevertheless, the shaking intensity at the bridge site due to a near field event can be significant. For example, the potential activity of the Gulf of Fault (FGA) running along the Chacao channel directly under the bridge site could result in a permanent offset across the fault of 1.2 m in the horizontal direction and 1.2 m in the vertical direction.

It was also found that the seismic risk from volcanic activity was inferior to that of the fault rupture scenarios but still continue being a hazard to consider.

 Tsunamis Tsunami loading as a consequence of fault rupture was determined for wave crest height of up to 7 m and current speed of up to 8 m/s.

 Strong Currents Strong tidal currents occur. The design current speed was taken as 5 m/s. Wave loading with wave height of up to 4.7 m was also considered. Ship impact force was taken as 167 MN for a loaded 15,000 DWT design vessel.

 Strong Winds Strong winds attain speeds of 43 m/s (10 min mean, 100 year return period) at the bridge deck level. The bridge was designed to resist a minimum requirement of 58 m/sec as critical speed oscillation wind. Further analysis such as numerical studies and wind tunnel models conclude that the bridge is allowed to resist critical speed oscillation wind of 65 m/sec, which was suitably greater than the historical data in the area.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 27

Major Project The Chacao Bridge project (Continued)

Figure 5. The longitudinal section of the bridge

The site Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section of the bridge and the bathymetry of the area. From the sides of the Golf of Ancud, the depth of the sea floor increases steeply to a maximum of 120 m. The northern branch of the canal (continental side) reaches a depth of 120 m and the southern branch reaches a depth of 80 m (Chiloe Island side). In the middle of the Channel there is a point, known as , where the rock reaches the surface, offering a point of support for the central pillar. Roca Remolino is exposed only during low tides.

Foundations The predominant geologic unit in the Project area consists of glacial deposits, characteristic of the Intermediate Chilean´s depression, comprising till deposits, glacio fluvial, glacio lacustrine and interglacial caused by successive glaciations during the Pleistocene.

The North Pylon (Figure 6) is a conventional pendulum pylon planned to be founded at the level of -55 m through a battery of 16 piles of diameter 3 m. The piles are planned to be pre drilling reinforced concrete piles. The piles will be founded in soft sedimentary rock (local denomination Cancagua) crossing deposits of sand, silty sand and sandy gravels. The deposits have shown compressive seismic wave velocities at the surface close to 500 m/sec increasing with depth up to 2 100 m/sec at foundation levels.

In the Southern side, the pylon legs are founded directly on spread footings (Figure 7). The peak ground stress is below 1.1 MPa in the most severe load combination which is longitudinal earthquake. The reinforcement in the spread footing is rather moderate due to the direct force flow. The soil deposits in the Southern side (island) are quite similar to the soil deposits in the northern side of the bridge. Sand and sandy gravel deposits close to 15m thickness with compressive seismic wave velocities between 400m/sec to 1700m/sec are possible to found.

Figure 6. North Pylon ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 28

Major Project The Chacao Bridge project (Continued)

Detailed geotechnical analyses showed that Roca Remolino would provide a satisfactory base for the central pylon. It was critical to limit the size of the foundations to avoid founding too close to the steep embankments of the tiny shoal. This was achieved by selecting the A-shaped pylon layout with relatively steep inclination of the legs (Figure 8). The foundation system was through 32 piles of 3 m diameter, with 8 piles distributed in each foundation. The pile supporting stratum was in soft rock Cancagua at level -40 m. The deposits in the area show compressive seismic wave velocities at foundation levels of 2 000 m/sec.

The main cables of the suspension bridge will be anchored on land on 2 concrete anchors placed on each side of the Chacao channel. The weight of the anchor blocks is approximately 51 000 tonnes for the north side and 53 000 tons for the south side. The dimensions correspond to 54 m long by 35 m wide. The foundation level is 33 m below ground level in the case of the south anchor and 22,5 m for the north anchor. Figure 7. South Pylon

Construction It is estimated that the duration of the construction project as a whole will require a period of 5 years. The Bridge construction consists of a series of phases that in general correspond to:

Phase 1: Foundation of the Central and North Pylons, includes installation of work platforms, metal coating driving, excavations, discharge of material to the bed sea, placement of steel reinforcement for the concrete, make the piles concrete and concrete pile caps. It also includes the construction of the foundation system for the South pylon.

Phase 2: Construction of the supported structures such as pile columns and anchors.

Phase 3: Construction of the North and South access embankments

Phase 4: Construction and installation of the main cable, structure installations to raise bridge deck and installation of supported cable lines.

Phase 5: Installation and assembly of sections of the bridge deck.

Phase 6: Construction of the traffic asphalt carpet, Figure 8. Central Pylon barriers and signs, also includes illumination and traffic communication services.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 29

Major Project The Chacao Bridge project (Continued)

The link to watch the virtual construction of the scale model is http://youtu.be/ijUKs7SxBrk

The marine foundations for the North and Central Pylon consider pre-excavated foundation piles. This construction solution has the advantage of being feasible for construction in strong currents such as the conditions in the Chacao Channel, also to be versatile to changes in the rock properties. The method of excavation of the piles is not yet defined, but alternatives such as a clump-shell system are being considered.

Mostly, the material to be extracted from the excavation will correspond to coarse grain particles, which will be disposed in the seabed through piping systems during the pile excavation. The entire task of pile installation will be carried out without water contact, both perforation and the concreting phase will be developed in isolation from the marine environment, either through the perforation in the rock or soil and steel casing. An estimated a volume of 250 m3 of material is to be extracted per pile, with a total of 51 piles.

A solution of a biodegradable synthetic polymer that allows the rock to stabilize before injecting the concrete will be used. Due to the high cost of this solution, this will be fully recovered in pools. Once the solution has been injected, the concrete will be placed bottom up.

The foundations of the central pylon located on the Remolino rock are constructed with a minimum of 9m of water depth, which allows that the piles foundations can be constructed from prefabricated steel platforms.

The pile foundations of the north pylon will be made with the pre-excavation system, as proposed for the central pylon foundation. The seafloor is approximately 22 m deep from the sea surface, increasing the cost to use prefabricated steel platform and making more convenient the ship alternative as construction platform.

Spread foundation will be constructed at the south pylon by using well known construction methods.

The main cables for suspending the bridge will be connected to two concrete mass anchors placed into the ground and placed on either side of the Chacao channel. Traditional construction methods for the concrete anchors will be used.

Expected benefits The evaluation states that the main social benefits that the project would bring is time and fuel saving (74% and 21%, respectively), versus continuing with the current ferry system.

According to traffic analysis statistics, the daily traffic flow in 2011 was 1,808 vehicles. The estimate considered by social prognostics for 2011 was that 1,942 vehicles will be taking the route between the islands and the continent every day, what would mean a growth 7.4% in contrast to the social prognostic.

Even more, between January and March 2012 the growth over the previous year was 13.8%, exciding one more time the social prognostics. Expected daily traffic flow for the following years 2016, 2017 and 2056 are estimated at 2,410, 5,484 and 8,493 vehicles, respectively. Unfortunately, the current information of the daily traffic flow is not available but tendencies such as the described up to March 2012 are one of the incentives to promote the construction of the bridge.

Finally, it cannot be forgotten the growth in tourism and infrastructure that the bridge´s construction will bring to the island of Chiloe.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 30

Major Project The Chacao Bridge project (Continued)

References Chilean Governmental Website. Informe ejecutivo. www.mop.cl/puentechacao Laursen, P.T. and Fuglsang, K. (2004). Seismic design of the bridge over the Chacao channel in Chile. 13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Paper No. 175 Public News "Puente Chacao: MOP proyecta peaje de $8.000 por cruzarlo en auto | NACIONAL". www.latercera.com. Retrieved 2012-05-23. Public News "Anuncio de bono de alimentación y puente en Chiloé destacan en cuenta pública de Piñera". www.emol.com. Retrieved 2012-05-23. Public News "Licitación por puente Chacao será por US$ 740 millones" (in Spanish). www.Latercera.com. Retrieved 2012-05-23 Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_suspension_bridge_spans ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 31 Report from VP for Africa

At the international conference in Paris 2013, Prof.i) Jarbas Milititsky (ISSMGE Regional Vice-President for South America) and I discussed facilitating the participation of Young African Geotechnical Engineers at a South American Conference. The idea was received in a very positive way by the president of the Brazilian Geotechnical Society (ABMS). The African Societies were to receive a formal invitation for 5 young African geotechnical members to attend Cobramseg 2014 taking place from 9 to 13 September in Goiania, Brazil, paying no fees and accommodation provided by ABMS (http://www.qeeventos.com.br/qeeventos/site/cobramseg-2014-en.aspx).

