Ground Improvement Techniques

 

Register Online!

April 2, 3, & 4, 2008

LOCATION:
University of Delaware Campus
Newark, Delaware

(2.3 ceu's or 23 professional development hours awarded for full participation)

This course addresses important selection, design, and construction aspects of ground improvement techniques which are proven to be routinely applied as effective, technically feasible, and cost effective solutions in problematic soils and rock subsurface strata.

The following ground improvement materials and systems are presented during this 3 day interactive technical workshop:

• Prefabricated vertical drains
• Light weight fill materials
• Vibro-compaction
• Dynamic compaction
• Stone columns
• Deep soil mixing
• Column supported embankments
• Soil nailing
• Grouting
• Mechanically stabilized earth walls
• Reinforced soil slopes

These technologies have now become mainstream engineering tools to solve a broad and diverse set of engineering problems and issues which are identified in design and construction of infrastructure features.

Participants will develop an appreciation for exploring and characterizing subsurface soil and rock in the laboratory, as well as the requisite design parameters necessary to develop a preliminary design and cost estimate. Instructors will discuss and summarize the advantages and limitations of each method. The course is designed to elicit maximum input from participants particularly regarding their understanding of application criteria, the impact of geotechnical features on the long-term performance, and contracting methods.  Each participant will receive a hard copy of a recent approximately 1500 page design and construction reference manual (published 2007) on these civil engineering tools.

Who Should Attend
Design and construction professionals who are or will be involved in planning, designing, and/or constructing ground improvement systems for civil engineering features involving earthwork, shallow foundations, deep foundations, and earth retaining structures.  An undergraduate degree in geology, engineering geology, civil engineering, or equivalent engineering experience in the field is desirable.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Locate criteria to determine the applicability of each ground improvement method for a specific set project constraints, subsurface conditions and performance criteria under consideration
• Describe advantages, disadvantages, and limitations for each ground improvement method discussed
• Prepare conceptual and basic designs, and be able to check contractor-submitted designs
• Discuss and plan appropriate quality assurance and control programs for specific projects and ground improvement technologies
• Summarize key elements of a preferred contracting method and select the most appropriate contracting procedure based on project constraints and requirements
• Develop a preliminary cost estimate based on a preliminary design for each ground improvement technique

The Presenters

Dov Leshchinsky is a professor of civil engineering at the University of Delaware. He has developed design methods, including geosynthetic reinforced slopes and walls, that are being used worldwide. Dr. Leshchinsky holds the PhD in geotechnical engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago, as well as bachelor and master's degrees in civil engineering from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. His research interests are in the areas of soil-structure interaction, slope stability engineering, soil reinforcing and ground improvement. Prior to joining Delaware's faculty, he was a research engineer with the Association of American Railroads.

Jerry A. DiMaggio, P.E. is Principal Bridge Engineer – Geotechnical and National Program Manager with the U.S. DOT, Federal Highway Administration in Washington D.C.  He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from Clarkson University in New York State and is a registered professional engineer in several states.  Mr. DiMaggio is a certified Master Trainer and licensed Contract Arbitrator (AAA). He has provided consulting technical design and construction assistance on over 900 transportation projects in all 50 states, throughout Central and South America, and several Middle Eastern countries.  He has presented over 300 seminars and workshops for professionals on design and construction of bridges, retaining walls and engineered earthworks. Mr. DiMaggio is currently a member of several national committees and task forces for the development of technical guidelines, specifications and testing standards related to geotechnical and foundation practice.  He is a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Delaware, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and The University of Akron in Ohio.  He has been the invited Keynote speaker at over 30 national meetings and conferences around the Nation. He has received numerous National and International recognitions and awards including: the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Silver Medal, the Geosynthetics Society Achievement Medal (presented in Nice France), FHWA’s “Engineer for the Year”, and recently (2007) he received special awards for his career contributions from the Transportation Research Board, and The International Association for Foundation Drilling.  He was also selected as the 2007 Schnabel Engineering Lecturer.  Mr. DiMaggio  served on the ASCE Geo-Institute National Board of Governors (2005 – 2007).

Registration and General Information

Program Fee includes extensive course notes; continental breakfast, and all breaks. Lunches are not provided; however, Newark offers convenient options.

Group Registrations: $695/person when 3 or more registrants are from the same company

Individual Registrations: $795/person

Enrollment Deadline: Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Cancellations and Substitutions: Refunds will be granted if the request is received in writing by March 18. Substitutions are permitted up through the first day of the course.

Registration Confirmation: A letter of confirmation will be sent on or before March 18, and will include directions to campus/parking.

Accommodations & Transportation: Participants are responsible for making their own housing and transportation arrangements. Air transportation should be arranged to either Philadelphia or Baltimore airport. By calling early and asking for the University of Delaware rates, you can also obtain discounts at the following hotels:
Courtyard by Marriott - UD Campus Hotel - 400 Pencader Way, Newark, DE, 1-302-737-0900 ($144+tax/night)
The following are each about one mile from campus:
Embassy Suites - 654 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, 1-302-368-8000 ($169+tax/night)
Sleep Inn - 630 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, 1-302-453-1700 ($79+tax/night)
Howard Johnson Inn - 1119 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, 1-302-368-8521 ($62+tax/night)