Behavior of the Underpinning of a Building in Venice

This paper examines the behavior of a building constructed in 1960 and subject ever since the end of its construction to considerable total and differential settlements in time. Monitoring of the building revealed an increase in the settlement rate during the first years of the 1990s, such as to require underpinning with micropiles in 1992. In the first part of the paper, the evolution of settlements until the beginning of the restoration is analyzed, and real and anticipated behaviors are compared. In the second part, the behavior of the building during and after micropile underpinning is explained. Back-analysis was carried out, adopting tridimensional finite element analyses, in order to interpret behavior before and during underpinning

Foundations for Large Embankments

This report deals with problems connected with the design and construction of two levees built on thick soft compressible soils in the Po Delta. Settlement and pore pressure measurements in foundation soils, taken for about four years during and after construction by means of complete geotechnical instrumentation, were compared with results obtained through various methods during both design and back-analysis phases. Back-analysis was carried out using numerical simulations with finite-element programs. Considerations of the problems of the global stability of the embankments during the various construction phases are also presented

Unarousable child with a short bowel

Unarousable child with short bowel: A 4-year-old boy was admitted with progressive lethargy of a few hours' duration and no other symptoms. His medical history was relevant for short bowel syndrome (SBS), following neonatal volvulus, with residual bowel length of 23 cm and intact ileocecal valve. He had similar self-limiting episodes in the past, after weaning parenteral nutrition, especially after eating large meals. The day before, he had consumed a large amount of apples. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis showed metabolic acidosis with normal lactacidaemia (pH 7.09, pCO2 19 mm Hg, pO2 101 mm Hg, HCO3 5.8 mmol/L, BE -24, anion gap 29.4, chloride 116 mmol/L, L-lactate level 4 mmol/L). On admission, the child could be awakened, but he was confused with slurred speech (Glasgow Coma Scale 14), with a body temperature of 37 C°, a heart rate of 125 beats/min and a respiratory rate of 38 breaths/min. The abdomen was distended, without guarding and with normal bowel sounds. Blood glucose levels were normal, as well as white blood cell count, liver and kidney function test and C reactive protein. An abdominal ultrasound ruled out an intussusception. An abdominal X-ray was performed too (seefigure 1). Figure 1 Abdominal distension with gas and bloating. Questions: Which is the most likely diagnosis? Encephalitis D-lactic acidosis Dehydration with third space fluid collection and acidosis Hereditary fructose intolerance. How is this diagnosis confirmed? D lactic dosage Breath test for bacterial overgrowth Urine organic acid dosage Search for reductive substances in the stools. How should this patient be managed? Intravenous fluids to facilitate D-lactic excretion Restrict carbohydrates in the diet Intravenous bicarbonates Antibiotic treatment to reduce bowel bacterial overgrowth. Answers can be found on page 2

Valutazione della sicurezza nei problemi di Ingegneria Geotecnica.

Memorie e Studi dell'Istituto di Costruzioni Marittime e di Geotecnica dell'Università di Padov

Foundations for large embankments

This report deals with problems connected with the design and construction of two levees built on thick soft compressible soils in the Po Delta. Settlement and pore pressure measurements in foundation soils, taken for about four years during and after construction by means of complete geotechnical instrumentation, were compared with results obtained through various methods during both design and back-analysis phases. Back-analysis was carried out using numerical simulations with finite-element programs. Considerations of the problems of the global stability of the embankments during the various construction phases are also presented