The events of interest at Cobramseg 2014, for young members was the VI Brazilian Symposium of Young Geotechnical Engineers. The invitation also included the Brazilian Conference that follows. Participation was restricted to those aged 35 years or younger as of the 10th of September 2014. (http://www.qeeventos.com.br/qeeventos/site/cobramseg-2014-en.aspx?ID=5407)

The next step was to look for outstanding, motivated participants who will further Africa’s development and bring credit to their societies. In order to be able to choose these participants we kindly asked the president of each African Society, to publicize this information to their young geotechnical members and send the best two abstracts to enable the choice of the five young Africans.

We received nine abstracts, although only six of the authors were able to send full papers so ABMS’ invitation was kindly extended to one more participant. Subsequently, only four of the authors were able to attend the conference.

Paper Title Author Country 1 Evaluation of liquefaction risk of improved soil with Ms. Zeinab Ben Salem Tunisia stone column 2 Efficient Design and Construction of Driven Piles Using Dr. Sherif S. AbdelSalam Egypt Reliability-Based Analysis 3 Behavior of Offshore Piles under Monotonic Inclined Mr. Mohamed I. Ramadan Egypt Pullout Loading 4 Design of Foundation on Shrink-Swell Soil Mr. Charles Magbo Nigeria 5 The effect of pretreatment on compaction Ms. Priscilla Ackah Ghana characteristics of a lateritic soil 6 Rehabilitation and underpinning of a building classified Ms. Sabrime BouBaker Tunisia as a national patrimony 7 Numerical Analysis of Pile Load Test in Cairo Alexandria Ms. Noha A. Rabie Egypt Road –Egypt 8 The use of chemical soil stabilizer for haul roads Mr. Callistus Vog-enga Ghana construction a case study of gounkoto – loulo haul road 9 The effect of water content and level of compaction on Mr. Felix Jojo Ayeh Ghana strength of compacted lateritic backfill

I am forwarding the report written by Dr. Sherif S. AbdelSalam following a request by ISSMGE. Dr. Sherif S. AbdelSalam is a lecturer at the British University in Cairo, Egypt and is one of the group of African young geotechnical engineers who won the opportunity to participate at the Cobramseg 2014.

“The COBRAMSEG 2014 conference was organized by the Brazilian geotechnical society, which comprised the XVII Brazilian congress of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineers, the VII Luso-Brazilian congress of geotechnics, the VII Brazilian symposium of rock mechanics, and the VI Brazilian symposium of young geotechnical engineers. The aforementioned events included several technical sessions, keynote lectures, workshops, large exhibition hall, and social events.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 32 Report from VP for Africa (Continued)

The conference was full of young engineers and professionalsii) from Brazil and all over the world, which is considered as one of the main useful and interesting features of the event. A large number of recognized international experts were invited to conduct lectures and workshops. For example, the technical lecture delivered by Prof. Charles W. Ng, who is an international expert in his field, was very educational. Also the workshop delivered by Eng. Diego Marchetti, who is a partner at Studio Marchetti – the company that invented the famous Flat Dilatometer in-situ testing device was very useful for practitioners.

The parallel sections and interactive poster presentations was also one of the main features of the conference. Especially the interactive posters, which were presented on digital screens to allow for the maximum inclusion within the limited time frame. The exhibition hall included booths for a large number of geotechnical companies varying from suppliers and contractors, to consultants and software companies. This exhibition was very helpful and provided the full opportunity for direct interaction with high-tech representatives from most of these companies such as Bauer Maschinen GmbH, Fugro in-situ geotecnia Ltda, and others.

In general, the participation in this conference provided the required up-to-date knowledge about ongoing research works in the areas of rock and soil mechanics, in-situ testing techniques, repair of foundations, green pile foundations (i.e., thermopiles), and other areas. Most of the papers presented in the technical sessions of the conference were informative and of a high quality. The experience gained through the conference will definitely direct my future research works, with new interesting and fresh research topics that are full of new ideas. And finally, it is worth noting and thanking the Brazilian society for their professional, generous, and very well prepared, organization for such an event.”

I would like to thank Prof. Jarbas Milititsky, Vice-President for South America, Prof. André P. Assis the President and the members of (ABMS) on behalf of the African Societies for their very generous provision of our young members’ fees and accommodation. This generosity has made possible the participation of our young geotechnical engineers in a great event in a beautiful country with a rich culture and history that these young engineers would otherwise not likely be able to visit.

Figure 1. Professor Baligh (2nd right) with delegates

Fatma Baligh Vice-President for Africa ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 33 Report from VP for Europe

Report on the 23rd European Young Geotechnicaliii) Engineers Conference (EYGEC-2014) 50 delegates from 26 European countries nominated by their respective Member Societies gathered in Barcelona in September for the 23rd European Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference (EYGEC-2014). The Conference was organized by the Department of Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences of the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) on behalf of the Spanish Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. The organizing committee was chaired by Professors Marcos Arroyo and Antonio Gens and composed by Ph.D. students and Postdocs, several of whom had themselves participated in previous EYGEC meetings. The Conference took place in the main lecture theatre of the Civil Engineering School. Conference participants, including senior lecturers, were lodged together in a Students Residence close to the Conference venue.

The Conference lasted for three days, the first two were devoted to lectures and presentations and a technical visit was organized for the third day. A welcome reception was offered during the evening prior to the Conference. In the opening ceremony, chaired by Sebastià Olivella (Dean of the Barcelona Civil Engineering School), the President of the ISSMGE, Roger Frank, addressed the delegates with an overview of the International Society’s role, objectives and activities. Special mention was made of the Young Members Presidential Group as the most suitable way for the Conference attendants to engage with the ISSMGE.

Oral presentations were made by all delegates; a consistently high standard of both presentations and technical content was achieved; no doubt reflecting the fact that all participants had been especially selected by their National Societies. In addition, Professors César Sagaseta (University of Cantabria) and Lidija Zdarvkovic (Imperial College) were invited to deliver special lectures to the Conference. Lectures were also presented by Professors A. Gens and A. Ledesma from UPC. Discussion of presentations and lectures was often lively, filling the time allocated without difficulty.

Participants had to submit papers summarising their work in advance of the Conference that were subjected to review and revision before publication. Although, in accordance with the EYGEC guidelines issued by the ISSMGE, there was no conference theme, it was possible to structure papers and presentations around a number of topics: Experimental studies and constitutive models, Dynamics problems, Pile foundations, Geo-environmental problems, Marine geotechnics, Soil improvement, Geo- hazards, and Soil-structure interaction. All papers have been collected in a Proceedings volume; the electronic version can be downloaded from the Conference website. (https://www.etcg.upc.edu/congressos/eygec-2014/docs/EYGEC2014.pdf)

A prize was awarded to the best paper and presentation. It was won by Audrey Huckert from France for the contribution: “Experimental and numerical approaches of the design of geosynthetic reinforcements overlying voids”. Runner-ups were Henri de Chaunac (Belgium) and Çağdaş Arda (Turkey).

On the third day of the Conference, there was Technical visit to the Sagrera station works that involve a very large anchored excavation and water table drawdown operations. The Sagrera station will become the main transport hub of Barcelona linking high speed train lines with conventional railway, bus station and two metro lines. Participants went on to visit the Sagrada Familia church, in the vicinity of which a tunnel for the high-speed train had been recently constructed sparking strong public controversy.

Fortunately there was also time for social events. In the first evening, a cooking workshop was held in which participants enthusiastically learnt to produce a variety of Spanish tapas. And the results were consumed during dinner with the same enthusiasm! On the second day, the Conference dinner was held in which the award for best paper/presentation was presented. The full set of photographs taken during the Conference is available in the Conference website (https://www.etcg.upc.edu/congressos/eygec-2014/photo-gallery).

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 34

Report from VP for Europe (Continued)

Following the long tradition of the EYGEC meetings,iv) the Conference provided an excellent opportunity for promising young geotechnical engineers to present their work, discuss their results, share experiences and, of course, make new friends and connections.

Figure 1. Conference participants

Figure 2. Opening ceremony

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Report from VP for Europe (Continued)

v)

Figure 3. Audrey Huckert (France) receives the prize for best paper/presentation

Figure 4. A group of participants during the visit to the Sagrera station

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Report from VP for Europe (Continued)

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Figure 5. A group of participants and members of the Organizing Committee during the visit to the Sagrada Familia church

Figure 6. Cooking workshop

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 37

Report from VP for Europe (Continued)

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Figure 7. Proud results from the cooking workshop

Antonio Gens Vice-President for Europe ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 38 Report from Czech and Slovak Society (CSS)

viii)

Prague Geotechnical Days is an event organized every year jointly by the Czech and Slovak Society of ISSMGE, Czech Academy of Science, and Arcadis CZ Ltd. A part of Prague Geotechnical Days is Prague Geotechnical Lecture.

