TECHNICAL PAPERS
Mar 1, 1983

Probabilistic Updating of Pore Pressure Fields

Publication: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 109, Issue 3

Abstract

A first‐order second‐moment method is proposed to quantify uncertainty about steady‐state pore pressures originating in random spatial variability of soil permeabilities. A Bayesian framework for systematic interpretation of piezometer observations is set out, which allows updating of the pore pressure field and, therefore, of geotechnical performance predictions. A probabilistic quantification of the observational method is attempted, so that probabilities assigned to different hypotheses (states of nature) regarding seepage can also be updated on the basis of piezometer readings. Application of the approach to the decision problem of sequential instrument location is suggested. An example illustrates the versatility of the proposed methodology.

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Go to Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 109Issue 3March 1983
Pages: 373 - 387

History

Published online: Mar 1, 1983
Published in print: Mar 1983

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Authors

Affiliations

Waldemar Hachich
Research Fellow, Massachusetts Inst., of Tech., Cambridge, Mass.; Asst. Prof., Univ. of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil (on leave)
Erik H. Vanmarcke, M. ASCE
Prof. of Civ. Engrg., Massachusetts Inst., of Tech., Cambridge, Mass. 02139

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