Richard Finno | Northwestern University (original) (raw)

Papers by Richard Finno

Research paper thumbnail of Slurry Trench Evaluation, Waste Disposal Site at Carlyss, Louisiana, Phase II

Research paper thumbnail of Discussion: Cracks, bifurcation and shear bands propagation in saturated clays

Research paper thumbnail of Sheetpile-Induced Vibrations at the Lurie Excavation Project

Ground surface vibrations and their effects on the adjacent ground were monitored during installa... more Ground surface vibrations and their effects on the adjacent ground were monitored during installation of a 20 m deep, sheet-pile wall at the excavation of the Lurie Research Center in Chicago, IL. The subsurface conditions consisted of 9 m of loose to medium dense granular soils and fill over a sequence of increasingly stiff glacial clays. The sheets were installed with two different vibratory hammers, and velocity transducers were placed at varying distances from sheets to record transient responses during the operation. The permanent deformation caused by installation of the sheeting was recorded with optical survey methods at 198 points. The results of the observations show that larger vibrations occurred during the start-up and shutdown phases of hammer operations than during its steady-state operation. Minor settlements occurred within about 12 meters of the sheet pile wall. The settlements were consistent with magnitude of the peak ground acceleration, about 0.1 g, that was computed from the time histories of the velocity traces. No damage to adjacent utilities was noted.

Research paper thumbnail of Instrumentation of freight tunnel in Chicago

Research paper thumbnail of Use of Lateral Movements and Strut Loads in Inverse Analysis of Supported Excavations

Research paper thumbnail of Geotechnical instrumentation for monitoring field performance

Engineering Geology, Apr 1, 1991

Research paper thumbnail of Adaptive Management Evaluation of the SQBRC Excavation

Lecture notes in applied and computational mechanics, 2017

This paper summarizes the adaptive management approach for controlling ground movements resulting... more This paper summarizes the adaptive management approach for controlling ground movements resulting from geotechnical construction activities, and presents the results of such analyses made throughout construction of the excavation for the SQBRC building in Chicago, IL, wherein attendant ground movement was a key design issue. This paper describes the support system, summarizes the performance data collected in real time, and presents the results of the optimizations made during excavation. Optimization of soil parameters based on plane strain analyses made at well-defined excavation stages resulted in reasonable predictions of computed lateral movements at the end of the excavation. Issues related modeling the support system in three dimensional analyses are discussed, and effects of past construction activities and construction operations other than the cycles of excavation and support installation are illustrated. Current limitations of the approach with respect to supported excavations are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Recent Trends in Supported Excavation Practice

This paper presents an overview of developments and trends in the practice of supported excavatio... more This paper presents an overview of developments and trends in the practice of supported excavations since 1990. Soil mixed walls, ground improvement and hybrid support systems are more frequently used. Design has evolved such that stiffness based approaches are common in urban areas. LRFD based design is replacing traditional allowable stress design in a number of situations. Numerical analyses of support systems have become more prevalent, especially in situations where ground movements adjacent to an excavation are important. With developments in sensors and information technology, the observational approach is becoming more automated, with near real time data available to share holders. This paper summarizes these trends and speculates how they may evolve in the future.

Research paper thumbnail of Development of nonlinear cross-anisotropic model for the pre-failure deformation of geomaterials

Computers and Geotechnics, Mar 1, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Use of Monitoring Data to Update Performance Predictions of Supported Excavations

Research paper thumbnail of Closure to “Three-Dimensional Responses of a Tied-Back Excavation through Clay” by Richard J. Finno and Jill F. Roboski

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Oct 1, 2006

In regard to the magnitude of the preload, the authors note that quantification of the relative m... more In regard to the magnitude of the preload, the authors note that quantification of the relative merits of prestressing the ground anchors at either 75% or 100% of the design load is difficult. In their paper, the authors report that the first two level of ground anchors, located in beach sand, were nearly at the same elevation. This was physically possible only because the contractor horizontally staggered the anchors in these two rows. The authors further state that in order to evaluate response differences that are strictly the result of differences in the prestress, one would need excessively detailed three-dimensional numerical analyses. The authors cite Finno et al. (2002) regarding presentation of data from instrumented anchors collected at a different Chicago excavation. Results show that the anchors, locked off at 100% of the design loads, remained essentially constant throughout the excavation. As for the discusser's query about optimal prestress value, the authors are unaware of any supporting numerical studies or performance data.

