Num mundo obcecado pelas inovações e sedento pela velocidade, percebe-se a necessidade da constante busca por soluções em todas as áreas do conhecimento. Dentro da Geotecnia isso pode ser obtido com propostas geotécnicas que proporcionem custo reduzido, incluindo preservação dos recursos naturais. Promover o aproveitamento de solos que não apresentam características geotécnicas adequadas é um dos pontos observados nas pesquisas de inovações geotécnicas. Adequar o solo a características de resistência à compressão simples e valores de módulo de cisalhamento inicial, melhorando-o com o uso de cimentos já firmados no mercado nacional, e cimentos alternativos obtidos com a adição de resíduos é a linha que conduz esta pesquisa, que possui como objetivo principal verificar a influência da adição de cimentos em um solo mole orgânico do município de Porto Alegre – RS, Brasil. As misturas eram compostas por um único solo matriz e vários tipos de atente cimentante, sendo eles: cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais escória de alto forno moída (grossa); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais escória de alto forno moída (fina); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais fosfogesso (dihidratado); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais fosfogesso (hemihidratado); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais cal viva; e cimento Portland CP V-ARI. Os teores de tais agente cimentantes foram fixados em 75 kg/m³, 125 kg/m³, 175 kg/m³, 225 kg/m³ e 275 kg/m³, em massa de cimento por volume de solo, e com teor de umidade da mistura final determinado em 120%. Além da variação dos teores e do tipo de agente cimentante, também foram estipulados três tempos de cura 7, 28 e 90 dias. fim de avaliar qual mistura se comporta de maneira mais adequada, realizaram-se ensaios de resistência à compressão simples e medidas de módulo de cisalhamento inicial. Para que seja possível uma previsão de comportamento dessas misturas é proposta uma equação que leva em consideração a porosidade da mistura (h) e o teor volumétrico de agente cimentante (Civ), e também o fator de água/agente cimentante (a/c). Os resultados indicaram que o aumento no teor dos agentes cimentantes leva ao crescimento na resistência à compressão simples e também nos valores do módulo cisalhante inicial, para os três tempos de cura estudados. A tentativa de estabelecer uma metodologia de previsão de comportamento se apresentou de forma consistente através do método que leva em consideração a relação porosidade/teor volumétrico de agente cimentante e também pelo fator água/cimento (a/c), sendo que a resistência à compressão simples e os valores do módulo cisalhante inicial aumentam com o decréscimo do valores de “h/Civ” e “a/c”. A técnica de melhoramento do solo mole orgânico estudado se mostrou eficaz e capaz de ser realizada com vários tipos de agentes cimentantes, obtendo-se características distintas em função do tempo de cura, do teor e do tipo de agente cimentante adicionado ao solo. / In a world obsessed by innovation and thirsty for speed, it can be seen the need for constant search for solutions in all areas of knowledge. Within Geotechnical Engineering, it can be obtained with geotechnical proposals that provide reduced cost, including preservation of natural resources. Promoting the use of soils that do not have adequate geotechnical characteristics is one of the points observed in geotechnical research innovations. Adjusting the soil strength characteristics and initial shear modulus values, improving it with the use of standard cements and alternative cements obtained with the addition of waste is the line that leads this research, which has as main objective the verification of the influence of the addition of distinct binders in an organic soft soil of Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil. The mixtures were composed of a single soil matrix and various types of binders, namely: early strength Portland cement, early strength Portland cement mixed with ground furnace slag (coarse particles), early strength Portland cement mixed with ground furnace slag (fine particles), early strength Portland cement mixed with gypsum (di-hydrate), early strength Portland cement mixed with gypsum (hemi-hydrate) and early strength Portland cement mixed with quicklime. The binder amounts were set at 75 kg/m³, 125 kg/m³, 175 kg/m³, 225 kg/m³ and 275 kg/m³ in mass of binder per volume of soil, and moisture content of 120% regarding final mixture. In addition to changes in the amount and type of binders, three cure times were also stipulated 7, 28 and 90 days. In order to assess which mixture behaves more adequately, strength tests and initial shear modulus measures were carried out. In order to foreseen the mechanical behavior of the blends, a methodology that takes into account the porosity/volumetric cement content ratio ( /Civ), as well as the well-known water/cement ratio (a/c) are used. Results indicated that the increase in the binder content leads to an increase in compressive strength and also in the initial shear modulus, for all curing times. Both /Civ and a/c are capable to predict the unconfined compressive strength and the initial shear modulus. The studied technique of improving organic soft soils with various types of binders was successful, thus obtaining different characteristics in terms of curing time, binder content and type of binder added to the soil.

