Abstract
Current geotechnical design requires an appropriate number of in-situ tests to obtain sufficient underground information. Subsoil properties are known to have high spatial variability and often fluctuate with location. Random field model considering soil spatial variability for reliability analysis in geotechnical engineering requires site statistical data. This study presents a statistical characterisation of subsoil properties in Bangkok. The boring log data of Bangkok subsoil was gathered and used to develop a 3D geological model. The statistical analysis of geotechnical data was performed to describe the spatial variability of soil properties. The mean, coefficient of variation, and scale of fluctuation of the undrained shear strength, standard penetration test, total unit weight, plasticity index, and thickness of soil layers were evaluated in detail using random field model. The lognormal distribution and decay exponential function were adopted to describe the fluctuation trend of soil properties. Based on the data, the empirical correlations between soil shear strength and index properties can be also established. The results of this research can help civil engineers to describe the influence of spatial variability of soil properties in geotechnical engineering analysis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
(Modified from Sinsakul 2000)
(Modified from the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT 2006))
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
References
Angrisani A, Di Martire D, Calcaterra D, de’Gennaro M, Ramondini M (2018) On the reliability of experimental data in the geomechanical characterization of dimension stones. Q J Eng Geol Hydrogeol 51(2):193–201. https://doi.org/10.1144/qjegh2017-054
Baecher GB, Christian JT (2003) Reliability and statistics in geotechnical engineering. Wiley, New York
Bai T, Yang H, Chen X, Zhang S, Jin Y (2020) In-situ monitoring and reliability analysis of an embankment slope with soil variability. Geomech Eng 23(3):261–273. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2020.23.3.261
Balasubramaniam A, Oh E, Phienwej N (2009) Bored and driven pile testing in Bangkok sub-soils. Lowl Technol Int 11(1):29–36
Bergado DT, Patron BC Jr, Youyongwatana W, Chai J-C (1994) Reliability-based analysis of embankment on soft Bangkok clay. Struct Saf 13(4):247–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-4730(94)90032-9
Boonyatee T, Van Lai Q (2017) A non-linear load transfer method for determining the settlement of piles under vertical loading. Int J Geotech Eng. https://doi.org/10.1080/19386362.2017.1410337
Chandler RJ (1988) The in-situ measurement of the undrained shear strength of clays using the field vane, Vane shear strength testing in soils: field and laboratory studies. ASTM International, West Conshohocken
EIT (2006) Information of soil layer in Southern Chaopaya Plan. Engineering Institute of Thailand (in Thai)
Fenton GA, Griffiths D (2003) Bearing-capacity prediction of spatially random c φ soils. Can Geotech J 40(1):54–65. https://doi.org/10.1139/t02-086
Fenton GA, Griffiths DV (2008) Risk assessment in geotechnical engineering. Wiley, New York
Griffiths DV, Huang J, Fenton GA (2011) Probabilistic infinite slope analysis. Comput Geotech 38(4):577–584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2011.03.006
Hicks MA, Samy K (2002) Influence of heterogeneity on undrained clay slope stability. Q J Eng Geol Hydrogeol 35(1):41–49. https://doi.org/10.1144/qjegh.35.1.41
Jones NL, Wright SG (1993) Subsurface characterization with solid models. J Geotech Eng 119(11):1823–1839. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1993)119:11(1823)
Lemon AM, Jones NL (2003) Building solid models from boreholes and user-defined cross-sections. Comput Geosci 29(5):547–555. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0098-3004(03)00051-7
Li DQ, Tang XS, Phoon KK, Chen YF, Zhou CB (2013) Bivariate simulation using copula and its application to probabilistic pile settlement analysis. Int J Numer Anal Meth Geomech 37(6):597–617. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.1112
Likitlersuang S, Surarak C, Wanatowski D, Oh E, Balasubramaniam A (2013a) Finite element analysis of a deep excavation: a case study from the Bangkok MRT. Soils Found 53(5):756–773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2013.08.013
Likitlersuang S, Teachavorasinskun S, Surarak C, Oh E, Balasubramaniam A (2013b) Small strain stiffness and stiffness degradation curve of Bangkok Clays. Soils Found 53(4):498–509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2013.06.003
