Numerical Modelling of Construction Processes in Geotechnica

This volume contains the proceedings of the International Conference on Numerical Modelling of Construction Processes in Geotechnical Engineering for Urban Environment (Bochum, Germany, 23-24. March 2006). The aim of the conference was to discuss recent developments and approaches of numerical modelling of construction processes in foundation engineering. It has become increasingly important to predict soil behaviour and to keep settlements or deformations of buildings adjacent to construction sites within given constrains. This is particularly crucial in an urban environment. Several factors dominate the soil deformations due to construction activities. One important factor is the choice of the construction procedure for the installation of piles, sheet pile walls, anchors or for soil improvement techniques, ground freezing and tunnelling methods. Until now the influence of such factors on the state of stress within the soil as well on settlements and deformations has not been predictable with the required accuracy. However, this is necessary to make the appropriate choice of the construction method and for the accurate prediction of the state of serviceability. Often the simulation of the construction procedure is neglected in the calculations. The modelling of construction processes, which are frequently associated with large deformations of the soil and with strong changes in the structure of the soil around the construction plant, e.g. a drill, a bit, a vibrator, an excavation tool etc., requires sophisticated and new methods in numerical modelling. Such methods, examples of applying the methods to geotechnical practice, field and laboratory testing as well as case studies are described and discussed in this book. This volume provides a valuable source of reference for scientists in geotechnical engineering and numerical modelling, geotechnical engineers, post graduate students, construction companies and consultants, manufacturers of geotechnical construction plants and software suppliers and developers of geotechnical construction methods.