abstract: In enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation is catalyzed by plant-derived urease enzyme. In EICP, urea hydrolyzes into ammonia and inorganic carbon, altering geochemical conditions in a manner that promotes carbonate mineral precipitation. The calcium source in this process comes from calcium chloride (CaCl2) in aqueous solution. Research work conducted for this dissertation has demonstrated that EICP can be employed for a variety of geotechnical purposes, including mass soil stabilization, columnar soil stabilization, and stabilization of erodible surficial soils. The research presented herein also shows that the optimal ratio of urea to CaCl2 at ionic strengths of less than 1 molar is approximately 1.75:1. EICP solutions of very high initial ionic strength (i.e. 6 M) as well as high urea concentrations (> 2 M) resulted in enzyme precipitation (salting-out) which hindered carbonate precipitation. In addition, the production of NH4+ may also result in enzyme precipitation. However, enzyme precipitation appeared to be reversible to some extent. Mass soil stabilization was demonstrated via percolation and mix-and-compact methods using coarse silica sand (Ottawa 20-30) and medium-fine silica sand (F-60) to produce cemented soil specimens whose strength improvement correlated with CaCO3 content, independent of the method employed to prepare the specimen. Columnar stabilization, i.e. creating columns of soil cemented by carbonate precipitation, using Ottawa 20-30, F-60, and native AZ soil was demonstrated at several scales beginning with small columns (102-mm diameter) and culminating in a 1-m3 soil-filled box. Wind tunnel tests demonstrated that surficial soil stabilization equivalent to that provided by thoroughly wetting the soil can be achieved through a topically-applied solution of CaCl2, urea, and the urease enzyme. The topically applied solution was shown to form an erosion-resistant CaCO3 crust on fine sand and silty soils. Cementation of erodible surficial soils was also achieved via EICP by including a biodegradable hydrogel in the stabilization solution. A dilute hydrogel solution extended the time frame over which the precipitation reaction could occur and provided improved spatial control of the EICP solution. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil and Environmental Engineering 2015

Num mundo obcecado pelas inovações e sedento pela velocidade, percebe-se a necessidade da constante busca por soluções em todas as áreas do conhecimento. Dentro da Geotecnia isso pode ser obtido com propostas geotécnicas que proporcionem custo reduzido, incluindo preservação dos recursos naturais. Promover o aproveitamento de solos que não apresentam características geotécnicas adequadas é um dos pontos observados nas pesquisas de inovações geotécnicas. Adequar o solo a características de resistência à compressão simples e valores de módulo de cisalhamento inicial, melhorando-o com o uso de cimentos já firmados no mercado nacional, e cimentos alternativos obtidos com a adição de resíduos é a linha que conduz esta pesquisa, que possui como objetivo principal verificar a influência da adição de cimentos em um solo mole orgânico do município de Porto Alegre – RS, Brasil. As misturas eram compostas por um único solo matriz e vários tipos de atente cimentante, sendo eles: cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais escória de alto forno moída (grossa); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais escória de alto forno moída (fina); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais fosfogesso (dihidratado); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais fosfogesso (hemihidratado); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais cal viva; e cimento Portland CP V-ARI. Os teores de tais agente cimentantes foram fixados em 75 kg/m³, 125 kg/m³, 175 kg/m³, 225 kg/m³ e 275 kg/m³, em massa de