As instrumentation and monitoring remain a key aspect of modern construction risk management, a comprehensive data management solution is a crucial component of a safety monitoring program and contributes to the success of projects. iSiteCentral® is a trailblazing choice that has consistently delivered exceptional results. In this blog post, we will explore how iSiteCentral, our web-based data management services is revolutionizing the way construction professionals handle critical structured and unstructured project data. Scalable to Suit Projects of Any Size One of the standout features of i ..read more

As many wise geotechnical engineers have said, “Good quality test results start with a good quality sample!” It is vital for geotechnical engineers and project managers to think twice about how the samples for their project will be handled from extraction in the field to arrival at the laboratory, as ultimately, the information from these samples will be turned into pertinent data for use in project design. The resulting quality of that data, and its impact on design and project costs, can be highly dependent on how well the samples were cared for. Before the number crunching begins by the geo ..read more

Geophysics plays an important role in identifying subsurface conditions below ground. They act as a below-ground “camera” to capture different conditions that may be key to project designs or risk avoidance. They are non-destructive, relatively quick, and non-invasive. Often these methods are used to define subsurface conditions, identify cavities, map depth to bedrock, or aid forensic investigations. Geophysical methods include, amongst others, active seismic methods such as multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) or passive methods such as seismic interferometry (SI). Both active and ..read more

How often do you see news about a structural collapse or massive landslide occurring somewhere in the world? What happens after such an event occurs? Once the situation is stabilized, a selected group of experts may be brought to the site to conduct an investigation and provide opinions on possible causes of failure. Forensic engineering is the engineering practice which determines the likely cause(s) of the failure of structures. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a failure as an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance. In geotechnical engineering, failures can be related to man-made s ..read more

The triaxial test is arguably the most widely used test method in investigating soils’ stress-strain behavior in geotechnical engineering. Its popularity is partially due to the well-understood state of stress during the test, as well as its versatility. In a triaxial test, the specimen is encased in a membrane with drainage from top and bottom (and sides if filter paper is used). The specimen is confined to specific stress through a pressurized fluid (such as water) inside the test chamber. In many cases, the specimen is backpressure saturated before being consolidated to desired stresses. Pu ..read more

Microbes live everywhere including the oceans. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are considered microbes. SRB is one of many common bacteria species that live throughout our ecosystem. Seawater is a primary source of SRB where a single gallon of seawater has roughly a few billion different kinds of bacteria. While most bacteria are aerobic and require oxygen to survive, SRB is among a group of species that are anaerobic and thrive only in the absence of oxygen. While SRB exist in the wild and does not present a danger to humans or animals, its effects can cause damage to metals and concrete. Off ..read more

Stability failures of impoundments involving release of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCRs; commonly known as coal ash,) like the one that occurred in Dan River Coal Ash Spill in 2014, have recently highlighted the importance of assessing the stability of CCR impoundments. CCR materials contain pollutants like Mercury, Cadmium and Arsenic. Without proper management, these contaminants can be released, resulting in pollution of waterways, ground water, or drinking water. Collapsed coal ash impoundment with closed power plant in the background Failures in CCR slopes can occur suddenly with little t ..read more

Numerical modeling uses complex computer programs to build a digital model of a site from which to calculate how a design will perform for various loading conditions. These methods avoid some of the simplifying and conservative assumptions that get made in simpler approaches. They help improve the efficiency of a design, predict how a design is likely to perform, show how a structure’s foundation and the groundwater will interact as a unit, and provide insight into the important mechanisms controlling how the design will perform. Improved predictions, better understanding of complex ..read more

In many cases with offshore filling construction, such as building and forming artificial islands in the middle of a body of water, borrow areas of suitable seabed materials must be first identified. A comprehensive soil investigation will subsequently help assess the suitability of the potential seabed borrow material to be dredged and used for engineering purposes.  Some of the seabed in areas around the world consist of carbonate sand that may have shell fragments within its matrix composition. Shell fragments contribute to carbonate content that may be in the order of 90% or more. Thi ..read more

Jack up rigs are used widely in offshore drilling and for offshore wind turbine installation. Such rigs can be often times supported by spudcan footings such as the ones shown below. However, there are multiple challenges in evaluating the capacity of such footings. Punch-through of spudcan legs for offshore barges is defined as rapid uncontrolled barge leg penetration into the seabed.  Such an event could result in catastrophic damage and even loss of lives such as the one shown in the figure below.  Accident Aboard Pemex Jack-Up, Bay of Campeche, Mexico, Picture Credit: Reuters, M ..read more