Engineering fills design, material, selection, construction control, recent development and case studies

Abstract

IV ABSTRACT Fill is not a new term in civil engineering, especially in geotechnical engineering. It is simple an earth work with which a mankind is related in some respect since the ancient time, however the necessity and desires of man have prompted him through ages to engage in earth-moving operations in connection with construction of engineering facilities. Engineering fill provide better support for structures than natural deposits and are widely used in developing residential subdivisions and industrial areas. It is a simple logic to reduce the distance and time of traveling by cutting down the hills and filling valleys for construction of roads, railroads, airports and canals as arteries of transportation. Furthermore, construction of dams for storing water for different uses and construction of levees for flood control involves filling operation. Also disposal of waste material requires fill operation. One of the main purpose of this thesis is to describe some of the concepts of soil mechanics, adopted for general fill construction procedures. In order to achieve the required goal, here are presented some helpful informations on suitable fill materials, fill compaction and compaction specification, method of fill construction, controlling its quality and checking the stability. Also a simple touch is made to the recent developments regarding fills and landfills.