Shallow foundations rested on Leda clay that are widely distributed in Eastern Canada exhibit shrinkage characteristics and are prone to differential settlements. Due to this reason, significant repairs are necessary to the foundations and basements of residential structures constructed in Leda clay deposits. Differential settlements are commonly attributed to the changes in the natural water content of soils associated with water infiltration, evaporation or plant transpiration (i.e., tree-roots-suction). Various research studies have been undertaken to estimate the possible settlements of shallow foundations associated with the water infiltration or evaporation. Several thumb rules have been proposed through research studies, providing recommendations with respect to the distance at which trees must be planted as a function of their heights at maturity such that differential settlements can be avoided. However, limited studies have been carried out to estimate or model the settlements of shallow foundations taking into account the influence of tree-roots-suction. In the present research program, a comprehensive experimental study regarding the deformation characteristics of a sandy loam soil from Ottawa due to tree-root-suction is undertaken, using specially designed equipment. The study has been undertaken using a sandy loam soil so that the testing program can be conducted in a shorter period of time. An artificial rooting system (ARS) was designed and placed in a specially designed tank at the University of Ottawa to simulate tree-roots-suction and measure soil surface settlements associated with a decrease in natural water content (or increase in soil suction) using particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The ARS consists of an artificial root, suction generator, matric suction and volumetric water content monitoring devices. The variation of matric suction and volumetric water content are monitored at various depths using the instrumentation of the ARS. Based on the results of the experimental studies, a methodology is proposed to model the settlement behaviour of sandy loam soils due to suction from ARS, using commercial finite element software, SEEP/W and SIGMA/W (i.e. software package of GeoStudio 2007). The study offers a reasonably good comparison between the measured surface settlements and those estimated using the finite element modelling analysis. The modelling methodology presented in this thesis is promising and may be extended for estimating the settlement behaviour associated with the tree roots suction of Leda clay deposits and to other soils.

Shallow foundations rested on Leda clay that are widely distributed in Eastern Canada exhibit shrinkage characteristics and are prone to differential settlements. Due to this reason, significant repairs are necessary to the foundations and basements of residential structures constructed in Leda clay deposits. Differential settlements are commonly attributed to the changes in the natural water content of soils associated with water infiltration, evaporation or plant transpiration (i.e., tree-roots-suction). Various research studies have been undertaken to estimate the possible settlements of shallow foundations associated with the water infiltration or evaporation. Several thumb rules have been proposed through research studies, providing recommendations with respect to the distance at which trees must be planted as a function of their heights at maturity such that differential settlements can be avoided. However, limited studies have been carried out to estimate or model the settlements of shallow foundations taking into account the influence of tree-roots-suction. In the present research program, a comprehensive experimental study regarding the deformation characteristics of a sandy loam soil from Ottawa due to tree-root-suction is undertaken, using specially designed equipment. The study has been undertaken using a sandy loam soil so that the testing program can be conducted in a shorter period of time. An artificial rooting system (ARS) was designed and placed in a specially designed tank at the University of Ottawa to simulate tree-roots-suction and measure soil surface settlements associated with a decrease in natural water content (or increase in soil suction) using particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The ARS consists of an artificial root, suction generator, matric suction and volumetric water content monitoring devices. The variation of matric suction and volumetric water content are monitored at various depths using the instrumentation of the ARS. Based on the results of the experimental studies, a methodology is proposed to model the settlement behaviour of sandy loam soils due to suction from ARS, using commercial finite element software, SEEP/W and SIGMA/W (i.e. software package of GeoStudio 2007). The study offers a reasonably good comparison between the measured surface settlements and those estimated using the finite element modelling analysis. The modelling methodology presented in this thesis is promising and may be extended for estimating the settlement behaviour associated with the tree roots suction of Leda clay deposits and to other soils.