In 2014, the 22nd Praque Geotechnical Lecture was delivered by Prof. Malcolm Bolton of Cambridge University, UK, entitled Performance-based Design in Geotechnical Engineering. This lecture argued that any assessment of geotechnical performance must involve ground displacements, and that the traditional approach of specifying safety factors is potentially wasteful or risky. Improvements were proposed through the adoption of Mobilizable Strength Design principles in which the designer explicitly considers the stress-strain behaviour of the ground. Malcolm Bolton thus demonstrated a new approach to slope stability analysis. The second application discussed in the lecture was the construction of deep excavations in soft to firm clay.

The part of Prague Geotechnical Days is a scientific seminar with different topic each year. In 2014, the title of the seminar was Unsaturated soils in Engineering practice. The seminar is composed of invited lectures only; in 2014, 6 invited lectures were presented. Unsaturated soils are subject to a broad research interest worldwide. Examples of situations where it is important to consider soil partial saturation at the design stage were introduced by David Mašín from Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic in his lecture Unsaturated Soil Mechanics in Central European Climatic Environment.

The next lecture, delivered by Prof. Eduardo E. Alonso from UPC, Barcelona, entitled Modelling Earth and Rockfill Dams. The crucial contribution of Unsaturated Soil Mechanics, described some key properties of compacted soils, typically those found in impervious cores of zoned earth dams or in homogeneous fills. Key aspects of the compaction-induced microstructure were outlined and a simple elastoplastic model capable of reproducing them was described. Conceptual deformation mechanisms of fine and coarse granular soils have been cast in terms of workable elastoplastic hardening models and then integrated into a general Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical finite element code (Code_Bright). This code was used in the analysis of a number of case histories involving the behaviour of dams. They were presented in the final part of this lecture. Model calculations were compared with monitoring results.

Some examples of the collapsible behaviour of unsaturated soils have been given by Prof. Pierre Delage, Ecole des ponts ParisTech in the Lecture Some Geotechnical Problems Related to Unsaturated Soils and Multiphase Geomaterials. Examples were given of problems associated with the natural loess deposit exposed to precipitation in northern France. Collapse response of the loess and collapse behaviour of the compacted material in the embankment confirmed the importance of properly controlling the possible future water exchanges the soil will be submitted to and the compaction characteristics of the materials used in compacted structures exposed to climatic effects.

In the contribution Time Dependent Approach in the Assessment of Dikes and Levees by Prof. Cristina Jommi, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands, few case histories were presented, in which unsaturated behaviour of the construction soils was characterised, with the aim to better analyse the response of the structure to time dependent hydraulic loads. Few case histories of water defence structures were presented, in which simple unsaturated hydraulic soil models were adopted to analyse the time dependent response to variable hydraulic loads. The results of these analyses confirmed that accounting for time dependent response allows for a more rational dyke assessment, and for possible substantial cost savings.

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Report from Czech and Slovak Society (CSS) (Continued)

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Prof. Simon Wheeler, University of Glasgow, UK explained in the presentation Unified Modelling of Plastic Compression in Unsaturated Soils how the elasto-plastic constitutive model for unsaturated soil is able to predict the possible occurrence of plastic compression during loading, wetting and drying stress paths. In each case, it was linked to a physical explanation of the process involved. The constitutive model was used to simulate an experimental data set on silty soil which involved large plastic compressions during successive drying, loading and wetting stages.

Michal Snehota from Czech University of Technology in Prague presented Experimental Investigation into the Water Flow in Near-Saturated Soils. This contribution was mainly focused on results of extensive series of experiments conducted on undisturbed soil samples (Dystric Cambisol) of two different sizes. RPI experiments on larger samples (7×103 cm3) were performed with concurrent monitoring of the fluxes, pressure heads (tensiometers), water contents (TDR) and tracer breakthrough (Br- and deuterium) during the RPI experiments. Smaller samples (approx. 1 × 102 cm3) were used to monitor internal processes during the same experiment by means of non-invasive methods of magnetic resonance imaging. The imaging has allowed visualizing and partly quantifying the bubbles of entrapped air. Internal structure of all samples was visualized by X-ray computer tomography.

A part of Prague Geotechnical Days is a presentation of shortlisted candidates for the Quido Zaruba award and the award ceremony. The price is awarded to young geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists (up to 36 years of age) to highlight special achievements in the discipline. Applications for both high quality research and outstanding solution of practical projects are accepted. The price has been established in 2001; for the year 2013 it has been awarded to Dr. Miroslav Brouček from Czech Technical University for the thesis entitled „Subsurface influenced by ground water flow“.

The second day of Prague Geotechnical Days is traditionally devoted to a discussion-stimulating workshop. The topic in 2014 was What is wrong with Eurocode 7. Discussion leader was Prof. Malcolm Bolton. He introduced the workshop with a lecture on Safety, Serviceability and Uncertainty. M. Bolton presented simple formulae for the displacement predictions of various geotechnical structures.

The contribution by Prof. Bolton was followed by Petr Koudelka, who spoke about Two Weaknesses of EC 7-1: Ultimate Limit State and Earth Pressure Theory. An acceptable simple solution for the Czech National Annex was mentioned and a new concept of a more reliable and less risky design theory was proposed. Obsolescence of an earth pressure theory of the EC 7-1Code was pointed out. The contribution briefly explained too suppositions of the theory from point of view of contemporary knowledge.

Jana Frankovská from Slovak University of Technology, in her presentation on Partial Factors, Characteristic Values and Geotechnical Categories, focused on geotechnical problems connected to soil characterization and presumed values of geotechnical parameters. Audience discussed the role and importance of testing and ground investigation for geotechnical design.

Martin Vaníček from Czech Technical University focused on Eurocode 7 and Current Development towards the Second Generation. The presentation was summarizing current works that are undergoing within the CEN TC250/SC7 committee in order to prepare a new generation of Eurocode 7. In particular, new structure of the code and subjects to be added which haven't been covered in the current version were discussed. Development regarding Reinforced earth structures has been presented in more detail. Prague Geotechnical Days were attended by over 120 geotechnical engineers from Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Croatia and United Kingdom.

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Report from Czech and Slovak Society (CSS) (Continued)

x)

Figure 1. Opening ceremony of Prague Geotechnical days 2014

Figure 2. The Seminar Unsaturated soils in Engineering practice

Figure 3. Quido Zaruba Award ceremony (Miroslav Broucek, Malcolm Bolton, and Jana Frankovska) ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 41

Report from Czech and Slovak Society (CSS) (Continued)

xi)

Figure 4. Prof. Malcolm Bolton – 22nd Prague Geotechnical Lecture

Figure 5. Workshop introduction lecture by Malcolm Bolton

Jana Frankovská, Chairman of the Czech and Slovak Member Society of ISSMGE (CSS SMGE) David Mašín, Secretary of CSS SMGE

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 42

Reports from ISSMGE Foundation Recipients COBRAMSEG 2014 Conference (9th – 13th Sep 2014)

The COBRAMSEG 2014 is the most important event of the Brazilian geotechnical community taking place in Goiânia, Brazile from the 9th to the 13th of Septemberxii) 2014. It has host four great events at the same time: the XVII Brazilian Congress of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, the VII Luso-Brazilian Congress of Geotechnics, the VI Brazilian Symposium of Rock Mechanics and the VI Brazilian Symposium of Young Geotechnical Engineers. The organizing committee was chaired by Prof. Mauricio Martines Sales.

The five-day event included a number of technical sessions, keynote lectures, workshops, and social events. Various geotechnical subjects were treated, dealing with most of the up-to-date issues and latest research in fields of soil mechanics, laboratory and in-situ testing, improvement of soil stability, deep foundations, rock mechanics, dams' conception and petroleum engineering.

In the first day, the event was started with eight one-day-long workshops. An English workshop was also scheduled, focusing on the subjects in relation to flat dilatometer. The second day was started with the opening ceremony and then followed by a number of presentations of nationally awarded works. Other sessions and lectures had effectively delivered after lunch.

National and international experts were invited to present informative and educational keynote lectures in a big auditorium. Parallel sessions were organized in separated rooms so that everyone can have a wide choice of topics to attend.

The number of participants was very important. Professors, researchers and students came from all cities of Brazil. A number of foreigners were also attended the conference to deliver their works.

A big exhibition hall was setup for the second day of the conference, where companies can present their products and equipment as well as their innovation in fields of soil improvement, isolation, in-situ testing, and pile loading etc.

An African team that comprised of four young engineers was enabled to attend the conference to present their works. I was one of the members and I take this opportunity to thank all the Brazilian organization members for their kindness and generosity. I would also like to thank the ISSMGE foundation that generously offers us financial support to enable us travel to such far places and to contact with other professionals from the oversea world.

Figure 1. Presenting my work Figure 2. With Prof Fatma Baligh

Sabrime BOUBAKER TERRASOL Tunisia ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 43

Reports from ISSMGE Foundation Recipients The 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (21st – 25th Sep 2014)

The 10ICG 2014 was organized by German Geotechnical Society (DGGT) and German IGS Chapter under the auspices of ISSMGE. The welcome reception was held on the evening of 21st September 2014.