Research paper thumbnail of Representing Internal Bracing Systems in 3-D Models of Deep Excavations

Internal bracing in conventional 2-d finite element models of deep excavations is modeled by aver... more Internal bracing in conventional 2-d finite element models of deep excavations is modeled by averaging the stiffness of the internal braces over their spacing and considering the bending stiffness of the wall about its neutral axis in the plane of bending. The effects of the waler connecting the brace and wall are usually ignored. When making a 3-d simulation, each internal brace can be modeled individually. In this case, when evaluating the 3-d distribution of ground movements and structural responses, the effects of the waler should be considered. However, it is not feasible to explicitly model each waler and all the connections between the brace, waler and wall. This paper summarizes the considerations related to such simulations, presents the results of parametric studies that show the effects of sheeting flexibility parallel to the wall and compares results of 3-d finite element simulations to responses at the Ford Design Center excavation in Evanston, IL.

Research paper thumbnail of 1-D Wave Propagation Techniques in Foundation Engineering

The guided wave approach to wave propagation in cylindrical concrete piles and drilled shafts is ... more The guided wave approach to wave propagation in cylindrical concrete piles and drilled shafts is used to show the limits of conventional interpretations of surface reflection methods. The solutions to the dispersion equation for both longitudinal and flexural wave propagation and their implications are presented. Theoretical results concerning propagation velocity, attenuation, and displacements are presented. The results show that relatively constant propagation velocities of longitudinal waves in sonic echo and impulse response tests are limited to relatively low frequencies as a function of the diameter of a pile or shaft. On the other hand, flexural waves are dispersive at low frequencies and only become constant at relatively high frequencies. Implications of these results are illustrated for deep foundations and bender element tests. Comparisons are made between the geometric attenuation of longitudinal and flexural stress waves in concrete piles and shafts. Additional limitations of surface reflection tests arise from the stiffness of the soil adjacent to the pile, soil stratigraphy, variability in propagation velocity, and the presence of any intervening structure between the impact and the deep foundation element.

Research paper thumbnail of Inverse Analysis of a Supported Excavation in Chicago

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Sep 1, 2019

AbstractAdaptive management is a design approach which allows one to change support and/or constr... more AbstractAdaptive management is a design approach which allows one to change support and/or construction procedures during excavation based on observed responses to meet specific design objectives. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Impulse Response Evaluation of Foundations using Multiple Geophones

Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, May 1, 1999

A new method to nondestructively evaluate existing deep foundations is described for the situatio... more A new method to nondestructively evaluate existing deep foundations is described for the situation where access to the top of a deep foundation is prevented by an intervening structure. The test consists of striking a surface of a structure and simultaneously recording velocities with vertical geophones at several locations on an impacted surface. Arranging the geophones at different distances from both the impact location and the source of surface wave reflections allows one to minimize the interfering effects of surface waves on recognizing the compression wave reflections from an underlying deep foundation. The processed data can be evaluated as either a conventional sonic echo or impulse response test. Results of field tests of the system are described for groups of shafts at the National Geotechnical Experimentation Site at Northwestern University. Results of these tests indicate that there are preferential locations for the geophones that enhance the interpretation of the condition of an underlying drilled shaft. A case study is presented that describes the application of the method to evaluate possible concrete deterioration of existing bridge piers.

Research paper thumbnail of Analytical interpretation of dilatometer penetration through saturated cohesive soils

Geotechnique, Jun 1, 1993

Research paper thumbnail of Microstructural Changes in Sand-Bentonite Soils when Exposed to Aniline

Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, Feb 1, 1995

Research paper thumbnail of A Unique Critical State for Sand?

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Nov 1, 1998

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Digital Image Correlation to Evaluate Shear Banding in Dilative Sands

Geotechnical Testing Journal, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Three-Dimensional Responses of a Tied-Back Excavation through Clay

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Mar 1, 2005

... of movements measured at other locations, the reinforcing effect of the timber piles inside t... more ... of movements measured at other locations, the reinforcing effect of the timber piles inside the sheet ... The similarity between the maximum distortions in both directions suggests that distortions that develop ... of the fits for Stages 5 and 6, and for fits with 3D movement data obtained ...