Likitlersuang S, Surarak C, Suwansawat S, Wanatowski D, Oh E, Balasubramaniam A (2014) Simplified finite-element modelling for tunnelling-induced settlements. Geotech Res 1(4):133–152. https://doi.org/10.1680/gr.14.00016
Likitlersuang S, Pholkainuwatra P, Chompoorat T, Keawsawasvong S (2018) Numerical modelling of railway embankments for high-speed train constructed on soft soil. J GeoEng 13(3):149–159. https://doi.org/10.6310/jog.201809_13(3).6
Likitlersuang S, Plengsiri P, Mase LZ, Tanapalungkorn W (2020) Influence of spatial variability of ground on seismic response analysis: a case study of Bangkok subsoils. Bull Eng Geol Env 79(1):39–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01560-9
Lim K, Cassidy M, Li A, Lyamin A (2017) Mean parametric monte carlo study of fill slopes. Int J Geomech 17(4):04016105. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000812
Liu L-L, Cheng Y-M (2018) System reliability analysis of soil slopes using an advanced kriging metamodel and quasi–monte carlo simulation. Int J Geomech 18(8):06018019. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001209
Low B (2005) Reliability-based design applied to retaining walls. Geotechnique 55(1):63–75. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2005.55.1.63
Luo Z, Hu B, Wang Y, Di H (2018) Effect of spatial variability of soft clays on geotechnical design of braced excavations: a case study of Formosa excavation. Comput Geotech 103:242–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2018.07.020
Mase LZ (2020) Seismic hazard vulnerability of Bengkulu City, Indonesia, based on deterministic seismic hazard analysis. Geotech Geol Eng 38(5):5433–5455. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01375-6
Mase LZ, Likitlersuang S, Tobita T (2019) Cyclic behaviour and liquefaction resistance of Izumio sands in Osaka. Jpn Mar Georesources Geotechnol 37(7):765–774. https://doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2018.1485793
Mase LZ, Likitlersuang S, Tobita T (2021) Ground motion parameters and resonance effect during strong earthquake in northern Thailand. Geotech Geol Eng 39(3):2207–2219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01619-5
Mase LZ, Tanapalungkorn W, Plengsiri P, Ngamcharoen K, Likitlersuang S (2022) Subsoil variability in the Bangkok metropolitan area of Thailand identified through ambient noise measurement. Indones J Geosci 10(1):1–13. https://doi.org/10.17014/ijog.10.1.1-11
McBratney A, Webster R (1986) Choosing functions for semi-variograms of soil properties and fitting them to sampling estimates. J Soil Sci 37(4):617–639. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.1986.tb00392.x
Ming J, Pan M, Qu H, Ge Z (2010) GSIS: A 3D geological multi-body modeling system from netty cross-sections with topology. Comput Geosci 36(6):756–767. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2009.11.003
Nguyen TS, Likitlersuang S (2019) Reliability analysis of unsaturated soil slope stability under infiltration considering hydraulic and shear strength parameters. Bull Eng Geol Env 78(8):5727–5743. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01513-2
Nguyen TS, Likitlersuang S (2021) Influence of the spatial variability of soil shear strength on deep excavation: a case study of a Bangkok underground MRT station. Int J Geomech 21(2):04020248. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001914
Nguyen TS, Likitlersuang S, Ohtsu H, Kitaoka T (2017) Influence of the spatial variability of shear strength parameters on rainfall induced landslides: a case study of sandstone slope in Japan. Arab J Geosci 10(16):369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3158-y
Nguyen TS, Likitlersuang S, Jotisankasa A (2019) Influence of the spatial variability of the root cohesion on a slope-scale stability model: a case study of residual soil slope in Thailand. Bull Eng Geol Env 78(5):3337–3351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1380-9
Nguyen TS, Likitlersuang S, Jotisankasa A (2020) Stability analysis of vegetated residual soil slope in Thailand under rainfall conditions. Environ Geotech 7(5):338–349
Nguyen TS, Phan TN, Likitlersuang S, Bergado DT (2022) Characterization of stationary and nonstationary random fields with different copulas on undrained shear strength of soils: probabilistic analysis of embankment stability on soft ground. Int J Geomech 22(7):04022109. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0002444
