2011 Volume 67 Issue 2 Pages 252-263
In this research, the spatial distribution for the strength parameters of decrepit earth-fill dams, and the identification methods of the distribution are discussed. Generally, the strength of the earth-fill is predicted derived from the SPT N-values. While, in this research, the Swedish Weight Sounding tests (SWS tests) are conducted to obtain the spatial distribution of the N-values as the simpler method, and the statistical model of the N-values is determined based on the sounding test results. For this task, the MAIC (Minimizing Aka ike's Information Criterion) method is employed, and the semi-variogram method is also used to identify the spatial correlation characteristics.
The spatial distribution of the N-value is identified from the sounding test results with high resolution, since the point estimations are obtained with short intervals. To interpolate the point estimated values, the indicator simulation method, which is one of the geostatistical methods, is employed. In the method, the hard data (primary data) and the soft data (complementary data) can be used simultaneously. Results from the SWS and the surface wave method (SWM), which is one of the geophysical exploration methods, are dealt with as hard and soft data, respectively. With synthesizing two results, the accurate spatial distribution of N-values can be identified.