Shallow foundations rested on Leda clay that are widely distributed in Eastern Canada exhibit shrinkage characteristics and are prone to differential settlements. Due to this reason, significant repairs are necessary to the foundations and basements of residential structures constructed in Leda clay deposits. Differential settlements are commonly attributed to the changes in the natural water content of soils associated with water infiltration, evaporation or plant transpiration (i.e., tree-roots-suction). Various research studies have been undertaken to estimate the possible settlements of shallow foundations associated with the water infiltration or evaporation. Several thumb rules have been proposed through research studies, providing recommendations with respect to the distance at which trees must be planted as a function of their heights at maturity such that differential settlements can be avoided. However, limited studies have been carried out to estimate or model the settlements of shallow foundations taking into account the influence of tree-roots-suction. In the present research program, a comprehensive experimental study regarding the deformation characteristics of a sandy loam soil from Ottawa due to tree-root-suction is undertaken, using specially designed equipment. The study has been undertaken using a sandy loam soil so that the testing program can be conducted in a shorter period of time. An artificial rooting system (ARS) was designed and placed in a specially designed tank at the University of Ottawa to simulate tree-roots-suction and measure soil surface settlements associated with a decrease in natural water content (or increase in soil suction) using particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The ARS consists of an artificial root, suction generator, matric suction and volumetric water content monitoring devices. The variation of matric suction and volumetric water content are monitored at various depths using the instrumentation of the ARS. Based on the results of the experimental studies, a methodology is proposed to model the settlement behaviour of sandy loam soils due to suction from ARS, using commercial finite element software, SEEP/W and SIGMA/W (i.e. software package of GeoStudio 2007). The study offers a reasonably good comparison between the measured surface settlements and those estimated using the finite element modelling analysis. The modelling methodology presented in this thesis is promising and may be extended for estimating the settlement behaviour associated with the tree roots suction of Leda clay deposits and to other soils.

Esta Tesis de investigación estudia la propuesta de aplicación de un sistema de mejoramiento de suelos para un proyecto inmobiliario de nueve niveles que se proyecta ejecutar en el distrito de San Juan Bautista, en la región Loreto, la cual colinda con el distrito de Iquitos. Bajo esta premisa, se desarrolla la idea de cómo introducir un sistema de mejoramiento para suelos de baja resistencia, el cual reemplazará el sistema de cimentaciones profundas propuesto inicialmente, en el terreno del proyecto se realizó el estudio de suelos y se concluyó que las capas superficiales son de material orgánico, en la capa intermedia con alta potencia se clasifico a las arenas y finalmente se encontró arcilla dura a una profundidad promedio de 8 a 9 metros. A continuación se procedió a estudiar conceptualmente los diferentes tipos de cimentación profunda y sistemas de reforzamiento de suelos. Finalmente nos centramos en el sistema de Pilas de grava compactada, la cual ya registra eficientes antecedentes en diversos proyectos realizados en la ciudad de Lima, y en el norte del país. Es así, que debido a las características desfavorables de los suelos de la ciudad de San Juan Bautista, se optó a dar inicio con la realización del diseño, luego a la evaluación del proceso constructivo, el análisis de los recursos a emplear; siendo la etapa de exploración de canteras, el proceso más determinante para el inicio de la viabilidad del sistema en términos de diseño, costo y tiempo de ejecución. Finalmente se concluye que el sistema de Pilas de grava compactada tiene la capacidad de incrementar la presión admisible del suelo, y disminuir los costos de construcción de la cimentación. / This Research Thesis studies the proposal for the application of a soil improvement system for a nine-level real estate project that is planned to be executed in the San Juan Bautista district, in the Loreto region, which borders the Iquitos district. Under this premise, the idea of how to introduce an improvement system for highly compressible soils is developed, which will replace the system of deep foundations initially proposed, in the field of the project the soil study was carried out and it was concluded that the surface layers are of organic material, in the intermediate layer with high power the sands were classified and finally hard clay was found at an average depth of 8 to 9 meters. Next, the different types of deep foundations and soil reinforcement systems were conceptually studied. Finally, we focus on the system of Piles of compacted gravel, which already records efficient records in various projects carried out in the city of Lima, and in the north of the country. Thus, due to the unfavorable characteristics of the soils of the city of San Juan Bautista, it was decided to begin with the realization of the design, then to the evaluation of the construction process, the analysis of the resources to be used; being the quarry exploration stage, the most decisive process for the beginning of the viability of the system in terms of design, cost and execution time. Finally, it is concluded that the system of compacted gravel piles has the capacity to increase the admissible pressure of the soil, and decrease the construction costs of the foundation / Tesis