Estimation of settlement below foundations and embankment fills is a routine geotechnical design requirement. A couple of settlement estimation methods are typically used for this purpose nationally and at WSDOT. These include the Hough and Schmertmann methods. This report provides a summary of these methods, and an assessment of their accuracy through comparison of predicted and measured settlement values. Based on long-term experience, it is usually assumed that settlement estimates are not reliable enough to predict settlements of less than 0.5 inch. The available data appear to support this in that the scatter in the measured settlement is greater than the settlement prediction for settlements of less than 0.5 inch. The scope of this research is limited to sandy WSDOT sites where settlement was measured (i.e., settlement in clay is not included). Measured settlements ranged from 0.5 inch to 40 inches. Overall, the Hough Method provided a more accurate prediction than did the Schmertmann Method.
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In recent years, ADOT&PF personnel have used TEMP/W, a commercially available two-dimensional finite element program, to conduct thermal modeling of v...
In recent years, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (AK DOT&PF) personnel have used TEMP/W, a commercially available two-dimens...
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