The conference was started on 22nd September 2014 with welcome notes by Prof. Jorge. G. Zornberg, (IGS President) and Prof. Georg Heerten (Chairman DGGT), and then followed by a Giroud Lecture delivered by Prof. R.J. Bathurst. It was an excellent lecture on the “Challenges and recent progress in the analysis, design and modelling of geosynthetic reinforced soil walls”. Subsequently there was a welcome lecture given by Prof. Georg Heerten on “History and current state of geosynthetic applications in Germany”.

On 23rd September 2014, a keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. F. Tatsuoka on the “Natural disasters mitigation by using construction methods with geosynthetics (earthquakes)”. It was then followed by two more keynote lectures by Prof. M. Heibaum on “Natural Disasters Mitigation by using construction methods with geosynthetics (Flooding)” and by Prof. D. Bergado on “Rain-Triggered Landslides Mitigations using Construction methods with Geosynthetics”. Subsequently seven parallel sessions were started. One of the sessions was the Young IGS Members Contest, which was very exciting. The conference provided immense opportunity to the participants to widen their knowledge in their research areas by interacting with geotechnical experts. The day ended with an informal meeting of DGGT with IGS engineers.

On 24th September 2014, there was a keynote lecture given by Prof. Holger Wallbaum on “Environmental benefits by using construction methods with geosynthetics”. Then parallel sessions were started, with the topics about case histories in slope reinforcement, foundation, waste treatment, Soil-Geosynthetic Interaction, Geosynthetic clay barriers, testing and performance, application of Geosynthetics etc. There were different technical sessions, which gave introduction of recent research happening worldwide to wide variety of researches attended in the conference.

The last day of conference (25th September 2014) was started with a keynote lecture given by Prof. B. Christopher on “Cost savings by using Geosynthetics in the construction of Civil Works Projects” followed by parallel technical sessions. After finishing all the parallel sessions, the closing ceremony was held on the evening.

I have presented my paper on 25th September 2014, in the session titled “Soil-Geosynthetics Interaction IV”. The presentation gave me more confidence in presenting my work in an International level audience. The exhibit hall hours was very crowded to see various types of geosynthetics and their various applications and also new methodologies used for laboratory and in situ testing. Finally the poster presentations were also very much interactive, which could share ideas between each other. I found the 10ICG 2014 as a very useful and enjoyable conference.

The conference gave me a right platform to learn and understand different areas of geotechnical engineering and gave opportunity to extend the knowledge in my research area. I would like to express my sincere thanks to ISSMGE foundation for providing financial support for me to participate and present my work in the conference.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 44

Reports from ISSMGE Foundation Recipients The 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (21st – 25th Sep 2014) (Continued)

Figure 1. During my presentation in 10ICG Figure 2. In the 10ICG 2014 exhibition area 2014

Figure 3. With Dr. Bathurst (on first right)

Manju GS Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 45

Reports from ISSMGE Foundation Recipients The XIV Colombian Geotechnical Conference and the IV South American Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference (15TH – 18TH Oct 2014)

The Colombian Conference and the Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference have provided me a great experience for my professional and academic formation. After attending the conferences, I have learned about new developments in geotechnical engineering and the future of new technological advancement. I liked the presentations of many geotechnical colleagues, especially those delivered by keynote speakers. All the expositions that I attended to were very compelling, and the chairman of each session fostered interesting discussions and exchanges. During the breaks, I met several geotechnical colleagues from South America and I learned about their work and research.

I also liked the debate that took place on "the effect of climate change in the world" because it is a controversial topic that has a great impact not only on a scientific level but also on the society. Furthermore, the debate about the subway construction in Bogota was found to be feasible and productive, because it is a solution that will produce an improvement in the city traffic.

There was also a technical exhibition where I found products, software and interesting geotechnical related devices.

Moreover, the university visits were very valuable and helpful, as I learned some devices and apparatuses.

Finally, it is worth acknowledging the Colombian Society of Geotechnical Engineers for organizing the event. We also appreciate all the institutions, mainly to UNaM,CONICET and ISSMGE – Foundation, who provided financial support so that we were able to travel and attend the conference.

Figure 1. During my presentation

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Reports from ISSMGE Foundation Recipients The XIV Colombian Geotechnical Conference and the IV South American Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference (15TH – 18TH Oct 2014) (Continued)

Figure 2. In front of the hall event

Figure 3. With Dr Carlos Santamarina(Georgia Figure 4. With Prof. Lawrence Wesley, University of Institute of Technology) Auckland (New Zealand)

Gustavo Orlando Bogado Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Universidad Nacional de Misiones(UNaM) and National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET) ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 47

Reports from ISSMGE Foundation Recipients The 7th International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics (10TH – 14TH Nov 2014)

The 7ICEG is the seventh in a series that was first started in Edmonton, Canada 1994. It was organised by the Engineers Australia and supported by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), City of Melbourne and the Australian Geomechanics Society. This Congress aims to bring together practitioners and researchers in Environmental Geotechnics and related disciplines to discuss the advances, which have been achieved in the past 20 years or so. This year, the congress dealt with a wide variety of themes such as containment and management of waste, contaminant fate and transport assessment, energy related geoenvironmental technology, and biogeotechnical engineering to name a few.

On 10th November, prior to the main congress session, two very informative short courses were held. The congress commenced on 11th November 2014 with welcome notes by Prof. Malek Bouazza, chairperson of the 7ICEG and was then followed by R.K. Rowe lecture, by Prof. Charles Shackelford. It was an excellent lecture on the “The role of diffusion in environmental geotechnics”. Subsequently, two more keynote lectures and theme lectures were delivered by Prof. Kenichi Soga, Prof. Marcelo Sanchez, and Prof. Lyesse Laloui. After lunch, various concurrent sessions were arranged, which were followed by thought-provoking discussions. The exhibit hall hours were very crowded to see the new methodologies adopted in geotechnical engineering.

On 12th November, the morning session consisted of 1 distinguished keynote lecture given by Prof. Kerry Rowe on “Field and laboratory observations of down-slope bentonite migration in exposed composite liners”, which was then followed by five informative theme lectures. After lunch, various interesting poster presentations and concurrent sessions were held.

The third day of the conference (13th November) commenced with two keynote lectures by Paul Brown and Prof. Craig Benson and three theme lectures. Ed Kavazanjian made an interesting talk on the applications of biogeotechnics to geoenvironmental problems. Concurrent sessions followed in the afternoon. I presented my paper on this day in the session titled “Containment and Management of waste”.

The final day of the conference started with a keynote lecture by Prof. Mike Summersgill followed by theme lectures, parallel technical sessions and a closing ceremony in the afternoon. The participation in this conference has enabled me to learn from the leaders of the profession. The contacts gained and the discussions I had with professionals have improved my vision and understanding. I would like to express my sincere thanks to ISSMGE foundation for providing financial support for participating and presenting in the conference.

Figure 1. During my oral presentation ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 48

Reports from ISSMGE Foundation Recipients The 7th International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics (10TH – 14TH Nov 2014) (Continued)

Figure 2. With Prof. Kerry Rowe

Figure 3. With Prof. Manoj Datta (left) and Prof. Figure 4. The team from India Jeffrey Evans (Center)

Sampurna Datta Indian Institute of Science

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 49

Hot News Establishment of a New Asian Technical Committee (ATC-6) “Urban GeoEngineering”

A new Asian Technical Committee (ATC-6) named “Urban GeoEngineering” is established and hosted by the Chinese Taipei Geotechnical Society (CTGS) in 2014. It is aware that now there are 30 so called Mega cities (the city with more than 10,000,000 populations) in the world and among them, 18 are located in Asia. It is thus anticipated that activities related to urban development are very important to Asia region. Activities in urban area shall be concerned and attentions shall be paid and addressed to urban related geotechnical engineering in Asia herein. Design and construction of underground works, such as deep excavations and basement and foundation connected to urban development thus play important role in this modern society and can’t be ignored.

Further, in order to ease traffic in urban area of the city, metro system is expected to be an effective option. Metro of course have become very important infrastructure in most of major cities in northeast Asia, such as Tokyo and Osaka in Japan, Seoul in Korea and Beijing and Shanghai in China. In Southeast Asia, metro system has first appeared in Hong Kong and Singapore in 80’s and then in Taipei since 90’s. Bangkok has the 1st underground MRT Line since beginning of 21st century and its extension is under- construction currently. Since 2011, construction of the 1st MRT (SBK) line in Kula Lumpur has started and up to now the progress of underground section is more than 50%. Even in Jakarta, the phase 1 of north- south line has commenced to construct since August 2013 and expect to be completed for operation in 2018. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, construction of large- scale metro system are also implemented. In Middle Asia and South Asia, metro systems have been constructed in Delhi, Dubai, Kolkata, Bangalore etc. in the past 10 years and design and construction of more underground metro systems are expected to start shortly in Mumbai and Gujarat in India. Also in India, continues from previous works, phase 2 of Chennai, Jaipur and Bangalore metro are expected to be carried out. More cities in Middle east such as Layard in Saudi Arabia and Doha in Qatar also have large- scale plan in metro works to be delivered in the near future.

