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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S27030/01
Title: The effectiveness of buried mass concrete thrust blocks as a means of lateral support for excavations
Principal Investigator: Taylor, Professor RN
Other Investigators:
Stallebrass, Professor S McNamara, Dr AM Atkinson, Professor J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Arnold Burgess Partnership Ltd Arup Group Ltd Greenside Civil & Env.Contractors Ltd
McGee Group Ltd Sir Robert McAlpine Skanska
Wates Construction Wentworth House Partnership Ltd
Department: Sch of Engineering and Mathematical Sci
Organisation: City, University of London
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 15 September 2003 Ends: 14 February 2007 Value (£): 236,420
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Ground Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Construction
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The aim of the research is to produce clear guidelines for the design of mass concrete thrust blocks used as foundations for raking props providing lateral support for excavations. Current design is based on simple earth pressure theory and takes no account of the 3-dimensional passive effects that must be associated with such a structure. Part of the work will be validation of recent research by Soubra and Regenass (2000) who have carried out numerical investigations into 3-dimensional passive earth pressures.A key part of the research will be to determine the relationship between load and displacement for a range of prop forces and inclinations in both clay and sand. This will be achieved by a combination of physical testing, using a geotechnical centrifuge, and numerical modelling at and will be compared with data from field monitoring provided by the primary industrial collaborators, Skanska Construction, Wates Construction and Ove Arup and Partners. This will give clear insight into the behaviour of mass concrete bases subjected to inclined loads and will lead to the development of design charts for use in industry.
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Organisation Website: http://www.city.ac.uk