Annual Report of the Canadian Section International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering

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Annual Report of the Canadian Section International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering

NATIONAL R E S M C H C O U N C I L O F CANADA

A S S O C I A T E COMMITTEE ON S O I L AND SNOW MECHAIdIC'S

ANNUAL R E P O R T o f t h e CANADIAN S E C T I O N of t h e I N T E R N A T I O N A L S O C I E T Y O F S O I L MECKANICS AND FOUNDATION E N G I N E E R I N G FOR YEAR E N D I N G J U N E 1958

Il?CLUDING MENE3ERSHIP L I S T O F

THE

CANADIAN S E C T I O N

Prepared by

C. B. C r a w f o r d A N A?-Y ZED

Technical Memorandum No.

5

5

OTTAWA S e p t e m b e r 1958

FOREWORD

This

Annual Report is a summary of the activities of Canadian members of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, for the period January 1956 to June 1958.

It is published for the purpose of keeping

Canadians info,med of thoso soil mechanics investigations which are being conducted in their otvn country. In this way, it will assist in overcoming the natural handicap offered by the widespread geographical distribution of soil mechanics work in Canada, It will supplement

the Annual Canadian Soil Illechanics Conference, which has now been held for eleven years under the auspices of the Associate Committee on Soil and Snow Uechanics.

This report in principle does not include reports on routine work of the members of the Society. It is difficult, however, to distinguish in the annual reports of individual members on which this report is based between routine and non-routine work, It is probable, therefore, that some of the work noted was of a routine nature but was considered worth including because of possible general

interest. Brevity in reporting the work has been attempted. Because of this it has been necessary to delete

reference to agencies sponsoring or co-operating in

certain work. It is hoped that no embarrassment has been caused by this practice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. S o i l P r o p e r t i e s and t h e i r Measurement

Page 1

2. Techniques of f i e l d Measurement and Sampling 6

3. Foundations of S t r u c t u r e s

( a ) General S u b j e c t s and Foundations o t h e r

t h e n P i l e d Foundations 8

( b ) P i l i n g and P i l e d Foundations

4. Roads, Runways and Rail-Tracks

5.

E a r t h P r e s s u r e on S t r u c t u r e s and Tunnels

6. E a r t h Dams, Slopes and Open Excavations 20

APPENDIX

-

Members of t h e Canadian S e c t i o n of t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l S o c i e t y of S o i l Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. List o f Members

SOIL PROPERTIES

AND

THEIR MEASUREXENT W.G.E. Bromn:

Carried out contracts in the last year covering the following soil and site classifications:

a) Forest management.

b) Soil typing, drainage classification and

depth mapping for road, townsite, airstrip, canal and dam location and planning.

c) Overburden depth for geological exploration. These jobs have been carried out mainly by airphoto interpretation and assisted where possible by field

reconnaissance, soil sampling and analysis.

The measurement of potential evapotranspiration from turf at Kapuskasing, Ontario, and Norman Wells, N.W.T., Canada, These are continuing projects aimed at checking empirical formulae for this quantity in these lntitudes in Canada.

D.F.

Coates:

Research on strength of frozen soil, and com- pressibility of silt.

W.E. Curtis:

-

Triaxial tests (12" # ) on gravel. Attempt to evaluate boaring capacity of low ~ r a d e sub-base coarse material. Testing sand-cement specimens and sand asphalt.

M.M.

Davis:

Study of the fundamental nature of some Ontario clay soils.

J.A. Knight:

Sponsoring university research on the improvement of rvorkabilit~r of gravels in freezing weather by use of calciuril chloride, and psopossd study of pure clay

fractions.

W . : I . bla-l;hcws :

---

"The vrirved sedimcn-t;s of Tide Lake, British Columbia."

The examination

and mapping of a recently drained lake in the northern Coast Mountains of British Columbia.

E c o l e P o l y t e c h n i q u e :

-

C o n s t r u c t i o n o f a t r i a x i a l c o m p r e s s i o n t e s t

machine e q u i p p e d w i t h p o r e p r e s s u r e mensu rement a p p a r a t u s . H y d r a u l i c j a c k i s u s e d f o r loadinr: d e v i c e . Study o f g e o t e c h n i c a l p r o p e r t i e s o f h u r e n t i a n c l a y s . S t u d y of a c c e l e r a t e d c o n s o l i d a t i o n t e s t s o n c l a y s . S t u d i e s o n s h e a r s t r e n g t h a n d c o n s o l i d a t i o n c h a r a c - t e r i s t i c s a s r e l a t e d t o w a t e r c o n t e n t and s t r u c t u r a l p r o p e r t i e s o f c l a y s ; s t u d i e s o f m a r i n e a n d l a c u s t r i n e c l a y s s e d i m e n t e d i n t h e p r o v i n c e s o f Quebec a n d O n t a r i o ; r e s e a r c h o n p r a c t i c a l measurements o f , q c o t e c h n i c a l p r o p e r - t i e s o f t h e d i f f u s e d o u b l e l a y e r o f c l a y s ; c o h e s i o n a n d c o m p r e s s i b i l i t y c o n d i t i o n s a s r e l a t e d t o d o u b l e l a y e r d a t a i n t h e c a s e o f Leda a n d g l a c i a l c l a y s . Geocon L i m i t e d : Some b a s i c l a b o r a t o r y r e s o a r c h i n t o t h e e n > ? i n e e r i n ~ p r o p e r t i e s of p e a t , t h r o u g h a procram o f c o n s o l i d a t i o n a n d t r i a x i a l s t r e n g t h t e s t i n g . A 3 t u d y of t h e e n g i n e e r i n g p r o p o r t i e s o f t r o p i c a l s o i l s i n r e l a t i o n t o s e v e r a l power d e v e l o p m e n t s o v e r s e a s , G. G. Meyerhof : R e s e a r c h w a s c o n t i n u e d a t t h e Nova S c o t i a Tech- n i c a l C o l l e g e on t h e e f f e c t s o f r e p e a t e d l o a d s on t h e s t r e n g t h and deforma-tion c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of c l a y s u n d e r t r i a x i a l c o m p r e s s i o n . Some u n d i s t u r b t : d and rernouldcd c l a y s were s u b j e c t e d t o h a l f a m i l l i o n l o a d a p p l i c a t i o n s i n a s p e c i a l t r i a x i a l c o m p r e s s i o n machine, and i t i s hoped t o c o n t i n u e t h i s work o n o t h e r t y p e s o f s o i l s t o s t u d y t h e i r f a t i g u e p r o p e r t i e s .

I n a n o t h e r r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t t h e r e l a t i o n s t ~ i p between t h e i m p a c t enery:y ptFr' blorv a n d t h e cornpac-tion o r s a n d s w a s i n v e s t i ~ a t e d . The work which was c a r r i e d o u t u n d e r a Franlci Fellovrship consis-Led. i n cornpnc-tin/: l o o s e s a n d u n d e r v a r i o u s i m p a c t c n e r l ? ; i e s a n d ~~tutl,yiny: thc?

d e g r e e o f c o m p a c t i o n o b t a i n e d .

T h e us(: o r a r c f r a c - L i o n :;eir;mor;r:~ph t o c v r ~ l u a - b c

the e f f e c t s o f t r a i n spcerl, con~LLnuoun vr~; ;jointc:d r a i l . , b c f l r o c k topo::raphy, e-tc.

,

on car-Lh v i b r a - t io n s i n j - t i a bc:ri

by t h e passage of heavy t r a i n s

-

s t u d i e s undertaken i n s e c t i o n s of r a i l r o a d right-of-way where t h e s t a b i l i t y of s l o p e s i n s e n s i t i v e c l a y s o i l s i s a m a t t e r of concern.

The _{mapping of bedrock s u r f a c e s and t h e compilation}

of s e i s m i c v e l o c i t y d a t a .

IT.'#.

Radforth:

Some a t t e n t i o n h a s been given t o t h e fundarnen-tal p r i n c i p l e s involved i n t h e q u e s t i o n of how v a r i o u s kinds of p e a t s t m c t u r a can be a s s e s s o d i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f mechanical s t r e s s .

F u r t h e r workaha been attempted on i n t e r p r e - . t a t i o n of s t r u c t u r a l range

m

zeep p e a t s .