As indicated above, metro becomes a critical element of a modern city in Asia. Due to difficult surface and underground conditions, high- level risks are recognized for construction of metro works and it is thus that accidents caused by metro construction can thus lead severely financial loss and casualty. It is thus indicated that geotechnical engineering related to design and construction of metro works (or named “metro geotechnics”) shall be further studied in order to reduce risk so sustainable urban environment can thus be developed and protected. Again the whole life cycle value and asset management shall be concerned during the design and construction of an underground project in the city.

Considering reasons stated above, topics which will be further examined and studied here are:

(1) Deep excavation; (2) Metro geotechnics; and (3) Urban renovation Geotechnics

In order to further discuss topics listed above, a new Asian Technology Committee (ATC) named “Urban GeoEngineering” is thus called to be established. Key driven personnel include Professor Chang- Yu Ou of National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Professor Yung- Show Fang, President of Chinese Taipei Geotechnical Society (CTGS) and Professor Der-Wen Chang, International Secretary of CTGS. The proposal of this new ATC was first submitted to Professor Ikuo Towhata, Vice President in Asian region of ISSMGE in July 2013 and then Professor Ou and Professor Fang made a face-to-face discussion with Professor Towhata by the chance of attending IS- Seoul 2014 TC204 International Symposium of Underground Structure in Soft Soil. After carefully discussion and examination, Professor Towhata has finally approved this new ATC and gave the number of “6” to this new ATC in September.

For the time being, the chair of ATC-6 “Urban Geotechnical Engineering” is Professor Chang- Yu Ou and Dr. Benson Hsiung is requested to act as secretary of the ATC to assist Professor Ou to be responsible for matters of ATC-6. Currently ATC-6 has approximately 30 members from various member societies of ISSMGE, such as Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India and Kazakhstan and more corresponding members may be invited to join ATC. The 1st ATC-6 event ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 50

Hot News Establishment of a New Asian Technical Committee (ATC-6) “Urban GeoEngineering” (Continued)

has to be decided to be organized in September 2015, at the same time together with 15th Asian regional conference in Kyushu, Japan and it is expected that up to 6 academic papers in related topic will be presented.

At last, the 1st ATC-6 local members in Taiwan was held in National Taiwan University of Science and technology in Taipei City, Taiwan on 2nd of October (refer to photo below) and more activities related to ATC-6 will be further finalized afterwards.

Figure 1. Photo taken from 1st ATC-6 local member meeting in Taipei (front row from left to right: Prof. HD Lin, Dr. SM Lee, Prof. CY Ou (Chairman), Prof. YS Fang, Prof. DW Chang, rear row from left to right: Prof. KH Yang, Dr. Benson Hsiung, Prof. JY Ching, Mr. CR Huang, Dr. RT Liao, Mr. CR Seng)

Benson Hsiung, Deputy Secretary, Chinese Taipei Geotechnical Society

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 51

Hot News The Portuguese Environmental Geotechnics Commission (CPGA)

Mission The Comissão Portuguesa de Geotecnia Ambiental (CPGA – Portuguese Environmental Geotechnics Commission) was created in 2012 by the Sociedade Portuguesa de Geotecnia (SPG – Portuguese Geotechnical Society), to which it belongs, and intends to promote the development of the knowledge and the adoption of principles and practices that contribute for the environmental sustainability; for the dissemination of studies and works in national and international conferences, organized by the CPGA or by related entities; to organize conferences, visits and courses of national and international nature; to compile and make available national and international publications and relevant technical information; and to promote the collaboration with similar international committees and the Portuguese representation in international conferences.

The CPGA identified three main areas related to environmental geotechnics for the development of its activity: Waste Landfills; Soil Contamination; and Waste Recycling.

CPGA’s operation and action scope is consigned in its statutes, approved in 2013 in the SPG General Assembly.

Activities CPGA began by organizing two Round-Table meetings (at the Faculty of Engineering - University of Porto - FEUP, March 13rd 2013 and at the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering - LNEC, May 14th 2013), aiming to widen the discussion and to collect ideas from Portuguese experts with different academic backgrounds (bioengineering, chemistry, environment, geobioscience, geotechnics, hydrogeology) and professional experiences (design, industry, owners of work, public administration, public laboratories, universities). Thirty-one experts have participated in the meetings.

Figure 1. LNEC round-table meeting

The memos based on each of the Round-Table meetings, the main national challenges associated with environmental geotechnics and the need to address some of the emergent topics in the area, constituted the key factors during the selection of the themes for the following CPGA Workshops, coorganized by other Portuguese institutions during the 2014-2016 period:

• Contaminated Soils: Legislation and Methods of Diagnostic and Research National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC), Lisbon, October 2nd 2014 (see program) • Nanotechnology Applied to Environmental Geotechnics University of Minho (UM), Braga, December 4th 2014 (international event, see program)

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Hot News The Portuguese Environmental Geotechnics Commission (CPGA) (Continued)

• Operation of Landfills University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, April 2015 • Recycling of Mining Waste in Geotechnics National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC), Lisbon, June 16th 2015 • Contaminated Soils: Technologies and Solutions of Remediation. School of Engineering – Polytechnic of Porto (ISEP), Oporto, October/November 2015 • Design and Methods of Design of Landfills. Faculty of Engineering - University of Porto (FEUP), Oporto, February/March 2016 • Environmental Risk Assessment of Waste for Application in Geotechnical Works Working Group, 2014-2016.

CONTAMINATED SOILS: LEGISLATION AND METHODS OF DIAGNOSTIC AND RESEARCH LNEC, Lisbon, October 2nd 2014 Program 08:30 Welcome 09:00 Opening Ceremony 09:30 SESSION I Moderator: Ricardo Amaral Pinto (EDM, Portugal)

Portuguese legislation on contaminated soils Cristina Carrola (Portuguese Environmental Agency - APA, Portugal) International legislation on contaminated soils Celeste Jorge (National Laboratory for Civil Engineering - LNEC, Portugal) Background on Portuguese soils geochemistry – Case studies of local and regional natural anomalies Sofia Barbosa (Mining Development Company - EDM, Porugal) 11:00 Coffee Break 11:30 Portugal’s radiometric map Maria João Batista (National Laboratory of Geology and Energy - LNEG, Portugal) Methodology used to study potentially contaminated sites Catarina Sequeira (Consultant, Portugal) 12:30 Lunch 14:00 SESSION II Moderator: Ana Picado (LNEG, Portugal)

Environmental sampling in depth Jorge Gonçalves (Geoplano, Portugal) Contamination of soils and waters by P-NAC - The case study of the former Portuguese Explosives Society (SPEL) Judite Fernandes (LNEG, Portugal) Research and diagnostics from the perspective of the environmental risk assessment and human health Felipe Couto (RSK, UK) 15:30 Coffee Break 16:00 The legal framework regarding contaminated soils Rita Santinho Martins (GÓ MEZ-ACEBO & POMBO Abogados S. L. P., Portugal) Bridging the gap between environmental responsibility risk and obligatory liability insurance contract Ana Marques (AIG, Portugal) 17:00 Round-Table Discussion Session Moderator: Carla Santos Silva (Journal of Indústria e Ambiente)

18:00 Closing Ceremony

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 53

Hot News The Portuguese Environmental Geotechnics Commission (CPGA) (Continued)

NANOTECHNOLOGY APPLIED TO ENVIRONMENTAL GEOTECHNICS University of Minho, Braga, December 4th 2014 Program 09:00 Welcome Opening Ceremony 09:30 Nanomaterials for environmental geotechnical applications Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez (University of Minho, Portugal) 10:10 Environmental impacts of nanoparticales: from cells to ecosystems Fernanda Cássio (University of Minho, Portugal) 10:35 Coffee Break 11:00 Zero-valent iron nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and applications Célia Ferreira (Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Portugal) 11:25 Application, quality assessment and behavior of zero-valent iron nanoparticles Jan Slunský (NANO IRON, Czech Republic) 12:05 Lab scale experiments with nanoparticles Miroslav Cernik (University of Liberec, Czech Republic) 12:45 Lunch 14:30 Applying multiwall carbon nanotubes as a cement-reducing additive for soil stabilization António Alberto (University of Coimbra, Portugal) 14:55 The reference state of use of nZVI for the contaminated site treatment: technological perspectives, expectations, and reality Petr Kvapil (AQUATEST, Czech Republic) 15:35 Soil and groundwater remediation with zero-valent iron nanoparticles: Barreiro pilot test Jorge Gonçalves (Geoplano, Portugal) 16:00 Coffee Break 16:20 Bioremediation of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) at a contaminated site Alette Langenhof (Wageningen University, Netherlands) 16:45 Nanomaterial modified membranes for environmental applications Pedro Martins (University of Minho, Portugal) 17:10 Nanotechnological strategies to restore biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nutrients and metals in nature Teresa Tavares (University of Minho, Portugal) 17:35 Discussion Session

18:00 Closing Ceremony

Until the end of the mandate, in 2016, the CPGA intends to conclude the publication “Waste Valorization in Geotechnical Works. Characterization and Measures for the Sector Development" (in Portuguese), initiated by the Technical Committee for Waste Valorization in Geotechnical Works.

