Abstract:
The instrumentation in a geotechnical project is used for monitoring a natural process, in order to bring economical savings with the optimization of the design, and avoid deviations that could affect to the schedule and costs of the project. Monitoring is a key factor for prevent geotechnical risks that could compromise the functionality of the project. It is common that the real value of the instrumentation look hidden, so the main benefit of the monitoring is to avoid negative events and critical failures. Therefore, usually we don't see the costs of non instrumentation, because monitoring avoid that negative events occurs. So, it increases the Expected Value of the project.
Consolidation of soft soils is analyzed with the study of parameters as permeability and deformability. The variability of this parameters has a great influence in the determination of consolidation times and expected settlements. We expose relevant study cases in Mexico and Spain, in which we analyze economical savings and risks to be avoided. We are going to expose the technics and main parameters to monitoring in an embankment project.
In Cuitzeo â€" Patcuaro Highway (Michoacan, Mexico), and in Sierra Nevada Highway (A-44), (Granada, Spain), the main embankments have been monitored, in order to bring economical and environmental savings, so the instrumentation let reduce the thickness of soft soils to remove. We could decide the optimal time for the construction of pavement layers, in order to avoid that could be damaged by the consolidation embankment settlements.
In CSMA Container Terminal of Manzanillo Port (Colima, Mexico) have been done a ground improvement, in order to consolidate soft soils, with preload and wick drains. Geotechnical monitoring controls settlements and pore pressure dissipation. A delay in consolidation times could provoke major economical loss as a result of delays in the beginning of the operation.