F i n a l l y , e f f o r t s a r e i n p r o g r e s s t o demonstrate t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p between mechanical stxzlcture of p e a t and h y d r o l o g i c a l c o n d i t i o n s ( i n c l u d i n g i c e phenomena),

G. Y. Sebastyan:

A s p a r t of t h e r e s e a r c h program a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y of Michigan a n a p p a r a t u s was designed t o measure t h e

h y d r a u l i c p r e s s u r e i n t h e c a p i l l a r y f r i n g e i n s i d e a sand bodjr by i n s e r t e d piezometer t u b e s . By t h e same

a p p a r a t u s an easy, quick and a c c u r a t e method was found t o determine t h e average c a p i l l a r y r i s e of w a t e r i n f i n e and very f i n e sand.

R. Yong:

%TO r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t s i n v o l v i n g t h e b a s i c d e t e r -

mination of s o i l p r o p e r t i e s a r e under way.

One s t u d y i s t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e p h y s i c a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of f r o z e n s o i l . This i s a c o n t i n u a t i o n of a p r o j e c t s t a r t e d i n December 1956 which r e s u l t e d i n a r e o r t t i t l e d , "Some P h y s i c a l C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of Frozen

x

S o i l

.

The recommendations contained i n t h e r e p o r t c o n s t i t u t e t h e b a s i c s t u d y involved a t t h e p r e s e n t time.

A g e n e r a l s t u d y of t h e mechanism of f a i l u r e i n f r o z e n s o i l s i s being considered.

The second s t u d y being conducted a t t h e p r e s e n t time i s i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h D r . Warkentin of Macdonald College. This i s a n a t t e m p t a t t h e e v a l u a t i o n of t h e i n f l u e n c e of physico-chemical p r o p e r t i e s o f s o i l on s o i l s t r e n g t h .

D e ~ a r t m e n t o f P u b l i c Works o f Canada. Ottawa:

F i f t e e n p l a t e l o a d t e s t s were performed on d r y

s i l t ( a t t h r e e d i f f e r e n t r a n g e s of p o r o s i t y ) u s i n g v a r i o u s s i z e s o f model f o o t i n g s . Tlie purpose of t h e s e t e s t s m a s

t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e c o m p r e s s i b i l i t y under f o u n d a t i o n s . A f t e r o u t l i n i n g a s e c t i o n o f t h e t h e o r y of e l a s t i c i t y , v ~ i t h c e r t a i n m o d i f i c a t i o n s , a t t e m p t s were

made t o c o r r e l a t e t h e e x p e r i m e n t a l r e s u l t s w i t h t h i s t h e o r y and t o compare them a l s o avith p r e v i o u s work c a r r i e d o u t i n t h i s c h a p t e r of s o i l mechanics. Recommendations were g i v e n as a g u i d e f o r f u t u r e r e s e a r c h . ( E b s t e r ' s t h e s i s t o McGill U n i v e r s i t y , 1958.) D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g Research, N a t i o n a l Research Council : A number o f p u b l i c a t i o n s i n t h e f i e l d of muskeg were i s s u e d i n c l u d i n g "A Guide t o t h o F i e l d D e s c r i p t i o n

of F,luskegl'. L a b o r a t o r y t e s t s were c a r r i e d o u t d u r i n g t h e y e a r i n o r d e r t o a s s e s s t h e f e a s i b i l i t y of a p p l y i n g s t a n d a r d s o i l mechanics t e s t s t o t h i s s p s c i a l m a t e r i a l . The s t a t e of knowledge i n t h i s f i e l d w a s reviewed and p l a n s made f o r f u t u r e work which w i l l i n c l u d e compari- s o n between f u l l - s c a l e f i e l d performance and d e s i g n based on l a b o r a t o r y and f i e l d t e s t s .

A v a l u a b l e o p p o r t u n i t y t o compare t h e o r e t i c a l d e s i g n w i t h f u l l - s c a l e f i e l d performance was made

p o s s i b l e w i t h t h e construe-tion of a n e a r t h f i l l a t t h e e a s t end o f t h e Ottawa Queensway. E x t e n s i v e b o r i n g and sampling were c a r r i e d o u t b e f o r e t h o p l a c i n g o f a 2 3 - f t h i g h e a r t h f i l l . S p e c i a l gauges f o r measuring compression

of t h e s u b s o i l i n i n c r e m e n t s up t o 90 f t below t h e s u r - f a c e were designed and i n s t a l l e d b e f o r e t h e f i l l w a s p l a c e d . While f i e l d compression measurements a r e b e i n g made, t h o s u b s o i l s a r e b e i n e t e s t e d i n t h e l a b o r a t o r y and i t w i l l be p o s s i b l e t o compare t h e o r e t i c a l r e s u l t s w i t h f i e l d performance. A comprehensive s t u d y of t h e procedure and i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f t h e c o n s o l i d a t i o n t e s t i s underway. A t t h e s i t e o f t h e r e c e n t l a n d s l i d e i n marine

c l a y n e a r Hawkesbury, O n t a r i o , some samples were o b t a i n e d , f i e l d t e s t s c a r r i e d o u t and p i e z o m e t e r s i n s t a l l e d i n t h e hope o f d e v e l o p i n g a f u r t h e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e s t a b i l i t y of t h e s e u n u s u a l c l a y s . S t u d i e s o f t h e s e n s i t i v i t y ,

s t r e n g t h , and t h e i n f l u e n c e of s a l t c o n t e n t i n t h e pore w a t e r a r e c o n t i n u i n g .

F u r t h e r s t u d i e s were made on varved c l a y s and t h e s p e c i a l problem of t h e p h y s i c a l p r o p e r t i e s o f s o f t r o c k s

was s t u d i e d . Teclmiques of sampling and t e s t i n g s o f t

r o c k s were developed.

I n c o - o p e r a t i o n w i t h t h e S t , Lawrence Seaway A u t h o r i t y , a n e x t e n s i v e t e s t i n g program w a s c a r r i e d o u t t o conpare l a b o r a t o r y and f i e l d s t r e n g t h v a l u e s and a c o n t r i b u t i o n vias made t o a comprehensive program of t e s t i n g a t v a r i o u s l a b o r a t o r i e s .

S t . Lawrence Seaway A u t h o r i t y :

A p r e l i m i n a r y s t u d y w a s made o f t h e o c c u r r e n c e and e n g i n e e r i n g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of g l a c i a l till a l o n g t h e S t . Lawrence Seaway r o u t e from Montreal t o I r o q u o i s .

A s t u d y of t h e o c c u r r e n c e and e n g i n e e r i n g charac- t e r i s t i c s of s o i l s o v e r t h e l e n g t h of t h e Welland Canal - n e a r S t . C a t h a r i n e s , O n t a r i o . The i n c l u s i o n of m a t e r i a l up t o 3/4-inch s i z e i n t h e P r o c t o r t e s t vias i n v e s t i g a t e d i n a n e f f o r t t o improve t h e v a l i d i t y of c o n t r o l t e s t i n g f o r compacted s t o n e y f i l l s , An i n v e s t i g a t i o n i s b e i n g made of t h e s e t t l e m e n t of f i l l s n o t s u b j e c t t o t h e t h e o r y of c o n s o l i d a t i o n , s u c h as g l a c i a l till, s h a l e , l i m e s t o n e and s a n d s t o n e p l a c e d u n d e r v a r i o u s c o n d i t i o n s .

Trow, Sodeman and A s s o c i a t e s :

C o n s i d e r a b l e i n f o l - n a t i o n c o n c e r n i n g t h e geotech- n i c a l p r o p e r t i e s of t h e varved c l a y s n o r t h of Lake

S u p e r i o r and i n t h e Great Clay B e l t have been o b t a i n e d .

The c l a y phases o f t h e varved s o i l of t h e Great Clay B e l t were found t o be

j u s t

as c o m p r e s s i b l e as t h e Leda c l a y s

of t h e Ottawa Valley. Although samples t a k e n below a d e p t h o f approximately

50

f e e t showed no v i s i b l e s i g n of d i s t u r b a n c e , undrained t r i a x i a l s t r e n g t h s mere w e l l below f i e l d vane measurements. The l a t t e r method of t e s t was b e l i e v e d t o be more r e l i a b l e because of t h e uniform i n c r e a s e i n s t r e n g t h o v e r a d e p t h o f 90 _{f e e t and because} t h e i n d i c a t e d p r e s t r e s s a g r e e d w i t h c o n s o l i d a t i o n t e s t measurements and w i t h f i e l d evidence o f p o s t g l a c i a l e r o s i o n ,

U n i v e r s i t y o f U b e r t a and/or A l b e r t a Research Council: a ) Use of t h e t r i a x i a l compressive t e s t u s i n g specimens one f o o t i n d i a m e t e r t o e v a l u a t e t h e v a r i a t i o n

i n s t r e n g t h of g r a v e l s w i t h a maximum p a r t i c l e s i z e of t h r e e i n c h e s w i t h c e r t a i n chemical a d d i t i v e s and w i t h v a r i a t i o n i n g r a d a t i o n ,

b) The determination of in-place strength of organic terrain by building test fills to failure and comparison with vane test strength results. The use of various types of membranes to keep similar fills dry.

c) Control of frost heaving by chemical admixtures to the soll.

d) Measurement of the forces involved in the migration of water to the frost line in frost heaving

soils.

e) The process of electro-osmosis in altering the mechanical properties of soils and its efficiency in moving certain liquid stabilizing solutions through

fine-grained soils.

