NEWS 2017

Posted October 24, 2016 (Updated May 5, 2017)

Event: May 18, 2017

GSE 2017 AGM: Dr. Del Fredlund - Application of Unsaturated Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice

Location: La Cite Francophone (8627 - 91 St (rue Marie-Anne-Gaboury)

(Parking is available on site)

Time: 5:30pm Registration, 6:00pm Dinner, 6:45pm AGM and Presentation

Cost: $40 Members, $50 Non-Members, $20 Students
An additional $5 will be charged for payments made at the door.

Please register for this event using the Google Form by May 16, 2017.

Unsaturated soil mechanics has evolved over the past few decades from a research-oriented field of study to a commonly applied part of geotechnical engineering. The fundamental theories related to physical behaviour of unsaturated soils are, in general, accepted worldwide. The developed theories embrace: i.) flow through unsaturated soil systems, ii.) shear strength of unsaturated soils, and iii.) volume change and distortion of unsaturated soils; as well as the physical processes associated with heat flow and contaminant transport. Entire soil profiles are viewed and modeled as a single continuum of saturated-unsaturated soil.

The key to the implementation of unsaturated soil mechanics can be attributed largely to research findings related to the soil-water characteristic curve, SWCC. Much of the early information on the use of the SWCC came from soil physics (and other agricultural related disciplines). Methodologies proposed within soil physics needed to be re-examined for possible refinements when being applied within the geotechnical engineering. Studies revealed that several changes needed to be made prior to being used within geotechnical engineering. The presentation outlines the refinements necessary in order to more accurately estimate unsaturated soil property functions, USPFs for geotechnical engineering applications.

Dr. Delwyn G. Fredlund, O.C., P.Eng., FEIC, D.GE, has spent over 40 years conducting research into the behavior of unsaturated and expansive soils. Del presently heads the Golder Unsaturated Soils Group which is involved in the implementation of unsaturated soil mechanics into geotechnical engineering practice. Del has undertaken international programs of collaboration with countries such as China, Africa and Vietnam.

Del Fredlund obtained his Ph.D. in 1973 and has spent 34 years teaching and conducting research at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. Del's research studies have focused on unsaturated soil mechanics and numerical modeling. He is the author, along with Dr. Harianto Rahardjo, of the book "Soil Mechanics for Unsaturated Soils", 1993, as well as the 2012 published book titled, "Unsaturated Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice." Del has been the recipient of numerous awards, amongst them the Legget Award (1999), the Terzaghi Award (2005), and the Quigley Award (2009). He is also a recipient of the Order of Canada and is a member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

Event is full - registration is closed. We may not be able to accommodate walk-ins at this event.