Assessing Performance and Efficiency of Ground Improvement Techniques With Instrumentation

Ground improvement techniques are essential tools in geotechnical engineering, significantly enhancing the viability of a wide array of field works. These methods aim to reduce or eliminate significant vertical and horizontal deformations, thereby minimizing the potential for infrastructure failure. Performance assessments of these techniques, whether in actual field works or laboratory simulations, involve the measurement of vertical and horizontal displacements, pore pressure generation, vertical stress distribution, changes in the water table, and tension on geosynthetic reinforcements.

This Research Topic seeks to present and discuss the outcomes of applying geotechnical instrumentation in real-world projects, scale 1:1 laboratory models, and centrifuge tests. The core themes include embankment construction on soft soils, retaining structures, and deep excavations.

This Research Topic will delve into instrumented geotechnical works that encompass ground improvement applications. The focus will be on embankments over soft soils, which employ techniques such as surcharge pre-loading with or without prefabricated vertical drains, ordinary granular columns, granular encased columns, vacuum pre-loading, deep soil mixing, piled supported embankments, and radial deep consolidation grouting. Additionally, the Topic will explore retaining structures and deep excavations involving anchored walls, reinforced or mechanically stabilized earth walls, soil-nailed walls, and sheet piles.

To gather further insights into these areas, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Application and performance evaluation of various ground improvement techniques in geotechnical engineering.
• Case studies on the impact of ground improvement on the structural integrity of embankments, retaining walls, and deep excavations.
• Advances in geotechnical instrumentation, including the design and use of specialized equipment for these purposes.
• Comparative studies of field applications versus laboratory model simulations in geotechnical works.
• Innovative methodologies and materials in ground improvement for enhanced infrastructure resilience.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Geotechnical Instrumentation, Ground Improvement, Field Works, Laboratory tests, Retaining Structures, Embankments, Deep Excavations

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.