Instrumentation and Data Interpretation in Transportation Geotechnics

Abstract

AbstractTransportation networks on the eastern coast of Australia are often built on or traverse coastal flood plains and marine clays with unfavourable soil conditions. In the past two decades, a significant number of laboratory investigations were carried out in soft soil improvement using Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVDs) combined with vacuum-assisted surcharge preloading. In addition, significant research efforts were made to reduce the maintenance costs of railway tracks and increase their longevity by using synthetic inclusions such as geocomposites, geogrids and shock mats. These research outcomes were implemented and validated in practice through several field investigations along the eastern coast of Australia. This paper demonstrates the significance of instrumentation and data interpretation in geotechnical field investigations through 6 case histories. Field trials including Port of Brisbane Land Reclamation, Ballina Bypass Upgrade and Sandgate Rail Separation Projects were presented highlighting innovative ways of monitoring the performance of PVDs with vacuum and non-vacuum surcharge preloading. Also, railway track design improvements using geosynthetic and shock mats were discussed through Bulli and Singleton trial track case studies. Further, the heavy haul track testing facility at Russell Vale, New South Wales, was discussed as an alternative for expensive and time-consuming field trials.