Connection to Technical Committees of International Societies The CPGA assumes, by SPG delegation, the connection with the ISSMGE Technical Committees “TC215 – Environmental Geotechnics” (representative members: Doctor António José Roque and Professor Maria de Lurdes Lopes) and “TC307 – Sustainability in Geotechnical Engineering” (representative members: Professor Nuno Cristelo and Doctor Sara Rios; corresponding member: Professor Castorina Vieira); the IAEG Technical Committees “Commission 20 - Risk Based Contaminated Land Management” (no representative member) and “Commission 27 – Environmental Aspects of Construction Materials” (representative member: Doctor Celeste Jorge); and the ISRM Technical Committee “Commission on Radioactive Waste Disposal” (no representative member).

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 54

Hot News The Portuguese Environmental Geotechnics Commission (CPGA) (Continued)

Dissemination and contacts The CPGA website is maintained in bilingual form (PT/EN) to allow the consultation by foreigners, and in particular the members of the mentioned international technical committees connected to the CPGA. In the dissemination of international events and foreign technical documentation, the CPGA website privileges those produced by the international technical committees which it represents in Portugal. WebSite: www.spgeotecnia.pt/cpga/; Email: [email protected].

Figure 2. CPGA website

Board of CPGA Commission President – António José Roque ([email protected]) Vice-Presidents – Maria de Lurdes Lopes ([email protected]) and António Topa Gomes ([email protected]) Secretary-General – Celeste Jorge ([email protected]); Assistant-Secretary – Nuno Cristelo ([email protected]) Treasurer – Jorge Gonçalves ([email protected])

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 55

Hot News New journal – International Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Engineering

International Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Engineering ISSN: 2199-9279 (electronic version) Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Editor-in-Chief, Edith Cowan University, Email: [email protected]

A New Springer Journal with Issue 1 from January-March 2015

This journal will publish the fundamental and applied research of the highest quality available worldwide on all aspects of geosynthetics and their applications, and various ground improvement techniques to reinforce grounds/soils/rocks, and densify them. This journal will provide access to rigorously refereed, original and innovative papers across the journal subject fields applied to the traditional civil engineering areas (geotechnical, geoenvironmental, environmental, transportation, and hydraulic engineering), mining engineering, agriculture, aquaculture and waste management. One of the aims is to have the journal focus on the needs of developing economies especially with regard to the environmental sustainability aspects of Ground Improvement and Geosynthetics.

This journal is the first international journal beyond geosynthetics to include the ground engineering as their combined applications are generally required to handle the projects in real-life engineering practice. All researchers and practitioners are invited to submit their scholarly articles through online submission for possible review and publication in this journal.

The journal and editorial manager websites are given below: http://www.springer.com/engineering/civil+engineering/journal/40891 https://www.editorialmanager.com/IGGE/.

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 56

Obituary Professor Milan M. Maksimović (1941 – 2014)

In honour of Professor Milan M. Maksimović

Professor Milan Maksimović died peacefully in his home in Belgrade, Serbia, on 15th November 2014 after a short illness.

Milan, known to everybody as Max, was born in Mladenovo, Serbia, on 27 March 1941. He went to primary and secondary school in Novi Sad and graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Belgrade in 1965, majoring in the theory of structures. He then joined Energoprojekt – Hidroinženjering, one of the biggest consulting companies in Yugoslavia at the time, working in their geotechnics division.

From there, his inquisitive mind took him to a number of international institutions where he furthered his knowledge and expertise in geotechnics. He specialised in engineering seismology and earthquake engineering in 1968 at the Politecnico di Milano and the Institute for Model and Structural Testing (ISMES) in Bergamo, Italy. He then obtained an MSc in Soil Mechanics at Imperial College, London, UK, in 1970-71. There he met Professor Peter Vaughan who infused his interest in earth dams, which became the subject of his doctorate, completed in 1978 at the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Zagreb, Croatia. As part of his doctoral studies he specialised in numerical methods in geotechnics at the Ohio State University in Columbus, USA, as a Fulbright scholar in 1974-75. Max’s academic career began in 1979 when he joined the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Belgrade, where he was a Professor of Soil Mechanics and Head of the Geotechnics Section until his retirement in 2006.

Although working in academia, Max was always actively involved in the practical side of the engineering profession, consulting on a range of important geotechnical projects both at home and abroad (Egypt, Gabon, Turkey, Tanzania, Peru). His care for modernising the geotechnical society at home was characteristic of his Presidency of the Serbian Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, a position that he held until his death. He maintained keen and regular updates to members of the main international developments in geotechnics. In later years, in collaboration with the Serbian Association of Civil Engineers, he was actively involved in preparing a series of national symposia on “Geotechnical aspects of civil engineering construction”.

Max’s academic contribution has been unique from a perspective of the geotechnical profession in Serbia. He authored over 100 technical papers in domestic and international journals and conferences and was widely cited for his contribution to slope stability calculation methods and for his definition of nonlinear failure criterion for soils and rock joints. He served on the editorial board of the Serbian journal “Izgradnja” for the best part of his professional career. The most notable contribution for generations of civil engineering students and practitioners has been his text book on soil mechanics. First published in

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 57

Obituary (Continued) Professor Milan M. Maksimović (1941 – 2014)

1995, this was the first contemporary text book on this subject in Serbia and Max continuously and passionately upgraded it, with the latest, fifth edition, published in 2014 shortly before his death. His book was widely accepted by the geotechnical communities in the countries of former Yugoslavia and will remain the benchmark in our profession across the region for many years to come.

While Max always viewed soil mechanics both as his work and his hobby, in his younger days he was very keen on designing and flying model planes. He enjoyed programming and wrote a number of software packages for various geotechnical applications, the slope stability package BGSLOPE and the nonlinear failure envelope package/database NENVE being the most widely used at home and abroad.

Max enjoyed good discussion on soil mechanics issues and passionately pursued any technical problem at hand. Geotechnical community has lost a fine academic and an excellent practicing engineer. Max is survived by wife Milica and son Milan.

Serbian Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 58

Event Diary

ISSMGE EVENTS Please refer to the specific conference website for full details and latest information.

2015

Sixth International Geotechnical Symposium 2015 Date: Wednesday 21 January 2015 - Friday 23 January 2015 Location: IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India Language: English Organizer: IIT Madras and IGS Chennai Contact person: Dr. R.G. Robinson Address: Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, 600036, Chennai, Tamil Nadu ,India Phone: 914422574286 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://igschennai.in/6igschennai2015

12th Australia and New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics – The Changing Face of the Earth: Geo- Processes & Human Accelerations Date: Sunday 22 February 2015 – Wednesday 25 February 2015: Location: Wellington, New Zealand Contact person: Amanda Blakey E-mail: [email protected]

XVI African Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering - Innovative Geotechnics for Africa Date: Monday 27 April 2015 - Thursday 30 April 2015 Location: Hammamet, Tunisia Language: English and French Organizer: ATMS Contact person: Mehrez Khemakhem Phone: +216 25 956 012 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cramsg2015.org

ISP7 - PRESSIO 2015 Date: Friday 01 May 2015 - Saturday 02 May 2015 Location: Hammamet, Tunisia Organizer: Tunisian Association of Soil Mechanics (ATMS) Contact person: Dr Wissem Frikha Address: Enit BP37, 1000 Le Belvedere, Tunis, Tunisia Phone: +21698594970 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.cramsg2015.org/isp7-pressio2015/?lang=en

International Conference CIGOS-PARIS 2015 Date: Monday 11 May 2015 - Tuesday 12 May 2015 Location: ENS Cachan,Cachan,Ile de France,France Language: English and French Organizer: ENS Cachan, ESTP, ECP, GCMM, AVSE E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.cigos.org/ ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 59

Event Diary (Continued)

ISFOG 2015 Date: Wednesday 10 June 2015 - Friday 12 June 2015 Location: Holmenkollen Park Hotel Rica, Oslo, Norway Language: English Organizer: NGI Contact person: Vaughan Meyer - NGI Address: PO Box 3930 Ullevaal Stadion,N-0806,Oslo, Norway Phone: +47 22 02 30 00 Fax: +47 22 23 04 48 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.isfog2015.no