Research paper thumbnail of Slurry Trench Evaluation, Waste Disposal Site at Carlyss, Louisiana, Phase II

Research paper thumbnail of Discussion: Cracks, bifurcation and shear bands propagation in saturated clays

Research paper thumbnail of Sheetpile-Induced Vibrations at the Lurie Excavation Project

Ground surface vibrations and their effects on the adjacent ground were monitored during installa... more Ground surface vibrations and their effects on the adjacent ground were monitored during installation of a 20 m deep, sheet-pile wall at the excavation of the Lurie Research Center in Chicago, IL. The subsurface conditions consisted of 9 m of loose to medium dense granular soils and fill over a sequence of increasingly stiff glacial clays. The sheets were installed with two different vibratory hammers, and velocity transducers were placed at varying distances from sheets to record transient responses during the operation. The permanent deformation caused by installation of the sheeting was recorded with optical survey methods at 198 points. The results of the observations show that larger vibrations occurred during the start-up and shutdown phases of hammer operations than during its steady-state operation. Minor settlements occurred within about 12 meters of the sheet pile wall. The settlements were consistent with magnitude of the peak ground acceleration, about 0.1 g, that was computed from the time histories of the velocity traces. No damage to adjacent utilities was noted.

Research paper thumbnail of Instrumentation of freight tunnel in Chicago

Research paper thumbnail of Use of Lateral Movements and Strut Loads in Inverse Analysis of Supported Excavations

Research paper thumbnail of Geotechnical instrumentation for monitoring field performance

Engineering Geology, Apr 1, 1991

Research paper thumbnail of Adaptive Management Evaluation of the SQBRC Excavation

Lecture notes in applied and computational mechanics, 2017

This paper summarizes the adaptive management approach for controlling ground movements resulting... more This paper summarizes the adaptive management approach for controlling ground movements resulting from geotechnical construction activities, and presents the results of such analyses made throughout construction of the excavation for the SQBRC building in Chicago, IL, wherein attendant ground movement was a key design issue. This paper describes the support system, summarizes the performance data collected in real time, and presents the results of the optimizations made during excavation. Optimization of soil parameters based on plane strain analyses made at well-defined excavation stages resulted in reasonable predictions of computed lateral movements at the end of the excavation. Issues related modeling the support system in three dimensional analyses are discussed, and effects of past construction activities and construction operations other than the cycles of excavation and support installation are illustrated. Current limitations of the approach with respect to supported excavations are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Recent Trends in Supported Excavation Practice

This paper presents an overview of developments and trends in the practice of supported excavatio... more This paper presents an overview of developments and trends in the practice of supported excavations since 1990. Soil mixed walls, ground improvement and hybrid support systems are more frequently used. Design has evolved such that stiffness based approaches are common in urban areas. LRFD based design is replacing traditional allowable stress design in a number of situations. Numerical analyses of support systems have become more prevalent, especially in situations where ground movements adjacent to an excavation are important. With developments in sensors and information technology, the observational approach is becoming more automated, with near real time data available to share holders. This paper summarizes these trends and speculates how they may evolve in the future.

Research paper thumbnail of Development of nonlinear cross-anisotropic model for the pre-failure deformation of geomaterials

Computers and Geotechnics, Mar 1, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Use of Monitoring Data to Update Performance Predictions of Supported Excavations

Research paper thumbnail of Closure to “Three-Dimensional Responses of a Tied-Back Excavation through Clay” by Richard J. Finno and Jill F. Roboski

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Oct 1, 2006

In regard to the magnitude of the preload, the authors note that quantification of the relative m... more In regard to the magnitude of the preload, the authors note that quantification of the relative merits of prestressing the ground anchors at either 75% or 100% of the design load is difficult. In their paper, the authors report that the first two level of ground anchors, located in beach sand, were nearly at the same elevation. This was physically possible only because the contractor horizontally staggered the anchors in these two rows. The authors further state that in order to evaluate response differences that are strictly the result of differences in the prestress, one would need excessively detailed three-dimensional numerical analyses. The authors cite Finno et al. (2002) regarding presentation of data from instrumented anchors collected at a different Chicago excavation. Results show that the anchors, locked off at 100% of the design loads, remained essentially constant throughout the excavation. As for the discusser's query about optimal prestress value, the authors are unaware of any supporting numerical studies or performance data.

