Effectiveness of Sand Drains in Peaty Soil in a Case of Differential Settlement Recovering

The result obtained in a case history of differential settlement recovery are reported. The effectiveness of sand drains in peaty soil is questioned. The importance and the mutual influence of the primary and secondary settlement are discussed. Remarks are made on the value of secondary settlement coefficient

Recovering Differential Settlements by Vertical Drains

The differential settlement recovering of a large six storeys building by means of overloading and vertical drains is described. The results are discussed in relation with the geotechnical characteristics of the soil and by numerical analyses of the settlement curves

Influence of climate and regeneration microsites on Pinus contorta invasion into an alpine ecosystem in New Zealand

In many regions, alien conifers have spread widely at lower elevations and are increasingly found colonizing alpine areas. Although studies have addressed conifer invasions at low elevations, little is known about the rates and constraints on spread into higher elevations. Here, we assess the relative importance of climate and the availability of regeneration microsites on the establishment of the alien species <em>Pinus contorta</em> into a high elevation site in New Zealand. Spread has occurred from two stands planted at the elevation of the native treeline (1347–1388 masl) in the 1960s. Most stems established between 1350 and 1450 masl and <em>P. contorta</em> individuals were found up to 270 m above the original plantings. Although the population has increased by 180% in the last 20 years, population growth rate has been declining. Furthermore, comparisons with studies from other mountain ranges around the world and at low elevations in New Zealand suggest this is a relatively limited spread. Our results suggest that climate variation did not have a significant effect on establishment patterns, as opposed to availability of regeneration microsites. Soil and alpine mat microsites favoured establishment of<em> P. contorta</em> and, although these microsites did not appear to be saturated, microsite availability may be an important limiting factor for the spread of <em>P. contorta.</em> Thus management strategies should focus on preventing spread in addition to removing already established stems

First application of a totally protected anchorage

This paper describes the first experimental application of a new anchoring system thoroughly protected against dangers connected with fissuring and corrosion of the steel rods.This anchorage is similar to the type of anchors with a compressed bulb.The grouted bulb placing technology Is the same as used in the well known IRP system, i.e., with repeated high pressure grouting.Each rod is protected, along its entire length, by a plastic sheath down to a bottom plate on which each anchor is fixed. The steel bottom plate itself is embedded in epoxy resin mortar.In this way even If some fissures develop In the stressed grouted bulb, no point is left open to attack by corrosion, the steel being entirely protected by the plastic sheath of epoxy resins.This paper reports the results of prototypes In rock, and in soft alluvial soils.The tests in a soft soil were carried out with instrumentation detecting distribution of the transferred loads to the soil. These distributions have been compared to those of two traditional IRP anchors built In the same soil