2.

TECHNIQUES

OF

FIELD BIEASURDmNT

AND SAIPLING

Field determination of the permeability of glacial till.

W.H.

Mathews:

'tHydrology and sediment transport of a glacial streamtt. 'Phe study of a glacial stream (Sunwapta River, Jasper Park, Alberta) with the object of establishing the diurnal and seasonal variations in rate of transport of glacial sediment.

A by-product of this investigation

was the investigation of the bottom sediments of a small

lake at the head of Sunwapta River and at the terminus of Athabasca Glacier. Here dist-ctl~ laminated silts and fine sands were encountered in which the lamination almost certainly represents daily accumulations.

We have been using the field vane apparatus developed by the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute in eastern Canadian clays for the last year, Preliminary

results indicate good agreement with Nomegian and Canadian results for soft clays. For stiff clays, the preliminary indications are that the vane strengths show higher

values than the shear strength obtained from unconfined or triaxial tests.

Department of P u b l i c Works o f Canada, O t t a v a :

Tile Department h a s had c o n s i d e r a b l e s u c c e s s i n "proving" bedrock i n o f f s h o r e " t i d a l w a t e r " a r e a s . A

l i g h t w e i g h t (501b) diamond d r i l l i s superimposed on

t h e d r i l l r o d s f o r d r i l l i n g o p r a - L i o n s and t h u s performs i n d e p e n d e n t l y o f t h e l a t e r a l and v e r t i c a l movement of t h e " f l o a t i n g equipmenttt caused by t h e undertow and t i d e .

I n many c o a s t a l a r e a s c o n v e n t i o n a l f l o a t i n g equipment ( i . e . scows o r b a r g e s ) i s n o t a v a i l a b l e . I t h a s been found t h a t t h e l i g h h e i g h t diamond d r i l l c a n be

o p e r a t e d c o n v e n i e n t l y from a f l o a t c o n s i s t i n g of two f i s h e m e n ' s dorys l a s h e d t o g e t h e r and planked o v e r f o r decking. D i v i s i o n o f B u i l d i n g Research, N a t i o n a l Research Council : An a s s e s s m e n t o f e l e c t r i c a l r e s i s t a n c e t y p e s o i l m o i s t u r e m e t e r s i s b e i n g made by comparing t h e r e s u l t s u s i n g t h e s e m e t e r s w i t h t h e m o i s t u r e c o n t e n t o f a c t u a l s o i l samples. S t u d i e s t o d a t e s u g g e s t t h a t t h e s e m e t e r s have l i t t l e , i f a n y , a p p l i c a t i o n i n s o i l mechanics p r a c t i c e . The u s e f u l n e s s o f t h e n e u t r o n m e t e r f o r measuring s o i l m o i s t u r e c o n t e n t i n s i t u i s u n d e r c o n t i n u i n g s t u d y . Ecole P o l g t e c h n i q u e : C o m p r e s s i b i l i t y i n s i t u of n a t u r a l c l a y d e p o s i t s ; measurements by t h e u s e of " g e o c e l " d e v i c e s . D e f o r m a b i l i t y and b e a r i n g p r o p e r t i e s o f compacted and a r t i f i c i a l s o i l s ; comparison of u s u a l r o u t i n e t e s t s t o t h e s p h e r o - p r e s s i o m e t e r r e s u l t s . Geocon Limited:

The _{use of t h e Swedish F o i l Sampler a p p a r a t u s} t o sample p e a t s u c c e s s f u l l y .

H y d r o - E l e c t r i c Fowor Commission of O n t a r i o :

Sampling t e c h n i q u e s mere developed f o r t a k i n g r e l a t i v e l y u n d i s t u r b e d samples o f sand below t h e w a t e r t a b l e . T h e s e _{i n v o l v e d e i t h e r t h e u s e o f d r i l l i n g mud o r}

a s p e c i a l sampler o f t h e t y p e d e s c r i b e d by S e r o t a (1957) Fourth I n t e r n a t i o l ~ a l Conference of Soil 11Techanics.

I n sampling c o h e s i v e m a t e r i a l a t c o n s i d e r a b l e d e p t h (200

-

450 f t . ) , d i f f i c u l t i e s appeared t o z r i s e from t h e l a r g e p r e s s u r e d i f f e r e n t i a l between t h e head of w a t e r i n t h e c a s i n g and t h e p a r t i a l vacuum a% t h e bottom

o f t h e sample on e x t r a c t i o n . 'Elis w a s overcome by a d o p t i n g measures t o b r e a k t h e vacuum.

l ~ ~ p e r i a l O i l Limited :

-

--

"Suggested Method f o r C o r r e c t i n g Maximum D e n s i t y and Optimum Moisture Content of Compacted S o i l s f o r

Oversize P a r t i c l e s t t , P r o c e d u r e s for T e s t i n g S o i l s

(Ravised E d i t i o n ) , American S o c i e t y f o r T e s t i n g M a t e r i a l s , 1958.

P r a i r i e Farm R e h a b i l i t a t i o n A d m i n i s t r a t i o n :

T h i r t y - i n c h d i a m e t e r c a l y x c o r e s were r e c o v e r e d from t h e Waterton damsite. These c o r e s were o b t a i n e d p r i m a r i l y t o permit t h e examination of g e o l o g i c a l d e t a i l s of s t r a t i f i c a t i o n , j o i n t i n g , f r a c t u r i n g , e t c . of t h e bedrock s o as t o e s t i m a t e t h e w a t e r - t i g h t n e s s of t h e f o u n d a t i o n . Extensive p r e s s u r e t e s t i n g of t h e bedrock w a s a l s o done. S t . Lawrence Seaway A u t h o r i t y : A comparison w a s made

o f

t h e s h e a r s t r e n g t h s o f

marine c l a y s n e a r Beauharnois, Quebec, a s found w i t h f i e l d vanes and l a b o r a t o r y unconfined. compression and quick t r i a x i a l t e s t s .

Means of d e t e c t i n g b o t h v e r t i c a l and l a t e r a l d i s p l a c e m e n t s mere i n s t a l l e d i n t h e f o u n d a t i o n of an embankment on c l a y .

Trorv, Soderman & A s s o c i a t e s :

-

Use of P e n n d r i l l on t r i a l i n v a r i o u s s o i l s

r e s u l t i n g i n uncased b o r e h o l e s and no mashwater b e i n g used. Comparison of p e n e t r a t i o n t e s t r e s u l t s i n t h i s t y p e of

h o l e w i t h t h o s e from s t a n d a r d c a s e d and mashed h o l e s h a s been a t t e m p t e d .

Trying t o evolve a simple f i e l d vane g i v i n g s h a f t f r i c t i o n r e a d i n g s and vane r e a d i n g s e p a r a t e l y w h i l e

employing only one r o d .

3 . FOUIJDATIONS OF STRUCTZTRES: ( a ) General S u b j e c t s and F o u n d a t i o ~ ~ s o t h e r t h a n P i l e d Foundations:

G.G. Meyerhof:

"The U l t i m a t e Bearing Capacity of Foundations on Slopes", P r o c e e d i n g s , Pourth I n t e r n a t i o n a l Conference on S o i l Nlechanics and Foundation Engineering, London, August 1957.

Supported by c o n t i n u o u s f o o t i n g on c l a y , t h e

e a s t p o r t i o n of a p a r t y w a l l s u b s i d e d and moved l a t e r a l l y f o l l o w i n g deepening of basement of a d j o i n i n g b u i l d i n g a t s o u t h consequent upon d i s a s t r o u s f i r e i n it and i t s

d e m o l i t i o n p r e p a r a t o r y t o a new s t r u c t u r e . C o n f i d e n t i a l r e p o r t on c o n d i t i o n s f o l l o w i n g s u b s i d e n c e s u b m i t t e d t o a l o c a l l e g a l firm concerned w i t h r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t h e r e f o r e .

