On-demand Webinar

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This webinar was co-sponsored by ASCE's Geo-Institute (G-I) and ASCE Continuing Education

Instructors: 
Antonios Vytiniotis, Ph.D., P.E.
Antonio Marinucci, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE 

Course Length: 1 Hours

Purpose and Background

Soil liquefaction is an important design consideration. Engineers need to design structures against the consequences of liquefaction, which can be achieved by designing either the superstructure adequately against such risks or by performing an appropriate measure of soil improvement. Various soil improvement techniques involve strengthening or reinforcing the subsoils or providing expedited drainage to dissipate excess pore pressures generated during the earthquake. One relatively inexpensive drainage technique to mitigate liquefaction is the use of earthquake drains (EQ-drains). EQ-drains are perforated vertical plastic conduits that function by accelerating the dissipation of excess pore water pressures. This webinar will describe various design methodologies for drainage systems as well as various research and commonly used practical applications for drainage-based soil improvement techniques, along with their mechanisms for liquefaction mitigation. Then, the authors will present the results of state-of-the art research performed at MIT and UT-Austin regarding the design and use of EQ-drains that included full-scale field testing. Finally, the authors demonstrate that EQ-Drains, if designed and installed correctly, can provide a cost-effective means to combine the benefits of both strength-based and drainage-based liquefaction mitigation.

Primary Discussion Topics

  • Liquefaction causation and effects
  • Drainage-based soil improvement techniques
  • Design concepts for vertical drains
  • Analysis, construction and field testing for earthquake drains

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Identify how drainage-based soil improvement work
  • Determine specific details regarding the function of EQ-Drains
  • Become familiar with the design, installation, and field testing of EQ-drains

Webinar Benefits

  • Learn what liquefaction is and what are the conditions under which it occurs
  • Be able to evaluate what soil improvement techniques can be used in a site
  • Understand benefits of earthquake drains for liquefaction mitigation
  • Learn about state-of-the art research on earthquake drain analysis and field testing
  • Avoid costly soil improvement methods
  • Establish criteria for selecting EQ-drains versus other drainage systems
  • Understand field installation details

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).

Intended Audience

  • Geotechnical engineers
  • Civil design engineers
  • Structural engineers
  • City planners
  • Construction
  • Owners

Webinar Outline

  • Synopsis of liquefaction
    • Soil behavior during liquefaction
    • Loads causing liquefaction (static and dynamic)
    • Liquefaction effects (settlement, mass movement, lateral loading of foundations, sand boils)
  • Strengthening methods for liquefaction mitigation
    • Stone columns
    • Sand piles
  • Earthquake drains
    • Theory overview
    • Design methods
    • Centrifuge modeling
    • Field testing
    • Analytical modeling
    • Implementation and benefits

How to Earn your CEUs/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.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]