Ground distortion

The deformation properties of soil differ greatly from other structural materials. The deformation is mostly plastic (when the load is gone the deformation remains), non-linear (two times more load gives more than twice as much deformation) and it can take a long time (decades) to reach the final state.

TU Delft research (2008 - 2017)

Settlement map of the Netherlands (2014)

Deltares and TNO have mapped the settlement sensitivity of soils throughout the Netherlands by calculating a hypothetical situation: that all of the Netherlands is raised by a one-metre sand layer. TNO's 3D geological model NL3D was used to predict the long-term compression.

Thickness map of Holocene silt layers Netherlands (2014)

The Geological Survey of the Netherlands TNO has mapped where the soil of the Netherlands contains slack and compressible layers. The map gives a rough indication of the total thickness of Holocene peat and clay layers in the Netherlands.

Geo-Impuls: test pits Bloemendalerpolder (2014)

Over the next few years, the Bloemendalerpolder between Muiden and Weesp will be developed further. A preliminary geotechnical study considered the expected settlement and construction time of an embankment with preload. This field test was embedded in the Geo-Impulse project 'Long-term measurement and model validation'. This showed that the magnitude and speed of settlement deviate significantly from expectations.

Unexpected events in the soil (2014)

An exploratory study by Deltares and Witteveen+Bos on unexpected and undesirable events in soil. The exploration consisted of a literature review, study of thirty practical cases and a workshop with experts from different organisations. Causes and consequences were further categorised. It also looked at solution directions to minimise future unexpected events.

Working with stable soil (2013)

The calving, sliding and overturning of unstable slopes during excavations and embankments leads to many incidents. This guideline is designed to ensure earthworks of limited scope are carried out safely. The core of the publication is a flow chart that can be used to step-by-step determine the slope that can still be safely handled.

Modelling of settlement induced building damage (TUD, 2013)

Underground construction projects can lead to settlement induced damage to masonry buildings. To predict this damage, a procedure is currently used that sometimes underestimates settlement effects. For her PhD at TU Delft, Giorgia Giardina developed a better system, based on both experimental and numerical modelling.

Design guideline for piles loaded horizontally by soil (2010)

Embankments during road and embankment construction cause vertical and horizontal deformations in soft subsoil. The horizontal deformations cause a horizontal load on concrete foundation piles, which may break as a result. In response to the need to predict these horizontal forces, design methods were investigated in CROW context. This resulted in the presentation of three methods, simple, intermediate and comprehensive. The design methods cover both soil behaviour and the behaviour of the concrete material. More recent research from Geo-Impuls - Proefterpen Bloemendalerpolder (2014) - also dealt with piles loaded horizontally by soil.

Learning from geotechnical failure (2010)

This CUR report lists the structural causes of geotechnical failure, divided into micro, meso and macro levels. For each of these levels, measures and recommendations are presented to prevent damage events. The measures are directly applicable to professionals and the organisations in which they work. Examples include controls with simple calculation models, risk analyses and a monitoring plan. In addition, more attention needs to be paid to the effects of a structure on its immediate surroundings. There is also a separate Geonet dossier Learning from failure.

Symposium on residual settlement (2005)

Settlement that occurs after the arbitrary moment of completion is called 'residual settlement'. A symposium on this subject was organised in April 2005, the results of which can be found on a number of separate Geonet pages .

The isotachen model (2002)

The one-dimensional compressive properties of soil have been described for decades in the Netherlands using the Koppejan-Buisman method. The a,b,c-isotope model describes soil behaviour more fundamentally, and is easy to combine with runoff. In practical use, the model is simpler rather than more difficult than existing models, and it is consistent with internationally widely accepted insights. Many publications have appeared on the isotachen model since the beginning of this century. The isotachen model was also a mainstay for research programme Delft Cluster. Some useful articles are:

Handbook of Soil Mechanics (2001)

This book was intended as a manual for the lectures in Soil Mechanics in the Civil Engineering course at TU Delft. It contains an introduction to the main concepts and techniques of soil mechanics, such as the calculation of stresses, deformations, and stability. It also reviews the most commonly used methods for determining soil properties. Three appendices cover some basic principles of mechanics. A useful reference work, available for free download as a pdf.

Ground investigation

Soil improvement

Measurement and monitoring

Underground construction

Subsidence barriers