cimento por volume de solo, e com teor de umidade da mistura final determinado em 120%. Além da variação dos teores e do tipo de agente cimentante, também foram estipulados três tempos de cura 7, 28 e 90 dias. fim de avaliar qual mistura se comporta de maneira mais adequada, realizaram-se ensaios de resistência à compressão simples e medidas de módulo de cisalhamento inicial. Para que seja possível uma previsão de comportamento dessas misturas é proposta uma equação que leva em consideração a porosidade da mistura (h) e o teor volumétrico de agente cimentante (Civ), e também o fator de água/agente cimentante (a/c). Os resultados indicaram que o aumento no teor dos agentes cimentantes leva ao crescimento na resistência à compressão simples e também nos valores do módulo cisalhante inicial, para os três tempos de cura estudados. A tentativa de estabelecer uma metodologia de previsão de comportamento se apresentou de forma consistente através do método que leva em consideração a relação porosidade/teor volumétrico de agente cimentante e também pelo fator água/cimento (a/c), sendo que a resistência à compressão simples e os valores do módulo cisalhante inicial aumentam com o decréscimo do valores de “h/Civ” e “a/c”. A técnica de melhoramento do solo mole orgânico estudado se mostrou eficaz e capaz de ser realizada com vários tipos de agentes cimentantes, obtendo-se características distintas em função do tempo de cura, do teor e do tipo de agente cimentante adicionado ao solo. / In a world obsessed by innovation and thirsty for speed, it can be seen the need for constant search for solutions in all areas of knowledge. Within Geotechnical Engineering, it can be obtained with geotechnical proposals that provide reduced cost, including preservation of natural resources. Promoting the use of soils that do not have adequate geotechnical characteristics is one of the points observed in geotechnical research innovations. Adjusting the soil strength characteristics and initial shear modulus values, improving it with the use of standard cements and alternative cements obtained with the addition of waste is the line that leads this research, which has as main objective the verification of the influence of the addition of distinct binders in an organic soft soil of Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil. The mixtures were composed of a single soil matrix and various types of binders, namely: early strength Portland cement, early strength Portland cement mixed with ground furnace slag (coarse particles), early strength Portland cement mixed with ground furnace slag (fine particles), early strength Portland cement mixed with gypsum (di-hydrate), early strength Portland cement mixed with gypsum (hemi-hydrate) and early strength Portland cement mixed with quicklime. The binder amounts were set at 75 kg/m³, 125 kg/m³, 175 kg/m³, 225 kg/m³ and 275 kg/m³ in mass of binder per volume of soil, and moisture content of 120% regarding final mixture. In addition to changes in the amount and type of binders, three cure times were also stipulated 7, 28 and 90 days. In order to assess which mixture behaves more adequately, strength tests and initial shear modulus measures were carried out. In order to foreseen the mechanical behavior of the blends, a methodology that takes into account the porosity/volumetric cement content ratio ( /Civ), as well as the well-known water/cement ratio (a/c) are used. Results indicated that the increase in the binder content leads to an increase in compressive strength and also in the initial shear modulus, for all curing times. Both /Civ and a/c are capable to predict the unconfined compressive strength and the initial shear modulus. The studied technique of improving organic soft soils with various types of binders was successful, thus obtaining different characteristics in terms of curing time, binder content and type of binder added to the soil.

