Praad Geotechnical is experienced in numerical static and dynamic analyses of various earth structures, including slopes, reinforced caisson and tie-back retaining wall systems, and strut and tie-back supported excavation systems. Our office primarily uses the finite difference computer program, Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC), to conduct our numerical analyses. A typical analysis of a landslide includes performing numerical modeling to determine the critical mode of failure, the area of influence of the landslide, approximated displacements, and structural demands for the design of a stabilization system.

We have been retained by clients in both public and private sectors for our consultation services in numerical modeling. We have presented seminars on numerical modeling to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Army Corps of Engineers, and numerous universities throughout the country.

Examples:

Modeling of the Lateral Displacements of the 17th Street Canal at Station 10+00 during

Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans

(Click here for simulation)

Different Critical Slope Failure Modes Depending on the Location of Shear Pin and its Plastic Moment

   Failure Above Pile (Click here for simulation)                               

    Failure Below Pile (Click here for simulation)

Failure Through Pile (Click here for simulation)

Modeling the Bending Moment of Deep-Soil-Mixing Walls and Axial Force of Struts for a Braced Excavation

Modeling of arching in a soil cement wall reinforced with steel I-beams

Mesh for the analysis of a landslide stabilization, and critical mode of failure (3 blocks) and location of plastic hinges

Representative Projects

Braced Excavations for Silicon Valley Rapid Transit in San Jose, CA

Praad Geotechnical performed numerical analyses of the excavations of cut-and-cover station and portal areas (up to 60 feet deep), and shored by either steel soldier pile-reinforced  deep soil mix walls (up to 120-feet deep)  or slurry walls, with struts or tiebacks. Our analyses estimated the soil behavior and structural load demands for the proposed excavations, and provided quantitative estimates of stresses in the ground, pore water pressures, seepage flow, displacements, anticipated structural loads, and wall movements associated with each stage of excavation and construction of the structures.

Melia Landslide in Los Angeles, CA

Praad Geotechnical performed numerical calculations to analyze a bedrock landslide failure and design a remediation using soldier piles and buttresses. FLAC analyses were performed to determine the required buttress size, and verify stability during the construction.                                  

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