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Instructors:
D. Vaughan Griffiths, Ph.D., D.Sc., P.E., C.Eng., F.ASCE
Gordon A. Fenton, Ph.D., P.Eng., M.ASCE
Course Length: 9 Hours
Purpose and Background
Soils and rocks are among the most variable of all engineering materials and are, therefore, highly amenable to a probabilistic treatment. The application of statistical and probabilistic concepts to geotechnical analysis is a rapidly growing area of interest for engineers as indicated by recent new books, journals and dedicated sessions at practice-oriented conferences. The course content and delivery will assume no more than an introductory understanding of probability and statistics on the part of the participants; however, the goal is to present a “user friendly” training on modern probabilistic techniques applied to classical geotechnical engineering problems such as seepage, settlement, bearing capacity and slope stability.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).
Course Outline
- Discussion of potential benefits of probabilistic approaches as opposed to the classical “Factor of Safety” methods
- Review of sources of uncertainty in geotechnical analysis
- Review of some simple statistical theories needed to develop the methodologies and how to interpret the results of probabilistic analyses
- Theory behind current geotechnical Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) implementations, how LRFD differs from traditional design, and future directions in geotechnical LRFD
- Examples of established probabilistic methods of analysis in geotechnical engineering, such as the First Order Second Moment (FOSM) method, Point Estimate Method (PEM), and First Order Reliability Method (FORM)
- Introduction to numerical methods of probabilistic analysis based on the finite element method, such as the Stochastic Finite Element Method (SFEM) and the Random Finite Element Method (RFEM)
How to Earn your PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.