Uncertainty in spatial average undrained shear strength with a site-specific transformation model

Uncertainty in spatial average undrained shear strength with a site-specific transformation model

van der Krogt, M.G. (TU Delft Hydraulic Structures and Flood Risk; Deltares)
Schweckendiek, T. (TU Delft Hydraulic Structures and Flood Risk; Deltares)
Kok, M. (TU Delft Hydraulic Structures and Flood Risk)

2018

Transformation models are used to infer geotechnical properties from indirect measurements. A site-specific transformation model can be calibrated with direct and indirect measurements from a site. When such a model is used, then spatial variability, measurement errors and statistical uncertainty propagate into the uncertainty of the spatial average, which is the variable of interest in most geotechnical analyses. This research shows how all components enter the total uncertainty of a transformation model for undrained shear strength from cone resistance. A method is proposed to estimate the uncertainty in the spatial average undrained shear strength, particularly focusing on the role of averaging of all spatially variable error components. The main finding is that if a considerable share of the measurement and transformation errors is random or spatially variable, the uncertainty estimates can be considerably lower compared to methods proposed earlier, and hence, characteristic values can be considerably higher.

geotechnical variability
measurement error
Site investigation
spatial average
statistical uncertainty
transformation model
undrained shear strength

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:a91911f2-a350-4113-bee1-a67401beac50

https://doi.org/10.1080/17499518.2018.1554820

1749-9518

Georisk: assessment and management of risk for engineered systems and geohazards, 13 (2019) (3), 226-236

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2018 M.G. van der Krogt, T. Schweckendiek, M. Kok