Abstract:
Interfaces are ubiquitous in geotechnical engineering and perhaps no more so than in deep foundation systems. Despite this central role, the manner in which interfaces are typically treated has been largely empirical and qualitative. There is an opportunity to enhance the role of interfaces in deep foundation performance if we transition to a more quantitative engineering approach. This lecture presents a series of insights into interface performance that explicitly looks at the engineering of interfaces from a quantitative perspective and in particular, emphasizes the role of compatibility between the natural and man-made geomaterials at an interface. The lecture illustrates how such an approach can yield benefits not only in terms of structural performance but also thermal performance.