Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Geotechnical Ground Improvement Methods
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 12
Abstract
A life-cycle sustainability assessment evaluated and compared the impacts of five ground improvement methods commonly implemented to mitigate liquefaction: compaction grouting, deep dynamic compaction, deep soil mixing, vibro compaction, and vibro replacement (i.e., stone columns). Using typical scopes of work provided by geotechnical contractors who specialize in ground improvement, this study developed sustainability benchmarks for the life-cycle impacts and costs of each method, quantified the consequences of the risk and uncertainty inherent in ground improvement projects, and examined impacts to land and soil resources that occur throughout the life cycle. Results showed that deep soil mixing and compaction grouting are the most impactful and costly methods due to the use of portland cement, an energy- and emissions-intensive material. Vibratory methods and deep dynamic compaction are more sustainable, despite the fact that their impacts and costs are more variable and uncertain. Although many factors influence ground improvement design selection (e.g., safety, performance criteria, feasibility, and cost), the results of this study may help inform decision making to realize more sustainable infrastructure.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.
Acknowledgments
This material is based upon work supported by the Engineering Research Center Program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) under NSF Cooperative Agreement EEC-1449501. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NSF. The authors thank Keller North America and Nicholson Construction for providing information on the ground improvement scopes of work described in the paper.
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Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 12 • December 2021
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Oct 15, 2020
Accepted: Jun 21, 2021
Published online: Oct 4, 2021
Published in print: Dec 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Mar 4, 2022
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