Environmental Geotechnics – Second Edition

Contents Preface ix
Acknowledgements xi
Notation xiii
1 Geotechnics and the environment 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Construction and the environment 2
1.3 Environmental impact from construction 3
Box 1.1 the ICE charter for sustainable development –
the Institution’s expectations 5
1.4 Environment-construction interactions 6
1.5 Environmental geotechnics 7
Box 1.2 The Channel Tunnel: specialist environmental
reports 8
Box 1.3 The Channel Tunnel: environmental design input 8
References 9
2 Environmental basics 11
2.1 Introduction 11
Box 2.1 Basic components for consideration within an
environmental impact study 12
Box 2.2 Comprehensive check-list for environmental
interaction 12
Box 2.3 Schedule 1 projects 13
2.2 Environmental assessment components 20
Box 2.4 Mitigation hierarchy 25
References 26
3 Basics of soil materials 29
3.1 Introduction 29
3.2 The soil model 34
3.3 Soil classification 37
References 42
4 Ground investigation 43
4.1 Introduction 43
Box 4.1 Sources of information for the desk study 46
4.2 Physical investigation 47
4.3 In-situ testing 51
4.4 Reporting 56
Box 4.2 The contents of a ground investigation report 56
References 57
5 Compaction and earthworks 59
5.1 Introduction 59
5.2 Laboratory testing 62
5.3 Field compaction 67
5.4 Geosynthetics 73
References 75
6 Shear strength 77
6.1 Introduction 77
6.2 The direct shear box 85
6.3 The triaxial test 87
6.4 The ring shear apparatus 93
6.5 The vane test 93
6.6 Applications of shear strength theory 95
6.7 Critical state soil mechanics (CSSM) 99
References 102
7 Groundwater and permeability 103
7.1 Introduction 103
7.2 Laboratory measurement of permeability 105
7.3 Field permeability tests 110
7.4 Seepage 113
7.5 Groundwater control 121
References 126
8 Consolidation and settlement 127
8.1 Introduction 127
8.2 Consolidation theory 130
8.3 Consolidation testing 134
8.4 Compressibility behavior 140
8.5 Ground drainage 144
References 145
9 Slope stability 147
9.1 Introduction 147
Box 9.1 The influence of soil drainage
characteristics on slope stability 152
9.2 Translational slide 153
9.3 Rotational failure 157
9.4 Stability charts for rotational failure 162
9.5 Wedge failure 170
9.6 Practical aspects 173
References 175
10 Retaining structures 177
10.1 Introduction 177
10.2 Earth pressures 180
10.3 Gravity walls 193
10.4 Embedded walls 197
References 209
11 Instrumentation and monitoring 211
11.1 Introduction 211
Box 11.1 Primary uses of field measurements 212
Box 11.2 Components of a monitoring system 213
Box 11.3 A checklist for planning instrumentation 214
11.2 Vertical ground movements 215
11.3 Horizontal movements 219
11.4 Porewater monitoring 221
11.5 Ground pressures 227
References 229
12 Waste disposal by landfill 231
12.1 Introduction 231
12.2 Waste decomposition 238
12.6 Clay liners 252
12.4 Geomembranes and composite liners 262
Box 12.1 Important attributes for geomembranes for
landfill lining 263
Box 12.2 Geomembrane materials 263
Box 12.3 Methods of joining geomembrane sheets 264
Box 12.4 Non-destructive methods for testing
geomembrane seams 265
12.5 Alternative lining material 270
12.6 Fluid control 273
Box 12.5 Potential problems from landfill gas 274
12.7 Covers and capping 276
References 281
13 Contaminated land 285
13.1 Introduction 285
Box 13.1 Industries expected to produce contaminated land 288
Box 13.2 Details of industries likely to produce
contaminated land 289
Box 13.3 Hazards from contaminated ground 291
13.2 Site investigation 292
Box 13.4 Main contaminant groups 292
Box 13.5 Sampling considerations 296
Box 13.6 Portable test equipment 300
13.3 Site assessment and treatment selection 301
Box 13.7 Initial suite of chemical tests for the assessment
of contamination 301
Box 13.8 Sensitivity of land usage to pollution 301
Box 13.9 Factors influencing the choice of
remedial strategy and design 307
Box 13.10 Treatment of the contaminant system 309
13.4 Ex-situ treatment 311
13.5 Containment 317
Box 13.11 Common vertical barriers 319
Box 13.12 Functions of covering system 322
13.6 In-situ treatment 324
References 328
14 Derelict land 331
14.1 Introduction 331
Box 14.1 Examples of land blight due to
Britain’s industrial legacy 333
Box 14.2 Factors affecting the selection
of a ground improvement process 334
14.2 Underground voids 340
Box 14.3 Damage effects due to subsidence 342
Box 14.4 Methods for treating old shafts 347
14.3 Filled ground 348
14.4 Colliery spoil heaps 351
14.5 Sewage sludge 355
Box 14.5 Vegetation and the ground moisture regime 357
Box 14.6 Effects of vegetation on the mechanical
properties of the ground 357
References 362
15 Tailing dams 365
15.1 Introduction 365
Box 15.1 Differences between tailings facilities and
water-storage reservoirs 368
15.2 Tailings 369
Box 15.2 Specific materials giving rise to tailings 370
15.3 Tailings facilities 372
15.4 Engineering properties of tailings 377
15.5 Engineered tailings disposal 382
References 390
16 Waste materials in geotechnical construction 393
16.1 Introduction 393
Box 16.1 Environmental aspects of the reuse of waste
materials in construction 397
16.2 Minestone 399
Box 16.2 Material characteristics affecting usage in
engineered construction 399
16.3 China clay 405
16.4 Residues from coal-fired power stations 408
Box 16.3 Commercial outlets for ash 409
16.5 Slate waste 414
16.6 Demolition and construction wastes 417
16.7 Other materials 420
References 421
17 Noise and ground vibration 423
17.1 Introduction 423
Box 17.1 Construction operations with particular
potential to produce noise and vibration pollution 424
Box 17.2 An example of the development of an
environmental problem due to construction 425
Box 17.3 The inclusion of noise and vibration
considerations in the ‘design’ process 425
Box 17.4 Factors affecting the human response to noise
and vibrations 426
17.2 Sound 427
Box 17.5 Factors influencing the acceptability of
construction noise 430
17.3 Noise assessment 431
17.4 Ground vibrations 435
17.5 Vibration assessment 439
References 448
18 Radioactive waste disposal 449
18.1 Introduction 449
18.2 Intermediate- and low-level wastes 459
18.3 High-level waste 462
Box 18.1 Sites considered for hosting a repository for
long-lived ILW 462
Box 18.2 Deposits suitable for accommodating
radioactive waste 463
Box 18.3 Hydrogeological environments for the disposal
of HLW 463
Box 18.4 Important properties of a medium for
radioactive waste containment 464
References 467
19 Geotechnical design 469
19.1 Introduction 469
19.2 Shallow foundations 470
19.3 Piles 483
19.4 Eurocodes 494
19.5 Sustainability 500
Box 19.1 Plant fibre geotextiles 503
Box 19.2 Sustainability and landfill practice 505
Box 19.3 A sustainable earthworks case study 506
References 506
Index 509