Theoretical and practical studies of the deformation properties of the ground
Date
1982
Authors
Burland, John Boscawen
Journal Title
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Abstract
This thesis consi~ts of sixteen papers - all of them concerned
with the deformation properties of the ground. Much of the soil
m~chanics literature is concerned with the strength of soils and ultimate
conditions. This is understandable since the engineer's prime concern
in design is to avoid collapse. However, the engineer is also much
concerned with the behaviour of the ground under working conditions -
usually well removed from failure. This requires knowledge of the
deformation properties of the ground. Much of my research work has
been devoted to this topic and it is natural that it should form the
subject of the thesis.
The papers fall into four broad categories: the behaviour of
soft clays; the foundation properties of chalk; soil/structure
interaction; movements around deep excavations in stiff clays.
In addition, the first paper in the collection is concerned with
the behaviour of bored piles in stiff clays. This was one of the first
problems I was faced with as a practising engineer and the field that
it opened up to me led me to go to Cambridge where I studied the latest
theoretical work on the stress-strain behaviour of soft clays.
After obtaining my PhD degree from Cambridge University I
joined the Building Research Station. Much of my work there was
concerned with field studies of the deformation of the ground in
relation to a variety of civil engineering projects. It is perhaps
worth emphasising tha~uch investigations are usually carried out in
cooperation with consulting engineers and contractors and also involve
large teams of researchers. I have always insisted that the contribution
of collaborators should be recognised in the authorship of papers and
it will be noted that most of my papers have co-authors. I have
indicated in the thesis that co-authors have contributed to the
preparation of a paper.
The papers are grouped into five categories and I have
prepared a short introduction to each grouping describing the development
of the subject and highlighting the more important features. Appendix
1 gives a list of the papers contained in the thesis and in Appendix 2
I have listed my most important publications
Description
A thesis submitted for the degree of
Doctor of Science in Engineering.
Keywords
Deformation properties of the ground