Forensic Geotechnical Investigation of Settlement Failure of Pile Group Supporting Columns of Conveyor Belt

Abstract

Forensic geotechnical investigation has gained significance among civil engineering professionals as majority of the failures of structures originate from substructure or foundation soil. The forensic studies enable establishing the exact causes for failures and to take up remedial measures to stabilize the structures where ever feasible and help in avoiding similar failures in future constructions by overcoming the deficiencies in geotechnical design of foundations and improving the ground prior to construction if found necessary. The findings of forensic geotechnical investigations of failures of structures are enabling the geotechnical engineers to advise more efficient and safe foundations in different soil conditions and to suggest the post construction care if any to be taken up. The forensic geotechnical investigations not only address the remedial action for overcoming the failures but also provide useful information with regard to causes for failures and the steps to be taken to avoid such failures in future constructions in similar soil conditions. The present paper describes various steps involved in forensic geotechnical investigation and illustrates the same through analysis of settlement failure of a pile group supporting columns of conveyor system at one of the locations of material handling in Visakhapatnam port. The investigation revealed the causes for settlement failure of pile group as inadequate soil exploration, insufficient pile length and negative skin friction drag force on pile from soft clay layer. Based on the forensic geotechnical investigation carried out, remedial measures are suggested.