The s i g n i f i c a n c e o f , and methods of d e t e c t i o n o f s o i l seams i n t e r b e d d e d w i t h r o c k masses were s t u d i e d i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h new b u i l d i n g s p l a c i n g heavy l o a d s on t h e r o c k , "Seam f e e l i n g 1 ' w i t h a probe r o d w a s a t t e m p t e d u n s u c c e s s f u l l y . O b s e r v a t i o n s d u r i n g c a r e f u l d r i l l i n g were t h e p r i n c i p a l d e t e c t i o n methods.

An

underpinning p r o j e c t made n e c e s s a r y by t h e s t r e n g t h l o s s o f a t h i n c l a y l a y e r o v e r l y i n g r o c k a r o u s e d o u r i n t e r e s t i n p o s s i b l e t e c h n i q u e s f o r h a r d e n i n g c l a y s by chemical o r e l e c t r i c a l methods. We would a p p r e c i a t e b e i n g a d v i s e d o f any s u c c e s s f u l e x p e r i e n c e s w i t h s u c h a p r o c e s s . A s t u d y w a s made o f t h e d e f l e c t i o n of a r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e r a f t on c l a y s o i l due t o t h e s h r i n k a g e from t h e m a i n t a i n i n g of a c o n s t a n t t e m p e r a t u r e above 100°P on t h e u p p e r s i d e o f t h e r a f t ( s l u d g e d i g e s t e r ) . Moisture c o n t e n t c o n t r o l u n d e r t h e r a f t i s t o be a c h i e v e d by a d d i n g w a t e r t o t h e s o i l . G. Y, Sebastyan : A n a l y t i c a l d e t e r m i n a t i o n of t h e s i n k i n g s c h e d u l e o f a 1 0 0 - f t d i a m e t e r c a i s s o n by s p e c i a l method a s c o r e e x c a v a t i o n was n o t p o s s i b l e . S i x t e e n 30-inch d i a m e t e r h o l e s were l e f t a l l around t h e c a i s s o n i n t h e 7 - f o o t t h i c k c a i s s o n w a l l and t h r o u g h t h e s e h o l e s a u g e r s removed t h e s o i l from u n d e r n e a t h t h e t o e of t h e c a i s s o n . Department o f Highways o f O n t a r i o :

Work on t h e procedure and methods employed f o r t e s t i n g t h e b e a r i n g c a p a c i t y of s o i l f o r a proposed s t r u c t u r e . The i n v e s - t i g a t i o n s were made by means o f a

skid-mounted c o r e d r i l l machine. Pour b o r e h o l e s w i t h

dynamic p e n e t r a t i o n and f o u r s e p a r a t e dynamic p e n e t r a t i o n t e s t s were made.

D i v i s i o n o f B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h , N a t i o n a l Research C o u n c i l

-

:

Ground movements a t v a r i o u s d e p t h s i.n m a r i n e c l a y and a t v a r i o u s d i s t a n c e s from t r e e s , u n d e r a f l a t s l a b a n d u n d e r open g r a s s e d a r e a s , were measured t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r . S i m i l a r measurements were made a t s e l e c t e d l o c a t i o n s i n t h o c i t y o f Ottawa i n a g e n e r a l s t u d y o f t h e movements o f s h a l l o w f o u n d a t i o n s . I n most cases

s e a s o n a l changes i n ground w a t e r t a b l e and s o i l m o i s t u r e c a n t e n t were o b s e r v e d . O b s e r v a t i o n s on t h e f l a t s l a b f o u n d a t i o n of a n u n h e a t e d warehouse showed t h e e f f e c t o f s e a s o n a l s o i l m o i s t u r e c o n t e n t c h a n g e s , e x c e s s i v e s o i l d r y i n g due t o t h e p r o x i m i t y o f t r e e s and f r o s t h e a v i n g u n d e r t h e s e s p e c i a l c o n d i t i o n s . D e t a i l e d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s o f t h e v e r t i c a l movements o f paved s t r e e t s were made a-t

ttvo l o c a t i o n s . I n a d d i t i o n t o f i e l d work, some labol-o.tory i n v e s t i g a t i o n s o f t h e s w e l l i n g and s h r i n k i n g o f t h e m a r i n e c l a y were c a r r i e d o u t . A c o n t r o l l e d volume a p p a r a t u s f o r m e a s u r i n g stvel-ling p r e s s u r e w a s r e d e s i g n e d and p u t i n t o o p e l - a t i o n . The a t t e n - L i o n o f t h e D i v i s i o n w a s d r a v ~ n to a s t a n d a r d c o l d s t o r a g e p l a n t which h a d s u f f e r e d extreme damage due t o f r o s t h e a v i n g . I n v e s t i g a t i o n r e v e a l e d t h a t t h e f r o s t u n d e r t h e b u i l d i n g had p e n e t r a t e d more t h a n 9 f e e t and t h e f l o o r o f t h e b u i l d i n g had heaved more t h a n 1 f o o t . Due t o d i s t o r t i o n s i n t h e b u i l d i n 8 i t was i i e c e s s a r y t o abandon it t e m p o r a r i l y as a c o l d s t o r a g e p l a n t . T h i s a l l o w e d a comprehensive s t u d y t o be made o f t h e s t r u c t u r e and t h e s u b s o i l . P e r i o d . i c t e n i p e r a t u r e r e a d i n g s mere made u n d e r t h e f l o o r t o g e t h e r w i t h l e v e l s u r v e y s of t h e f l o o r l s s u r f a c e w h i l e t h e s u b s o i l w a s thawed by f o r c e d a i r c i r c u l a t i o n . F i n a l l y t h e b u i l d i n g r e t u r n e d t o i t s o r i g i n a l p o s i t i o n . By c o n t r o l l i n g tempera- t u r e c o n d i t i o n s , it w i l l be p o s s i b l e t o r e t u r n t h e b u i l d i n g t o i t s i n t e n d e d u s e w i t h o u t f u r t h e r t r o u b l e . Geocon L i m i t e d : A s t u d y o f a f r o s t h e a v e problem u n d e r a n artificially r e f r i g e r a t e d a r e a . S e v e r a l f o u n d a t i o n problems i n v o l v i n g t h e " s i n k a g e " o f embankments i n t o s o f t ground. F o r one s u c h e x i s t i n g embankment, a number o f p r o f i l e s below ground l e v e l were o b t a i n e d .

P r a i r i e Farm R e h a b i l i t a t i o n A d m i n i s t r a t i o n :

A cement g r o u t i n g program t o r e d u c e s e e p a g e t h r o u g h t h e S t . Mary1 s dam f o u n d a t i m was c o n t i n u e d .

A r e s e a r c h program t o s t u d y t h e n a t u r e , e f f e c t and p r e v e n t i o n o f f r o s t heave on h y d r a u l i c s t r u c t u r e s was begun.

O b s e r v a t i o n s were c o n t i n u e d on t h e heave a s s o c i a t e d w i t h s p i l l w a y s t r u c t u r e s founded on Bearpaw s h a l e and

o t h e r c l a y s o i l s . R i p l e y and A s s o c i a t e s : E v a l u a t i o n o f d e t a i l e d s e t t l e m e n t o b s e r v a t i o n s o f l a r g e i n d u s t r i a l b u i l d i n g s s u b j e c t e d t o deep s e a t e d s e t t l e m e n t s measured i n f e e t . O b s e r v a t i o n s and e v a l u a t i o n of t h e e f f e c t s of t h e s e t t l e m e n t s on t h e b u i l d i n g s t r u c - t u r e s and on o p e r a t i o n o f t h e i n d u s t r i a l p l a n t .

U n i v e r s i t y of A l b e r t a and/or A l b e r t a Research Council:

A s t u d y of t h e dynamics o f machine f o u n d a t i o n s .

3 .

FOUNDATIONS OF STRUCTURES: ( b ) P i l i n g and P i l e d Poun.dations : G.G. M e ~ e r h o f :

"The Design of Sore1 Stadium w i t h s p e c i a l Reference t o i t s ~ o u n d a t i o n s " , by L.A. P r a i k i n , J o u r n a l , Ehgineering I n s t i t u t e of Canada, Vol. 40, March 1957, p.270.

