Bright Spark Lecture
Coupled Characterization of Stratigraphic and Geo-properties Uncertainties and Evaluation of the Influences on Geotechnical Performance
Professor, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)
Abstract
The main purpose of site characterization is to characterize the subsurface stratigraphic configuration and the associated geo-properties. Due to the inherent spatial variability of geological bodies and limited site investigation efforts, uncertainty is often unavoidable in the derived subsurface stratigraphic configuration and the associated geo-properties. In previous studies, substantial research work has been undertaken to address geo-properties uncertainty and evaluate its effects on the performance assessment and design of geotechnical systems; whereas, characterization of the stratigraphic uncertainty and analyses of its effect on the predicted performance of geotechnical systems have been relatively limited. As an outcome, the research on a coupled characterization of stratigraphic and geo-properties uncertainties has been hardly reported in the literature. To fill this technical gap, the authors have recently developed a conditional random field approach for the coupled characterization of stratigraphic and geo-properties uncertainties. In the context of the coupled characterization approach, the spatial correlation of the stratum existence between different subsurface elements and that of geo-properties are captured by two independent autocorrelation functions; as such, the coupling between the stratigraphic configuration and the spatial distribution of geo-properties can be realized through an update of the autocorrelation matrix and statistics of geo-properties in non-borehole elements, based on the sampled stratigraphic configuration. In this conference paper, the key components of this coupled characterization approach, including methodology and implementation procedure, are reviewed. Then, the effectiveness of this characterization approach is demonstrated through a series of examples, and the superiorities of this coupled characterization approach over the existing characterization approaches are discussed. Finally, two case studies are undertaken to investigate the influences of the stratigraphic and geo-properties uncertainties on the geotechnical performance evaluation.
Biography
Dr. Wenping Gong is a Professor in the Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). He received his PhD from Clemson University (USA), and his research focuses primarily on engineering geology, geohazards, site characterization, tunnel engineering, risk and reliability, uncertainty modeling, and remote sensing. He has published more than 70 international journal papers. Dr. Gong is currently the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Engineering Geology. He also serves on the editorial boards of several international journals such as Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, and Marine Georesources & Geotechnology. In addition, he is a member of the ASCE/G-I technical committee on Risk Assessment and Management (RAM) and Technical Committee TC304 of ISSMGE.
Professor, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)
Abstract
The main purpose of site characterization is to characterize the subsurface stratigraphic configuration and the associated geo-properties. Due to the inherent spatial variability of geological bodies and limited site investigation efforts, uncertainty is often unavoidable in the derived subsurface stratigraphic configuration and the associated geo-properties. In previous studies, substantial research work has been undertaken to address geo-properties uncertainty and evaluate its effects on the performance assessment and design of geotechnical systems; whereas, characterization of the stratigraphic uncertainty and analyses of its effect on the predicted performance of geotechnical systems have been relatively limited. As an outcome, the research on a coupled characterization of stratigraphic and geo-properties uncertainties has been hardly reported in the literature. To fill this technical gap, the authors have recently developed a conditional random field approach for the coupled characterization of stratigraphic and geo-properties uncertainties. In the context of the coupled characterization approach, the spatial correlation of the stratum existence between different subsurface elements and that of geo-properties are captured by two independent autocorrelation functions; as such, the coupling between the stratigraphic configuration and the spatial distribution of geo-properties can be realized through an update of the autocorrelation matrix and statistics of geo-properties in non-borehole elements, based on the sampled stratigraphic configuration. In this conference paper, the key components of this coupled characterization approach, including methodology and implementation procedure, are reviewed. Then, the effectiveness of this characterization approach is demonstrated through a series of examples, and the superiorities of this coupled characterization approach over the existing characterization approaches are discussed. Finally, two case studies are undertaken to investigate the influences of the stratigraphic and geo-properties uncertainties on the geotechnical performance evaluation.
Biography
Dr. Wenping Gong is a Professor in the Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). He received his PhD from Clemson University (USA), and his research focuses primarily on engineering geology, geohazards, site characterization, tunnel engineering, risk and reliability, uncertainty modeling, and remote sensing. He has published more than 70 international journal papers. Dr. Gong is currently the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Engineering Geology. He also serves on the editorial boards of several international journals such as Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, and Marine Georesources & Geotechnology. In addition, he is a member of the ASCE/G-I technical committee on Risk Assessment and Management (RAM) and Technical Committee TC304 of ISSMGE.