3rd International Conference on the Flat Dilatometer DMT'15 Date: Monday 14 June 2015 - Wednesday 16 June 2015 Location: Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & SPA , Rome, Italy Language: English Contact person: Simona Rebottini - Studio Prof. Marchetti Address: via Bracciano 38, 00189 Rome, Italy Phone: 0039 06 30311240 Fax: 0039 06 30311240 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.dmt15.com

XVI European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Date: Sunday 13 September 2015 - Thursday 17 September 2015 Location: Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom Language: English Organizer: British Geotechnical Association Contact person: Derek Smith Address: Coffey Geotechnics Limited, The Malthouse, 1 Northfield Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8AH, Reading, UK Phone: +44 1189566066 Fax: +44 1189576066 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.xvi-ecsmge-2015.org.uk/

Workshop on Volcanic Rocks & Soils Date: Thursday 24 September 2015 - Friday 25 September 2015 Location: Isle of Ischia, Italy Language: English Organizer: Associazione Geotecnica Italiana (AGI) Contact person: Ms. Susanna Antonielli Address: Viale dell'Università 11, 00185, Roma, Italy Phone: +39 06 4465569 - +39 06 44704349 Fax: +39 06 44361035 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.wvrs-ischia2015.it/

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 60

Event Diary (Continued)

6th International Conference on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering Date: Monday 02 November 2015 - Wednesday 04 November 2015 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Contact person: The Conference Company Address: PO Box 3727, Christchurch, New Zealand Phone: +64 3 365 2217 Fax: +64 3 365 2247 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.6icege.com

The 15th Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering -New Innovations and Sustainability- Date: Monday 09 November 2015 - Friday 13 November 2015 Location: Fukuoka International Congress Center, Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan Language: English Organizer: The Japanese Geotechnical Society Contact person: Toshifumi Mukunoki Address: 2-39-1 Kurokami, Chuou-ku, Kumamoto, JAPAN,860-8555,Kumamoto, Japan Phone: +81-96-342-3535 Fax: +81-96-342-3535 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.jgskyushu.net/uploads/15ARC/

XV Pan American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Date: Sunday 15 November 2015 - Wednesday 18 November 2015 Location: Hilton Hotel, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina Language: Spanish - Portuguese - English (simultaneous translation) Organizer: Argentinean Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Contact person: Dr. Alejo Oscar Sfriso Address: Rivadavia 926 Suite 901,C1002AAU, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina Phone: +541143425447 Fax: +541143423160 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.panam2015.com.ar

Geo-Environment and Construction European Conference Date: Thursday 26 November 2015 - Saturday 28 November 2015 Location: Polis University, Tirana, Albania Language: Albanian, English Organizer: Polis University, Albanian Geotechnical Society and Co-PLAN Contact person: Msc. Eng. Erion Bukaçi Address: Polytechnic University of Tirana, Faculty of Civil Engineering,1001, Tirana, Albania E-mail: [email protected], Correspondence and information, MSc. Eng. Erdi Myftaraga ([email protected]), Prof. Dr. Luljeta Bozo ([email protected])

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 61

Event Diary (Continued)

The 1st International Conference on Geo-Energy and Geo-Environment (GeGe2015) Date: 4th and 5th December 2015 Location: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Hong Kong Language: English Organizers: HKUST, Chongqing University, Hohai University and Zhejiang University in mainland China, and EPFL in Switzerland Contact person: Ms Shirley Tse Address: The Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility, HKUST, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Phone: +852-2358-0216 Fax: +852-2243-0040 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://gege2015.ust.hk

2016

NGM 2016, The Nordic Geotechnical Meeting Date: Wednesday 25 May 2016 - Saturday 28 May 2016 Location: Harpan Conference Centre, Reykjavik, Iceland Language: English Organizer: The Icelandic Geotechnical Society Contact person: Haraldur Sigursteinsson Address: Vegagerdin, Borgartún 7, IS-109, Reykjavik, Iceland Phone: +354 522 1236 Fax: +354 522 1259 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.ngm2016.com

GeoChina 2016 Date: Monday 25 July 2016 - Wednesday 27 July 2016 Location: Shandong, China, Shandong, China Language: English Organizer: Shandong University in Cooperation with Shandong Department of Transportation and University of Oklahoma Contact person: Antony Warden Address: Shanghai, China Phone: +86-021-54721773 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://geochina2016.geoconf.org/

3rd ICTG International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics Date: Sunday 04 September 2016 - Wednesday 07 September 2016 Location: Vila Flor Cultural Centre and University of Minho, Guimaraes,, Portugal Language: English Organizer: Host: Portuguese Geotechnical Society and University of Minho Secretary: Contact person: Prof. A. Gomes Correia (Chair) Address: University of Minho, School of Engineering, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal Phone: +351253510200 Fax: +351253510217 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.webforum.com/tc3 ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 62

Event Diary (Continued)

13 Baltic States Geotechnical Conference Date: Thursday 15 September 2016 - Saturday 17 September 2016 Location: Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania Language: English Organizer: Baltic Sea states Geotechnical Societies / Main organizer Lithuanian Geotechnical Society Contact person: Danutė Sližytė Address: Saulėtekio ave. 15-510, LT-10224,Vilnius, Lithuania Phone: +37068690044 Fax: +37052500604 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.13bsgc.lt

NON-ISSMGE SPONSORED EVENTS 2015

Geosynthetics 2015 Date: Sunday 15 February 2015 - Wednesday 18 February 2015 Location: Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon, USA Language: English Organizer: Industrial Fabrics Association International / Geosynthetics Materials Association Contact person: Barbara Connett Address: 1801 County Road B West, 55113 Roseville, Minnesota, USA Phone: 651 225 6914 Fax: 651 631 9334 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.geosyntheticsconference.com

International Conference in Geotechnical Engineering - ICGE-Colombo 2015 Date: Monday 10 August 2015 - Tuesday 11 August 2015 Location: Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka Language: English Organizer: Sri Lankan Geotechnical Society Contact person: Eng. K. L. S. Sahabandu Address: Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau, 415, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7,Sri Lanka Phone: +94 11 2668803 Fax: +94 11 2687369 E-mail: [email protected] ; sahabandukls@gmail,com Website: www.slgs.lk

The 2nd International Symposium on Transportation Soil Engineering in Cold Regions (TranSoilCold2015) Date: Thursday 24 September 2015 - Saturday 26 September 2015 Location: Siberian State University of Railway Engineering, Novosibirsk, Russia Description: The 2nd International Symposium on Transportation Soil Engineering in Cold Regions Date: Thursday 24 September 2015 - Saturday 26 September 2015 Location: Siberian State University of Railway Engineering, Novosibirsk, Russia Language: English, Russian Organizer: Universities of Russia, China, USA Contact person: Yury Moryachkov Address: Novosibirsk, Russia E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://transoilcold2015.stu.ru/ ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 63

Event Diary (Continued)

5th International Symposium on Geotechnical Safety and Risk (ISGSR 2015) Date: Tuesday 13 October 2015 - Friday 16 October 2015 Location: WTC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Language: English Organizer: KIVI, GEOSnet, Geo Impuls Contact person: Maarten Profittlich Address: Zekeringstraat 41A,1014BV,Amsterdam, The Netherlands Phone: +31206510800 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.isgsr2015.org

FOR FURTHER DETAILS, PLEASE REFER TO THE WEBSITE OF THE SPECIFIC CONFERENCE ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 64 Corporate Associates

S.N. Apageo S.A.S. ZA de Gomberville Bentley Systems Inc. BP 35 - 78114 MAGNY LES HAMEAUX Jan de Nul N.V. Corporate Headquarters FRANCE Tragel 60, 685 Stockton Drive 7710, B-9308 Hofstade-Aalst Exton PA 19341, BELGIUM UNITED STATES

Bauer Maschinen GmbH Wittelsbacherstr. 5 Huesker Synthetic GmbH 86529 Schrobenhausen Fabrikstrasse 13-15 GERMANY NAUE GmbH Co KG 48712 Gescher

Gewerbestrasse 2 GERMANY

32339 Espelkamp-Fiestel

GERMANY

Zetas Zemin Teknolojisi AS

Merkez Mah. Resadiye Cad. No. 69/A Fugro N.V. Alemdag, Umraniye PO Box 41 Istanbul, 34794 2260 AA Leidschendam TURKEY THE NETHERLANDS Norwegian Geotechnical Institute

P.O. Box 3930 Ullevaal Stadion N-0806 OSLO NORWAY

Siemens Energy Kaiserleistrasse10 63067 Offenbach Deltares GERMANY

PO Box 177 2600 AB Delft, SOLETANCHE BACHY SA THE NETHERLANDS 133 boulevard National, 92500 Rueil- Malmaison, FRANCE

International I.G.M. s.a.r.l.