G. C. McRostie : A s t u d y of f r i c t i o n p i l e s

i n

c l a y s o i l s w a s i n i t i a t e d t o e v a l u a t e t h e amount, and p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e t i m i n g o f t h e s t r e n g t h r e g a i n i n a v e r y s e n s i t i v e c l a y . Scandinavian e x p e r i e n c e i n d i c a t e s l o n g e r p e r i o d s of t i m e f o r s t r e n g t h r e g a i n t h a n t h o s e c a s u a l l y observed i n E a s t e r n Canada. G.Y. Sebastyan: Suspension b r i d g e f o u n d a t i o n needed p r o t e c t i o n a g a i n . s t p o t e n t i a l mass movement o f s o i l due t o nearby o r e s t o r a g e p i l e . The b r i d g e f o u n d a t i o n was p r o t e c t e d by a s e r i e s o f b a f f l e s c o n s i s t i n g of v e r t i c a l and b a t t e r e d

H

p i l e s d r i v e n i n t o hardpan. Geocon Limited:

The measurement of t h e s t r e s s e s i n s t e e l s h e e t

p i l e bulkheads u s i n g t h e Wilson "slope i n d i c a t o r apparatus1'. The u s e o f t h i s i n s t r u m e n t i n t h e c o n t r o l o f c o n s t r u c t i o n of a s t e e l s h e e t p i l e bulkhezd u s i n g s t r a i n gauge i n s t a l - l a t i o n s .

A s t u d y of t h e c o r r o s i v e e f f e c t of i n d u s t r i a l w a s t e s i n ground w a t e r , on c o n c r e t e p i l e f o u n d a t i o n s . P r a i r i e Farm R e h a b i l i t a t i o n A d m i n i s t r a t i o n :

Loading t e s t s on wood p i l e s d r i v e n i n t o a l l u v i a l c l a y and l o o s e sand have been c a r r i e d o u t .

Raymond Concrete P i l e Company, Limited:

During 1957 t h e Company undertook a s t u d y of t h e "Reaction o f Clays t o t h e D r i v i n g of F r i c t i o n P i l e s n .

The p r o j e c t was d i r e c t e d by E. Rubinsky who a l s o p r e s e n t e d a paper on t h e s u b j e c t a t t h e Eleventh S o i l Mechanics

Conference. T h i s p r o j e c t i n v o l v e d : ( a ) Studying and c l a s s i f y i n g t h r e e s o i l s , r a n g i n g from a c l a y e y s i l t t o a marine c l a y . ( b ) Studying t h e d r i v i n g r e s i s t a n c e and s o i l r e a c t i o n t o t h e d r i v i n g of t a p e r e d f r i c t i o n p i l e s i n t o t h e above t h r e e s o i l t y p e s . ( c ) Load t e s t i n g above p i l e s .

( d ) Examining and determining t h e s t r e n g t h of u n d i s t u r b e d s o i l samples o b t a i n e d a t v a r i o u s d i s t a n c e s and d e p t h s from t h e above p i l e s a f t e r d r i v i n g .

( e ) E v a l u a t i n g t h e r e s u l t s . Some of t h e c o n c l u s i o n s of t h i s s t u d y a r e as f o l l o w s : a ) P i l e c a p a c i t y may a p p a r e n t l y be e s t i m a t e d on t h e b a s i s of s u r f a c e a r e a of t h e p i l e and t h e u n d i s t u r b e d s h e a r s t r e n g t h of t h e s o i l . b ) High s e n s i t i v i t y of s o i l s does n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r u l e o u t t h e use of f r i c t i o n p i l e s . c ) V i s i b l e remoulding of s o i l around a p i l e seems t o be c o n f i n e d t o a d i s t a n c e of one d i a m e t e r of t h e p i l e .

d ) Much work must y e t be done i n t h e f i e l d of s o i l mechanics b e f o r e i n f a l l i b l e c r i t e r i a can be e s t a b - l i s h e d f o r determining f r i c t i o n p i l e c a p a c i t i e s w i t h o u t t h e a i d of l o a d t e s t s . R i p l e y & A s s o c i a t e s : k r a l u a t i o n of d e t a i l e d s e t t l e m e n t o b s e r v a t i o n s of s e v e r a l l a r g e b u i l d i n g s s u p p o r t e d on p i l e s a t an i n d u s t r i a l s i t e .

Spencer, White & P r e n t i s of Canada Limited:

a ) I n s t a l l a t i o n of 16- and 1 8 - i n . d i a m e t e r open-end p i p e p i l e s t o r o c k , i n d o o r s , w i t h l i m i t e d

headroom, and c l e a n e d by means of compressed a i r . Load t e s t s were c a r r i e d o u t on b o t h t h e 16- and 1 3 - i n . p i l e s .

b ) I n s t a l l a t i o n t h r o u g h every t y p e o f o b ~ t r u c t i o n of 1 2 , 1 6 and 20-in. open-end p i p e p i l e s w i t h 2- t o 4 - f o o t r o c k s o c k e t s . P i l e l e n g t h s v a r i e d from 40 t o 1 1 5 f e e t . Three l o a d t e s t s were c a r r i e d o u t .

c ) I n s t a l l a t i o n o f 30, 36 and 42-in. d r i l l e d c a i s s o n s w i t h b e l l s t o r o c k through a w a t e r - b e a r i n g sand s t r a t u m

.

4. ROADS, RUNWAYS

AND

_RAIL-TRACKS

R. Audy:

C o n s o l i d a t i o n of s o f t c l a y w i t h 70,000 f e e - t of sand p i l e s .

Compaction of g l a c i a l till and v e r y f i n e sand. P l a t e - b e a r i n g t e s t s f o r b a s e c o u r s e and r i g i d pavement d e s i g n .

P e t e r Kozicki:

Minus 3 - i n . b a s e c o u r s e m a t e r i a l o b t a i n e d from one o f t h e Department o f Highways of A l b e r t a p i t s i s

b e i n g t e s t e d i n a t r i a x i a l mould 1 2 i n . i n d i a m e t e r and 24 i n . h i g h . The m a t e r i a l i s compacted i n s i x l i f t s t o a d e n s i t y comparable t o t h a t o b t a i n e d i n t h e f i e l d and a vacuum i s a p p l i e d t o t h e specimen d u r i n g t h e t e s t i n g . The p e r c e n t a g e of m a t e r i a l p a s s i n g each s i e v e s i z e i s b e i n g v a r i e d i n o r d e r t o determine t h e optimum g r a d a t i o n f o r maximum s t a b i l i t y . The m a t e r i a l b e i n g t e s t e d i s a poor g r a d e of g r a v e l w i t h a l i q u i d l i m i t of a p p r o x i m a t e l y 22 t o 25 and a p l a s t i c i t y i n d e x of 6 t o 8. It i s expected t h a t t h e t e s t i n g program w i l l be completed i n t h e n e x t c o u p l e of months. (Graduate work

a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y of A l b e r t a . )

B . I . Maduke:

A n a l y s i s and d e s i g n f o r s p e c i a l f o u n d a t i o n prob- lems on t h e Vancouver F r a s e r R i v e r s e c t i o n o f t h e Trans- Canada Highway. Approximately f i f t y p e r c e n t o f t h i s 1 2 - m i l e l i m i t e d a c c e s s roadway c r o s s e s d e p o s i t s of p e a t

u n d e r l a i n by v e r y s o f t s i l t c l a y . !The t h i c k n e s s o f p e a t v a r i e s between 3 and 30 f e e t w i t h a b o u t t h e same v a r i a t i o n i n t h i c k n e s s f o r t h e s o f t c l a y . Some s e c t i o n s t r a v e r s e o n l y p e a t . T h i s h a s r e s u l t e d i n a comprehensive s t u d y o f t h e p h y s i c a l p r o ~ e r - b i e s of t h e p e a t and s i l t c l a y t o determine t h e c a p a b i l i t i e s and l i m i t a t i o n s o f t h e s e m a t e r i a l s i n p r o v i d i n g a s u i t a b l e f o u n d a t i o n f o r t h e roadway embadment and pavement and s-till r e s u l t i n a

maintenance f r e e h i g h - c l a s s a r t e r y . R e s e a r c h i s con- t i n u i n g o n t h e c o n s o l i d a t i o n a n d s t r e n g t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e s e m a t e r i a l s and i t i s p l a n n e d t o c o n s t r u c t a f u l l s c a l e t e s t s e c t i o l i t h i s summer, p r e l o a d i n g t h e p e a t . A f t e r removal o f t h e s u r c h a r g e it i s p l a n n e d t o c a r r y o u t p l a t e b e a r i n g t e s t s i n o r d e r t o s t u d y t h e e l a s t i c p r o p e r t i e s o f t h e p e a t . G. G. Meserhof : The i n v c s t i z a - t i o n o f t h e i n f l u e n c e o f c a l c i u m c h l o r i d e on t h e w o r k a b i l i t y o f g r a n u l a r f i l l s a t low t e m p e r a t u r e s has b e e n c o n t i n u e d u n d e r a Brumier Mond F e l l o w s h i p . D i f f e r e n t t y p e s o f g r a n u l a r s o i l s have b e e n u s e d t o s t u d y t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f e x t e n d i n g t h e highway

c o n s t r u c t i o n s e a s o n i n Canada t o p r e v e n t f r e e z i n g and promote compaction d u r i n g f r e e z i n g w e a t h e r .

