Probabilistic design of dry deep mixing using an observational approach

Abstract

The evaluation of material parameters for design should consider the spatial variability of measured parameters, the extent and type of tests, and the type and size of the current mechanical system. This is stated in Eurocode 7; however, there is very little guidance as to how this is to be done in practice. The strength and deformation properties of dry deep mixing columns are subject to high variability, and it is difficult to estimate these parameters in advance. Owing to this high variability, probabilistic analyses are considered useful for the design and quality assessment decision procedure. This paper presents a procedure, based on probabilistic analysis, which is a combination of design by calculation and the observational method. The procedure renders the possibility to update acceptance criteria based on measurements during construction, and the methodology rewards the development of the mixing process and increased testing.