Cooperation Between the N. M. Gersevanov Scientific-Research Institute of Foundations and Underground Structures and Geotechnical Engineers from the Chinese People's Republic

Abstract

Scientific and methodical cooperation in the field of geotechnical construction between the Research Center ("Civil Engineering") and the N. M. Gersevanov Scientific-Research Institute of Foundations and Underground Structures (NIIOSP) was continued in 2014 at the Institute of Foundation Engineering of the CABR, and the Heilongjiang Cold Region Construction Science and Research Institute. A Chinese-Russian symposium was held to discuss results of scientific-research studies, and also exchange experience acquired on construction projects in the Chinese People's Republic under complex geologic engineering conditions. Russian and Chinese specialists attended the symposium (Fig. 1). In a paper submitted by Director of the NIIOSP Igor V. Kolybin Ph.D (Eng.) "Lessons learned from emergency situations during construction of pits under urban conditions," basic errors during design and construction are presented, and failures and emergency situations during installation of pits in Russia, and also abroad are analyzed. Factors resulting in emergency situations − design errors, lack of monitoring, redesign during construction, neglect of risks associated with rupture of water-carrying utilities, temperature and climatic effects, etc. were examined. Moreover, the critical role of geologicengineering surveys, selection of soil-performance models, and determination of the parameters in the mass is noted for assurance of construction safety. A paper delivered by Assistant Director of the College of Natural Resources and the Environment at the Northeastern University of China Professor Zhao Wen raised questions concerning protection of buildings and structures during sheet-pile opening of subway tunnels. In the paper "Construction experience on peaty soils and in alluvial areas," delivered by the Manager of the Laboratory "Beds and foundations on soft soils" (NIIOSP) Farshed F. Zekhniev Ph.D (Eng.), light is shed on problems associated with propagation of highly compressible soils and classification of their properties. Basic principles and peculiarities of the design of beds for structures on organo-mineral and organic soils were examined in conformity with building Code 22.13330.2011 "Beds of buildings and foundations." The construction site of the Logistical Center in Riga on soft silty soils for which a plan for bed preparation with a temporary surcharging fill with use of vertical strip drains is cited as an example. A system is presented for monitoring deformations of the soil mass during its consolidation. Verification of computed (predicted) data indicated good convergence with settlement measurements and the time required for the initial (filtration) consolidation. Professor of the Scientific-Research Institute of Engineering Surveys and Design in the City of Shenzhen Liu xiao min discussed projects on which consolidation of soft saturated clayey soils in the beds of buildings and structures was carried out under a vacuum. As a result, consolidation of soils by an accelerated method during which vigorous evacuation of water takes place, and effective stresses in