Research paper thumbnail of Representing Internal Bracing Systems in 3-D Models of Deep Excavations

Internal bracing in conventional 2-d finite element models of deep excavations is modeled by aver... more Internal bracing in conventional 2-d finite element models of deep excavations is modeled by averaging the stiffness of the internal braces over their spacing and considering the bending stiffness of the wall about its neutral axis in the plane of bending. The effects of the waler connecting the brace and wall are usually ignored. When making a 3-d simulation, each internal brace can be modeled individually. In this case, when evaluating the 3-d distribution of ground movements and structural responses, the effects of the waler should be considered. However, it is not feasible to explicitly model each waler and all the connections between the brace, waler and wall. This paper summarizes the considerations related to such simulations, presents the results of parametric studies that show the effects of sheeting flexibility parallel to the wall and compares results of 3-d finite element simulations to responses at the Ford Design Center excavation in Evanston, IL.

Research paper thumbnail of 1-D Wave Propagation Techniques in Foundation Engineering

The guided wave approach to wave propagation in cylindrical concrete piles and drilled shafts is ... more The guided wave approach to wave propagation in cylindrical concrete piles and drilled shafts is used to show the limits of conventional interpretations of surface reflection methods. The solutions to the dispersion equation for both longitudinal and flexural wave propagation and their implications are presented. Theoretical results concerning propagation velocity, attenuation, and displacements are presented. The results show that relatively constant propagation velocities of longitudinal waves in sonic echo and impulse response tests are limited to relatively low frequencies as a function of the diameter of a pile or shaft. On the other hand, flexural waves are dispersive at low frequencies and only become constant at relatively high frequencies. Implications of these results are illustrated for deep foundations and bender element tests. Comparisons are made between the geometric attenuation of longitudinal and flexural stress waves in concrete piles and shafts. Additional limitations of surface reflection tests arise from the stiffness of the soil adjacent to the pile, soil stratigraphy, variability in propagation velocity, and the presence of any intervening structure between the impact and the deep foundation element.

Research paper thumbnail of Inverse Analysis of a Supported Excavation in Chicago

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Sep 1, 2019

AbstractAdaptive management is a design approach which allows one to change support and/or constr... more AbstractAdaptive management is a design approach which allows one to change support and/or construction procedures during excavation based on observed responses to meet specific design objectives. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Impulse Response Evaluation of Foundations using Multiple Geophones

Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, May 1, 1999

A new method to nondestructively evaluate existing deep foundations is described for the situatio... more A new method to nondestructively evaluate existing deep foundations is described for the situation where access to the top of a deep foundation is prevented by an intervening structure. The test consists of striking a surface of a structure and simultaneously recording velocities with vertical geophones at several locations on an impacted surface. Arranging the geophones at different distances from both the impact location and the source of surface wave reflections allows one to minimize the interfering effects of surface waves on recognizing the compression wave reflections from an underlying deep foundation. The processed data can be evaluated as either a conventional sonic echo or impulse response test. Results of field tests of the system are described for groups of shafts at the National Geotechnical Experimentation Site at Northwestern University. Results of these tests indicate that there are preferential locations for the geophones that enhance the interpretation of the condition of an underlying drilled shaft. A case study is presented that describes the application of the method to evaluate possible concrete deterioration of existing bridge piers.

Research paper thumbnail of Analytical interpretation of dilatometer penetration through saturated cohesive soils

Geotechnique, Jun 1, 1993

Research paper thumbnail of Microstructural Changes in Sand-Bentonite Soils when Exposed to Aniline

Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, Feb 1, 1995

Research paper thumbnail of A Unique Critical State for Sand?

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Nov 1, 1998

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Digital Image Correlation to Evaluate Shear Banding in Dilative Sands

Geotechnical Testing Journal, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Three-Dimensional Responses of a Tied-Back Excavation through Clay

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Mar 1, 2005

... of movements measured at other locations, the reinforcing effect of the timber piles inside t... more ... of movements measured at other locations, the reinforcing effect of the timber piles inside the sheet ... The similarity between the maximum distortions in both directions suggests that distortions that develop ... of the fits for Stages 5 and 6, and for fits with 3D movement data obtained ...