Num mundo obcecado pelas inovações e sedento pela velocidade, percebe-se a necessidade da constante busca por soluções em todas as áreas do conhecimento. Dentro da Geotecnia isso pode ser obtido com propostas geotécnicas que proporcionem custo reduzido, incluindo preservação dos recursos naturais. Promover o aproveitamento de solos que não apresentam características geotécnicas adequadas é um dos pontos observados nas pesquisas de inovações geotécnicas. Adequar o solo a características de resistência à compressão simples e valores de módulo de cisalhamento inicial, melhorando-o com o uso de cimentos já firmados no mercado nacional, e cimentos alternativos obtidos com a adição de resíduos é a linha que conduz esta pesquisa, que possui como objetivo principal verificar a influência da adição de cimentos em um solo mole orgânico do município de Porto Alegre – RS, Brasil. As misturas eram compostas por um único solo matriz e vários tipos de atente cimentante, sendo eles: cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais escória de alto forno moída (grossa); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais escória de alto forno moída (fina); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais fosfogesso (dihidratado); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais fosfogesso (hemihidratado); cimento Portland CP V-ARI mais cal viva; e cimento Portland CP V-ARI. Os teores de tais agente cimentantes foram fixados em 75 kg/m³, 125 kg/m³, 175 kg/m³, 225 kg/m³ e 275 kg/m³, em massa de cimento por volume de solo, e com teor de umidade da mistura final determinado em 120%. Além da variação dos teores e do tipo de agente cimentante, também foram estipulados três tempos de cura 7, 28 e 90 dias. fim de avaliar qual mistura se comporta de maneira mais adequada, realizaram-se ensaios de resistência à compressão simples e medidas de módulo de cisalhamento inicial. Para que seja possível uma previsão de comportamento dessas misturas é proposta uma equação que leva em consideração a porosidade da mistura (h) e o teor volumétrico de agente cimentante (Civ), e também o fator de água/agente cimentante (a/c). Os resultados indicaram que o aumento no teor dos agentes cimentantes leva ao crescimento na resistência à compressão simples e também nos valores do módulo cisalhante inicial, para os três tempos de cura estudados. A tentativa de estabelecer uma metodologia de previsão de comportamento se apresentou de forma consistente através do método que leva em consideração a relação porosidade/teor volumétrico de agente cimentante e também pelo fator água/cimento (a/c), sendo que a resistência à compressão simples e os valores do módulo cisalhante inicial aumentam com o decréscimo do valores de “h/Civ” e “a/c”. A técnica de melhoramento do solo mole orgânico estudado se mostrou eficaz e capaz de ser realizada com vários tipos de agentes cimentantes, obtendo-se características distintas em função do tempo de cura, do teor e do tipo de agente cimentante adicionado ao solo. / In a world obsessed by innovation and thirsty for speed, it can be seen the need for constant search for solutions in all areas of knowledge. Within Geotechnical Engineering, it can be obtained with geotechnical proposals that provide reduced cost, including preservation of natural resources. Promoting the use of soils that do not have adequate geotechnical characteristics is one of the points observed in geotechnical research innovations. Adjusting the soil strength characteristics and initial shear modulus values, improving it with the use of standard cements and alternative cements obtained with the addition of waste is the line that leads this research, which has as main objective the verification of the influence of the addition of distinct binders in an organic soft soil of Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil. The mixtures were composed of a single soil matrix and various types of binders, namely: early strength Portland cement, early strength Portland cement mixed with ground furnace slag (coarse particles), early strength Portland cement mixed with ground furnace slag (fine particles), early strength Portland cement mixed with gypsum (di-hydrate), early strength Portland cement mixed with gypsum (hemi-hydrate) and early strength Portland cement mixed with quicklime. The binder amounts were set at 75 kg/m³, 125 kg/m³, 175 kg/m³, 225 kg/m³ and 275 kg/m³ in mass of binder per volume of soil, and moisture content of 120% regarding final mixture. In addition to changes in the amount and type of binders, three cure times were also stipulated 7, 28 and 90 days. In order to assess which mixture behaves more adequately, strength tests and initial shear modulus measures were carried out. In order to foreseen the mechanical behavior of the blends, a methodology that takes into account the porosity/volumetric cement content ratio ( /Civ), as well as the well-known water/cement ratio (a/c) are used. Results indicated that the increase in the binder content leads to an increase in compressive strength and also in the initial shear modulus, for all curing times. Both /Civ and a/c are capable to predict the unconfined compressive strength and the initial shear modulus. The studied technique of improving organic soft soils with various types of binders was successful, thus obtaining different characteristics in terms of curing time, binder content and type of binder added to the soil.

