Embankment fills are commonly used to meet the vertical grade requirements of a facility. Fills placed to accommodate the vertical profile as the roadway approaches a bridge are often referred to as “approach embankment fills” or “approach roadway fills.”  Embankment fills are also needed for many other infrastructure projects. Deformation and instability (local or global), both vertical and lateral, of embankment fills are common problems. Consideration of the effects of such fills on structures founded on fills, adjacent structures, and subsurface utilities is important to avoid costly post-construction maintenance and potential legal issues; e.g., approach embankment fill deformation near a bridge structure leads to the ubiquitous “bump at the end of the bridge.”  This workshop discusses the mechanisms of internal and external deformation in embankment fills. Evaluation of subsurface stresses and slope stability aspects related to embankment fills is also discussed. Estimation of the ground compaction factor is discussed, which is a key element for the determination of final earthwork quantities.  Good practices for ensuring the stability and performance of a bridge structure's approach elements are discussed.  Practical design solutions to mitigate the embankment stability problems will be discussed.

This workshop on soil nail walls will help gain a better understanding of the design and construction procedures using concepts of limit states that will be indexed to the latest guidelines based on the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methodology of the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

This 2-day workshop will discuss compaction of soils and engineering properties of compacted soils. Using a collaborative and interactive learning approach, this virtual workshop will help learners understand challenges associated with specification and construction of safe and serviceable compacted soil structures that will also help long-term maintenance needs. Learn new concepts of soil compaction that builds upon your prior knowledge and through active participation you will integrate the new knowledge into your understanding. You will also generate new ideas through brainstorming and discussion and develop a better understanding of the practical methods and processes of soil compaction, learn about real-world problems that your peers encounter on projects, and solutions they have implemented, and receive real-time expert feedback. In between the two live sessions, attendees will independently work on an application (e.g., exercises) or a reflection (e.g., reading) assignment.