Earthworks

This two day Earthworks course in deals with the process where the earth is excavated, transported to and placed at another location. This may be for use as an earth dam, road or rail embankment, as well as platforms for buildings. In the design and construction process various models are used - geotechnical, laboratory and analytical.  The course exposes participants to the use and limitations of these earthwork models so that variations from these models can be understood and acted upon.

Recognised for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by Engineers Australia (EA) in accordance with EA CPD Guidelines.

Target Audience

For those involved in the investigation, design and construction of earthworks. Civil Engineers, Geotechnical Engineers Project Managers, Inspectors, Site engineers and other construction staff will find this course useful. Those without some previous course in soil mechanics may find this course too advanced. However basic concepts are covered on the morning of day one, but at a brisk pace

Course Outline

Day One

Session 1

Overview of the course; brief historical perspective of the role of earthworks in construction; applications in road, rails, dams, canals, and building developments; Site investigation requirements; Costs of Geotechnical Investigation; Safety issues;

Session 2

Soil properties relevant to earthworks. Characteristics of clay, granular fill and rock fills; the compaction process; relevant laboratory and field testing for soil properties and compaction;
Compaction equipment; application for various materials

Session 3

Fills; stability issues; Embankment and cut slopes in soil and rock materials; design concepts for embankment fills including stability, bearing capacity and settlement of the embankment; Rock falls; Landslide risk management; Development considerations

Session 4

Retaining walls – types, failure modes, performance, loading, drainage; Effect of Vegetation on stability; excavatability of rock; equipment performance; bulking factors.

Day 2

Session 5

Soil properties in which movements occur;  Climatic zones and soil suctions which influence soil movement; Ground movements from compaction, and seasonal changes;  Predicting, designing and constructing for these movement effects; Designing for volume changes

Session 6

Pavement design design values: Subgrade design strength; equilibrium moisture content and soil suction in Australia: Modulus of subgrades and pavement; Stabilisation with additives; mechanical modification; Statistical quality control; Use of geotextiles; trafficability

Session 7

Problem materials; degradable materials; acid sulphate soils; Specifications Development and Material Characteristics; quality control and testing requirements; Various Applications in Roads, Dams, Landfills, Canals and Pipes

Session 8

Geosynthetics specifications; Method specifications; performance specifications; Drainage & erosion; Vibration control; Earthworks construction practices; Working platforms; Proof Rolling.

Course Objectives

On completion fo this course, participants will have increased their understanding / awareness of the following earthworks issues:

• Earthworks design and construction
• Site Investigation requirements
• Soils and rock properties ; problem materials
• Selection of appropriate equipment and procedures
• Testing requirements
• Excavated and embankment slopes
• Retention systems
• Selection and properties of excavated materials; Specification requirements
• Excavatability of materials; Material volume change on excavation and transportation
• Placement and compaction of materials

Facilitator Information

Dr Burt Look,  BSc, MSc, DIC, PhD, FIEAust, CPEng, RPEQ, MASCE

Burt is a Principal Geotechnical Engineers SKM– a multi-disciplinary consulting engineering firm.  He has more than 27 years professional experience.  His first degree training was as a Civil Engineer, and he later specialised as a Geotechnical Engineer.  Burt has extensive experience in bridge foundations, slope stability, retention systems, ground improvements, earthworks and expansive clays as well as the performance and characterization of soils and rock materials.  His expertise is used in providing innovative solutions for technically demanding projects, and is often called upon for expert assessments in legal issues.  

He has published widely within Australia and internationally (over 30 technical papers and 2 books). He has developed and presented the “Earthworks” course for the past 5 years, has made technical presentations for the Institution of Engineers and has also been an invited industry University lecturer.  He is the past Chairman of the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Geomechanics Society.

Registration

Please select your preferred location and date from the below table and then click on the REGISTER NOW button.

A 10% saving for Engineers Australia Members.