" A p p l i c a t i o n o f S o i l Survey t o Highway Design a n d Co.tlstruction", Roads and h'ngineering C o n s t r u c t i o n , Vol. 9 5 , p.78, J a n u a r y 1957. G. C. McRostie : A s t u d y o f s e a s o n a l l o s s o f b e a r i n g c a p a c i t y i n highway s u b g r a d e s i s b e i n g o r g a n i z e d t o p r o v i d e q u a n t i t a - t i v e l o c a l o r r e g i o n a l f a c t o r s n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e r a t i o n a l d e s i g n o f f l e x i b l e pavements as s u g g e s t e d by E.B. W i l k i n s

a t t h e December 1957 S o i l Mechanics Conference. D.L. Tobvnsend: Two a c t i v e r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t s a r e b e i n g c o n d u c t e d i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e O n t a r i o Department o f Highways t h r o u g h t h e J o i n t Highway R e s e a r c h P r o j e c t . These p r o - j e c t s a r e c o n t i n u i n g d u r i n g t h e p r e s e n t summer. a ) Compaction S t u d i e s : F i e l d t e s t s a r e b e i n g conduc-bed t o d e t e r m i n e t h e compacting e f f i c i e n c y a n d h o u r l y p r o d u c t i o n o f t h e v a r i o u s t y p e s o f r o l l e r s u s e d i n highway c o n s t r u c t i o n work. N a t u r a l m o i s t u r e c o n t e n t s a r e u s e d , s u b j e c t t o t h e d a i l y v a r i a t i o n s due t o t h e w e a t h e r , and normal c o n s t r u c t i o n t e c h n i q u e s a r e s t u d i e d . The o b j e c t o f t h e r e s e a r c h i s t o p r o v i d e a b e t t e r g u i d e f o r t h e i n s p e c t o r s and c o n t r a c t o r s a s t o t h e s u i t a b i l i t y o f t h e v a r i o u s u n i t s f o r d i f f e r e n t s o i l t y p e s . It i s e x p e c t e d t h a t t h e main s t u d y w i l l be completed by t h e s p r i n g o f 1959. b ) Temporary S t a b i l i z a t i o n : I n c e r t a i n l o c a t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t O n t a r i o a u n i f o r m - s i z e d s a n d m a t e r i a l must be u s e d as t h e g r a n u l a r s u b - b a s e f o r highways. It i s a s u i t a b l e m a t e r i a l when c o n t a i n e d , b u t i t s i n h e r e n t i n s t a b i l i t y due t o t h e uniforrn s i z e p r o v i d e s numerous problems d u r i n g c o n s t r u c t i . o n . T r a f f i c a b i l i t y on t h e

1oos.e sand is very low unless excessive amounts of water are used. Present techniques include mechanical stabili- zation and the use of calcium chloride to provide a working floor for %he construction traffic.

Research is being conducted to deternine if bituminous emulsions in low percentages can be used to provide a suitable working floor (or temporary stabili- zation). This work has necessitated some fundamental work in the design of bituminous-stabilized surfaces.

Pield test sections are being conducted during this summer to observe the effect of traffic on such low-cost sur- faces.

A preliminary analysis should be completed by the spring of 1959.

An intensive study of the maximum utilization of all types of locally occurring granular soils and aggregates for the construction of bit~lminous surfacings vvas made.

A paper on the subject was presented at the Canadian Technical Asphalt Association.

A survey of methods employed to study and avoid slides in highway backslopes and embankments was made and a paper on the subject was presented at the Canadian Good Roads Association.

An extensive study of bituminous pavement

densities was undertaken for the purpose of determining the degree of densification of such pavements immediately after construction of such pavements and after such

pavements have been fn service for some time. It was observed that densities immediately after construction varied depending on a number of factors, and that the degree of densification of pavements in service depended on the intensity of traffic.

A comparative study of the effectiveness of rubber-

tired rollers and steel rollers was also made, and on the basis of our method of conducting the field tests, no difference in the performance of rollers was found. This study will be continued.

D u r i n g the construction season of 1957, an attempt was made to conduct B!arshall tests on bituminous mixes and California Bearing Ratio tests on granular bases in field testing laboratories. Our experience has indi- cated that very good correlation in test results was obtained between the field laboratories and our main laboratory in Regina. This will facilitate further

our attempts to control construction methods and materials on the job.

Benkelman beam deflection studies conducted on bituminous surfaced roads were continued during 1957 as part of our research on a continuing basis. The purpose of the study was to determine the following:

a) Correlate subgrade C.B.R. rating value with degree of surface deflection for various thicknesses of surfacing.

b) Correlate the Benkelman beam deflection with a 12-inch diameter plate deflectdon under equivalent loadings.

c) Dctermin.e the field C.B.R. rating of base courses.

d) Determine changes in the density of subgrade soils with length of service.

e ) Examine sub-base soils for ingress by subgrade soils.

Test results for the above have been computed and are now being tabulated.

Department of Hipaways of Ontario:

Study of the bearing value of muskeg for highway purposes, including a correlation of the Radforth classifi- cation with engineering properties.

Laboratory investigations indicate that most soils and granular materials will show frost heaving under

certain conditions. No definite criterion has been established and correlated with field performance. The present work is aimed at a comprehensive study of actual frost heaves in an attempt to determine whether an analysis of the samples and data obtained will confirm any of the criteria currently in use. Further, it is desired to establish a criterion to indicate the degree of frost susceptibility of soils in roadway embankments and subgrades and to prepare recommendations and treatment necessary to remedy existing situations depending on climatic conditions.

Durir1.g the past two winters field investigations with special boring equipment have been carried out at forty-two severe frost heaving locations. Complete

records of each location have been made, including measure- ments, photographs, study of cross-section and drainage, etc; borings with special power equipment were made, both in the heaved areas arid the adjacent non-heaved sections. As far as possible actual cores of the frozen

m a t e r i a l were o b t a i n e d , examined, i d e n t i f i e d and photo- graphed. These were packed i n d r y i c e and s h i p p e d

t o t h e l a b o r a t o r y c o l d room f o r s u b s e q u e n t e x a m i n a t i o n , c l a s s i f i c a t i o n , e t c .

From f i e l d o b s e r v a t i o n s t h e d e p t h and t y p e o f pavement, g r a n u l a r b a s e c o u r s e s and basement soil were

r e c o r d e d t o g e t h e r w i t h i c e l e n s i n g , f r o s t p e n e t r a t i o n , w a t e r t a b l e , s e e p a g e and f i e l d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of s o i l s .

The l a b o r a t o r y c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f a l l samples o b t a i n e d h a s been n e a r l y c o m p l e t e d , and l a b o r a t o r y f r o s t h e a v i n g t e s t s a r e i n p r o g r e s s .

One p a r t i c u l a r highway showing e x c e p t i o n a l ly

s e v e r e h e a v i n g has been r e c o n s t r u c t e d s i n c e t h e beginning

o f t h i s work. It w a s d e t e r m i n e d t h a t c o n t r o l o f d r a i n a g e m a s p r o b a b l y more i m p o r t a n t t h a n t h e d e p t h o f & r i ~ n u l a r b a s e c o u r s e u s e d and t h e s u b g r a d e s o i l . The t r e a t m e n t s recommended have b e e n v e r y s u c c e s s f u l b a s e d on o u r

w i n t e r ' s e x p e r i e n c e .

