THE BENEFITS OF USING ADVANCED NUMERICAL METHODS THROUGHOUT THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD SCHEME

During the course of the tendering process for the Hale End to Chingford Road section of the A406 north Circular Road (London), the chosen Contractor was approached by the Client with a view to re-assessing the conforming scheme in order to consider possible cost savings. This scheme involved the construction of an embedded retaining wall supported by an inclined base slab in the permanent condition. The original design comprised retaining structures formed by "T" shaped diaphragm wall panels. The document that set out the design criteria for the scheme, the AIP, placed strict limits on deformation of the walls and the ground around the structure. Any alternative scheme had to satisfy these criteria. At this stage the Contractor recognised the value of finite element analysis to examine the sensitivity of any design to variations in ground conditions, different temporary works details and differing retaining systems. Throughout construction this method of analysis was used to refine the design and to demonstrate that any revisions to it would not cause the limits on deformation to be exceeded. Only a full numerical analysis of the form undertaken could provide all the information required concerning the performance of the structures and the movement of the ground. This case history provides a very good example of where finite element analysis has been used throughout the design and construction process to make significant savings in terms of cost. It allowed modifications to the design of the scheme and methods of working to be assessed and evolved which were of significant benefit to both the Client and Contractor. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD E10

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1860812511
• Corporate Authors:

  CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS LTD

  151 ROSEBERY AVENUE
  LONDON,   United Kingdom  EC1R 4GB
• Authors:
  • HIGGINS, K G
  • FERNIE, R
  • Potts, D M
  • HOUSTON, C
  • Mair, R J
  • ST JOHN, H D
• Conference:
  • THE VALUE OF GEOTECHNICS IN CONSTRUCTION. PROCEEDINGS FROM THE SEMINAR, INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, LONDON, 4 NOVEMBER 1998
• Publication Date: 1998

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 101-13

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economics; Finite element method; Material reinforcement; Retaining walls; Road construction; Tunnels
• ITRD Terms: 255: Economics; 6490: Finite element method; 9111: Reinforcement (gen); 3359: Retaining wall; 3665: Road construction; 3374: Tunnel
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Economics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00779188
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 1-86081-251-1
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 7 1999 12:00AM