Construction in soft soils has been a challenging task for engineers due to the excessive time taken for dissipation of construction induced pore water pressure and the ensuing postconstruction settlement. Use of vertical drains has proven to be an effective and economical method for soft ground improvement and hence extensive research has been carried out to further improve its efficiency. Effect of temperature on radial consolidation is one aspect of such research among many others that have been pursued. Elevated temperature certainly has a pronounced effect on the hydraulic conductivity due to the reduction it causes in the viscosity of water. Furthermore, temperature also generates excess pore water pressure due to the tendency for differential volumetric expansion between the soil grains and pore water. Thermally induced volumetric strains can have an effect on the magnitude of settlement as well. A numerical methodology based on the NavierStokes equations of flow and thermoelasto-plastic soil compressibility relationships was developed to model transient fluid flow in a clay under thermal treatment. Experimentally verified soil compressibility relationships coupling the loading and thermal effects obtained from literature were employed in this model. The transient temperature distribution within the consolidation soil was modeled using the Fourier’s equation of heat transfer. The effect of temperature on consolidation of clay was investigated by a parametric study involving different maximum temperatures, surcharge loads and initial porosities of clay. It was concluded that the improvement in the magnitude and rate of settlement at elevated temperature is more significant at relatively smaller surcharges and low initial porosities. Since there is a possibility for thermally induced volumetric expansion even in normally consolidated clays, an optimum combination of surcharge and thermal treatment should be employed for given initial conditions of the soil, in order to achieve the maximum improvement in settlement. The developed numerical model will provide the framework to carry out further investigations and determine the viability of the practical implementation of coupled thermomechanical consolidation using prefabricated vertical drains.

Transportation geotechnics associated with constructing and maintaining properly functioning transportation infrastructure is a very resource intensive activity. Large amounts of materials and natural resources are required, consuming proportionately large amounts of energy and fuel. Thus, the implementation of the principles of sustainability is important to reduce energy consumption, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, and to increase material reuse/recycling, for example. This paper focusses on some issues and activities relevant to sustainable earthwork construction aimed at minimising the use of energy and the production of CO2 while improving the in-situ ground to enable its use as a foundation without the consumption of large amounts of primary aggregate as additional foundation layers. The use of recycled materials is discussed, including steel slag and tyre bales, alongside a conceptual framework for evaluating the utility of applications for recycled materials in transportation infrastructure.

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With rising awareness that future generations may not have access to the resources and quality of life that exist today, sustainable development has become a priority within civil engineering. One important component of sustainable development is environmental stewardship, which concerns both the resources taken from the environment, and the wastes and byproducts emitted to the environment. To facilitate more sustainable development, environmental accounting is necessary within civil and geotechnical engineering design and construction. Historically, geotechnical practice has focused on maximizing design performance while minimizing monetary costs, and well established methods exist for quantifying these factors. Quantitative consideration of environmental consequences has seldom played a large role in geotechnical design and construction, and clear guidelines and a methodology for such an assessment are not available within the geotechnical profession. Therefore, this research has focused on establishing a method for quantitative streamlined environmental Life Cycle Analysis of energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for geotechnical ground improvement works, known as the Streamlined Energy and Emissions Assessment Model (SEEAM). The boundaries for the SEEAM extend from raw material extraction through the completion of construction, including the energy and CO2 emissions associated with construction materials, construction site operations, and the transportation of construction materials and wastes. The methodology relies on energy and CO2 emissions coefficients, which represent typical industry average values and not necessarily the specific processes contributing to a project. Therefore, there is uncertainty in SEEAM analyses, which is addressed via a Monte Carlo simulation framework that assumes the energy and CO2 emissions coefficients each follow a lognormal distribution. Data sets of total energy and CO2 emissions generated by the Monte Carlo simulation framework with the SEEAM may be used to statistically compare the energy and CO2 emissions of different geotechnical design alternatives. Such comparisons can help facilitate designing for minimum environmental consequences, thus advancing sustainable development within geotechnical engineering. For clarity, the development and application of the SEEAM is illustrated using two different geotechnical case history projects, including rehabilitation of levee LPV 111 in New Orleans, LA, and the construction of foundations for a replacement dormitory on the Virginia Tech campus. / Ph. D.