February Meeting Notice

Date:

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Topic:

Some Reflections on Early Ground Improvement Techniques: PV Drains, Lime Columns, Dynamic Compaction, and Pile Supported Embankments

Location:

Continuing Education and Conference Center
1890 Buford Avenue (map link)
(on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota
pay parking is available in lot S104 and S108 or the Gortner Avenue Ramp. Typical evening rate is $6.
Detailed information is available at http://www1.umn.edu/pts/park/visitorparking.html )

Time:

6:00 pm

Social Hour Sponsored by Hayward Baker

6:45 pm

Dinner — Buffet style

8:00 pm

Presentation - Dr. Bob Holtz, University of Washington

Cost:

Note: Pay to park in the U of M lots nearby

$30.00 members and non-members, $5.00 full-time students, payable to MGS at the door.

Reservations:

 
Requested by 12 noon, Monday February 20, 2012 (STRICTLY ENFORCED)

(One professional development hour toward continuing education requirements for Professional Engineers is available.)
PDF Announcement (38 kb)

Some Reflections on Early Ground Improvement Techniques: PV Drains, Lime Columns, Dynamic Compaction, and Pile Supported Embankments
Bob Holtz, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, Dist. M.ASCE
University of Washington

Forty years ago, the only available methods for improving poor foundation soils were excavation and replacement, displacement by blasting, chemical grouting, vibrofloation, sand drains, and electro-osmosis, and most of these techniques were only rarely applied. Among the recent developments in soil improvement are PV drains, lime columns, dynamic compaction, and pile supported embankments, and the presentation describes the early history of these relatively newer techniques using the results of some case studies in which the author was directly involved. The pile supported embankment case also involved one of the first uses of geosynthetic reinforcement. Recent developments in these techniques are contrasted with the lessons learned from these early case histories. Pertinent references are also given.

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2011 - 2012
Meetings

Description or Topic

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Wednesday, October 12, 2011
PDF (120 kb)

Design and Load Testing of Helical Pile and Micropile Foundations
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012
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Ground Modification Utilizing Soil Mixing Technologies
Dennis Boehm, Hayward Baker

Rose Vine Hall, Roseville, MN

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Geosynthetics (Some Reflections on Early Ground Improvement Techniques: PV Drains, Lime Columns, Dynamic Compaction, and Pile Supported Embankments)
Bob Holtz, Ph.D., University of Washington
U of M Annual Geotechnical Conference

Continuing Education Center, U of MN

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Forensic Expert/Legal
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Rose Vine Hall, Roseville, MN

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Grouting for Groundwater Seepage Control
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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

TBD

Rose Vine Hall, Roseville, MN