Department o f Roads o f Quebec:

a ) Compaction o f s u b g r a d e , s u b - b a s e and b a s e o f t h e b o u l e v a r d Champigny, n e a r Quebec. b ) Study o f f r o s t p e n e t r a t i o n o v e r 1 7 5 m i l e s o f r o a d i n t h e A b i t i b i r e g i o n . c ) P e d o l o g i s t s t u d i e s a l l a r o u n d t h e P r o v i n c e o f Quebec. d ) C o n s t r u c t i o n o f a r o a d a c r o s s muskeg, 4,000 f e e t i n l e n g t h , 35 f e e t i n d e p t h . Survey o f t h e r e c e n t l i t e r a t u r e on t h e I8Sci.ence o f S o i l S t a b i l i z a t i o n " i n c l u d i n g s c i e n t i f i c problems i n v o l v e d , and c o v e r i n g a l l k i n d s o f s o i l s t a b i l i z a t i o n . ( T h e s i s t o I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e , London, England, J.J. P a r e . ) A f r o s t s t u d y h a s a l s o b e e n c a r r i e d o u t I n 1957 c o n s i s t i n g m o s t l y o f f i e l d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s s u c h a s t h e t h i c k n e s s o f f r o s t s u s c e p t i b l e m a t e r i a l , t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e w a t e r t a b l e , a n d d e p t h o f f r o s t a c t i o n , t h e h e i g h t and l e n g t h o f f r o s t h e a v e s . A n a t t e m p t i s now made t o

c o r r e l a t e f i e l d o b s e r v a t i o n s and l a b o r a t o r y a n a l y s i s i n o r d e r t o c l a s s i f y t h e d e g r e e of f r o s t s u s c e p t i b i l i t y o f t h e m a t e r i a l i n v o l v e d i n t h a t s t u d y . That work has n o t b e e n completed y e t .

D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g Research N a t i o n a l Research Council :

Fundamental l a b o r a t o r y work d i r e c t e d t o a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h o phenomena o f f r o s t heaving was

c o n t i n u e d . The i n f l u e n c e of pore s i z e on s o i l m o i s t u r e t e n s i o n ( s o i l s u c t i o n ) which can be developed d u r i n g f r e e z i n g i s under s t u d y . A r e l a t i o n s h i p between maximum s o i l m o i s t u r e t e n s i o n and maximum heaving p r e s s u r e h a s been found. The e f f e c t o f overburden p r e s s u r e on t h e amount o f heave i s b e i n g s t u d i e d . T h e o r i e s d e s c r i b i n g t h e f r o s t a c t i o n phenomena have been developed and p u b l i s h e d . A s a f u r t h e r development i n t h i s work t h e l a b o r a t o r y equipment h a s been r e d e s i g n e d t o p e r m i t t h e measurement of b o t h h e a t and m o i s t u r e f l o w through t h e s o i l d u r i n g f r o s t heaving. A c o n t i n u i n g i n t e r e s t w a s

m a i n t a i n e d i n p r a c t i c a l f r o s t a c t i o n phenomena. I n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n , a n i n s p e c t i o n t r i p o f some n o r t h e r n highways

was made w i t h s t a f f of t h e Department of Highways of O n t a r i o . Routine r e a d i n g s on t h e measurement o f ground t e m p e r a t u r e a t v a r i o u s l o c a t i o n s i n Canada were c o n t i n u e d .

H y d r o - E l e c t r i c Power Commission o f O n t a r i o :

F l y ash-lime s t a b i l i z a t i o n o f b o t h a c l a s s A

base c o u r s e m a t e r i a l and a n a t u r a l s o i l subgrade i s being c a r r i e d o u t on a f i e l d s c a l e t o demonstrate t h e u s e of t h i s method of r o a d c o n s t r u c t i o n .

I m ~ e r i a l O i l Limited :

" S e l e c t i n g t h e Aggregate S p e c i f i c G r a v i t y f o r Bituminous Paving M i x t u r e s t ' , Proceedin-gs Highway Research Board, Vol. 3 6 , 1957.

" R e l a t i o n s h i p s Between D e f l e c t i o n , S e t t l e m e n t , and E l a s t i c Deformation f o r Subgrades and F l e x i b l e Pavements Provided by P l a t e Bearing T e s t s a t Canadian A i r p o r t s "

,

P r o c e e d i n g s , F o u r t h I n t e r n a t i o n a l Conference

on S o i l Mechanics and Foundation E n g i n e e r i n g , Vol. 2 , 1957

"The U s e o f L i q u i d A s p h a l t s f o r Dust Laying on Roads and S t r e e t s " , The Municipal World, A'Iarch, 1958.

m e c a l c u l a t i o n o f s t r e s s e s and s t r a i n s a t v a r i o u s p o i n t s u n d e r d u a l tandem t r u c k a x l e s and a i r c r a f t l a n d i n g g e a r .

I i i p l e y a n d A s s o c i a t e s :

A problem o f d e s i g n and c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a n 18-ft

h i g h embardanent o v e r a 3 0 - f t d e e p p e a t d e p o s i t . Pro- g r e s s i v e s t a g e c o n s t r u c t i o n b e i n g c o n t r o l l e d by f i e l d s e t t l e m e n t and s h e a r s t r e n g t h measurements o f embankment f o u n d a t i o n d u r i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n .

U n i v e r s i t y o f A l b e r t a a n d / o r A l b e r t a R e s e a r c h C o u n c i l :

An e x t e n s i v e f i e l d i n v e s t i g a t i o n t o e v a l u a t e t h e s u i t a b i l i t y o f v a r i o u s r i g i d pavement s e c t i o n s i n compari- s o n t o s t a n d a r d f l e x i b l e pavements.

5. EARW PRESSURE ON STRUCTURES AND TUNNELS D.F. C o a t e s :

R e s e a r c h o n e n e r g y c o n t e n t i n r o c k a r o u n d m i n i n g o p e n i n g s .

F o u n d a t i o n o f Canada E n g i n e e r i n g C o r p o r a t i o n L i m i t e d :

S i n c e t h e Deas I s l a n d Tunnel, a r e i n f o r c e d con- c r e t e s t r u c t u r e b e i n g c o n s t r u c t e d b e n e a t h t h e Lower m a s e r R i v e r , i s l o c a t e d i n a Zone

3

a r e a , t h e e f f e c t s o f e a r t h q u a k e s on t h e t u n n e l mere s t u d i e d t h o r o u g h l y .

The N a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g Code o f Canada s p e c i f i e s d i f f e r e n t v a l u e s o f h o r i z o n t a l a c c e l e r a - t i o n t o b e a p p l i e d t o t h e d i f f e r e n t p a r t s o f s t r u c t u r e s depending on t h e s i z e and t y p e . Inasmuch as l i t t l e i n f o r m a t i o n i s a v a i l a b l e on t h e e f f e c t of e a r t h q u a k e s h o c k s on s u b t e r r a n e a n s t r u c t u r e s , a new a p p r o a c h h a d t o be d e v e l o p e d f o r t h i s p a r t i c u l a r c a s e . The a p p l i c a t i o n o f a h o r i z o n t a l a c c e l e r a t i o n t o t h e e a r t h mass i n d u c e s s h e a r s t r e s s e s i n t h e s o i l . It i s i m m e d i a t e l y o b v i o u s t h a t t h e s h e a r s t r e s s e s c a n n o t e x c e e d t h 5 s h e a r s t r e n g t h o f t h e s o i l s i n c e , i f t h e y d i d , a f a i l u r e o f t h e s o i l would o c c u r and t h e f u l l e n e r g y o f t h e e a r t h q u a k e would n o t b e t r a n s m i t t e d . The maximum

i n t e n s i t y o b s e r v e d on l i g h t g e o l o g i c a l f o r m a t i o n s i s a b o u t

8 i n t h e Modified M e r c a l l i S c a l e , c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o a n

a c c e l e r a t i m of 27 _{p e r c e n t o f t h e a c c e l e r a t i r n o f g r a v i t y .}

The r a p i d i t y w i t h which stress c h a n g e s c a u s e d

by e a r t h q u a k e s t a k e p l a c e r e s u l t s i n e x c e s s p o r e p r e s s u r e s i n t h e r a t h e r f i n e s a n d f o u n d a t t h e s i t e . T h e o r e t i c a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s i n d i c a t e d t h a t a n a c c e l e r a t i o n e x c e e d i n g

The d e s i g n was b a s o d on s h e a r s t r e s s e s equal t o 21% of t h e over-burden on t h e roof of t h e t u n n e l and an i n c r e a s e i n t h e s o i l p r e s s u r e on t h e o u t e r w a l l s of t h e ti,~.mlel up t o a value corresponding t o t h e p r e s s u r e from a l i q u i d of t h e same d e n s i t y as t h a t of t h e sand. The t u n n e l was so designed t h a t f o r t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s t h e s t r e s s e s exceeded n e i t h e r t h e y i e l d p o i n t of t h e s t e e l nor t h e compressive s t r e n g t h of t h e concrete.