Tensar International Ltd P.O.Box: 166129 Achrafieh Georeconstruction Engineering Co Cunningham Court Beirut Izmaylovsky Prosp. 4., of. 414 Shadsworth Business Park LEBANON Saint Petersburg Blackburn, BB1 2QX, RUSSIA UNITED KINGDOM

TenCate Geosynthetics 9, rue Marcel Paul B.P. 40080 95873 Bezons Cedex Golder Associates Inc FRANCE 1000, 940-6th Avenue S.W. Terre Armée Calgary, Alberta 1 bis rue du Petit Clamart CANADA T2P 3T1 Bâtiment C BP 135 78148 Velizy CEDEX FRANCE ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 65 Corporate Associates (Continued)

Dasan Consultants Co. Ltd Construtora Norberto Odebrecht Dasan B/D Ove Arup & Partners Ltd. Av. Rebouças, 3970 - 31º andar 107 Mujeong-dong, Songpa-gu, 13 Fitzroy Street Pinheiros CEP-05402-600 Seoul 138-200 London W1T 4BQ São Paulo/SP KOREA UNITED KINGDOM BRAZIL

Dongha Geological Engineering Co. Ltd

1033-2 Guseo Dong Coffey Geotechnics Geumjeong-gu, Busan Geostroy, ZAO 8/12 Mars Road KOREA Zagorodny prospect, 27/21 Lane Cove West St.Petersburg, 191187 NSW, 2066 RUSSIA AUSTRALIA

Saegil Engineering and Consulting Co Ltd Hyunmin Building 6F Brasfond Fundacoes Especiais SA 101 Ogeumno, Songpa-gu Rua Olimpiadas, 200, 13º Andar Seoul 138-828 Cep: 04551-000 Vila Olímpia KOREA

São Paulo / SP

BRAZIL GHD Pty, Ltd. 57-63 Herbert Street Artarmon NSW 2064

AUSTRALIA Vibropile Australia Attn: Serhat Baycan

PO Box 253 A.P. van den Berg Mulgrave, VIC 3170 IJzerweg 4 AUSTRALIA 8445 PK Heerenveen THE NETHERLANDS

Taisei Corporation 1-25-1 Nishi Shinjuku Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo163-0606 JAPAN

Huesker Ltda JSC “Kazakhstan Highway

Rua Romualdo Davoli, 375 ResearchInstitute

Cond. El Dorado 2a Nurpeisov StreetAlmaty CEP 12238.577 São José dos Campos SP KAZAKHSTAN BRAZIL

Hayward Baker Inc. 1130 Annapolis Road, Suite 202 LLC “Bazis Design Academy” Odenton, MD 21113 3-A, “Nurly-Tau” UNITED STATES AECOM Asia Company Ltd Al - Farabi Ave., 5/1, 8/F, Tower 2, Grand Central Plaza Almaty 138 Shatin Rural Committee Road KAZAKHSTAN Shatin, NT HONG KONG

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 66 Corporate Associates (Continued)

L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National JSC Kazniisa University 21 Solodovnikova Str 2 Mirzoyan Street ENCARDIO-RITE ELECTRONICS Almaty, Astana City 010008 A-7, Industrial Estate KAZAKHSTAN KAZAKHSTAN Talkatora Road LUCKNOW-226011 INDIA

LLP KGS-Astana 99, Abaya street, LLP Institute for Design and Survey GDS Instruments 010008, Astana City, “Kazdorproject” Unit 32 Murrell Green Business Park KAZAKHSTAN 39 Moskovskaya Street. London RoadHook Astana 010000 HampshireRG27 9GR KAZAKHSTAN UNITED KINGDOM

LLC GEOIZOL Bolshoy PR PS h.25//2 lits E. GLASSBEL BALTIC Ltd 197198 Saint Petersburg Pramones Street, Building 11 LT-94012 Klaipeda GTS - Geotechnical and Safety LITHUANIA Contractors Fundamentstroyproect 29 rue des Taches 69800 SAINT PRIEST Fundamenstroyproect FRANCE Address: 8 Sportivnaya Str. Orenburg, 460024, RUSSIA

Caspian Institute of Exploration IPC Global Geophysics LLP 4 Wadhurst Drive Makhambet str., 120 Boronia Atyrau060007 Victoria, 3155 KAZAKHSTAN AUSTRALIA

LLP Monolit-Stroy 2011 Imanova Street 19, Office 1018 Astana City, COMPLIMENTARY KAZAKHSTAN CORPORATE ASSOCIATES

LUSAS Forge House 66 High Street Kingston upon Thames SurreyKT1 1HN UNITED KINGDOM

Novosibirsk Engineering Center Ltd. FAYAT Foundations Televisionnaya Street,15 9/11 rue Gustave Eiffel Novosibirsk 630048 91350 GRIGNY RUSSIA FRANCE ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 67 Corporate Associates (Continued)

TNO DIANA BV

Delftechpark ISA

Delft

2628XJ

THE NETHERLANDS

Keynetix Ltd Systems House Burnt Meadow Road Redditch Worcestshire B98 4PA UNITED KINGDOM

Terrasol 42/52 Quai de la Rapée - CS7123075583 Paris CEDEX 12 FRANCE

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 68 News from Corporate Associate GHD and Conestoga‐Rovers & Associates (CRA)

Merger enhances geotechnical offering

GHD and Conestoga‐Rovers & Associates (CRA) have joined together to create a global leader in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services.

The combined business, known as GHD, offers enhanced geotechnical engineering capabilities across an improved geographic footprint. The new geotechnical capabilities now enable us to service our clients at every stage of their projects, starting from geotechnical investigation, forensics, site due diligence and feasibility studies, conceptual and detailed geotechnical design through to construction oversight and performance monitoring, including materials testing and services. Our experience extends across infrastructure development, property development, buildings, tunnelling, mining, geophysics, seismic design, dams, bridges and highways.

GHD’s geotechnical team is led by industry-acknowledged principal engineers and geologists, and supported by geoscientists and technicians with extensive practical experience. The geotechnical professionals are part of GHD’s connected global network of 8500 people in more than 200 offices across five continents.

“Geotechnical conditions present significant project risks to our clients. We identify these risks and work with our clients to develop appropriate, cost-effective geotechnical solutions,” Kim Chan, GHD’s Service Line Leader, Geotechnical Engineering, says

ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 69

Foundation Donors

The Foundation of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) was created to provide financial help to geo-engineers throughout the world who wish to further their geo- engineering knowledge and enhance their practice through various activities which they could not otherwise afford. These activities include attending conferences, participating in continuing education events, purchasing geotechnical reference books and manuals.

 Diamond: $50,000 and above a. ISSMGE-2010 http://www.issmge.org/

b. Prof. Jean-Louis and Mrs. Janet Briaud https://www.briaud.comand http://ceprofs.tamu.edu/briaud/

 Platinum: $25,000 to $49,999

 Gold: $10,000 to $24,999 a. International I-G-M http://www.i-igm.net/

b. Geo-Institute of ASCE http://content.geoinstitute.org/

c. Japanese Geotechnical Society http://www.jiban.or.jp/

d. The Chinese Institution of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering – CCES www.geochina-cces.cn/en

e. Korean Geotechnical Society www.kgshome.or.kr

f. Comité Français de la Mécanique des Sols et de Géotechnique

www.cgms-sols.org

 Silver: $1,000 to $9,999 a. Prof. John Schmertmann

b. Deep Foundation Institute www.dfi.org

c. Yonsei University http://civil.yonsei.ac.kr ISSMGE Bulletin: Volume 8, Issue 6 Page 70

Foundation Donors (Continued)

d. CalGeo – The California Geotechnical Engineering Association www.calgeo.org

e. Prof. Ikuo Towhata http://geotle.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

[email protected]

f. Chinese Taipei Geotechnical Society www.tgs.org.tw

g. Prof. Zuyu Chen http://www.iwhr.com/zswwenglish/index.htm

h. East China Architectural Design and Research

Institutehttp://www.ecadi.com/en/ECADI

i. TC 211 of ISSMGE for Ground Improvement www.bbri.be/go/tc211

j. Prof. Askar Zhussupbekovwww.enu.kz/en/www.kgs-astana.kz

k. TC302 of ISSMGE for Forensic Geotechnical Engineering http://www.issmge.org/en/technical-committees/impact-on-society/163-forensic- geotechnical-engineering

l. Prof. Yoshinori Iwasaki [email protected]

m. Mr. Clyde N. Baker, Jr.

n. Prof. Eun Chul Shin [email protected] n.ac.krecshin

o. Prof. Tadatsugu Tanaka

 Bronze: $0 to $999

a. Prof. Mehmet T. Tümay http://www.coe.lsu.edu/administration_tumay.html [email protected]

b. Nagadi Consultants (P) Ltd www.nagadi.co.in

c. Professor Anand J. Puppala University of Texas Arlington http://www.uta.edu/ce/index.php