The design of foundation in normal soil conditions is governed by bearing capacity, minimum depth of foundation and settlement. However, foundation design in karst regions needs to consider an additional criterion associated to the possibility of subsurface subsidence and ravelling sinkholes. Under this environment, alternative techniques are needed to improve the subsurface soil. In this study general background information is given to understand the geological characteristics of Central Florida and why this area is considered to be a karst region and susceptible to sinkholes formation. Traditional foundation design techniques on karst regions are addressed in this paper. Finally, the use of a network of three subsurface horizontal piles is proposed and the effect on stress increase and soil bearing capacity for footing due to the horizontal piles is investigated. Finite element computer software is used to analyze the stress distribution under different conditions and the results are discussed. The objective of this study is to determine whether or not horizontal piles under a circular footing at the sinkhole site is a viable solution to reduce the stress increase in the soil induced by the footing load. The horizontal piles located at a certain depth below the center of the footing intercepts the cone of pressure due to the footing load. Also, it is the purpose of this research to determine the effect on the soil bearing capacity for footing due to the proposed horizontal piles at the sinkhole prone area. In 1983 Baus, R.L and Wang, M.C published a research paper on soil bearing capacity for strip footing above voids. In their research, a chart for soil bearing capacity for strip footing located above a void was presented. However, in this paper we present a chart for circular footing size as a function void location and a design chart for circular footing size with a network of three underground piles. The result indicates that with the horizontal piles placed above the cavity, the stress increase caused by the footing load substantially decreases as compared to the situation of no horizontal piles, thus increases the soil bearing capacity for the normal design of footing size. The approach of using the horizontal piles placed in between the footing and the subsurface cavity is a new concept that has not been experienced previously. The results are strictly based on the analytical model of finite element program. Before full implementation for the construction practice, further research and experimental work should be conducted.

The United States Navy (USN) currently utilizes a Rapid Penetration Test (RPT) on both land and in water as the means to determine whether sufficient soil bearing capacity exists for piles in axial compression, prior to construction of the Elevated Causeway System (Modular) [ELCAS(M)] pile-supported pier system. The USN desires a replacement for the RPT because of issues with the method incorrectly classifying soils as well as the need to have a less labor-and-equipment-intensive method for geotechnical investigation. The Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) method is selected herein as the potential replacement for the RPT. The MASW method is an existing, geophysical method for determining soil properties based upon the acquisition and analysis of seismic surface waves used to develop shear wave velocity profiles for the soils at specific sites. Correlations between shear wave velocity and Cone Penetration Testing are utilized to classify soils, develop pile blow count estimates, and calculate soil bearing capacity. This researcher found that the MASW method was feasible and reliable in predicting the required properties for terrestrial sites. However, it was not successful in predicting those properties for underwater marine sites due to issues with equipment and field setup. Future areas of improvement are recommended to address these issues and, due to the success of the method on land, it is expected that once the issues are addressed the MASW method will be a reliable replacement for the RPT method across the entire subaerial and subaqueous profile.

La utilización de ceniza de cáscara de arroz (CCA) puede reducir el gran problema ambiental asociado a su inadecuada disposición. Una forma, es su adición en suelos arcillosos, lo que puede brindar soluciones a los problemas de estabilización, aumentando así su capacidad de soporte del suelo. El presente proyecto de investigación tiene como finalidad la estabilización de suelos arcillosos aplicando ceniza de cáscara de arroz para el mejoramiento de subrasante en la localidad de Moyobamba- departamento de San Martín; donde se obtuvo un suelo de arcilla inorgánica de alta plasticidad siendo su clasificación SUCS “CH” y AASHTO “A-7-6 (20)”. Se realizó ensayos estandarizados de mecánica de suelos, tales como Análisis Granulométrico, Límites de Atterberg, Proctor Modificado y California Bearing Ratio (CBR) con combinaciones de ceniza de cáscara de arroz (CCA) de 5%, 10% y 15%. En el ensayo de CBR la resistencia obtenida al 95% de la Máxima Densidad Seca del suelo natural es de 3,96%, añadiendo el 5% de CCA la resistencia es de 6,90%, con 10% de CCA es de 9,60% y para el 15% de CCA es de 10,5 %, por lo que la investigación concluye que el uso de ceniza de cáscara de arroz (CCA) como material estabilizante de suelos arcillosos brinda buenos resultados. / The use of rice husk ash (RHA) can reduce the big environmental problem associated with its inadequate disposal. One way is its addition to clay soils, which can provide solutions to stabilization problems, causing the increasing its soil bearing capacity. The present research project has as purpose to stabilize clay soils by applying rice husk ash (RHA) to improve the subgrade in the town of Moyobamba - department of San Martín; where a high plasticity inorganic clay soil was obtained, its classification being SUCS "CH" and AASHTO "A-7-6 (20)". Standardized soil mechanics tests were made, such as Granulometric Analysis, Atterberg Limits, Modified Proctor and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) with combinations of rice husk ash (CCA) of 5%, 10% and 15%. In the CBR test the resistance obtained at 95% of the Maximum Dry Density of the natural soil is 3.96%, adding 5% of RHA the resistance is 6.90%, with 10% of RHA it is 9, 60% and for 15% of RHA it is 10.5%, so the research concludes that the use of rice husk ash (RHA) as a stabilizing material for clay soils provides good results. / Tesis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Mechanization significantly increased the productivity, quality and cost reduction for forests cultivation. However, it may be responsible for environmenral impacts, such as soil compaction, which is a result of traffic, mostly during wood harvesting operations. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the physical quality, trafficability and soil compaction due to traffic of wood harvesting machines of Eucalyptus sp. and developing functions to estimate physical and mechanical properties. The research was conducted in soils coming from implantation areas of Eucalyptus sp., and from an operational area of harvesting of Eucalyptus saligna Sm, belonging to CMPC Celulose Riograndense. To answer the hypotheses and meet the objectives, this work was divided into two studies. In Study I, five forest soils with different textural compositions were evaluated, determining physical quality indicators, trafficability indicators coming from the Proctor Normal test and uniaxial compression, and Atterberg consistency limits. The main results showed that both indicators of physical and trafficability were related to textural composition of soil, being estimated from these, as well as being influenced by different states of compaction. Furthermore, it was found that changing the bearing capacity has resulted in alteration of least limiting water range, which are related and, in this way, allowed to estimate the critical pressure for the plants growth. In Study II, we assessed the effect of different traffic intensities of a Harvester and a Forwarder on a Haplic Cambissol with sandy loam texture in Eucalyptus saligna Sm. stands, by determining the machines contact area and ground pressure exerted on soil, bulk density, pore size distribution, water retention curve, available water content, saturated hydraulic conductivity, air permeability, penetration resistance, compressibility, degree of compaction and shear strength. Were also evaluated the relationship of these properties and parameters. The main results indicated that few machines passes (one pass of Harvester and the four more of Forwarder) resulted in great part in soil deformation and changing in all evaluated properties and parameters. Mostly effects occurred until the depth of 20 cm. However, increasing the number of passes also caused changes in the deeper layers of soil. In general, the effects were higher in the area below within tracks, but, even so, effects occurred in areas between the wheels tracks and outside the areas of machines tracks. It was concluded that actions to minimize the compaction of forest soils should be associated with moisture conditions, traffic intensity and soil type. / A mecanização possibilitou aumento da produtividade, qualidade e redução de custos das atividades para o cultivo de florestas. Entretanto, tem sido responsável por impactos ambientais, destacando-se a compactação do solo, a qual é resultado do tráfego intenso de máquinas, principalmente nas operações de colheita. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram avaliar a qualidade física, trafegabilidade e a compactação de solos, em função do tráfego de máquinas de colheita da madeira de Eucalyptus sp. e desenvolver funções para a estimativa de propriedades físicas e mecânicas. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em solos advindos de áreas de implantação de povoamentos de Eucalyptus sp., e de uma área operacional de colheita de Eucalyptus saligna Sm., pertencentes à empresa CMPC Celulose Riograndense. Para responder as hipóteses e atender aos objetivos, o trabalho foi dividido em dois estudos. No Estudo I, foram avaliados cinco solos de uso florestal de diferentes composições texturais, determinando-se os indicadores de qualidade física, indicadores de trafegabilidade advindos do ensaio de Proctor Normal e compressão uniaxial, e limites de consistência. Os principais resultados mostraram que os indicadores de qualidade física e de trafegabilidade foram relacionados aos atributos texturais, podendo ser estimados a partir destes, além de serem influenciados por diferentes estados de compactação. Além disso, constatou-se que a alteração da capacidade de suporte resultou na alteração do intervalo hídrico ótimo, sendo estes relacionados, permitindo, assim, ser estimada a pressão crítica para o crescimento de plantas. No Estudo II, foi avaliado o efeito de diferentes intensidades de tráfego de um Harvester e um Forwarder sobre um Cambissolo Háplico de textura franco-arenosa em povoamentos de Eucalyptus saligna Smith, por meio da determinação da área de contato, pressão exercida pelas máquinas sobre o solo, densidade, distribuição de tamanho de poros, curva de retenção de água, conteúdo de água disponível, condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado, permeabilidade ao ar, resistência do solo à penetração, compressibilidade, grau de compactação e resistência ao cisalhamento. Foram avaliadas, também, as relações dessas propriedades e parâmetros. Os principais resultados indicaram que poucas passadas das máquinas (uma do Harvester e quatro do Forwarder) foram responsáveis em grande parte pela deformação e alteração de todas as propriedades e parâmetros. Os efeitos foram maiores até os 20 cm de profundidade. Entretanto, o aumento do número de passadas também causou alterações nas camadas mais profundas do solo. Em geral, os efeitos foram maiores na zona abaixo da trilha dos rodados, porém, ainda ocorreram efeitos nas zonas entre os rodados e fora da trilha dos rodados das máquinas. Conclui-se que as ações para minimização da compactação de solos florestais devem estar associadas às condições de umidade, intensidade de tráfego e tipo de solo.