V e r i f i c a t i o n of t h e design was done by comparison with t h e r e s u l t s of t h e t h e o r e t i c a l s t u d y of harmonic

compression waves through a n e l a s t i c medium and with t h e r e s u l t s of a l a r g e number o f earthquake t e s t s on r e t a i n i n g w a l l s b a c k - f i l l e d with sand. It w a s found t h a t t h e s h e a r wave t h e o r y gave t h e most c o n s e r v a t i v e design and s i n c e

i t r e q u i r e d only s l i g h t l y g r e a t e r q u a n t i t i e s of m a t e r i a l t h a n would a design w i t h o u t earthquake l o a d i n g i t was decided t o adopt i t a s t h e b a s i s f o r design.

Geocon Limited: The i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e f a i l u r e of a n anchored bulkhead. Some s t u d i e s of t h e p r o g r e s s i v e f a i l u r e of r e t a i n i n g w a l l s i n s l o p e s of f i r m t o s t i f f c l a y . P r a i r i e

Farm

R e h a b i l i t a t i o n Administration: The d e f l e c t i o n of f l e x i b l e metal c u l v e r t s i n s t a l l e d beneath a n e a r t h dam and beneath highway f i l l s was

measured and s t u d i e s have continued i n a n e f f o r t t o e s t a b l i s h t h e s o i l l o a d i n g on t h i s type of s t r u c t u r e . 6 . EARTH DAX'IS, SLOPES AND OPEN EXCAV-4TIONS

H. Angel :

Engaged i n t h e c u t o f f f o r Mission Dam, Bridge

River. This dam i s l o c a t e d i n a c l a y / s i l t s t r a t u m 65-100 f t . below t h e c r e s t of t h e o l d d i v e r s i o n dam. The c u t o f f

i n v o l v e s r e s t o r i n g t h e c l a y core of t h e o l d dam by

d r i v i n c a neb7 s h e e t p i l e c u r t a i n , and s rout in^; t h e b u r i e d v a l l e y below t h e c l a y s t r a t u m v~hich extends about 450 f t below ground l e v e l a t t h e c r e s t of t h e 013 dam. The work i n v o l v e s :

a ) A t 1 4 c r o s s v ~ a l l s spaced a t 4 0 - f t c e n t r e s along t h e

4-

01 t h e o l d dam

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d r i l l i n g s e c a n t 60-in.

diameter h o l e s t o folm a n o v a l s h a f t down t o about 50 f t .

b ) B y means of t h i s s h a f t , and using a d i v e r t o p l a c e t h e e x t r a c t o r j a w s

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e x t r a c t i n g 2

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3 0 - f t s h e e t p i l e s .

c) Drilling a line of 20-in. tangent holes parallel and close to the @ of the old dam to f o ~ m a trench for

placing the new sheetpile curtain.

d) Placing and driving the new sheetpile curtain. e) Grouting the sheetpile trench with a clay/ cement grout,

f) Drilling five lines of groutholes to maximum de2ths of about 500 ft.

g) Grouting the alluvials below the clay strata.

R.

Audy:

Design of a 12,000-foot long earth dam with a glacial till impervious core.

Study or properties of moraines,

W.E.

Curtis:

Slide investigation and stabilization of pre- consolidated clays and shales.

This work consists mainly of locating water seams and installation of horizontal drains

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150 ft to 300 ft long.

Inspection of dyke construction for Seaway and Power Development on St. Lawrence River

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foundation glacial till and marine clay.

Installation of numerous observation and relief wells to control the underseepage of earth dams. Obser- vation of construction of various cofferdams.

G. G. Meyerhof :

"The Mechanism of Florv Slides in Cohesive Soils", ~ h t e c h n i ~ u e , Institution of Civil Engineers, March

1957.

"Les Eboulements de Terrain dan 1'Est du Canada", Proceedings, Fourth International Conference on Soil

Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, London, August

1957.

A number of studies have been made on the loss of reservoir water throul_=h natural unconsolidated material deposits and the attendent erosion conditions, This

of piezometers, and so on. Installation of piezometers in a large earth-fill dam and a study of their resulting data is being made. Settlements under hydro-electric structures are being studied.

G. C. McRostie :

The calculation of slopes required and construc-

tion methods needed to prevent bottom heave in a 50-foot deep excavation in medium soft clay, resulted in recom- mendations for scheduling the excavation to permit only small sections being taken to full depth until the to.tal foundation slab had been completed.

The detection of a large landslide adjacent to the urban area of Ottawa was made possible by the recent publication of contoured air photo survey sheets. The landslide is to be proposed for study by the Landslide Committee or other agencies, since it is of significance ' a s an indication of the possible stability of the hip;hly

developed areas adjacent. R.C. Thurber:

T h e author is carrying out the complete exploration, sampling of soils, testing of soil samples, and drawing

up engineering reports on work including several large landslides and many smaller settlement and slope stability problems; construction of earth embankments or high

railway grades; and investigations with regard to placing railway over peat and unstable soils.

The author also carried out preliminary investi- gations of the slide which took out the Peace M v e r

Highway bridge.

A

IrFailing" horizontal drill is being used success- fully for intercepting seepage in slopes in order to

increase stability.

H.G.

Acres

& Company Limited:

Bersimis No. 2

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Earth Dam No. 1: Determination of arrangement at very steep rock abutment where dam is subject to considerable settlement due to foundation conditions.

Design of foundation cutoffs below water table using steel sheet piling and soil grouting.

Technical Paper

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"The Bersimis Sloping-Core Rock-Fill Dams" by

F.W.

Patterson and D.H. Plr~acDonald.

P r e s e n t e d t o t h e American S o c i e t y of C i v i l Engineers. This p a p e r i s t o be i n c l u d e d i n t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of a S,ymposium on Rock-Pill D a m s f o r t h e World Congress on Large D a m s , New York, September 1958.

Water R i g h t s Branch,

Department of Lands and F o r e s t s of B.C.:

C a r r i e d o u t a number o f i n v e s t i g a t i o n s d u r i n g t h e p a s t y e a r (1957) d e a l i n g w i t h e a r t h dams, s l o p e s and open e x c a v a t i o n s .

Maw

of t h e s m a l l e r dams l o c a t e d i n t h e i n t e r i o r of t h e p r o v i n c e are on t r i b u t a r y s t r e a m s a t e l e v a t i o n s w e l l above t h e main v a l l e y s ~ i h e r e t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n m a t e r i a l a v a i l a b l e i s m o s t l y sandy s i l t . T h i s i s p a r t i c u l a r l y t r u e i n t h e Olcanagan V a l l e y mhere t h e m a j o r i t y of small e a r t h dam c o n s t r u c t i o ~ l i s

t a k i n g p l a c e . S t o r a g e of between 20 and 30 f e e t of w a t e r e x i s t s i n many of t h e s e r e s e r v o i r s and i n a number o f i n s t a n c e s , c o n s i d e r a b l e seepage i s e v i d e n t .

Since c l a y o r o t h e r impervious m a t e r i a l i s p r a c t i c a l l y n o n - e x i s t e n t w i t h i n a r e a s o n a b l e h a u l i n g d i s t a n c e , e f f o r t s have been made t o c u t dorm t h e seepage by e i t h e r a c o n c r e t e c o r e o r by c o v e r i n g t h e upstream f a c e of t h e dam w i t h a c o n c r e t e s l a b . The fo,mer has

proven t o be t h e most e f f e c t i v e p r o v i d i n g t h e c o r e p e n e t r a t e s w e l l i n t o t h e dam f o u n d a t i o n t o p r o v i d e a n adequate c u t - o f f and a l s o p r o v i d i n g t h a t such a c o r e i s

p r o p e r l y d e s i g n e d , The use o f a n upstream impervious c o n c r e t e c o v e r has n o t proven t o o f e a s i b l e due p r i m a r i l y t o c r a c k i n g caused by s e t t l e m e n t ,

It w i l l be n o t e d t h a t some of t h e dams c o n s t r u c t e d 30 and 40 y e a r s ago c o x t a i n e d t i m b e r c r i b b i n g w i t h i n

t h e i r c e n t r e s which i n t u r n s u p p o r t e d a small t r a c k f o r t h e conveyance o f mine c a r s . The l o c a l s o i l s were dumped from t h e s e c a r s and t h e c r i b b i n g h a s notv r o t t e d and

provided seopage p a t h s f o r t h e s t o r e d w a t e r .

The u s e of chemical g r o u t i n g may p r o v i d e a n answer t o t h i s problem, b u t from t h e l i m i t e d knowledge now

a v a i l a b l e h e r e , t h e cos-t would a p p e a r t o be h i g h , Ecole P o l ~ t e c h n i a u e :