Ground Improvement in the 21st Century: A Comprehensive Web-Based Information System

There exist a large number of ground improvement methods that can be employed to overcome poor soil site conditions, some in use many decades, others recently developed. The growth in ground improvement methods, products, systems, and engineering tools has been tremendous, resulting in a very large body of knowledge. The selection of the most appropriate ground improvement technology is a complex undertaking that depends upon integration of available knowledge and a number problem-specific and site-specific factors. These factors are summarized and discussed in relation to the essential elements for success of a ground improvement project. A new comprehensive, web-based ground improvement information and guidance system, developed to summarize and organize this knowledge to facilitate informed decisions, is introduced and illustrated. The system can be used for engineering and construction practice that incorporates these essential elements.