Oliver MA, Webster R (1990) Kriging: a method of interpolation for geographical information systems. Int J Geograph Inf Syst 4(3):313–332. https://doi.org/10.1080/02693799008941549
Phoon KK, Kulhawy FH (1999) Characterization of geotechnical variability. Can Geotech J 36(4):612–624. https://doi.org/10.1139/t99-038
Phoon K-K, Santoso A, Quek S-T (2010) Probabilistic analysis of soil-water characteristic curves. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 136(3):445–455. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000222
Qodri MF, Mase LZ, Likitlersuang S (2021) Non-linear site response analysis of Bangkok subsoils due to earthquakes triggered by Three Pagodas Fault. Eng J 25(1):43–52. https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2021.25.1.43
Sert S, Luo Z, Xiao J, Gong W, Juang CH (2016) Probabilistic analysis of responses of cantilever wall-supported excavations in sands considering vertical spatial variability. Comput Geotech 75:182–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.02.004
Shibuya S, Tamrakar S, Manakul W (2003) Geotechnical hazards in Bangkok-present and future. Lowl Technol Int 5(1):1–13
Sinsakul S (2000) Late quaternary geology of the lower central plain, Thailand. J Asian Earth Sci 18(4):415–426. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1367-9120(99)00075-9
Surarak C, Likitlersuang S, Wanatowski D, Balasubramaniam A, Oh E, Guan H (2012) Stiffness and strength parameters for hardening soil model of soft and stiff Bangkok clays. Soils Found 52(4):682–697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2012.07.009
Tan X, Fei S, Shen M, Hou X, Ma H (2020) Influence of spatial variability on unsaturated hydraulic properties. Geomech Eng 23(5):419–429. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2020.23.5.419
Thay S, Likitlersuang S, Pipatpongsa T (2013) Monotonic and cyclic behavior of Chiang Mai sand under simple shear mode. Geotech Geol Eng 31:67–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-012-9563-9
Touch S, Likitlersuang S, Pipatpongsa T (2014) 3D geological modelling and geotechnical characteristics of Phnom Penh subsoils in Cambodia. Eng Geol 178:58–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.06.010
Wang F, Li H (2019) On the need for dependence characterization in random fields: findings from cone penetration test (CPT) data. Can Geotech J 56(5):710–719. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2018-0164
Yimsiri S, Ratananikom W, Fukuda F, Likitlersuang S (2013) Undrained strength-deformation characteristics of Bangkok Clay under general stress condition. Geomech Eng 5(5):419–445. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2013.5.5.419
Zhang J-Z, Zhang D-M, Huang H-W, Phoon KK, Tang C, Li G (2022) Hybrid machine learning model with random field and limited CPT data to quantify horizontal scale of fluctuation of soil spatial variability. Acta Geotech. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-021-01360-0
Zhao L, Huang Y, Xiong M, Ye G (2020) Reliability and risk assessment for rainfall-induced slope failure in spatially variable soils. Geomechan Eng 22(3):207–217. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2020.22.3.207
Zhu L, Zhang C, Li M, Pan X, Sun J (2012) Building 3D solid models of sedimentary stratigraphic systems from borehole data: an automatic method and case studies. Eng Geol 127:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2011.12.001
Zhu H, Zhang LM, Zhang L, Zhou C (2013) Two-dimensional probabilistic infiltration analysis with a spatially varying permeability function. Comput Geotech 48:249–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2012.07.010
Zhu H, Zhang L, Xiao T, Li X (2017) Generation of multivariate cross-correlated geotechnical random fields. Comput Geotech 86:95–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2017.01.006
Acknowledgements
The first author would like to acknowledge the Ratchadapisek Sompot Fund (2022) for Postdoctoral Fellowship, Chulalongkorn University.
Funding
This research was supported by National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT): NRCT5-RSA63001-05, the Thailand Science research and Innovation Fund Chulalongkorn University (BCG66210016) and the Ratchadapisek Sompoch Endowment Fund (2022), Chulalongkorn University (765007-RES02).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Nguyen, T.S., Ngamcharoen, K. & Likitlersuang, S. Statistical Characterisation of the Geotechnical Properties of Bangkok Subsoil. Geotech Geol Eng 41, 2043–2063 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-023-02390-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-023-02390-z