AIO - A. Hommels
Constant level roads

Inverse modelling of soil behaviour during construction

Reason of the research

Geomechanical models are indispensable for reliable design of engineering structures and processes and hazard and risk evaluation. These models are however far from perfect. An inverse modelling technique can be implemented to incorporate measurements into the deterministic and stochastic model to improve the model results. This allows for observations of on-going processes to be used for enhancing the quality of subsequent model predictions.

Project plan

The objective of this Ph.D. study is to develop a numerical method for the inverse modelling of stress and deformation that are recorded during construction works in unconsolidated soil massifs, including the heterogeneity of the subsoil. The inverse modelling technique will be implemented in DIANA or PLAXIS.

Project results

After an intensive literature study, the Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) was chosen as inverse modelling technique. The EnKF has proven to be a very promising technique in two conceptual case studies. For including the geological heterogeneity, the Random Finite Element Method has been selected. The 1-d version is ready; the 2-d version is under construction. Also the sequential Gaussian simulation, which is used at TNO-NITG, will be taken into account.

Promoter

Prof. F. Molenkamp

Commission

•  Prof. F. Molenkamp (promotor, Delft University of Technology)
•  Prof. A. Heemink (Delft University of Technology)
•  Prof. J. Bosch (Delft University of Technology)
•  Prof. A. Murakami (Okayama University, Japan)
•  Dr. D. Ngan-Tillard (Delft University of Technology)
•  Dr.ir. R. Brinkgreve (Delft University of Technology/PLAXIS)
•  Drs. C. Bremmer (TNO-NITG)
•  Drs. H. Gehrels (TNO-NITG)
•  Dr. I. Kroon (TNO-NITG)
•  Dr.ir. M. Hendriks (DIANA).